Senior Spotlight

Alpha Chi Senior Rebecca Epstein had the most amazing summer.

For three months, Rebecca was in Manhattan interning with EMW Music Group at Engine Room Audio. During her internship, she worked with well-known artists and advertising firms to write lyrics and music. She also performed voice overs for commercial advertising.

“Everyday I was surrounded by some of the most creative people in the recording industry that inspired me to write, record, and grow as a musician, artist, and individual,” says Rebecca of her time in New York. 

After realizing how hard Rebecca was working and how talented she is, the company gave her the opportunity to write and record her own album. The album’s single is called “Forever December” and will be out in just a few short weeks.

To follow Rebecca’s bright future in the music industry, follow her official instagram Raemusicofficial. 

Sister of the Week

This weeks Sister of the Week is Junior, Jenn Coats for being admitted into Tallahassee’s Guardian ad Litem program! 
In October Jenn will begin training to become one of the many powerful voices advocating on behalf abused and neglected children in the state of Florida. Jenn will be protecting the interest of children as they go through court proceedings in the Second Judicial Circuit. While specific duties may vary from child to child, she will be participating in all stages of each case and will make recommendations to the court according to each child’s unique circumstance.  
Jenn is beyond excited to start this journey and can’t see what wonderful experiences it will bring. Congratulations, Jenn. You will undoubtedly change many children’s lives for the better.

Written by Megan Mollan, Publications Chair 2015

Senior Spotlight

On behalf of all the ladies of the Beta Eta Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega, a big thank you goes out to senior Jessica Botterbusch for all her hard work during 2015 Fall Recruitment! 

As VP Recruitment, Jessica organized an entire week of pre-recruitment festivities and coordinated recruitment with Panhellenic standards while maintaing the character and values unique to our Chapter.
Jessica did an outstanding job leading the chapter in everything from fun games and sisterhood bonding to “stairs” and the technicalities of each party.  Our success during this recruitment season is, in large-part, due to Jessica’s efforts and creativity.  
Thank you so much, Jess. We love you!

From Left to Right: Alex Schaler, Jessica Botterbusch, Savannah Schaler

A special thanks goes out to Jessica’s assistant, Savannah Schaler, and Alpha Chi President, Alex Schaler. Without these amazing sisters, 2015 Fall Recruitment would not have been the same.

Congratulations, Beta Eta, on an incredible new member class!

Summer Spotlight

Stephanie Bernal spent three weeks of her summer in Kenya! She spent here time there volunteering at a special needs school in a town called Thika.  While at the school, she tutored the children and helped them with their classwork.  It wasn’t all work though; when they weren’t in class, Stephanie played games with and got to know the children. 
We are so proud of you Stephanie and all your amazing work this summer! 

Summer Spotlight

Alpha Chi sister, Sarah Balduzzi spent five weeks in Costa Rica! 

During her first three weeks she was in a town call Tamarindo working at an adult surf camp with campers from all over the world. For the last two weeks she went backpacking around Costa Rica.  During those five weeks she spent her days surfing, hiking, chasing waterfalls, and having the time of her life. 

Help BH Sister Yasmijn, help those in Nepal ….

Beta Eta sisters,

We reached out to BH Alumna, Yasmijn who has lived in Nepal with her family, and whose husbands family still lives in Nepal. She shares heart wrenching before/after images, and offers suggestions for how to help below.
 
