Attendance falls at fourth annual Eve Ball

Though Lori Burgwyn spent Friday night dressed as an ice queen, her compassion shone through.

On Friday, Burgwyn hosted the fourth annual Eve Ball at the Carolina Club in the George Watts Hill Alumni Center. The evening included dancing, an open bar, a three-tiered chocolate fountain and other Halloween treats.

Burgwyn, who owns Franklin Street Yoga, has hosted the Eve Ball each year to benefit the Eve Carson Scholarship, which was established in memory of the 2008 UNC student body president who was murdered in 2008.

Carson envisioned the junior year scholarship in her platform, and her dream was realized after her death.

“I created the event in Eve’s honor,” Burgwyn said. “She had taken classes in our studio.”

About 200 people attended the event, slightly down from the nearly 300 at the ball in 2011.

There was also a costume contest, and winners were awarded a $100 cash prize.

Winning costumes included a “sexy Cupid”, Lord Voldemort, the cast of “Mad Men” and a group of four black-and-white TV characters.

Lark O’Leary, a black-and-white character, said she spent about three hours applying makeup for her costume.

“We weren’t really sure if it was going to be a hit or not, but we had a great time regardless,” she said.

Burgwyn said as the years pass since Carson’s death, fewer students understand Carson’s legacy. The class of 2011 was the last group of students to have attended school with Carson.

But the ball’s fundraising efforts have only become more pronounced.

This year, Burgwyn and local hunger-relief organization PORCH — People Offering Relief for Chapel Hill Carrboro Homes —collaborated to raise money.

“We thought, ‘How can we grow the event — what would Eve do to make it a little bigger?’” she said.

PORCH and the Eve Carson Scholarship will split the money raised through ticket sales and donations.

Debbie Horwitz, PORCH co-founder, said the group collects approximately $20,000 worth of food and donations each month.

“It’s an example of how a group of people working together … can have such a huge impact with a very simple idea,” she said.

Horwitz said funds raised for PORCH will help provide nutritious food to families who might otherwise have difficulty finding meals during school holidays.

UNC senior Kacie Neville, the scholarship’s executive director, said these events help to continue Eve’s remarkable legacy while celebrating her fun-loving side.

“It’s a little known fact that Eve loved to dance, so having a dance party in her name is really great,” she said. “And it’s always fun to see a bunch of grown adults in full-on costume. I hope I’m like that when I’m 40.”

Contact the desk editor at city@dailytarheel.com.