P hoenixSummer 2012 | Volume 98
of
page 6
Theta Tau Chapter installation page 8 Like the phoenix, she arose as a new woman after losing
200 pounds
MeMbers of The TheTa Tau ChapTer aT CapiTaL universiTy, oh. phoTo CrediT: KaTie MaTis sMiTh, ΔΗ
6
FEATURES
Cover story, page 8:
Like the phoenix, she arose as a new woman after losing 200 pounds
6
8
20PHOTO CREDIT: Dallas alumnaE CHaPTER
www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org 3
SUmmER 2012 CONTENTS
DEPARTmENTS
6
12
18
Editor’s desk
From the president
Foundation news
District news
News & events
From the archives
Theta Tau Chapter installation
Sisters in the sports industry
District Day 2012-13: Responsible women
4
5
17
20
22
23
PHOTO CREDIT: BETHany GOOD PHOTOGRaPHy
PHOTO CREDIT: KaTIE maTIs smITH, ΔΗ
12
COvER PHOTO CREDIT: BETHany GOOD PHOTOGRaPHy
Dear readers,i will admit that i have the most difficultly
balancing the physical aim of Alpha Sigma
Alpha into my schedule. i am better at taking
time to focus on my intellectual, social and
spiritual development. i think, i’ll go to
the gym next week, or i’ll eat a healthier
breakfast tomorrow, today i just am just too busy.
in this issue of the Phoenix, we share the story of one alumna who
realized that she had no more time to make excuses about her physical
well-being. erin Meyer, ee had to make big changes in her life to
make her health a priority and lose weight, and she tackled this with
a positive attitude. i found her story very inspiring and motivating,
and i think that you will too.
For many sisters, thinking about the physical aim of the sorority also
brings to mind memories of playing intramural sports with sisters
or participating in a fun game of kickball to celebrate dedication days.
To reflect this aspect of our physical aim, we have also included an
article in this issue about sorority sisters who have made professional
sports their career. Did you know that we have two sisters working at
eSPn headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut?
i hope that you enjoy this issue and take some time this summer to
reflect on your own physical well-being. Carve some extra time out
of your day to take a walk and relax or try a new healthy recipe and
make your health a priority.
in Alpha Sigma Alpha,
erika Ann Butts Phoenix editor
Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha (USPS 430-640) is
published quarterly by Alpha Sigma Alpha, 9002
Vincennes Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46268-3018.
Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, IN, and
additional mailing offices. Produced by Shelle Design
Inc., www.shelledesign.com. ©Alpha Sigma Alpha
Send address changes, death notices and business
correspondence to the national headquarters.
Address all editorial correspondence to the editor.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes (Form 3579) to
Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha, 9002 Vincennes Circle,
Indianapolis, IN 46268-3018. Printed in the USA.
deadLinesWinter Sept. 10
Spring Dec. 10
Summer March 10
Fall June 10
ediTorErika Ann Butts, EK
ConTribuTing ediTorNancy I.Z. Reese, BU
naTionaL headQuarTers9002 Vincennes Circle
Indianapolis, IN 46268-3018
Phone: (317) 871-2920
Fax: (317) 871-2924
Email: [email protected]
sTay ConneCTed
www.facebook.com/AlphaSigmaAlphaSorority
www.twitter.com/asaHQ
www.youtube.com/user/AlphaSigmaAlphaNHQ
EdiTOr’S DESK
4 Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Summer 2012
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTSWe always welcome your comments—both
criticism and praise—about this publication.
Email [email protected] or
send mail to:
Editor, Alpha Sigma Alpha
9002 Vincennes Circle
Indianapolis, IN 46268-3018
PP HOENIXHOENIXP HOENIXPSpring 2012 | Volume 98
HOENIXof
page 16
ASA 2012-15 strategic plan page 10 National council slate announced
page 22 Sorority formals of days past
P hoenixof
Volume 98, Number3
EdiTOr’S DESK
www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org 5
The focus of this edition of the Phoenix is on one of Alpha Sigma
Alpha’s four aims – our physical aim. it has me thinking about
healthy living and how it factors into our aim. i am sure many,
if not all, of us at some point in our lives have been concerned
about our health, weight, diet or physical appearance. Well at
least, we thought about it as we declared new Year’s resolutions
or perhaps when we saw photos of models, hung out with a group
of girlfriends or contemplated swimsuit season. in today’s world,
there is an increase in poor health choices that is leading to a huge
array of physical and mental health issues for females. The words
“healthy living” are most certainly on the tongues of many and the
focus of numerous studies and programs.
organizations that are female-centric are realizing their role
in helping members live healthier lifestyles, and this focus
is starting with girls and young women. With an increase in
childhood obesity, girl-focused groups such as the Girl Scouts
and Girls on the Run are trying to do something about it. To help
gain perspective, the Girl Scouts Research institute has bridged a
gap that speaks to girls’ attitudes about health, diet, weight, body
image and exercise in a research study titled “The new normal?
What Girls Say About healthy Living.” Major findings of this study
show that today’s girls define health a little differently. Girls in the
study felt “that even though it is important to eat right and exercise,
it is equally important to appear “normal,” feel good about yourself
and be supported by family and friends.”
Molly Barker, founder of Girls on the Run international, an
organization that inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident
through a running and self-esteem program that encourages
positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical
development, also addresses the holistic view of healthy living.
in her book, Girls Lit from Within: A Guide to Life Outside of the Girl Box,
she outlines some of the thoughts and struggles that girls of all ages
go through in regards to their physical and mental health.
“… it can be tough, nowadays, being a girl. Sometimes we can
be mean. Sometimes we can really hurt each other’s feelings.
