Congratulations Theta New Members

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A publication of the Omicron Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity
at the University of Southern California
FALL 2015
IN THIS ISSUE
LEADING WOMEN
2
LEADING WOMEN
SPOTLIGHT
3
THETA
NEW MEMBERS
4-5
THETA
ACHIEVEMENTS
6-7
THETA
NEWS
8-9
ANNOUNCEMENTS
10
Download the
current newsletter
online at:
www.usctheta.org!
Congratulations Theta New Members
Omicron Welcomes New Members After a Week of Recruitment
Fall semester began with Theta’s active
m emb er s excite dly preparing for
Recruitment. As Assistant
Recruitment Director, I
was blown away by the
unwavering enthusiasm
and energy that each
member brought to the
events. Everyone’s hard
work paid off when our
outstanding bid list was
read aloud.
As the new members
arrived at the Theta
house on Bid Day, they
saw a sea of shiny gold
balloons, yellow kites,
and their new sisters
singing at the top of their
lungs! Each girl received
lots of Theta goodies
including the classic
Theta backpack, baseball
c a p s , a n d t- s h i r t s
p a s s e d d o w n f ro m
active members. New
members put on their
Bid Day shirts—white
tanks with gold and
pink lettering reading
“Thought Theta.” Then,
they went out to the
parking lot where the
real party began.
Chief Education Officer
Katie Woods and New
M e m b e r D i r e c to r s
Amelia Thomas and Avery Barth spent
months planning this special night and
it looked amazing! The parking lot was
covered in blue, pink, and gold decorations.
Many Thetas showed
off their quirky side on
the dance floor. The
airbrush and temporary
tattoo station was a hit.
Some members (myself
included) got carried
away at the tattoo
station and ended up
put ting gold Theta
t e m p o r a r y t a t to o s
all over their faces.
There was a blow-up
Velcro wall to jump up
against, which resulted
in a competition to
determine who could
stay stuck upside-down
the longest.
By the end of Bid Day,
it was as if the new
members had been a
part of the house for
years. My favorite part
of the day was when
the new member class
gathered to sing their
first ever Theta song,
called “I am a T.” They
sung so enthusiastically
that every active joined
in. You could hear how
happy each and every
one of them was to
be a part of Theta’s
sisterhood. We are so
lucky to have them all!
by Sophie Faude
Leaders of Theta
PAGE 2
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What Next Semester Brings
Executive Board 2015
Brittany Hope, New CEO, Shares Her Journey and Goals
Chief Executive Officer
-Katherine Flynn
I remember
Recruitment
as if it were
yesterday. As
a f re s h m a n
from the San
Fernando
Valley, I knew
that I was
close to home;
yet, USC felt
worlds away
from my family and friends. Upon
receiving my Bid Card from my
Recruitment Counselor— whom I
discovered was also a Theta!—I ran
to the Row with my new sisters and
instantly felt that ‘gut feeling.’ I was
home.
Chief Administrative Officer
-Mia Pfluger
Chief Operating Officer
-Fanny Anderson
Chief Financial Officer
-Margail DiBuono
Chief Marketing Officer
-Hannah Roberts
Chief Education Officer
-Katie Woods
Chief Panhellenic Officer
-Larke Nimocks
Executive Board 2016
Chief Executive Officer
-Brittany Hope
Chief Administrative Officer
-Krista Jamgotchian
Chief Operating Officer
-Kelley Sheets
Chief Financial Officer
-Kristi Sakai
Chief Marketing Officer
-Amelia Thomas
Chief Education Officer
-Kaitlyn Murray
Chief Panhellenic Officer
-Morgan Schumacher
As a part of Theta’s Fall 2014 new
member class, I was eager to get
involved in the house and to make
an impact within the Panhellenic
community. I was slated Assistant
Director of Sisterhood and Human
Resources at the end of my first
semester and couldn’t wait to take
on the position. It was our primary
goal to fill Theta’s calendar with
events that would help members
in all grades spend more time
together. With spa days, movie
nights, shopping trips, Dodgers
games, and ice skating in Pershing
Square, the Spring 2015 and
Fall 2015 semesters were a total
success! We raised the standards
for both the quality and quantity of
events for our sisters to enjoy.
When slating season began this
fall for new positions, I knew that
being a member of the Executive
Board would continue to make my
experience at Theta even more
incredible. I wanted to help craft the
future of Omicron Theta, not only
through new initiatives, but also
by making sure that each member
felt comfortable, welcome, and at
home at Theta.
