Shelby Perry bursts a water balloon over Benjamin Clark’s head at the Phi Sigma Nu fundraiser on Sept. 28 on the quad. PN photo/Jalayna Pough
By Jalayna Pough
Phi Sigma Nu Fraternity engineered a splash-filled spectacle as they host the ‘Soak a turtle’ event on Sept. 28.It featured fraternity members Lucas Lynch, Caleb Locklear, Benjamin Clark, and Adam Strickland.
The “Soak a Turtle” event was a fundraiser for the fraternity to support events, as well as going towards paraphernalia for upcoming fraternity members.
Phi Sigma Nu was established on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke on Feb. 13, 1996, and is the largest Native American fraternity in the mid-American region.
The fraternity embodies the principles of excellence across all domains, remaining steadfast in its commitment to realize the founders’ vision of being “Men of valor, Men of pride,” said Caleb Locklear, a junior double majoring in geology and environmental studies and Vice President of Phi Sigma Nu.
The event was titled “Soak a Turtle” due to the cultural significance of turtles to Native American culture. Turtles were revered as sacred beings, with the snapping turtle held in the highest esteem.
When Clark graduates in December, he will have a greater opportunity to contribute to his fraternity. He is in the process of applying to graduate school at North Carolina State University and once he finishes his graduate studies, he plans to work at a history Museum.
“I have mixed feelings about this event, it marks the final year that I will be a student at UNCP,” Clark said.
During the event, Clark and Lynch pushed through the cold splashes of water balloons people hurled at them.
“I feel good and cold” said Lynch, a junior studying biology at UNCP, said after being soaked by the water balloons.
Phi Sigma Nu will continue to host events and tables around campus to gauge interest, educate and recruit members.