Ives 101 was packed to capacity as the lights dimmed. There were people filling every seat, sitting on the floor and against the walls. The emcee, Elijah Stephenson, philanthropy chair for Alpha Psi, took the stage. The Alpha Psi Cutie Pie Drag Show was about to begin. 

Each of the nine contestants walked out individually displaying their sass and giving the audience a sense of who they were. Some of the names of the guys’ personas were “Dixie Normous, Cherry Poppinz, Slutty McSlutstlut, Jenna Talia and Mariana ‘StealYoMan’dez.” Each contestant then had to read off some comedic, but mean jokes that they wrote about each of the other contestants. Following that, two contestants at a time competed against each other by lip-syncing and dancing. Then each drag contestant took part in dancing with each other. At the end, a vote took place to see who the drag queen winner would be.

The Alpha Psi Cutie Pie Drag Show was put on to help support an organization known as NAMI, The National Alliance on Mental Illness. This Sonoma County organization helps people who have mental health problems and helps the lives of their family and friends. The many health problems that the organization helps with are those known as schizophrenia, bipolar, disorder, major depression, borderline personality disorder, anxiety disorders, panic disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

According to the NAMI pamphlet passed out at the Alpha Psi Cutie Pie Drag show, many important components of recovery are known as the dark days, acceptance, treatment, coping skills and successes, hopes and dreams. The pamphlet specifically states that NAMI is the “nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. NAMI has over 1,100 affiliates in local communities across the country and 52 state organizations.”

“We wanted to raise money for NAMI and wanted to do something really out of the ordinary and the drag just fell into place. I don’t think anyone really knew anything about drag,” said Stephenson. “There was really an impressive outcome and so we want the Green Music Center next time. We definitely can’t wait to do it again. Next year we want to include as many organizations as we can; not just Greek organizations. It was definitely a great opportunity.”

There were nine different fraternity brothers who took the stage in heels, dresses and plastered on makeup. 

“The experience was fantabulous. Anyone who has the opportunity to participate in this event next year should because it was a lot of fun. It was awesome to be able to support the NAMI organization,” said Jonah Cohen, Alpha Epsilon Phi.

Each fraternity brother had a positive outlook on the experience.

“It was a great opportunity to go over the wonderful history of drag and to celebrate. I had a blast,” said Adrian Gould, Alpha Psi. 

Gould was dressed in a long tight-fit black dress accented with ruffles that showed off his legs. He had short blonde hair and bangs and wore black heels with her outfit. Gould walked around with attitude.  

“It was fabulous dressing up like a school girl and twerking. I had no idea the amount of make up all the girls put on,” said Nick Morrill, Alpha Epsilon Phi. “This is a really creative philanthropy for a really great cause. If I wasn’t graduating, I would do it again.”

Morrill was dressed as a risqué school girl known as Star 69. He had on a white t-shirt that showed off his midriff with a paper pinned to his back that displayed the words “slut.” To compliment his short shirt was a checkered skirt and lime green spanks on underneath. The whole outfit was pulled together with sky blue hair and black pumps.

The show had a positive response to all of the men on stage. Each fraternity brother let go of their ego and displayed a lot of attitude with each step they took. There was never a moment in the audience without laughter. 

At the end of the drag show, everyone in the audience had the opportunity to put any spare change in the contestant’s bucket that they believed deserved to win drag queen. The winner of the competition was Dixie Normous. Dixie won over the crowd with his sassy dance moves and audacious outfit: styling black heels, a white and black corset and black pencil skirt. He had a feather boa and vibrant jewelry to compliment her attire. 

“I’m really thankful and really loved the show. It was fabulous,” said Tyler Matthews, intern at NAMI in Sonoma County. “NAMI provides education, advocacy, and support for individuals with mental illnesses and for their family and friends. If any students have any concerns about mental illness, substance abuse, or the thought of suicide, they can speak with someone to get the resources that they may need or just an ear to listen to. The hotline number is (707)-527-6655. Also, anyone can go on our website namisoco.org.”