Phi Taus in Hancock capture seventh straight Winter Carnival statue crown

By Dennis Walikainen, Michigan Tech Senior Editor
With photos by Keweenaw Now

"As the snow falls from above, a beast discovers love" -- by the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity in Hancock -- is the first place winner in Michigan Tech's Winter Carnival fraternity division for the seventh year straight! (Photos by Keweenaw Now)

HANCOCK -- With a large and detailed snow statue based on The Beauty and the Beast, Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, located on West Quincy Street in Hancock, won the fraternity division of the month-long statue competition for the seventh consecutive year.

Entrance to the "Beast's" castle with icy chain. In the background are Belle (Beauty) and the Beast.

Tau Kappa Epsilon’s tribute to The Lion King, next to the Administration Building, took second place, and Delta Sigma Phi’s Toy Story entry, next to Wadsworth Hall, was third.

All the statues had to follow this year’s Winter Carnival theme: "Nostalgic Films of Childhood Days Come to Life in Frosty Ways."

Michael Braun of Phi Kappa Tau said they had a solid crew of twenty members logging some 200 to 300 hours each, since they returned after the holiday break.

"I’m proud of the results," said the fourth-year chemical engineering major from Pinconning, Mich.

Belle and her beloved Beast dance in the ballroom of the castle after the magic of love transforms him.

Seven-time winner Phi Kappa Tau is known for detailed ice sculptures such as this tea service.

Among women’s groups, Alpha Sigma Tau, on College Avenue near Franklin Square, took first with a tribute to Cinderella. Theta Chi Epsilon was second, with Peter Pan; and Delta Zeta third, with the Wizard of Oz.

The Residence Hall category found Summit/WIE, also focusing on The Lion King and located in front of the Walker Arts and Humanities Center, on top, followed by Mama’s Boys and Raptor Hall.

Army ROTC (Land Before Time) bested Air Force ROTC (Jurassic Park) in the Student Organization group, with Four-Wheelers coming in third.

The all-nighters, who only had from 4 p.m. Wednesday to 8 a.m. Thursday to complete their artwork, had results in three categories. On-Campus champions were the Lutheran Collegians, followed by the National Association of Home Builders. The Off-Campus category was won by Lutheran Campus Ministries, and Bastille won the University Housing category.

Click here for Michigan Tech's photos of the winning statues.