As the semester draws to a close, students may find themselves overwhelmed by the intense reality that finals are looming just around the corner, a mere four weeks away. The ladies of Grand Valley State University’s Tri Sigma are hosting a sweet event that’s sure to cure those end-of-the-semester jitters.

Tri Sigma, a GVSU sorority with 115 active collegiate members, will host their second annual “Cupcake Wars” event, a competition in which teams can enter with their best cupcake recipe to battle against other cupcake-savvy contestants. Those who make it to the final round will have a chance to earn a prize and philanthropy money.

“We wanted to have an event where other chapters, clubs and students could be involved to encourage attendance of their supporters,” said Caitlyn Diroff, Tri Sigma’s philanthropy chair. “We also liked the idea of being able to contribute to additional charities, since the winner of the competition is awarded money to be donated to a philanthropy of their choice.”

Tickets to enter the Cupcake Wars are $5 at the door, and $4 from a sister. The entrance fee provides a taste of each cupcake so attendees can then vote for their favorites, as well as drinks and access to a “decorate your own” cupcake station.

Profits from the event will be donated to the Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation, which supports child play therapy, scholarship and leadership.

“A good way to explain what play therapy is, that it’s a way to help sick children heal or understand what they’re going through better,” said Mikayla Zaglaniczny, president of Tri Sigma. “If a young child is going to begin radiation or chemotherapy for a brain tumor, they might be shown on a doll what it’s going to look like.

“A number of hospitals actually have play therapy rooms, or facilities where sick children in the hospital can go to play with different toys, and talk about what they’re at the hospital for and ask questions. It really is a wonderful thing.”

Last year’s event raised $900 in funds. According to Diroff, a team representing the GVSU fraternity Delta Sigma Phi won first place with their “Heaven in a Bite” cupcake, which had a cookie baked into it. A snickerdoodle cupcake won the judges’ choice category, and a watermelon cupcake won in the “prettiest cupcake” category.

“We hope that everyone who walks through our house enjoys their time at the event, and more importantly, enjoys the cupcakes,” Zaglaniczny said. “We will have a station where guests can decorate their own cupcakes. We will also have a station where guests can make coloring books that will be taken to the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.”

Cupcake Wars will take place at the Sigma Sigma Sigma House on Thursday at 8 p.m. located at Grand Village, 5050 Pierce St. in Allendale.

“One big reason that this fundraiser is successful is because of the support and resources provided by the Greek community,” Diroff said. “While a lot of the attendees are Greek, all students are encouraged to participate.”

In addition to Cupcake Wars, Tri Sigma plans to participate in Relay for Life this April, and is working to become a part of Sigma Kappa’s annual Battle of the Valley Girls. In the Fall, the girls will be hosting Sigma Fall Fest, which invites student to celebrate autumn with Tri Sigma.