Vokolos named Deepher Dude 2006

By Maureen Kolodziej and Francesca Lo Basso
Collegian Editors
November 8, 2006

Seeing guys on stage dancing, singing and making general fools of themselves in the name of charity is not only tradition at La Salle, but something most students look forward to each year.

Deepher Dude an annual fundraiser for Delta Phi Epsilon. It raises money for the sorority’s philanthropies, which include the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Anorexia Nervosa and Other Associated Disorders.

Local restaurants and hair salons donated gift certificates for the sisters to auction off at the end of the event. There was a two-dollar entrance fee, which also got you one raffle ticket, and then an additional two dollars for any extra ticket you wanted.

Deepher Dude proved to be a fun time had by all. The contestants competed in four categories: campus wear, swimwear, formal wear and a talent portion. All of the participants were wildly inventive with their performances.

Senior markeing major Christina McCarthy organized the event for the past two years.

“Nothing is more fulfilling than being able to create an atmosphere that incorporates service and fun effortlessly,” she said. “This event has not only been the catalyst of much professional and personal growth but also has been a such a gift in bringing the values and the personality of my sisterhood out in conjunction with the shared bond and values with the rest of our peer organizations.”

Lenny Johnson, who represented the African American Student League (AASL) and Phi Beta Sigma, shimmied onto stage in a lurid pink miniskirt and silver top, and belted out Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do with It.”

Anthony “Feej” Aldorasi, representing Sigma Phi Lambda, sauntered onto stage in nothing but black pants and one white glove to give a startlingly accurate Michael Jackson impersonation.

John McAleese, representing Alpha Theta Alpha, perfected the guttural New York drawl of the working class to don suspenders and dance and sing his way through The Newsies’ “Carrying the Banner.”

But without contest the two best acts, and subsequent winner and first runner-up, were Chris Vokolos and Dino Petralia. Petralia, representing Alpha Phi Delta, appeared on stage in black leggings, striped leg-warmers, and the infamous Jennifer Beals gray sweatshirt with the neck cut off.

He did a full on Flashdance revival:knees up and legs out. But the coup de grace was definitely when he grabbed a bucket of water and threw it over himself, landing sprawled in a chair with his back arched and his legs splayed out in front of him. Beals couldn’t have done it better herself.

But it was Vokolos’ Tom Cruise in Risky Business impression that stole the show. He went full out – literally – clad only in a pink button down shirt and quintessential tighty whities.

He had the moves and the guts to steal first place and be crowned 2006’s Deepher Dude for Gamma Sigma Sigma.

“I was very honored to represent the ladies of Gamma Sig, and to help raise money for such a great cause,” Vokolos said. “I was shocked to win, since Dino’s performance had me on the floor laughing, but winning was definitely a moment I won't forget.”

Vokolos said he picked the scene from Risky Business as his routine because he wanted to put on a show that students wouldn’t forget in years to come.

He thinks that by dancing in his underwear, he accomplished his goal.

kolodziejm1@lasalle.edu, lobassof1@lasalle.edu