VP NM Education Lila, Bid day Chair Zoe and the NM Education committee- organized a bid day to remember. Taking a twist on Beverly Hills hotel – 518 was decorated with custom banners, faux awnings, a Kombucha truck, painted letters etc. for the occasion.
The chapter welcomed home 78 new members! Which was quota at FSU. Following recruitment Panhellenic set chapter total to median chapter size of 263 fo the campus, and Alpha Chi Omega currently has 283 members!
This weekend sister Ayva O. made an announcement asking if any sisters wanted to make the trip to Providence Canyon state park in Lumpkin, Ga. 30+ sisters jumped at the opportunity for a weekend hike! After a car ride that allowed for sisters to bond and catch up – they arrived at the Park. Since park staff are temporarily limiting access to ensure social distancing and protect the health of the public – the ladies were able to enjoy the hike without the crowds!
Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon” is a testament to the power of man’s influence on the land. Massive gullies as deep as 150 feet were caused simply by poor farming practices during the 1800s, yet today they make some of the prettiest photographs within the state. The rare Plumleaf Azalea grows only in this region and blooms during July and August when most azaleas have lost their color. The canyon soil’s pink, orange, red and purple hues make a beautiful natural painting at this quiet park.
Visitors can enjoy views of the canyons from the rim trail, taking care to stay behind fences and off the fragile canyon edge. Hikers who explore the deepest canyons will usually find a thin layer of water along the trail, indication of the water table below. Guests who hike to canyons 4 and 5 may want to join the Canyon Climbers Club. Backpackers can stay overnight along the backcountry trail which highlights portions of the canyon and winds through mixed forest. Camping, cottages and efficiency units are available nearby at Florence Marina State Park on 45,000 acre Lake Walter F. George.
While the chapter may be “out for summer” and spread across the nation – members worked virtually to celebrate Mental Health Awareness month actively sharing resources on social media. Check out our Metal Health Highlight on Instagram
The chapter is proud that Alpha Chi Omega was able to partner with Active Minds this May for Mental Health Awareness Month. The goal to share the power of #HereForYou!
While today marks the end of the month – we encourage all who haven’t yet to Take the pledge and commit to letting people in your life know that you’re available and willing to help and support their mental health.
Share the pledge with sisters and talk about educational resources available to members to help promote emotional well-being not only this May but everyday!
Alpha Chi Omega HQ invites all volunteers to participate in quarterly Golden Key webinars. These short, 30-minute webinars range in content from developing power skills to improving technical skills and providing updates about Alpha Chi Omega.
This past year alumnae volunteers & chapter advisory board members were able to attend Resiliency While Volunteering. The webinar included a panel of different volunteers from across the Enterprise reflecting and discussing their resiliency habits and ways you can develop resiliency too! They were able to attend a Golden Key Webinar guest speaker – Devin Hall, assistant director of prevention education. Devin facilitated a mental health and self-care workshop from the Behind Happy Faces program. He also talked about resources for volunteers. Last, but not least alumnae volunteer & Chapter advisory board members were able to attend a Golden Key webinar regarding gaining trust while volunteering..
This past week, two Alpha Chi Omega sisters from across the nation had the incredible opportunity to attend the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Sophomore Summit. Alara, Beta Eta – Florida State & Ku’ulei, Epsilon Omega – California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
Ku’ulei is a rising junior at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. She is majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Entrepreneurship. She is active in Alpha Chi Omega, Surfrider Foundation and Women in Business. While in Alpha Chi Omega she has served as the Service Chair and External Social Chair. Alara is a rising junior at Florida State University. She is majoring in Retail Entrepreneurship with a focus on Retail Merchandising. While in Alpha Chi, she is currently serving as the VP Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
The ladies were chosen (2 of 150 selected) out of a competitive applicant pool (over over 5,000 applicants) to explore a variety of roles within A&F and learn about their internal sustainability and corporate responsibility initiatives. The ladies meet in their small group & discovered they were sisters! In the small group they were tasked over the 3 day summit to create a unique product line proposal, which we then pitched to an A&F leadership panel.
Hall of commitment is a semi-closed ceremony. It is for all collegiate member that is graduating the semester during which the ceremony is performed. The ceremony was conducted this spring by our local alumnae chapter Epsilon Tau Epsilon (ETE). Following the ceremony the ladies had a dessert reception and toast. ETE held two make up ceremonies for sisters as well! We are so thankful for our local alumna chapter for hosting the ceremony & miss our seniors already! We can’t wait to see all they accomplish.
We are so proud of the following sisters for their accomplishments in their organizations outside of Alpha Chi!
Blake Novack for Dancer Relations Director with Dance Marathon!
Bella D. for becoming a photographer for Philia magazine!
Bree Sutherland for Vice-President of FSU field hockey!
Bri Mahoney for Alumni Liaison with FSU FPRA!
Carley Stubbs for the activities director leadership position for Best Buddies!
Grace Castillow for Vice-President with FSU FPRA, a writing team leader for Philia Magazine, and Panhellenic Director of PR & Marketing for Recruitment 2022!
Ellie Sachs for the exec board with FSU FPRA!