Being slated as Omicron’s CEO as
a sophomore is a huge honor, and
I am so thankful to my sisters who
entrusted me with this position. The
transition from Assistant Sisterhood
Director to CEO has been a
big one, but it has been nearly
seamless because of the endless
help and support I have received
from Katherine Flynn (our outgoing
CEO), my fellow Executive Board
members, and our advisors. I cannot
wait to lead the house that has given
me more laughter, memories, and
happiness than I could have hoped
for. Theta has helped me become
the best version of myself. The
women that I am able to call my
sisters continually inspire me.
Looking forward, the upcoming
spring semester will be extremely
eventful. Our seniors will be spending
their last semester together, and
many of our juniors will be going
abroad and traveling the world. The
girls will have Kat at Bat, two invites,
exchanges, sisterhood events, our
bi-annual Scholarship Dinner, and
much more. I thank you for your
constant support of Kappa Alpha
Theta, and I wish you the happiest
and healthiest of new years. From
our house to yours, Fight On!
PAGE 3
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Leading Women Spotlight
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Sammie Yeager
Sarah Borland
Rosie Youmans
Hometown: Newport
Beach, California
Hometown: La Cañada,
California
Caroline
Brooks
Major: Environmental
Studies
Major: Public Relations
Involvement: SC
Outfitters, New North
Building Government,
Theta Service Director
(2016)
Future goals: “In the
future, I hope to work for
a non-profit and go to
graduate school.”
Best part of Theta: “For
me. the best part of
Theta is the amazing
group of friends I’ve
been able to make in just
a semester.”
Words to live by: “Not all
those who wander are
lost” -J.R.R. Tolkien
Involvement: USC Tour
Guide, Staff Writer for
Neon Tommy, Theta
Director of Philanthropy
(2015), Kicks for Kids
Volunteer
Future goals: “I plan to
study abroad my junior
year so that I can expand
my knowledge of the
world and meet different
people. After I graduate
from USC, I want to
work for a company that
focuses on philanthropy
and service.”
Best part of Theta: “I have
met so many incredible
people through Theta
and have learned from
every single one of
them.”
Words to live by: “Be the
person your dog thinks
you are.”
Hometown: Kansas City,
Missouri
Major: BA Fine Arts
Involvement: Theta
Historian (2014), Theta
Event Director (2015),
AIGA Student Member
Future goals: “I plan
to study abroad in
London and expand my
knowledge of design.”
Best part of Theta: “I
love how Theta has
provided me with the
ability to share a lifetime
membership of a club
with my best friends, my
sisters, and my mother.
The quinoa burgers and
hot chocolate at the
house are also a bonus!”
Words to live by: “Life’s
a beach and I’m just
tanning.”
Hometown: Westlake
Village, California
Major: Cognitive Science
Involvement: Theta
Reference Chair (2015),
Membership Development
Committee, Nominating
Committee, Bylaws
Committee
Future goals: “I will be
working sales for Adobe’s
marketing solutions cloud
upon graduation. I am
so excited for the next
chapter in my life.”
Best part of Theta: “I have
benefited from a group
of strong and deeply
caring freinds from all
different facets of life.
Most of all I have loved the
spontaneous moments of
uncontrollable laughter
and pure happiness.”
Words to live by: “How
lucky I am to have
something that makes
saying goodbye so hard”
-Winnie the Pooh
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Congrats Theta
Congratulations
to...
Alexis Austin
What made you decide to become
a Theta?
Jacqueline Baltz
Megan Bastian
Gracie Beal
“
Never having seen the other houses, I came
into Recruitment open-minded. However,
after meeting all of the active and potential new
members of Theta, I instantly felt at home and
knew that Theta would be the place for me!”
-Brooke Feldman
Casey Becker
Morgan Begg
Monica Brendsel
Rachel Brothers
Mel Demma
Kelly Devine
Micaela Duever
Lindsay Easom
Brooke Feldman
Nicole Friedlich
Emily Friedman
Caroline Galbreath
Sam Garnett
Kendal Gee
Addie Glass
Mallory Goldfarb
Daisy Gonzalez
Genevieve Gorman Deane
Kate Greenberg
Eliza Guiterrez-Dewar
Isabella Haddad
Madeleine Hamilton
Marissa Hastings
Alana Herrera
Caitlin Hoversten
Sareena Hunt
Adelaide Jessup
Elizabeth Kalinowski
Sarah Kane
Lindsay Karle
Katrina Kernochan
Madeline Kim
Sophie Knauf
What does Theta mean
to you?
