Photographer: Emily Matthews John McCarthy, associate professor of communication sciences and disorders in the College of Health Sciences and Professions, took top honors in last year’s Ava Nichols’ Faculty Pageant, singing “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” from the musical “Oklahoma.”
Each year, Ohio University’s chapter of the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity calls on faculty and staff to step outside their comfort zones and take the stage to showcase their talents in an event that benefits children battling cancer.
The ninth annual Ava Nichols’ Faculty Pageant is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, in the Baker University Center Ballroom and is open to everyone.
Alpha Phi Omega started this annual tradition in 2010 as a benefit for Ava Nichols, a 4-year-old girl from Marietta, Ohio, who had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. While Ava passed away in 2012, the service fraternity continues to host the event in her honor and as a means of raising money for childhood cancer organizations.
All of the proceeds from the Ava Nichols’ Faculty Pageant continue to benefit Camp Quality Ohio, a non-profit organization that serves children with cancer and their families. Located in the Akron area, Camp Quality Ohio provides a summer camp experience, year-round programs and support – all at no cost and as a means of encouraging children battling cancer to take a break from their illness and just be kids.
It is the work that Camp Quality Ohio does that inspired Alpha Phi Omega member Mitchell Howard to volunteer to co-chair this year’s Ava Nichols' Faculty Pageant alongside fellow member Ryan Capal.
“I can say that it’s just going to be great,” Howard said of this year’s pageant and the OHIO employees who will be taking the stage for three rounds of competition – formal wear, talent and a question-and-answer session.
Howard said the theme of this year’s pageant is summer camp, and while the members of Alpha Phi Omega are keeping mum on who will be competing in the event, Howard did provide a little sneak peek.
According to Howard, pageant goers can expect to see performances from an OHIO Spanish instructor, the adviser of Alpha Phi Omega and a representative from the University’s Office for Multicultural Student Access and Retention (OMSAR). In addition, OHIO’s Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Jenny Hall-Jones, who competed in the faculty pageant for several years, will serve as one of the event’s judges this year.
Tickets for the Ava Nichols Faculty Pageant are $4 pre-sale and $5 at the door. Alpha Phi Omega members will be tabling and selling tickets on the first floor of Baker University Center beginning Monday, Feb. 12, and continuing until the day of the event. For more information, email facultypageant.aphiodeltagamma@gmail.com .