Sometimes we feel ugly. Trying to feel beautiful about ourselves
is a challenge when all we see in magazines are pictures of girls
and women that have been created on a computer. Sometimes we
compare ourselves to those pictures and feel like we don’t measure
up. Sometimes we feel dumb. not every girl in the world can make
straight A’s, and when we don’t, it’s hard to find the ‘smarts’ inside
of us. Sometimes we feel unpopular. We might feel like we don’t
fit in or we don’t look right in our clothes. We might look in the
mirror and wish that we could look like someone else. i know you
feel all of these things sometimes. Because, you know what? i do
too. i’m just an older girl inside an older body. But my friends and
i all struggle with the same kind of feelings. even 40 year-olds want
to be popular sometimes.”
As Alpha Sigma Alpha focuses on the physical aim, i hope you too
will consider how this aim takes hold in your own lives. As you
read above, it doesn’t have to be just about exercise and physical
fitness. it should encompass the whole, inside and out, beautifully-
packaged individual that you are.
here’s to a happy, healthy summer!
BY CiNdY KELLEY, BP | NATIONAL PRESIDENT
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
A focus on the physical aim of Alpha Sigma Alpha
FROm THE PrESidENT
6 Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Summer 2012
THETA TAU SiSTErS
Theta Tau Chapter installed on March 31, 2012
BY LiNdSaY KiNG, EΗ | 2011-12 lEaDERsHIP COnsulTanT
Lindsey Hutton
Christine Angiuoli
Chelsea Annis
Jordan Ayers
Kayla Barnett
Sarah Bear
Hayley Brooks
Audrey Chrisman
Paige Ciccarone
Allison Clem
Kelly Covert
Anaya El-Naggar
Molly Gill
Andrea Green
Morgan Grismer
Shayna Hague
Sydney Hammond
Jessica Heck
Sally Johnston
Megan Kaunert
Brandi Keeton
Lauren Klein
Mackenzie Kyes
Kelly Lehrer
Jamie Liess
Lynndsay Little
Samantha Malone
Kathryn Mason
Natalie McCullough
Rachel McDonald
Katie Metzinger
Madison Mikhail
Erika Miller
Amanda Molaskey
Kristen Moore
Shannon O’Malley
Danielle Parisey
Carly Poling
Shelby Rohr
Sarah Rowe
Kala Schiff
Jenna Schmerge
Dayna Scott
Celia Sheets
Alyson Smith
Heather Speaks
Megan Sweet
Ashley Taylor
Ashley Wales
Charter alumna initiate Emily Williams
Charter new memberSara Mackay
Character initiates
installation team for the Theta Tau ChapterNational President Cindy Kelley, BP
Leadership Consultant Lindsay King, EΗ
Membership Growth Coordinator
Katie Matis Smith, ΔΗ
District 3 District Facilitator
Sue Zbikowski Barone, ΓΞ
Installation Chairman Ashley Taylor, QΤ
Chapters attending installation weekend:Zeta Omicron Chapter –
Muskingum University, OH
Central Ohio Alumnae Chapter
Theta Tau Chapter installation weekend agenda friday, March 30, 2012
• We Are Crusaders reception with friends, student
organization leaders, campus faculty and staff.
• We Are Alpha Sigma Alpha reception with Alpha
Sigma Alpha alumnae and collegiate members.
saturday, March 31, 2012
• Sanctuary Degree Service, Service for Installation of
a New Chapter, Service for Installation of Col-
legiate Chapter Officers.
• White Luncheon celebrating the in-
stallation of the chapter with Alpha
Sigma Alpha alumnae and collegiate
members.
• The Installation Banquet at The Co-
lumbus Crew Stadium in downtown
Columbus with more than 150 family,
friends, Alpha Sigma Alpha alumnae
and collegiate members in attendance.
Pictured above top: Theta Tau Chapter President Lindsey Hutton displaying an engraved silver platter from the Alpha Sigma Alpha National Council at the white luncheon.
Pictured above bottom: The women of Theta Tau immediately following installation services.
donations to the alpha Sigma alpha Foundation on behalf of the Theta Tau Chapter installationCindy Kelley, BP, national president
Zeta Eta Chapter, Rockhurst
University, MO
Eta Eta Chapter, Pittsburg State
University, KS
www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org 7
Fun facts about Theta Tau Chapter:• Zeta Pi Lambda, the local sorority,
was founded and chartered in 1962 for
strong independent women who believe
in the four core values of scholarship,
leadership, friendship and Christianity.
• The chapter continues to embrace
their local mascot, the zebra.
• Half of the women in the Theta Tau
Chapter are nursing majors.
The executive board of the Theta Tau Chapter.
Founding members of Theta Tau Chapter showing off their membership certificates.
National President Cindy Kelley celebrating with
members of Theta Tau Chapter and the installation
team at the installation banquet.
Gifts/donations to the chapter sponsored byOhio Alumnae
Cincinnati, OH, Alumnae Chapter
Dayton, OH, Alumnae Chapter
Washington, D.C. Alumnae Chapter
Greater Kansas City, MO, Alumnae Chapter
Buffalo, NY, Alumnae Chapter
Alpha Chapter, Longwood University, VA
Zeta Zeta Chapter, University of
Central Missouri
Eta Eta Chapter, Pittsburg State University, KS
Delta Sigma Chapter, Saginaw Valley
State University, MI
Zeta Mu Chapter, Missouri Western University
Zeta Psi Chapter, Loras College, IA
Theta Rho Chapter, West Texas
A&M University
Sue Zbikowski Barone, ΓΞ, District 3
District Facilitator
OUR ASA SiSTErS
8 Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Summer 2012
www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org 9
Like the phoenix, she arose as a new
woman after losing 200 pounds
Erin meyer, EE, admits that her weight was always an issue while growing up. She was an overweight child and keenly remembers hitting 300 pounds while on the scale at the doctor’s office during her freshman year of high school.
