Monday, April 6, 1998

IFC sponsors Easter egg hunt for children

By PATRICIA TISAK
Collegian Staff Writer

At the sound of "Go!" nine-year-old Megan Lang scrambled off the porch and ran toward a bright egg hidden in the bushes.

Lang's family, along with about 40 other families, were at the first Interfraternity Council Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday at Sigma Pi fraternity, 303 Fraternity Row.

"I like (the egg hunt) because sometimes we win prizes and it's fun finding them," Lang said.

For five chaotic minutes, Sigma Pi's front lawn was a blur of flying wicker baskets and brightly colored eggs. Clara Ocneanu, 5, said she wanted to tell the Easter Bunny "Happy gardening." Ocneanu was very excited about meeting the Easter Bunny, said her mother, Christine Lowe, of State College.

Parents as well as children enjoyed the hunt, and some, such as State College resident Patty Uddin, said the event was a nice community service.

Children look for Easter eggs at Sigma Pi fraternity, 303 Fraternity Row Saturday. The Interfraternity Council sponsored their first annual Easter egg hunt. (Collegian Photo/Andrea Elizabeth Kohler - click for full size image)

"I just recently moved here so I don't know all the things (the fraternities) do here in the community," she said. "I think it was very generous for them to do."

Jeff Tranell, IFC community relations chairman, said the egg hunt was not targeted toward Christians only, pointing out that there were people from different backgrounds present.

"We felt that this was a good activity for the spring season," said Tranell (sophomore-education). "It's something for the kids to do. We're very enthused about the response from the community."

IFC executive vice president Brian Eckert, who dressed as the Easter Bunny, said the egg hunt was a success.

"This is one of the goals I wanted to accomplish as executive vice president," Eckert said. "I wanted to improve community relations."