Displaying Our Core Values Everywhere We Go!

Written by: Jenna Boessen PC 14

Road Trip!

Bethany Haskins, Jamie Selman, Gabi Hahn, Naomi Hoffner, 
Emily Novak and Maddie Clausius PC 14

Jamie, Maddie, Gabi and Emily piled into Bethany's car and road-tripped to see Naomi in Georgia! With lots of catching up to do, the 10 hour car ride wasn't a problem and neither was staying up all night talking once they made it to Naomi's house! 

Their first touristy stop was the Atlanta Aquarium, one of the largest in the world. They saw dolphins and whale sharks and even pet sting rays and starfish! Naomi brought the girls down Ponce de Leon and they all ate at her favorite pizza place. Modern murals, swanky resale shops and record stores lined the street. She even showed them to the Ponce City Market where they saw breathtaking views and of course, posed for a photo op. Lots of sushi filled their last night in Atlanta, followed by ice cream and watching movies together.

        

"Leaving Atlanta and Naomi Sunday morning was hard, but luckily we'll all be reunited at Mizzou in less than a month for recruitment!" Bethany said. 

Giving Back to CoMo!

        

Madeline Martodam, Allie Sadler and Ronni Mueller PC 15

Three of our sisters served the community by volunteering at a CPR Training event hosted by the American Heart Association on June 4th! They learned how to give hands only CPR in 60 seconds and taught others how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. 

"I am so glad I volunteered to teach hands only CPR, because now I not only have the knowledge to perform it, but most importantly, I feel more connected to our philanthropy {Women's Heart Health}," Allie Sadler said. 

The Omicron chapter of Alpha Phi raised over $42,000 for Women's Heart Health this past academic year! The CPR Training along with Alpha Phizza, Alpha Phi Poker Tournament and Red Dress Gala all add in Alpha Phi's philanthropy towards raising awareness of Women's Heart Health.

It's Wonderful at Wonderland Camp!

Jessica Wolff PC 14

Our sister, Jessica Wolff, has spent her past two summers at Wonderland Camp. Wonderland Camp is a nonprofit that provides a week of fun-filled activities and memories for individuals with disabilities ages 6-106. This year Jess is Program Director and leads the scheduling, planning, and facilitating the camp activities. While it may sound busy, Jess said that her job consists of love, laughter and making dreams come true. 

Camp has a way of bringing people together, despite their differences. "Everyone comes into camp thinking they're going to make an impact and change someone's life, but the reality is that the campers change yours," Jess said. The environment at camp is at a different level of acceptance.  It's all about making the world a better place with creating friendships and memories to last a life time. Wonderland Camp is a special place for those who volunteer their time and love and for the campers who enjoy the week of fun!

"I wake up every morning knowing I get to put a smile someone's face and spend time with the people I love," Jess said.

Studying in Greece!

          

Jordan Miller-Mandel PC 14

Our sister, Jordan Miller-Mandel, is currently studying abroad in Greece! She decided she wanted to further her knowledge of mythology, history, and classical humanities and what better place to brush up her studies than in Greece! She has been traveling for the past month and so far, her two favorite places are Crete and Naxos. Touring archaeological sites and museums, beach outings and hikes fill her busy days in Greece. She has been cave hiking and even visited a black sand beach! Jordan said she visited Olympia where the olympics were first held and even traveled to Santorini and Corfu. 

"It's awesome to go on these trips not knowing anyone and coming back with a family!" said Jordan, "I would recommend this trip to anyone!"

Center for Talent Development Internship!

      

Summer O'Gradney PC 14

Summer O'Gradney accepted an internship working as a teacher's assistant for the Center for Talent Development program at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. CTD is a program for gifted children who travel from all over to stay at Northwestern where they can further their intelligence with advanced courses for their age. 

Summer is majoring in Communication Science and Disorders and plans on becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist. Northwestern is her ultimate dream school for continuing her major in their master's program, so working on the campus adds to the dream! She focuses on each kid's speech/language and cognitive development while creating lesson plans, running discussions, and leading study sessions at her internship. 

"Words cannot describe how lucky I feel to be a part of such an amazing program!" Summer said.

Creating a Bond for Other Alpha Phis!