By the time she started college, Erin had already tried almost every diet in the books in an attempt to lose weight. She tried the Atkins diet, the South Beach diet, Weight Watchers plans, weight loss pills andeverything in between to no avail.
BY diNa LibEraTOrE, ZN | PHOEnIx COnTRIBuTOR
10 Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Summer 2012
fried chicken, walking versus driving,
ordering her salad dressing on the side and,
most importantly, understanding what a true
portion size actually is.
While watching her points and exercising
regularly, the weight slowly began to come
off, and erin’s knee also started getting
stronger. She walked first with a walker,
then with crutches and a cane until she
was well enough to walk on her own.
Since 2006, erin has lost an amazing 230
pounds and is now at a healthy weight. While
making the decision to eat healthier and to
exercise is a personal decision, erin admits
that she could not have done it alone and was
supported through the whole experience by
her epsilon epsilon Chapter sisters.
“While i was recovering from knee surgery,
my sorority sisters... would call every day,
write letters, send care packages and visit
on the weekend,” said erin. And when
she was well enough to visit the chapter at
Christmastime, the sorority house mom
added some of erin’s favorite Weight
Watchers recipes to the dinner menu
for the chapter women.
The accidentin 2006, erin was a junior at emporia State
University, KS, majoring in elementary
education. She was elected vice president of
alumnae & heritage for her chapter, involved
in many other clubs and honor societies
and had just started the student teaching
practicum for her major. She was also at her
heaviest weight, 445 pounds. it was not until
a terrible accident that year that erin gained
the courage and commitment to change
her lifestyle, take control of her weight and
improve her health for good.
While driving home from work on Memorial
Day, erin was involved in a car accident so
serious that rescue workers were forced to
use the Jaws of Life to remove her from the
vehicle. erin suffered from ribcage bruising,
trauma to the head and chest and a stress
fracture in her right knee. her injuries were
treated immediately.
however, one month later, that same knee,
weakened by the strain of the accident,
snapped in half as erin got out of bed one
morning. Reconstructive surgery on her
leg and the months of physical therapy that
followed forced erin to drop out of college
for a semester. She was told by her doctors
that if she did not lose weight, she would
never be able to walk again.
The plan erin was told she needed to lose 150-200
pounds. She joined Weight Watchers in
order to reach her goal. Weight Watchers is
not a diet, but is instead a program designed
to encourage people to lose weight through
eating right and living a healthy lifestyle. it is
a community of people who provide support
and accountability for each other while they
work to achieve weight loss goals and make
better choices about diet and exercise.
“i chose Weight Watchers... because i
really got a lot out of the collaboration and
relationships with other members and the
team leaders. We would work on goal setting,
share ideas and recipes and encourage each
other to make better choices,” said erin.
Losing the weight was a slow process, but
erin understood this and began to make
small decisions everyday that began to add
up, such as choosing grilled chicken over
OUR ASA SiSTErS
Photo on left; “Erin with her Epsilon Epsilon sisters”; photo in middle; “Crossing the finish line of the Rock the Parkway Half-Marathon/5K 2012 in Kansas City, MO”; photo on right, “Erin posing with a couple of her students after finishing a race”
www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org 11
[restaurant] menu ahead of time to be able
to make good decisions, learn to vocalize
what you need when ordering and ask how
items are prepared,” erin said.
Consider hiring a personal trainer or
consultant: health is an investment and, if
you can afford it, putting some money into
it can be beneficial. Trainers and coaches are
people who care about helping you achieve
your health goals and will make you feel
more accountable. erin hired a personal
trainer in the past and now consults with a
wellness coach whom she meets with weekly.
She discusses successes and challenges
from the past week, and her coach outlines
workouts that will fit into her varied and
often hectic schedule.
Don’t quit when you reach your goal:
Maintaining your goal weight can be
just as difficult as losing the weight.
erin said, “Some of my biggest struggles
[since deciding to lose weight] have to do
with maintenance. now that i’m at my
goal weight… i’m not as structured as i was
before, and i give myself more freedom.”
erin realized that she needed more
accountability in order to keep the weight
off, which is one of the ways that her wellness
coach helps her.
it’s oK to treat yourself sometimes! erin
claims to have an Achilles’ heel for ice cream
and carrot cake, which she occasionally does
indulge in. “When i go somewhere for ice
cream, i need to taste every flavor because
if i am going to use [my Weight Watchers]
points, i want to be sure it’s exactly what i
want,” erin said.
years. She stays busy teaching fifth grade
and has started dating again, currently in a
relationship with a man introduced to her by
a sorority sister.
She has become an inspiration for women
all over the country who want to maintain
a healthy lifestyle and recently spoke as
the keynote speaker at a Weight Watchers
national celebration in Kansas City. erin
also was named the first runner up for the
Weight Watchers “Most inspiring Weight
Loss Story Competition” in november
and was recommended to appear in People
magazine for its “half her Size” issue.
The advice Because erin understands the daily struggles
associated with weight loss and has personally
experienced many challenges and successes
in her own journey toward a healthier
lifestyle, she offers advice to sisters who
might need the motivation and inspiration
to begin their own weight loss journeys.
Weight loss won’t happen overnight: erin
imagines weight loss as a mutual fund. A
mutual fund has daily gains and losses, and
while there may be times when you do not
see improvement, your investment will
gradually show continued progress over time
if you keep working at it.
Managing different environments: Birthday
parties, vacations and eating out with
friends are always difficult times to make
good decisions regarding food. however,
while it can be easy to justify transgressions
during special occasions, learning to manage
different environments was an important
part of erin’s weight loss plan.
“Don’t be embarrassed to make your own
snacks and take them in your purse. View the
Success and Triumpherin also experienced many milestones
along the way that gave her strength and
inspiration to continue to her goal. She
completed her first 5k, Susan G. Komen
Race for the Cure, in February 2011, and
describes running across the finish line as
one of her proudest accomplishments.