“
To me, Theta means a lifetime full
of memories, new sisters, and best
friends. I can truly say that I have
made best friends and sisters for life!”
-Mallory Goldfarb
PAGE 5
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a New Members
Why do you love
Theta?
“
I’m surrounded by girls
who make me happy, make
me a better person, and
bring out the best in me.”
-Maddy Kim
Congratulations
to...
Libby Knight
Francesca Macrae
Claire Manning
Vanessa McConville
Savanna McCown
Kelley McGinnis
Kate Menne
Mirabel Michelson
McKenna Morley
Tasha Nasrollahl
Rosie Nebel
Claire Neville
Emily Nixon
Claire Nordstrom
Carlin Pappas
Nikki Parmar
Katie Pasichuke
Abbey Pickett
Claire Purvis
Natalia Renard
Lauren Sands
Brenna Shroer-Lundeen
Emma Shafer
Emma Shapardson
Sophia Shirvanian
Celine Shooshani
Chloe Siegel
Jaclyn Sigmen
Erin Silliman
What is your favorite Theta
memory?
“
It is most definitely experiencing initiation
with my mom and receiving her pin. It’s so
cool that we are both able to look back on that
together as Omicron Chapter Thetas!”
-Adie Jessup
Savannah Sinfield
Shannon Skibicki
Sophie Spallas
Brit Stein
Maggie Suszka
Jennie Thomson
Brooke Upchurch
Sammie Yeager
PAGE 6
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Smarty KATs!
Omicron Holds Biannual Scholarship Dinner to Celebrate Academic Achievement
For the Fall Semester Scholarship
Dinner, Theta invited Lisa Starr, USC’s
Director of Orientation Programs and
Omicron Theta alumna, to speak to
the chapter. Lisa graduated from USC
in 1983 with a BFA in Theatre. As a
Theta at USC, she was in charge of
Songfest and most of the skits during
Recruitment.
Santa Monica College. Along with all
of her career accomplishments, she
is a married mother of three girls. As a
guest speaker, she shared her humor
as she talked about her experiences
in the working world both at USC and
in Europe.
Prior to her current position as USC’s
Director of Orientation Programs, she was an actress,
USC Admission counselor, Theta Advisory Board
member, and sales rep for Herff Jones Scholastic
Supplies. She was also the Associate Director of
Admissions for USC, a Regional Director in the
Midwest for USC, and an academic counselor at
The night was a huge success,
celebrating the fact that Omicron
Theta once again had the highest GPA
of USC’s Greek organizations (3.55 overall), with 17
members earning a 4.0 GPA and another 39 members
earning above a 3.75 GPA. This is an incredible
accomplishment—the scholarship celebration was
well deserved!
by Alex Burns
Thetas Late Night
Omicron Plans New Philanthropy Event to Support CASA and Theta Foundation
T
heta Late Night, Theta’s newest
philanthropy event, was held
on November 19th! Theta’s parking
lot was transformed into the go-to
hangout place for USC students that
night, complete with delicious food
and re-runs of “Friends” episodes
on a big screen. Nearly 600 people
attended Theta Late Night during the
two-hour long event.
The highlight of the night was the
Spudnuts Donut-Eating Competition
between members from the Greek
organizations in attendance. Two
representatives from Lambda Chi
Alpha won by scarfing down 34 donut
holes in 30 seconds, while Theta’s
representatives Brooke Upchurch and
Caroline Kamerschen came in second
place with 26 donut holes.
For a $4 general admission ticket,
at te n d e e s re ce i ve d S p u dn ut s ,
Yogurtland, and movie theater
popcorn. For an $8 VIP ticket,
attendees received In N’ Out, the
Grilled Cheese Truck, and Domino’s.