Clare Hanks PC 12

Our alumna, Clare Hanks, is spending her summer as an Educational Leadership Consultant. ELCs are recent graduates who travel for the fraternity providing strategic support for all Alpha Phi chapters across the U.S. and Canada. Clare acts as an onsite resource to strengthen the chapters' membership experience from recruitment to officer transition. 

Currently, Clare is training with 20 other ELCs who all share the same passion for Alpha Phi. For three weeks they will train in the Alpha Phi house at University of Colorado, Boulder. She said she is most excited to experience other chapters since no two chapters are the same. She's ready to help other chapters and make an impact in the same way that past ELCs have made at Omicron. 

"I'm so happy I was given this opportunity, so I can give back to Alpha Phi, since Alpha Phi has given me so much," Clare said. 

From Columbia, Missouri to London, England

Written by: Catherine Howser PC 14

          I took a huge step out of my comfort zone by taking on London this summer for study abroad. This past April after all of the countless paperwork, meetings, appointments, and added anticipation I had finally been accepted into the study abroad program.  

I chose to go to London partly because they speak English… but mostly because of its rich architectural history. My major is interior design in architectural studies, so London seemed like the perfect place to go as well as the perfect place to put on my resume. I’ve always wanted to live in a big city and this was my chance to experience it and cross something off my bucket list. I was so excited and ready to test my traveling abilities as I flew out on June 6th to London, England.

            Looking back, there are so many initial concerns when deciding to study abroad. I had never been this far from home without my family. Not to mention, I had not even traveled outside of Columbia, Missouri for this amount of time in my life, not even for summer camp. Although, I would have to say London has been the ultimate “summer camp." I have learned so much about the city, the country, and myself over the last 6 weeks.

            While in Europe I have been taking two classes, one over censorship in British films and another centered around the architecture in London. These classes have been challenging but definitely well worth the six credits.

                                           

In addition to classes, I have had a lot of free time to spend doing touristy things, which include riding the London Eye, seeing a play on Piccadilly Circus, climbing the 500+ stairs to the top of St. Paul’s Cathedral, and of course, seeing Beyoncé perform in Wembley Stadium! Not only did I explore all over the city but also visited a few places in England as well. I took a day trip to the pebble beaches in Brighton Beach, the Roman Baths in Bath, and the mysterious Stonehenge in Salisbury, England. I was even lucky enough to experience a weekend trip to Amsterdam to visit the Anne Frank House. 

This past weekend I went up the Eiffel Tower and visited the Louvre Museum in Paris. I tried macaroons at the same bakery where the notorious Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl got hers and I ate at Kim and Kanye's favorite burger place in Paris, called Ferdi. I also saw part of the Love Lock Bridge, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Arc de Triomphe! Traveling to Paris was by far my favorite part of my six week journey through Europe.  Although, I can’t wait to come back home to America where I can get the perfect burger, drive my own car, and finally see my sisters! 

Our President Represents Omicron at the 71st Biennial Convention!

Written by: Hannah Hartlieb PC14

When I walked through the front doors of 906 South Providence during recruitment, I had no idea what an impact this home would have on me, not only as a collegiate woman, but also far beyond.

This past June I had the privilege of representing our Omicron chapter at the 71^st Biennial Alpha Phi Convention hosted by Alpha Phi International in Cleveland, Ohio. I spent four days strategizing with other collegiate chapter presidents from across the U.S. and Canada. We had the opportunity to learn from one another and celebrate our sisterhood with alumnae who exemplified why Alpha Phi is so much more than just four years of our lives.

I walked into this experience as a representative from a single chapter and walked out with sisters from all over who I now have the privilege of calling my friends. I attained a whole new appreciation for this organization.

When I was first initiated into Alpha Phi, if someone had told me that I would be in the leadership position I am now, I wouldn’t have believed them. My experience at convention allowed me to find a new love for this organization with its passion and dedication towards bettering the lives of young women. I am certain that my collegiate experience would not be near what it has been without Alpha Phi. This chapter has pushed me to be the best version of myself and to develop into a leader I never truly could envision until now. Alpha Phi has provided me with irreplaceable memories and has given me a network of thousands of incredible women around the U.S. and Canada.

I am so grateful for my time in this home, for gaining friendships from coast to coast, and for having the opportunity to attend the biennial convention where I witnessed firsthand the originality and special bond within this sisterhood.