“it was a pretty big moment after being told
that i would never walk again,” she said.
Since that time, she has also finished the
heart and Sole 10k in olathe, KS, with
some of her fifth grade students and recently
walked the Kansas City Rock the Parkway
half marathon.
erin likes to compare her body transformation
to the legend of the phoenix. She said that
in some ways she felt that she had a life with
nothing to look forward to when she was
carrying an additional 200 pounds on her
frame. After all of her hard work, she feels
like she was born again as a healthy woman
able to enjoy life to the fullest.
To complete her body transformation, erin
needed surgery to remove almost 20 pounds
of extra skin that hung on her body after
she had reached her goal weight. The extra
skin made running and exercise painful
and caused erin to feel self-conscious
and embarrassed to date. After her health
insurance company rejected her claim to
receive the $25,000-$50,000 surgery,
a local news station heard about erin’s
amazing story and referred her to a plastic
surgeon who agreed to do the surgery at no
cost last summer.
Since her surgery, erin has been joyously
living each day to its ultimate good. She
continues to eat healthy and exercise and
has kept the weight off for more than five
12 Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Summer 2012
SISTERS IN SPOrTS
Growing up, she went to Bulls games and
enjoyed watching Michael Jordan and Scottie
Pippen. every Sunday was scheduled around
the Bears game and the family attended
numerous White Sox games every summer.
Working in sports was not exactly the career
path Claudia originally had in mind. After
graduating from DePaul University in
Chicago in 2008 with a major in psychology
and minor in communications, she initially
planned to take a year to explore career
options and pursue a Ph.D. A career in
sports never crossed her mind, but when she
Claudia Beltran, Delta Eta, Coordinator of Client Services and Database Administration, Chicago White Sox “if you are doing anything less then your
best than it is a waste of your time. Who
would have thought that i would be working
for a professional baseball team for my
career? i definitely didn’t, but i worked hard
and made it a goal to be the best i could be.”
Claudia is a huge Chicago sports fan. Both
of her parents were born in Mexico where
soccer is very popular, so her family is
very sports-oriented. Claudia said that the
concept of sports being a part of her life
was ingrained in her at a young age, and
she played soccer and tennis in high school.
Our physical aim is one of the key components of ensuring that we, as Alpha Sigma Alphas, are
living well-rounded, balanced lives. Whether it’s making time to center your mind in conjunction with your
body in that yoga class, taking a walk outside on your lunch break, going for a bike ride with the kids on a
Saturday morning or getting up an hour earlier to sneak in that extra workout, most of us try to incorporate
our physical aim into our busy lives one way or another. many of us also translate our love of a certain sport
or team into an expression of the physical aim. What could be better than spending a beautiful afternoon
outside at your favorite ballpark or stadium cheering on your favorite team?
These sisters are doing more than just fitting it in; they have found ways to incorporate the physical aim,
whether it is their love of sports or physical fitness, or sports/entertainment into their careers.
SISTERS IN THE
sp rtsBY TraCey h. Kiefer, BK | Phoenix Contributor
INDUSTRY
www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org 13
team into her career, as she is working for
the new York Mets this summer.
Daniela has always been interested in film
and television, and she has played sports
her whole life for fun and competitively on
the softball team in high school. She felt
that working in the entertainment industry
focusing on sports was the perfect job for
her. her current job at RiT SportsZone
combines Daniela’s love for sports and
major in film perfectly; and she hopes to
translate the combination into a full time job
when she graduates. “i love what i do. As
a film student, this is what i want to do for
the rest of my life. in terms of sports, i love
watching and playing sports – it’s the perfect
combination,” said Daniela.
Daniela currently makes the most of her
job and incorporates the physical aim by
promoting sports, being active and having
school spirit. The work that she and her
coworkers do paid off when RiT SportsZone
and work my way up. i did everything i could
to work hard and make connections with my
fellow interns and coworkers.
“Do not be afraid to reach out, take chances
outside of your comfort zone and make
connections. We live in a very competitive
world, but you are the only you in this world
and that makes you unique,” said Claudia.
How Claudia relates her career to our physical aim“Baseball is America’s favorite pastime and
we not only encourage the tradition to live
on, but also to create the experience. At the
White Sox, the motto is, ‘Passion. Pride.
Tradition.’ This should be words to live by
in all aspects in one’s life. in a world where
technology is taking over and children are
infatuated by television, video games and
computers... we challenge them to come
to the outdoor ballpark and create a new
experience,” said Claudia.
Daniela Guitelman, Gamma Iota, Segments Editor, RIT SportsZone, the collegiate sports television networkDaniela’s love of sports played a large part
in planning her college concentrations
and ultimately will shape her future career
decisions. Daniela has been a new York
Mets fan since she was very young - due
to her Mom’s life-long love of the Mets.
Daniela goes to as many Mets games as she
can, and is translating her passion for the
came across an internship opportunity with
the White Sox she figured she had nothing
to lose. After applying and going through
the interview process, Claudia was offered a
seasonal position that incorporated sales and
multicultural marketing.
Claudia currently maintains client
relationships and communications, oversees
all database functionality, plans season ticket
events and is the liaison between ticket sales
and other front office departments.
What makes Claudia love her job? “i remember attending baseball games with
my family when i was younger, everything
about the experience from the foul balls, hot
dogs, foam fingers and in-game contests is
still instilled in my mind, and it is an honor
to now play a small part of that in our
fans lives.
“Working in sports requires a lot of time
and asks that you leave the ‘fan’ in you at the
door. however, this different perspective
allows you to listen to fans and really make
their experience memorable. We do not sell
just game tickets, we sell an experience and
lifetime memory. it is such a compliment
having fans call to thank us and let us know
how much fun they had at the game/event
they attended,” said Claudia.