There were also t-shirts being sold for
$15 each. From ticket and t-shirt sales,
Theta raised $7,000 from Theta Late
Night, bringing the chapter’s annual
philanthropy fundraising total for 2015
to $50,000. All the proceeds from
the event went to Theta’s national
philanthropy CASA (Court Appointed
Special Advocates) and the Kappa
Alpha Theta Foundation.
by Alex Burns
PAGE 7
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Thetas Giving Back
Girls Raise Money to Empower Young Women
I
n honor of Theta founder Bettie Locke’s
birthday, the Omicron chapter held a
fundraiser for Girl Up, an organization
that strives to motivate women to
promote women’s education. Members
gathered in the living room of the Theta
house for a showing of Girl Rising, a
documentary featuring the stories of
nine inspiring women across the world
as they strive for better education and a
better life. To raise money for the cause,
active members and alumni joined
efforts on Bettie Locke’s birthday,
October 19th, asking for donations to
Girl Up as a birthday gift. The fundraiser
raised approximately $700 for Girl
Up. Given that $13 provides books, a
uniform, and school supplies to one girl
and $85 supplies all of the educational
tools a girl may need for an entire year,
our chapter raised enough to sponsor
nine incredible young girls’ education
for a full year!
by Sarahbelle Selig
Letter From Omicron’s CEO of 2015
A Message From Katherine Flynn
Dear Theta Family,
T his pas t se m es te r we
welcomed 74 new Thetas to
Omicron! I’m so grateful for our
Chief Recruitment Officer’s
(Maggie Duff’s) dedication and
the dedicated team of actives,
advisors and parents that
made Recruitment a success!
Our new members already feel at home and have
accomplished so much in their few months as Thetas.
Thetas hit the ground running this fall with retreats
and new member meetings, football games (including
The Weekender in San Francisco), study hours at the
house, movie nights, and even directing and starring
in their own mini­-series. With such a diverse and
motivated group of young women, the Theta house
is always full of laughter, collaboration, and new ideas.
Some of the highlights of fall semester include a night
at Dodger Stadium­, a scholarship dinner, Twin Star
formal invite, KAT in the Hat, and Big/Little Week. We
also introduced Theta Late Night in November, a new
philanthropy event that we hope becomes a tradition.
I’m very proud to report this event raised more money
for CASA and Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation than any
previous fall philanthropy events.
We also welcomed our new House Director, Valerie
Murphy. She did not shy away from the challenge of
not only managing the house staff, but also overseeing
200+ girls under one roof. Valerie, this semester would
not have been the same without you. We are excited
to spend many more semesters together in the future.
I’m so honored and humbled to have served such
an amazing house that I admired from afar for so
many years. It’s truly a “pinch-worthy” moment - as a
freshman, I never imagined I would be completing my
term as Theta CEO as a senior. I’ve learned so much
about myself this past year, and I would not trade my
experience for anything. Thank you to my amazing
Executive Officers for their tireless dedication to the
house. Thank you to my advisors for their support,
advice, and truly unwavering dedication to Omicron.
Thank you to all the members of Theta for letting
me take on this role. Even though I sometimes
misspoke “Theta Grace” and every time I touched
the TV something seemed to go wrong, I hope I left
the house a little bit better than it was. I can’t wait to
get back to school in January and experience my last
semester as a Trojan and a Theta!
Theta Love and Mine,
Katherine Flynn
kflynn@usc.edu
PAGE 8
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Sisterhood
Thetas Bond with Fellow Thetas with Sisterhood Activities
F
all semester included a wide
variety of sisterhood events.
The first sisterhood event was a
Dodger’s game. Thetas excitedly
cheered on the Dodgers until
it started raining and, in true LA
fashion, everyone fled the stands
to find cover. Despite the rain,
everyone had such a great time!
Subsequent sisterhood events
emphasized health and well-being,
and included a SoulCycle class,
Equinox gym days, and a class
about staying healthy in college
taught by Omicron’s own Hadley
Leatherman. Two movie nights
were also held at the Theta house
over the course of the semester.
The second movie night even
doubled as a spa night (complete
with creepy-looking face masks
everyone had a fun time using).
Thetas ended the semester with
festive sisterhood events including
ice skating at Pershing Square and
gingerbread house-making during
the days leading up to final exams.
During ice skating, everyone
gathered for a group photo and to
watch former figure skater Carina
Glastris show off her moves.
T hank s so much to Krist a
Jamgotchian (Sisterhood Chair
and future CAO) and Brittany Hope
(Assistant Sisterhood Chair and
future CEO) for the great semester
of sisterhood activities!
by Alex Burns
Thetas Meet Their Match
Families Continue to Grow with Big/Little Reveal
Big/Little Reveal was one of the most highly anticipated
events during fall semester. Katie Woods (Chief
Education Officer), Amelia Thomas (New Member
Director), and Avery Barth (New Member Director) even
held “office hours” at campus
center to assist members in
finding their “perfect match.”
