Alpha Xi Delta Beta Epsilon

Spring 2012

Executive Board

Chapter President: Kimberly Short

Vice President of Chapter Life: Lydia Butler

Vice President of Membership: Jennifer Priske

Vice President of Programs: Stevie Croisant

“Inspiring women to realize their potential.”

Philanthropy Event Breaks Record

On February 24th, 2012, the students of Monmouth College gathered in Dahl Chapel for an Alpha Xi Delta event they would never forget. This event was Xi Man, a male beauty contest. The purpose of this contest is to raise money for our philanthropy, Autism Speaks. The Xi Man Challenge involved the women of Alpha Xi Delta as coaches, men from different organizations on campus, and professors who judged the contest.

The men who competed this year were John Cayton representing Phi Delta Theta, Jake McLean representing Pi Gamma Delta, Will Deuerling representing Sigma Phi Epsilon, Alex Mackley representing Zeta Beta Tau, Ethan Kelly representing Alpha Tau Omega, and Zachary Brand representing Table Top Gaming Club. They preformed a group dance at the beginning of the show, which was choreographed by senior, Sarah Johnson. The men participated in three different rounds: sportswear, formal wear, and a final talent with a question and answer portion. Talents ranged from Dirty Dancing routines to a mad scientist experiment; the crowd was always entertained.

The overall result of the challenge was overwhelming compared to

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Vice President of Public Relations: Michelle Hutchison

Vice President of Finance: Nicole Kamzic

Recording Secretary: Stephanie Lankford

Panhellenic Delegate: Carina Moschello

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Letter from the President Hello! My name is Kimberly Short and I am the new

president of the Beta Epsilon chapter of Alpha Xi Delta. I am currently a junior at Monmouth College, majoring in Mathematics, Classics, and Secondary Education. I hope to one day teach high school math or Latin! Besides Alpha Xi Delta, I am involved in marching band and wind ensemble, Kappa Delta Pi (the education honor society), and I work as a tutor on campus.

I joined Alpha Xi Delta in the spring semester of my freshman year. When I first came to campus, I had no intention of joining a sorority. However, during my first weeks on campus I met a few ladies who were able to change my mind. I quickly realized what all I was missing out on and took the first opportunity to join in the spring semester!

Since joining, Alpha Xi Delta has become a part of my life that I cannot imagine not having. Alpha Xi Delta has provided me with friendships that have enabled me to become who I am today. My sisters in Alpha Xi Delta have supported me through the best and worst times, always providing advice and guidance when I need it the most. So many Alpha Xi’s have become role models for the type of person that I one day hope to be.

Being chosen as president was a great privilege to be given by my sisters. I feel immensely honored to be leading our chapter. This semester has definitely been a learning experience but I have enjoyed it fully. With the help of my sisters and advisors, my time as president has so far been superb!

So far this year, our chapter has already reached a significant number of accomplishments. Winning Greek Week for the fifth year in a row was a moment of pride for me. It showed how our chapter is able to work together as a team and reach a common goal. I am so proud of everyone for her effort put in during this week!

In the future, I hope to see the chapter continue to grow. Many young members have been taking on leadership roles and it makes me incredibly excited for where our chapter is headed! In the fall, we hope to have a great week during recruitment, in order to keep our chapter growing. We are also planning philanthropy events and sisterhoods that should be a great time for everyone! I am excited for my favorite time in the fall – homecoming!

Overall, I am so proud of each of our members for making a difference not only within our chapter but on campus and within the community!

Kimberly Short Chapter President

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Founders’ Day On Saturday, April 14th, the ladies of the

Beta Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Xi Delta celebrated our 119th Founders’ Day. Sisters spent the afternoon connecting with alumnae and remembering the inspirational women who worked so hard in founding this organization that we are all so proud to be a part of today.

We were happy that so many alumnae were able to make it to our celebration. A very special thanks goes out to the Alumnae Association for the wonderfully thoughtful gifts that we received.

Sisters then visited the gravesites of founders Bertha C. Evans as well as Alice Bartlett Bruner and left pink roses in their honor and remembrance. Then we traveled to Galesburg to visit the Alpha Xi Delta cornerstone at Knox College and were able to sing to the fine young men of Sigma Nu at Knox College, the fraternity that was influential in helping our founders establish Alpha Xi Delta.

