The usual quiet of students studying in the High Rise East rooftop lounge was replaced with children's laughter Friday during the Delta Upsilon fraternity Halloween Party. First graders from the Lea Elemetary School in West Philadelphia, dressed in costumes of their favorite superheroes, were treated to an afternoon of cartoons, games and coloring. DU philanthrophy chairperson Rod Chin, a College junior, said this is the second year that DU has hosted a fall party for first graders. The idea originated last year when several DU brothers visited the elementary school on Friday afternoons to play with the children. Instead of a bag of candy, each of the approximately 25 young students returned to their classroom with a pair of scissors and a box of crayons. Chin said that although the gifts might not impress University students, they will make a big difference to the elementary school students. In the past, the children had to tear paper when they did art projects, because their school did not have any scissors. First grade teacher Judy Holleander praised the fraternity for their patience and interest in the class. She said that many of the 25 students, some of whom are Asian and hispanic, do not understand English. DU brother David Pook, a College junior, said that he was pleased the fraternity could become involved with the community. "One of the reasons I joined DU was because they don't pay lip service to philanthrophy," Pook said. Approximately 25 brothers participated in the event and Chin said that the fraternity is looking forward to continuing their involvement with the elementary school.
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