Claudia’s advice for sisters interested in a similar career“Working in sports and the entertainment
industry in general is all about who you
know and the impression you make. The
last thing i wanted to do as a recent college
graduate was take an internship; i felt i had
every qualification to be hired somewhere
full time. i had to come to terms with the
fact that i needed to start from the bottom
sp rts“Do not be afraid to reach out, take chances outside of your comfort zone and make connections. We live in a very competitive world, but you are the only you in this world and that makes you unique.” - Claudia Beltran, Delta Eta
14 Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Summer 2012
SISTERS IN SPOrTS
Jani is the manager of programming content
screening. She relates the teamwork involved
in her work to the lessons she learned as
a collegiate sister about having mutual
respect and working as part of a team to
get a job done.
What makes Jani love her job? “i work in television, which was always a
dream, and i get to watch sports for a living
so who wouldn’t love that? My team is able
to serve sports fans around the world
everyday. it’s so fun to have everyday be
different as sports are never the same from
day to day. The MLB game tonight will be
different than the MLB game tomorrow
night. it’s also fun to see the unexpected at
work, i remember walking down the hallway
one day and coming towards me was Darth
Vader and his storm troopers… i stopped
in my tracks in disbelief! eSPn, inc is also
a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company,
which is another reason why i love my job,”
said Jani.
was recognized with an emmy at the 2012
College Television Awards.
“i love working at SportsZone because its
super fun, and i love being part of the school
spirit that we have and being proud of our
sports teams. our Rochester institute of
Technology women’s hockey team just won
the national championship for Division 3
and moved to nCAA Division 1. our men’s
hockey team has gone to the semifinals
multiple years in a row,” said Daniela.
Jani Burke, Delta Epsilon, Manager, Programming Content Screening, and Christina Draper, Delta Epsilon, Lead Network Coordinator, ESPN, Inc.“i love sports and entertainment so what
better way to combine the two than work
at eSPn,” said Jani Burke.
Both Jani Burke and Christina Draper were
actively involved in sports in high school and
college. Jani was a basketball and football
cheerleader in college. Christina was on
track, softball and basketball in high school
and was the sports director for Mansfield
University’s radio station.
Christina works at eSPn in production
operations, integrating live events with
studio and ensuring all programs on the
17 eSPn networks air properly.
What makes Christina love her job?“i get to watch sports for a living. Sports
has always been my passion; it has always
driven me to be involved and stay involved
with a team. i love getting up each day and
looking at how the day is lined up with either
event meetings or conference calls and then
relaying your knowledge back to your
staff,” said Christina.
www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org 15
Christine Pleban, Delta Eta, Manager, Event Marketing and Sales, for Feld Entertainment
“i love my job and what i do. i am
surrounded by dynamic individuals that
push me to be my best every day.”
Christine grew up in a sports family –
playing and watching sports from the time
she was small. She played varsity soccer,
basketball and tennis in high school and
played soccer at Loyola University, new
orleans before transferring to DePaul
University in Chicago. Christine’s family
are huge hockey fans and love the Colorado
Avalanche.
“The Avs came to Colorado when i was just
a wee one. We had a huge rivalry with the
Detroit Red Wings and there’s nothing like
a sell-out game with the energy of a rivalry
of that nature. Plus i love hockey jerseys,
they’re comfy,” said Christine.
Christine works for Feld entertainment, the
company that owns and operates Ringling
Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Disney on
ice, Disney Live!, Monster Jam, Supercross
and FMx. She is the local promoter for all
of the shows that come to St. Louis and the
area properties - the edward Jones Dome
(home of the St. Louis Rams), Scottrade
Christina’s career advice for sisters“Follow your heart and don’t give up.
This business, particularly television, is
predominantly a male business but, women
are slowly coming up the ranks with senior
management and making a statement in my
career. Always take time to get to know the
people around you as you never know how
they could help your dream come true,”
said Christina.
eSPn’s corporate campus is actually bigger
than some colleges, and eSPn encourages
employees to take time out of their busy days
and utilize the campus grounds and fitness
centers to stay active and fit. Jani says that
because of the size of the campus, she is
able to do a lot of walking, which helps her
stay healthy.
Christina and Jani both feel very lucky
that they had the belief system and bonds
of Alpha Sigma Alpha to help them
transition from collegians to alumnae.
Jani started at eSPn a few months before
Christina and the chapter sisters were able
to form a new friendship when they started
working together right after graduating
and moving to a new town. Both women
also find time to volunteer for Alpha
Sigma Alpha as advisors to the Theta Sigma
Chapter at Southern Connecticut State
University. Christina is the recruitment
advisor and Jani is the standards advisor.
“The bonds you make as a sister can and
will last a lifetime if you cultivate them.
it’s amazing how when you meet another
alumna, you can instantly connect because
you have the same belief structure. i am so
thankful for the 15 years of sisterhood i have
under my wings and look forward to many
more to come,” said Jani.
Jani took a chance during her last semester
in college and contacted a Mansfield
University alumna to ask about a tour of
eSPn. The alumnus was able to arrange
the tour as well as passing along her resume
which resulted in an interview during the
tour. Jani was lucky enough to start working
for eSPn one week after receiving her
college degree.
“i find myself very, very lucky to have such
good fortune. i actually never applied to
any company before ‘falling’ into my career
at eSPn. i will be celebrating my 12th
anniversary in May 2012,” said Jani.
Christina wanted to work at eSPn since
she was in junior high school. She watched
and played every type of sport and wanted to
be a sportscaster at the network. in college,
she realized that her passion was more
focused on the behind the scenes planning
and execution, so she followed a more
technical class schedule instead. Christina
then utilized contacts she made through her
advisor to get her resume directly to a hiring
manager at eSPn.
“eSPn was the only place i wanted to work
and that was the first place i interviewed and
received a job offer,” said Christina.
