FSU Alpha Chi Omega

The ladies of Alpha Chi Omega participated in Market Wednesday to table to raise awareness for Sexual Assault Awareness Month!

VP of Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Marguerite partnered with member Natalia to host a salsa dancing class!

Salsa is a Latin dance, associated with salsa music, which was first popularized in the United States during the 1960s in New York City. Salsa is a mixture of Cuban dances, such as mambo, pachanga, and rumba, as well as American dances such a as swing and tap. Salsa is one of the most popular types Latin dances that is practiced worldwide. The term “salsa” was coined by Johnny Pacheco in the 1960s in New York, as an umbrella term for Cuban dance music being played in the city at the time. Salsa as a dance emerged soon after, being a combination of mambo (which was popular in New York in the 1950s) as well as Latin dances such as Son and Rumba as well as American dances such as swing, hustle, and tap. Like many other forms of Latin dances, salsa may trace its roots back to Cuba, where it is widely accepted that early radio is responsible for American artists to begin incorporating elements of Latin American rhythms into their own music and eventually into their own styles of dance.

Salsa dance steps can be done individually, but Salsa is most popularly known as a partnered dance where the lead takes the follower through a series of spins and turn patterns to music. Salsa’s tempo ranges from about 150bpm (beats per minute) to around 250bpm, although most dancing is done to music somewhere between 160 and 220bpm.The basic Salsa dance rhythm consists of taking three steps for every four beats of music. Salsa dancers can also break apart to dance solo, known as “shines”.

The two main styles of partnered salsa dancing are linear and circular. In linear salsa, dance couples remain in their “slot,” with each dancer switching places from one side of the slot to the other. The second style of partnered salsa dancing is circular salsa. Here, dancers circle around each other, reminiscent of East Coast Swing. Both Cuban and Colombian salsa follow this circular pattern.

The event was a wonderful time, and the perfect way to learn something new while taking a break from the end of the semester grind!

Alpha Chi Omega sisters Natalie G, Natalia P, Jillian L, Lauren W, and Marguerite R volunteered with SHE Academy Field Day, She Academy was founded in 2019 in Tallahassee with a mission to support and empower teenage girls on their journey to young adulthood through impactful mentorship, self-empowerment, and building healthy relationships. She Academy provides quality programs and mentorship to girls in grades 8-12 as they learn to cultivate life skills and become self-sufficient. Our youth work to build and develop a successful mindset through empowering mentors and group meetings. All meetings serve as a designated space for each girl to focus on her goals and work with the guidance of supportive leadership. Alpha Chi sisters had a blast volunteering – from setting upu to participating in Field Day activities the day was one to remember!

The VP of Facility Operations, Laney planned an evening event for in-house residents. The group gathered outside to paint mason jars and create mini flower bouquets for their rooms. The event was a ton of fun and the perfect way to destress during the end of the semester.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is here! Each week this April, we aim to help our chapter members explore and learn about different topics related to SAAM. The goal is to educate ourselves and sisters by incorporating a SAAM-related Program with Purpose into a chapter meeting. We also worked to amplify our actions by utilizing social media to advocate for sexual assault awareness.

Week 1 Raising Awareness

Alpha Chi Omega joined with the Florida State University 1910 Honorary to celebrate Women’s History Month and host an event for all female-led student organizations! The event was held at the FSU Rez Lakefront in a Pavilion and guests enjoyed snacks, crafts, and conversations. It was wonderful to see so many women and organizations come together for the event!

As those following us on social media, you will recognize the below, as the chapter works to post educational graphics for holidays.

For Holi, the chapter celebrated with a traditional meal options – a sister favorite was the Chicken and Chickpea Tagine with Basmati Rice and Naan

Following the meal, the VP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion shared information about Holi. The significance of the selected colors (denoted above) and then members had the opportunity to take part in the traditional throwing of powder.

Holi is a sacred ancient tradition of Hindus, a holiday in many states of India and Nepal with regional holidays in other countries. It is a cultural celebration that gives Hindus and non-Hindus alike an opportunity to have fun banter with other people by throwing coloured water and powder at each other. It is also observed broadly on the Indian subcontinent. Holi is celebrated at the end of winter, on the last full moon day of the Hindu luni-solar calendar month, marking the spring, making the date vary with the lunar cycle.The date falls typically in March, but sometimes late February of the Gregorian calendar.

The festival has many purposes; most prominently, it celebrates the beginning of Spring. In 17th century literature, it was identified as a festival that celebrated agriculture, commemorated good spring harvests, and the fertile land. Hindus believe it is a time to enjoying spring’s abundant colours and saying farewell to winter. To many Hindus, Holi festivities mark an occasion to reset and renew ruptured relationships, end conflicts, and rid themselves of accumulated emotional impurities from the past.

It also has a religious purpose, symbolically signified by the legend of Holika. The night before Holi, bonfires are lit in a ceremony known as Holika Dahan (burning of Holika) or Little Holi. People gather near fires, sing, and dance. The next day, Holi, also known as Dhuli in Sanskrit, or Dhulheti, Dhulandi , or Dhulendi, is celebrated.

In Northern parts of India, children and youth spray coloured powder solutions (gulal) at each other, laugh and celebrate, while adults smear dry coloured powder (abir) on each other’s faces.Visitors to homes are first teased with colours, then served with Holi delicacies (such as gujia, shakkarpaare, matri, and dahi-bada), desserts and drinks.After playing with colours, and cleaning up, people bathe, put on clean clothes, and visit friends and family.

This past week, Alpha Chi Omega brought back a tradition that had been paused by COVID-19. Seniors gathered at Hayward House Tallahassee to enjoy a senior brunch sponsored by the chapter. The seniors received a small gift from the chapter, a tradition that is nearly 15+ years old, a beautiful framed print to forever remind them of their time in Tallahassee and at 518! We are missing our seniors already… counting down the days until Hall of Commitment! Thank you to our VP Programming – Natalie, Senior Programming – Marni and Chapter Advisor – Britain for planning

In honor of Deaf Awareness Month VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Marguerite worked to bring the FSU Chapter of the American Sign Language club to the chapter. The club gave an introduction to what American Sign Language is, the specifications of signing, and things to consider surrounding deaf culture. Lastly, sisters were taught the alphabet in sign language and even how to sign the word “sorority”!

Alpha Chi Omega collaborated with the Women’s Student Union to volunteer at the Kearney Center this morning, working on sorting laundry and canned goods.