Students sell their bodies to help raise money

Charleston Thompson paraded in front of the Kappa Sigma fraternity house Thursday in full Hugh Hefner attire -- silk robe, pipe and leopard-print slippers. Soon after, Thompson pulled off the robe to reveal a hot-pink Speedo. But the demonstration was for a good cause -- the College sophomore was participating in the third annual Kappa Sigma fraternity date auction. Hundreds of people crowded the lawn of the house and spilled out onto Locust Walk to watch 14 men and 15 women get auctioned off to the highest bidders. And both the dates and the bidders said the experience was well worth it. "He's worth every penny," said College freshman Yngrid Gonzalez, who paid $80 for a date with Thompson and a gift certificate to Johnny Valentines'. "He's that hot." Bidders were required to pay an entry fee of $1, plus whatever amount of money they bid. The date auction brought in about $3,500, with the highest bid being $350. All proceeds went to the American Red Cross. "I came to help out charity but, more importantly, to bid on some beautiful ladies," College freshman Mike Mittelman said. The auctionees came out of the Kappa Sig house one at a time, strutting their stuff and dancing to the blasting music. Among the men auctioned off were College senior and Quakers basketball star Michael Jordan ($95) and Queer Student Alliance president and Engineering junior Kurt Klinger ($60). And the women who came out for the auction included Check One president and College sophomore Desiree Strickland ($290) and Kappa Alpha Theta president Sonali Chakravorti ($90). "Everyone told me you have to get really crazy, but I didn't want to so I just dressed up," said Chakravorti, a Wharton junior, who was wearing rabbit ears and a furry collar. "Now nobody's dressed up and I feel stupid." But the crowd's response to Chakravorti was very positive. "It's for charity, it's fun, even though I already have a tuxedo -- and Sonali's a cool girl," said Wharton junior Mark Hodgson, who paid $90 for a date with Chakravorti and a free tuxedo rental. The major prizes this year included dinner with College senior Leah Bills at Brasserie Perrier ($150) and dinner for 10 at Marrakesh with College senior Uttara Patel ($350). And Wharton senior Ryan Robinson, who came out with a red rose in his teeth, fetched $100. "It's a really good cause," said College sophomore Mary Ferrer, who "won" her best friend Robinson. "The American Red Cross is an exceptional charity."

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