Jani’s advice for sisters interested in a similar career“Be willing to get your feet wet in a position
that might not be your ‘dream job.’ if you are
proactive, reliable and work hard, the job
you really want to do will become available.
i am not saying that someone should settle for
a job they don’t want,but you don’t want to be
close minded. Also, opportunities and jobs
will not fall into your lap, and you have to
work hard before being rewarded,” said Jani.
16 Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Summer 2012
SISTERS IN SPOrTS
others and wanted to be able to share with
others what massage therapy did for me as
well as what it could do for others,” said
Jamey.
Jamey suggests that any sisters interested
in becoming a massage therapist should
narrow down their search to eliminate
non-accredited institutions. She also said
that “massage therapy can be physically
demanding. You must already be in
reasonably good health, free from illness or
pain that may inhibit your performance or
cause self-injury.”
in her free time, Jamey competes in
national Physique Committee Figure
Competitions for fun.
Christine relates the physical aim of
ASA to the stamina and health required
for her career.
“Sports and entertainment require long
non-traditional hours. i will go weeks
without a day off and work long hours,
sometimes not leaving stadiums and arenas
until midnight. it’s so important to maintain
a healthy lifestyle in our line of business
and find ways to keep yourself active, eating
right and getting enough sleep. There is a
tremendous balance that comes with a career
in this field,”
Jamey Nalezinek, Beta Beta, Denver Alumnae Chapter, registered massage therapist “i get to have an immediate, positive impact
on people’s lives.”
Jamey is a sport massage therapist for the
Colorado Mammoth (pro indoor lacrosse)
and the Denver outlaws (pro outdoor
lacrosse).
Jamey loves sports and was a competitive
gymnast for six years (from age 2-12). Jamey
sustained an injury to her right hip at age 12
and has since had four hip surgeries, two of
them being replacements on the same side.
Jamey credits massage therapy with helping
her overcome her injuries.
“Massage therapy has played a key role in
my recovery. i have always enjoyed helping
Center (home of the St. Louis Blues) and
Chaifetz Arena (home of the SLU Billikins).
Christine is currently responsible for all
aspects of the shows, including ticketing,
negotiations, media buys, group sales, public
relations, grassroots, large partnerships and
sponsorship tie ins. Christine’s goal is to
one day be part of the Field entertainment
international team.
What makes Christine love her job?“For someone who loves sports and
entertainment, i have been able to see all
the inner workings for major international
tours; everything from sports, to concerts
to family events. i have also met high profile
executives that have influenced my decision-
making and approach to the job. Plus i get
to hang out with athletes from ice skaters to
motocross riders” said Christine.
She credits knowing what she was passionate
about and hard work with getting her to
where she is now on her career path:
“i always had a passion for the industry
and went to games all the time with my
family. i put myself out on a limb to get my
first interview and job as an intern with
the Chicago Blackhawks. i submitted my
resume blindly with no connections and
over prepared for my interview. When i was
hired, it was less than a week of working
there that i knew i was in the right industry.
i have been so fortunate with the path i am
on but it has not come without long hours,
hard work and consistent motivation. With
there being stiff competition in the sports/
entertainment industry, i have to continue
to strive for my own personal best results
daily as i have huge expectations to fill, both
personally and professionally,”
“For someone who loves sports and entertainment, I have been able to see all the inner workings for major international tours; everything from sports, to concerts to family events.” - Christine Pleban, Delta Eta
www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org 17
here are a few chapter challenge highlights:
u The Zeta Beta Chapter at the University
of Wisconsin-River Falls raised $272
selling feather hair extensions to women
on campus and to other District 8 sisters
the Friday evening before District Day.
They won the prize for most creative
fundraiser in District 8.
u The Beta nu Chapter at Murray State
University, KY, held a hot cider sale to
raise money for the Foundation, and
they won the prize for most creative
fundraiser in District 6.
u The Mid-Michigan Crown Alumnae
Chapter sold Christmas ornaments from
the famous Christmas store, Bonners, in
Frankenmuth, Mi, and raised $536.95.
They won the prize for the most money
raised in District 5.
The Foundation chapter challenge is a
fundraising initiative, designed to inspire
collegiate and alumnae chapters to be
creative and raise money for the Alpha
Sigma Alpha Foundation. Throughout
the year, collegiate and alumnae chapters
are encouraged to hold fundraisers for
the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation. At
each District Day event, chapters share
their fundraising ideas during a brief
presentation to District Day attendees.
Prizes are given at each event for most
creative fundraiser and most money raised.
This year 45 collegiate and alumnae
chapters raised $12,934 for the Foundation
through the chapter challenge initiative.
This money will go towards funding
sorority grants like programming at the
2012-13 District Day events.
u The Southwest indiana Alumnae chapter
held a Lia Sofia jewelry party and raised
$150 for the Foundation.
each chapter that participated found
ways, big and small, to donate to the
Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation. We
are looking forward to next year with a
goal of 100 percent participation from
our collegiate chapters and increased
participation from alumnae chapters.
Thank you for fundraising for the future
of Alpha Sigma Alpha. A complete list of
winners from each district, along with ideas
for your chapter fundraising, can be found
at www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org/Foundation.
Rachael Dismukes, BN, presents Bonita Marince Maurer, AΓ, Foundation trustee, with the check the Beta Nu Chapter raised during the chapter challenge.
Chapter challenge raises money for
FOUNDATION NEwS
DISTRICT daY
18 Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Summer 2012
be triggers for many bad behaviors and
situations. College students are constantly
faced with issues such as drinking, substance
abuse, discrimination, sexual assault and
hazing. All of these topics will be addressed
at District Day, and you will gain resources
to combat these issues personally or lend
a helping hand to someone else dealing
with them.