September 22nd kicked on the
week leading up to Big/Little
Reveal, when future Littles are
showered with gifts from their
Bigs (who remain secretive until
Reveal). Littles received posters,
candy, shirts, letters, crafts, and
clues every day about their Bigs.
On Friday during Reveal, each Little found a hat at
her poster and put it on, then awaited her turn to
meet her Big. Littles went downstairs to the kitchen
in small groups, and found their big by their matching
hats. Hats ranged from pizza
bucket hats (Nicole Bronstein
and Libby Knight), to chilli
pepper hats (Sydney Lopes and
Monica Brendsel). After Reveal,
everyone piled onto buses for a
night of In-N-Out, laser tag, and
bonding. It was definitely one of
the best nights of the semester!
by Emma Hyams
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Social
A Semester of Fun for Omicrons
T
heta started off the fall semester’s
social calendar with the first Fall
Invite. It took place at a beautiful venue,
and Thetas danced the night away
with their handsome dates. Shortly
after, Theta had an “Emergency”
themed exchange with Sigma Chi.
Dressed as firefighters, police officers,
and lifeguards, everyone made sure
to have a safe and fun night. During
Homecoming week, Theta had an
exchange with Lambda Chi Alpha,
with the theme “Harry Potter and Alma
Mater.” Homecoming week finished
off with a tailgate on campus with
Lambda Chi before USC’s win against
Washington. The semester came to a
close with the annual “Kat in the Hat”
Invite. Each Theta was set up randomly
with a date. Thetas then found their
dates with the matching hat at the
venue, which was much-loved Hard
Rock in Hollywood this year. Kat in the
Hat is always a great opportunity to
meet new people and is popular with
everyone who attends!
by Katie Gillette
Meet Valerie!
Omicron Welcomes New House Mom
T
heta’s new House Director,
Valerie Murphy, knows what
it’s like to live in a full house. She
is the second oldest out of eight
children, born and raised in the
state of New York. There she
raised two sons, Jay and Thomas.
Jay, 32, is a Navy Seal based in
San Diego but is currently serving
in Baghdad with Seal Team 3.
In November, Jay raised the
American flag in Baghdad in honor of Kappa Alpha
Theta USC (pictured). Thomas, 23, is in the Air Force
reserves and lives in Hawaii. She will always be a New
Yorker at heart, but she was excited at the opportunity
to move to California. “The goal was to get me closer
to my boys,” she explained. “Though we aren’t living
in the same city, I am much more accessible to them.”
The opportunity to become Omicron Theta’s
House Director evolved out of
a suggestion from her friend’s
daughter, who told Valerie she
would make a great sorority
house mom. Indeed, she has
been wonderful! She has loved
learning about sorority life and
sees the importance of providing
the young Omicron women in
college with a support system.
“Theta is a sanctuary and I am
happy I can help maintain a place where the girls can
be safe and be themselves,” she said. “I love watching
the girls interact and keep the balance of their youth
while embracing their maturity. One minute they’re
dressing up and composing themselves and the next
they are hugging and laughing so hard they fall to the
ground.”
by Alana Victor
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653 W. 28th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Pasadena, CA
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Address Service Requested
HELP US REACH OUR GOAL
KAT at Bat 2016
Last year we raised $50,000 for our national philanthropies, Court Appointed Special Advocates
(CASA) and the Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation.
This year, our annual philanthropy event will
be March 26th. Please help us reach our goal
by contributing raffle items or monetary dona-
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tions. Please go to the following link (http://
donate.billhighway.com/katatbat2016) and write
“Omicron KAT at Bat” in the box that says “note
regarding my gift”. Contact Maggie Voelker, KAT
at Bat Chair, at usckatatbat@gmail.com with any
questions.
THE CHAIN THAT BINDS US
LINKS US HEART TO HEART...
Please join the
Kappa Alpha Theta Omicron
LinkedIn and Facebook pages!
Contact Alumnae and Foundation Liaison
Adie Jessup with questions ajessup@usc.edu
If you would like to receive future newsletters electronically, please let us know!
MADE WITH THETA LOVE
This edition of Thetas of Troy was created by:
Natalie Mogentale, Editor
nmogenta@usc.edu
Special thanks to:
Ari Uhalde and Hannah Roberts