Jenna D. for becoming the new executive director for light the night!
Jenna Miller for her position with Noles on Wall Street and Diversity Leaders in Finance!
Jaiden G. for her promotion to FSU Student Ambassador trainer!
Kennedy Kinsley for President of the Sports Management Association of FSU!
Kaitlyn A. for getting accepted into the diversity and inclusion institute through the center for civic and social change!
Maddie Rominski for getting 6th in the nation with Seminole Dance Force!
Mary Hannah Williams for Public Relations chair with Seminole Student Boosters & Marketing chair for The FSU Student Foundation!
Merideth Grimm for becoming an FSU orientation leader!
Morgan Rupert inducted into Spanish Honor Society !
Nina Chong for being a member of the Union Board, & Asian American Student Union Programming Coordinator!
Sarah Morris for being the event coordinator, FSU Advertising Club and Assistant Direct of Advertising Strike Magazine!
Steph Flegal for winning the Naples Alumnae Panhellenic Scholarship!
Valerie Blondal for Public Relations Director with Best Buddies!
Clutch Staff: Jess Wilsey, Shannon Mellish, Tia Kearney & Emily Gordon
Strike Staff: Grace Castilow, Sarah Morris and Emily Gordon
Olivia T, Grace C, Emily Gordon, Gaby Panneflek, Mallory H – for becoming FSU Torchbearers 100!
Order of Omega inductees – Bree Sutherland, Leanne, Megan Skipper, Valerie B!
Kait A and Nina C – Freshman Leadership Institute!
Garnet & Gold Scholar Society – Mallory Hartline!
We are so proud of these sisters internships for the summer:
Arielle for getting a summer internship with JFCS! Lila for getting a summer internship with a top orthopedic surgeon! Haley Kelljchian for accepting an internship with RPS in their Fort Lauderdale office! Dabney Dennis for her Internship in Oklahoma!
the ladies of Alpha Chi Omega hosted FSU Student Sophonie to learn more about the Black Student Union on Florida State University Campus.
The mission of The Black Student Union is to be a Student Government Agency that offers black students a form of identity, and a social life. BSU functions as a vehicle of communication to the faculty and administration of Florida State University. The Black Student Union seeks to develop unity among black students so that jointly and strongly they can express concerns and problems faced on campus. BSU is an organization at Florida State University that addresses those issues that affect African-American students in a university setting. The Black Student Union has been a mainstay at Florida State University since its conception in 1968. The Black Student Union creates an atmosphere of self-respect and gives minorities on campus an opportunity to network and explore all of the different options that Florida State University has to offer.
Sophonie also shared information about the current Breakthrough campaign .
This national Alpha Chi Omega award honors a newly initiated Alpha Chi Omega from a collegiate chapter. This real, strong woman will have been initiated no more than 12 months prior to being nominated. An emerging leader who has embraced the ideals of Alpha Chi Omega, the recipient of this award has shown great potential to serve her chapter, her campus and/or her community – and is already taking steps to actively participate.
Here are a few words the nominator had to say about Abby:
“In the past year, I have watched Abby quickly emerge herself in both the chapter, Panhellenic and campus community. Abby was selected to serve as several chapter committees as a new member, and was quick to volunteer to assist with events, and activities, as she was able. Through these positions, Abby was able to expand upon her leadership skills, and knowledge of campus organizations. ”
“Abby would be an excellent candidate for the Alpha Chi Omega Emerging leader award. She is a driven individual with a passion to learn and expand her horizons both in and out of the classroom. She is a proven leader, philanthropist, and student. She is poised, and interacts well with collegians and alumnae appreciating both perspectives. I look forward to seeing all Abby will accomplish during her time at Beta Eta and beyond and know she will continue to be a model leader and Alpha Chi Omega.”
Due to Covid-19 capacity guidelines for the semester, for each chapter meeting 50 sisters attended in person at the chapter house with the remainder attending via zoom. This set up allowed the chapter president and chapter advisor to work with Alpha Chi Omega National President, Lynne to “zoom bomb” the last chapter of the semester & surprise Abby Vanderwall with the award. Gaby, Chapter President gave her announcements & then as Abby stood to give her announcements Gaby introduced Lynne. You can see the sisters snaps on the bottom left photo & Abby’s look of shock in the bottom right photo as she realizes what is happening (Abby & Gaby are in second screen shot next to CA Britain Riley in the image)
2020 was quite the year from all things COVID to virtual recruitment, large events in shifts and forever altering plans to ensure we could prioritize the health and safety of our members while still providing opportunities to grow, lead, connect and serve!
This past week the 2020 Chapter President, Paris Thie attended the Florida State University -Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life Pursuit of Excellence Awards ceremony.
The chapter was recognized with 3 chapter awards, (2 individual awards and over all Panhellenic Association at Florida State University Chapter of the Year!!!!!!
2020 FSU Panhellenic chapter of the year
2020 academic excellence award
2020 outstanding news member education program
2020 culture of sisterhood
2020 Panhellenic member of the year Bella De Souza
2020 Mary B Coburn outstanding faculty staff year – our Chapter Advisor Britain Riley
FSU Alpha Chi Omega