Alumnae members: Alumnae might not see
an immediate connection in this program
to their personal lives, but as adults with
children and careers, these topics can appear
right before your eyes. Maybe you have a
child in school who deals with bullying on a
daily basis. Maybe you are experiencing or
witnessing discrimination or sexual assault
at work, or maybe you have a close friend
or family member with a substance abuse
As members of Alpha Sigma Alpha,
living our eight core values each day is
an important part of who we are as an
organization. At District Day 2012-13,
Alpha Sigma Alpha will unveil a new District
Day schedule and program in partnership
with the Response-Ability Project and
CAMPUSSPeAK to focus on our core
value of responsibility.
Mike Dilbeck, of the
Response-Ability
Project and creator
of the every|Day hero Campaign, will
be joining Alpha Sigma Alpha to provide
programming geared toward overcoming
bystander behavior and negative situations.
The programming will focus on preventing
situations such as:
u hazing
u Alcohol & substance abuse
u Bullying
u Discrimination
not only will these topics be useful to
attendees in their sorority experience,
they can be applicable to any area of
life, including family. Whether you feel
comfortable intervening during these
situations or not, attending District Day
will provide you with the tools and resources
to become a hero for someone else.
What’s in it for me?Collegiate members: Collegians can be exposed
to many negative situations during their
collegiate years. The stress of making ends
meet, pleasing everyone, staying on top of
schoolwork and balancing a schedule can
district day 2012-13:
responsibLe WoMen
BY HiLarY MOE, EE | lEaDERsHIP DEvElOPmEnT & EvEnT COORDInaTOR
∑
DIS
TRICT DAY 2012-2013
EM
POW E R I N G ACTION
www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org 19
District Day schedule at a glance8-8:45 a.m. – Registration
9-9:30 a.m. – Welcome session
9:30-10:30 a.m. – Response-Ability Project Keynote
10:45 a.m. – noon – Advisor certification
10:45 – 12:00 p.m. – Response-Ability Project
breakout sessions
12:15-1:15 p.m. – District Day luncheon
1:30 – 5 p.m. – Advisor certification
1:30-4:30 p.m. – Career track for graduating seniors
and young alumnae
1:30-3 p.m. – Educational workshops part 1
3:15-4:30 p.m. – Educational workshops part 2
4:45-5:30 p.m. – Closing activities
Registration information Registration for District Day 2012-13 will be
available in August. Registration fees are $45
per person. Collegiate chapters may register
by filling out the District Day registration
form on the officer Portal. Alumnae
registration forms will be available on the
Alpha Sigma Alpha website.
Dates and locationsDistrict Day 2112–13: Responsible women
District 2 – nov. 10, 2012 – Breinigsville, PA
District 3 – nov. 3, 2012 – Pittsburgh
District 4 – Feb. 23, 2012 – Richmond, VA
District 5 – March 23, 2013 – Fort Wayne, in
District 6 – Jan. 26, 2013 – Memphis, Tn
District 7 – March 2, 2012 – Dallas
District 8 – oct. 27, 2012 Milwaukee
District 9 – Feb. 13, 2013 – Kansas City, Mo
Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation Programming from Mike Dilbeck, of the
Response-Ability Project and creator of
the every|Day hero Campaign is provided
in part by a grant from the Alpha Sigma
Alpha Foundation. All District Day events
will feature opportunities to participate in
the Foundation Red Ticket Raffle and the
Foundation chapter challenge.
Day. ASA members will leave District Day
with tools and resources to be responsible
women who seek to combat bystander
behavior and positively influence others
in their lives.
Also at District Day – Career track
Another exciting addition to District Day
2012-13 is the addition of a career track
specifically for graduating seniors and young
alumnae. Alpha Sigma Alpha is partnering
with JobBound Training Solutions to
offer the program. Translating the sorority
experience: The insider’s guide to landing
your first job
This program is designed to assist sorority
members in making their experiences
as a sorority member relevant in any job
opportunity. The program covers topics such
as résumé writing and tips on networking
and interviewing, while featuring the skills
and experience gained from being a member
of Alpha Sigma Alpha. The career track will
be a three-hour course during the afternoon
portion of District Day and will be open to
juniors, graduating seniors and alumnae
who have graduated in the past three years.
The goal of this career track is to provide
Alpha Sigma Alpha members the
opportunity to utilize the tools and skills
they have gained as a sorority woman to help
begin a successful career. Young alumnae
who are not able to attend the entire District
Day are encouraged and welcome to attend
the career track from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at
District Day for free.
problem. The Response-Ability Project is
designed to help anyone at any
age deal with these topics and become a
hero for someone.
What will the District Day schedule look like?District Day attendees will experience a new
schedule for the event. All of the educational
programming during the event will focus on
being a responsible person.
During the first half of District Day,
attendees will spend the morning in a large
group, participating in the Response-
Ability Project led by Mike Dilbeck. Then
participants will move to smaller breakout
sessions facilitated by Alpha Sigma Alpha
volunteers. These sessions will serve as
debriefing time to process and continue
the conversations that began during Mike
Dilbeck’s keynote. Attendees will share and
hear personal stories and come up with their
own plans to combat bystander behavior.
After the morning events, everyone will
gather together for an interactive working
lunch and hear special messages from the
national organization.
Following lunch, District Day attendees will
chose different educational workshops to
attend. These workshops will continue the
theme of responsibility with an infusion of
chapter operations, alumnae programming
and personal development. District Day will
end with an all-group closing session.
District Day 2012-13 will be an exciting
and life-changing event for all attendees.