Dear Sisters – 
I hope this note finds you well.  As many of you know, my husband (Pawan) is from Nepal.  The devastating 7.8 Richter scale earthquake that hit Nepal this weekend has been very tragic. While luckily my husband’s immediate family (parents, brother’s family and sister’s family) are safe and sustained only property damage, many lives have perished, including a dear friend, who lost both his brothers and their families (total of 9, including five children).  
We are heartbroken about our friends and family in Nepal who are scared and cold, sitting outside wondering if there will be another aftershock (50+ and counting), and fears of food and water shortages, and spread of epidemics are just starting.  The death toll is approaching 5,500 but is expected in be in multiples once all is accounted for, and damage to buildings and several UNESCO heritage sites has not even been estimated at this point.
Many have asked us about the choice of our charities – we have been working with SEBS – North America to raise funds. SEBS is Pawan’s high school alumni association – since it is a 501(c) (3) charity, your donations are tax-deductible.  We are using proceeds to (1) provide immediate medical relief (several ex-students are already volunteering on the ground and been indicating that supplies are finished), (2) food and shelter (as government / aid agencies are overwhelmed with volume of displaced people), and (3) “leftovers” if any will be used to educate orphaned children (in line with some of the other charity my school has been involved with).  Some of our personal friends are already on the ground and some plan to go soon to assist with the help.  Please note that 100% of the proceeds reaches victims (as this is all volunteer based and with no overhead; in fact, we are also offsetting credit card and Paypal charges via personal matching). http://www.sebsonline.org/misc/donate.aspx?c=NepalQuakeRelief
We are also involved with Ama Foundation, which is a grassroots US-based 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing the most underprivileged children of Nepal with a loving home, education, and healthy live, and is expected to provide home and education to many children that will be orphaned because of this earthquake. I’m a board member and can tell you firsthand the wonderful work this organization does. http://www.ama-foundation.org/
We are hosting a benefit at our house this Friday at 8PM.  If anybody lives in  San Francisco/ Bay Area or know somebody that would like to come, please let me know and I’ll forward the information. 
Please help spread the word!
Many thanks!
Yasmijn (Salim) Adhikari NM’97

Sister Shout-Out

A big congratulations to Meredith Brooks! Meredith has worked on a project all semester called Supervastness of the Reactionary Canary.  Her photographs have been hung up on the second floor of the Oglesby Union and will remain there until April 21st.  This is Meredith’s first student art exhibition at Florida State University and we couldn’t be more proud of the amazing work she has done!

Written by Megan Mollan, Publications Chair 2015

20 Years Of Miracles

Dance Marathon at Florida State was celebrating its 20th year of making miracles happen this past weekend! Benefiting the Children’s Miracle Network, Alpha Chi was lucky enough to participate again this year.  Amanda Corin represented Alpha Chi as Dancer Rep this year, motivating all of the sisters participating.  Alpha Chi had about 101 sisters participating as dancers, collectively raising $50,000.  Alpha Chi sister Michelle Goldman received an award for being the second highest fundraiser, raising $5,048. 

Alpha Chi was paired with Alpha Epsilon Pi as well as the Lady Spear Hunters.  Together, we placed 3rd in fundraising among large pairings.  Alpha Epsilon Pi and Lady Spear Hunters each raised about $12,000.  Dance Marathon raised a total of $1,100,645.52, reaching a new high. Sisters that participated praised the event, professing it was the time of their lives.  Alpha Chi can’t wait for next years Dance Marathon! 

Healthy Relationships Week

February 9th-13thwas Healthy Relationships Week! The women of the Beta Eta chapter of Alpha Chiheld and participated in events, put together by Philanthropy Chair Lauren Flannery, throughout the week to celebrate healthy and loving relationships.  The week kicked off with an ice cream pajama party.  Sisters came to the house dawned in onesies and other wacky pajamas to bond and laugh over ice cream, fruit platters, and veggie platters.
 To spread the word about domestic violence awareness and to get other students on campus thinking about the relationships in their lives, on Tuesday sisters wore the Alpha Chi Omega Domestic Violence Awareness philanthropy t-shirt with a healthy relationship sticker around campus.

On Wednesday, Alpha Chi set up a station at Market Wednesday! In the middle of the union and surrounded by all kinds of other organizations, sisters worked a free photo booth open to the public.

Finishing Healthy Relationships Week with a bang was the philanthropy event Pizza Pie with Alpha Chi. For five dollars a head, guests were ushered into the dinning room and served pizza and refreshments while Alpha chi sister Rebecca Epstein played the piano and sang.  This is the first year the Beta Eta chapter hosted Pizza Pie with Alpha Chi and the turn out was incredible. The event beginning at 6:30pm produced a line that was out the door and down the block at 6:15pm. Ultimately, 549 people attended the event, which raised just under $2000.  “I was definitely not prepared for how much support I got from everyone” says Philanthropy Chair Lauren Flannery, who is thrilled to have raised to much so donate to the Refuge House of Tallahassee.