Alpha Sigma Alpha is excited to continue
sponsorship of the every|Day hero
Campaign by providing the Response-
Ability Project programming at District
20 Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Summer 2012
3. The seniors of the Zeta omicron Chapter
at Muskingum University, oh, pose
together before their final homecoming
parade. Front row from left: Crystal
Clawson and Steph Myers. Middle row
from left: Sara Penn, Alyssa Lowstetter,
erica Cazzell, Betsy Free, Ashley Fox and
Katie Borkoski. Back row from left: Jess
Durant, Cassie Marsh, Jayme Workinger,
Jenny Marshall, Paige Williams, hayley
Sutphen and Leigh Ann Amspaugh.
4. Members from the Zeta Tau Chapter at
Grand Valley State University, Mi and the
Beta Theta Chapter at Central Michigan
University pose for a picture at a Special
olympics event.
1. The Theta Alpha Chapter at Coe College,
iA, prepared a meal for their local Cedar
Rapids police force at their “Dinner for
heroes” event.
2. Members of the epsilon Gamma
Chapter made the drive from Virginia
Commonwealth University in Richmond
to visit the S. June Smith Center in
Lancaster, PA.
1
3 4
DISTRICT NEwS
2
www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org 21
Members watched a slideshow of the
chapter’s history as they ate and chatted.
in addition, executive board members
of nearby nu nu Chapter at Drexel
University, PA, joined the celebration.
7. Charter members and chapter advisor
of the epsilon Tau Chapter at University
of Maryland Baltimore County recently
met for a reunion with their husbands.
Front row from left: Katy Mulroe Stango,
Christy Wood Conklin, Rachel Sochol
Solomon, Cristina Rouiller, Christine
Strapac Thomas, AΓ, former EΤ Chapter
advisor and Andrea Schumacher. Second
row: Rhonda Martin.
8. The Dallas Alumnae Chapter hosted
their annual easter basket stuffing event
in April. They stuffed 20 baskets full of
goodies to give to the men and women
at the Arlington Adult Day Center.
From left: Adrienne Zimmerman, BΜ,
Adrienne’s daughter, olivia Zimmerman,
Ginny Lloyd, ΓΟ, nancy Demerath
Young, BΦ, Kathy Messina, ΓΔ, Bonita
Marince Maurer, AΓ, Tammy Ziegler
Woodman, ΔΧ, and Wendy Partain
Gerstenkorn, BΜ.
5. Members of the Boston Alumnae
Chapter at the Making Strides for Breast
Cancer walk in october 2011. From left:
Dawn eades, EΦ, Gina nagy McKinnon,
EΞ, Amy Fritz, EΩ, Janet Crook-
Conroy, BP, Jennifer Richard o’Beirne,
EΦ, and Julie Lords, ZΔ.
6. The Philadelphia Metro Alumnae
Chapter celebrated its 20th anniversary
with its annual brunch in February.
Current chapter president Stefanie
Ainge hahn, EK, and past presidents
Stefanie Spatola, ΔI, and Kathy Gaughan
Gallagher, KK, conducted the ritual for
the anniversary of alumnae chapters.
5 6
7 8
NEWS AND EvENTS
Leah Dooley eickhoff, AB, joined the national
headquarters staff on June 6, 2012. Leah
earned her bachelor’s degree from Truman
State University, Mo, and earned her master’s
degree in college student personnel from Western
illinois University. She previously worked for Alpha Sigma Alpha as a
leadership consultant from 2000-01 and has held numerous Alpha
Sigma Alpha volunteer positions. Leah was the director of Greek life
and leadership programs at the illinois institute of Technology and
most recently, Leah held the position of associate director of student
activities at Christopher newport University in Virginia.
As the program development coordinator, Leah will manage all
aspects of the sorority’s educational and training initiatives and
programs. Working closely with members of the volunteer curriculum
development & programming task force and national headquarters
staff, she will ensure that the sorority is providing relevant, appropriate
support, education and training to its members. Leah will also oversee
the ASA Advantage initiative and will manage the relationships with
Alpha Sigma Alpha’s national philanthropic partners.
Katie Matis Smith, ΔΗ, previous membership
growth coordinator, transitioned into the
communications & marketing coordinator position
on June 1, 2012. Katie earned her bachelor’s
degree in communications and digital cinema
from DePaul University in Chicago in 2008. She previously worked at
Lehigh University in Pennsylvania as the assistant director of broadcast
and multimedia and has been the Alpha Sigma Alpha membership
growth coordinator since 2010.
As the communications & marketing coordinator, Katie is responsible
for overseeing all sorority communications including social media,
the Phoenix magazine, website, e-newsletters and press releases. She also
directs the sorority’s marketing plan and manages promotional material
for the sorority.
22 Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Summer 2012
Colony & extension updateAlpha Sigma Alpha has been invited to colonize at Western illinois University, Macomb, iL, in fall 2013. Western illinois
University is the home to Alpha Sigma Alpha’s Beta Kappa Chapter. if you are interested in getting involved with this
colony, email us at [email protected].
if you are interested in getting involved with our fall 2012 colonies at indiana University
(epsilon Phi Chapter reestablishment) or Boise State University, contact us at
Program development and communications & marketing coordinators hired
www.alphasigmaalpha.org 33www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org 23
Alma Thraves Caperton, A, served as chairman of the first Alpha Sigma Alpha national convention at the hotel Richmond in Richmond, VA, in 1905. Alma presided in the absence of Grand President edna elcan Jones, A.
from the archives
i support the Arista Alumnae Association because i want to give back to the organization that has provided me the opportunity to develop leadership skills and friendships with women all over the country. Also, i believe in supporting an organization that promotes lifelong learning. My contribution to Alpha Sigma Alpha’s Arista Alumnae Association will help give our future sisters the same opportunities that i have been given.
Patti Latin, Γ ClioDistrict 2 education Coaching Team Leadernew York City-Big Apple Alumnae Chapter
To learn more about the Arista Alumnae Association or to register for membership, visit www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org or call (317) 871-2920.
9002 Vincennes Circle | Indianapolis, IN 46268-3018
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