Our utmost appreciation goes to those alumnae who were able to spend our Founders’ Day with us as well as the Alumnae Association for being so thoughtful and supportive of our chapter. Overall, it was a successful day that allowed sisters and alumnae alike to share in celebrating our sisterhood as well as remember our founders who have influenced all of us to strive to realize our potential!

Family Day This year, we had our first

Family Day. While the idea of a family day had been tossed around for

years, this year, our very own Public Relations VP, Michelle Hutchison, made it

happen. On March 3rd, our first annual Family Day took place.

We had over 90 people attend this event, including parents, siblings, nieces, nephews and more. Family Day was a time in which we could share how important Alpha Xi Delta is to each of us with our loved ones. We started the day by giving house tours and enjoying refreshments and the company of our sisters and their families. Then, we were proud to share information about our national philanthropy, Autism Speaks, with our families. Monmouth College’s own Sassy Lassies, the women’s a cappella group on campus, performed as well.

We ended the day by inviting our loved ones into a candle pass. We couldn’t be happier with the way this day went, and it was amazing to be able to give our families a glimpse at what Alpha Xi Delta truly means to us.

All of the seniors on their last Founders’ Day as active

members

The gravesites of Bertha C. Evans and Alice

Bartlett Bruner

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raised $1,939.07 for Autism Speaks. This number came from contestant fundraising, admissions sales, and Autism Speaks bracelets sold at the door. John Cayton, senior and former president of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, was crowned Xi Man 2012. He ended up raising over $800 for Autism Speaks. The first runner up was the contestant from Phi Gamma Delta, Jake McLean. The second runner up was Zachary Brand from the Table Top Gaming Club.

When asked about his experience, John said, “Competing and preparing for Xi Man was as nerve wrecking, but also as fun and exciting as I imagined. My mindset was just to not get booed off the stage, so winning it was a huge bonus. I’m glad that I was given the opportunity to help raise money and awareness for a great nonprofit that Autism Speaks has become.” A huge thank you for this event goes out to our Philanthropy Coordinators, Lindsay Banks and Haleigh Garrett.

We could not be more proud of our chapter for everything the Xi Man competition accomplished. We were able to raise more money for Autism Speaks than we ever have before with a single event. It seemed as though the entire college came out to support us, and we are so thankful for this.

New Members

Left: Xi Man contestants pose

with Philanthropy

Chair, Lindsay Banks and her

assistant, Haleigh Garrett.

Right: Assistant Philanthropy Chair, Haleigh

Garrett and Philanthropy Chair, Lindsay Banks

Kaitlyn Miller

Year: Freshman Major: Biochemistry Hometown: Hobart, IN Interesting Fact: “I’ve been a lifeguard for over five years.” Favorite Memory of Alpha Xi So Far: “The women of Alpha Xi make the memories; without them I do not think this organization would be quite as amazing and dear to my heart as it is now.”

Alyssa Janssen

Year: Freshman Major: Public Relations Hometown: Canton, IL Interesting Fact: “I’ve tumbled for thirteen years.” Favorite Memory of Alpha Xi So Far: “Finding out who my big was and being initiated.”

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When the month of April begins to approach, you can feel the excitement within our chapter begin to build. A lot of planning has to

go into this month because it is a whole month dedicated to building awareness for Autism. This year our chapter once again pulled off the amaXing feat of lighting up the copula of Wallace Hall.

Our efforts to Light It Up Blue on April 2nd did not stop there. At the all-Greek banquet for Greek Week, each table was given a basket. This basket contained enough blue ribbons for every member of every Greek organization along with a blue light bulb for each organization. The men of Zeta Beta Tau and the men of Phi Delta Theta both joined in on the effort to Light It Up Blue. In addition to lighting up the copula, we made sure our house was also lit up. We had everything from blue Christmas lights to Greek letters with glow sticks on them. We were able

to do all of this thanks to our philanthropy chair, Lindsay Banks.

This year was a very big year for our chapter and our efforts to raise Autism Awareness. In November, our chapter sold Autism Speaks bracelets in order to raise awareness. All of the Alpha Xi's wear these bracelets with pride along with many other people on campus. You could say that people light up their wrists blue everyday by proudly wearing this bracelet. If you would like to purchase a bracelet for one dollar you can e-mail Courtney Jonsson at cjonsson@monm.edu.

Light It Up Blue On Friday, April 13th, the Beta Epsilon

chapter of Alpha Xi Delta decided to try their luck and host an entirely new event for the Monmouth College community. This event was created and hosted by Courtney Jonsson. She made it possible for student writers, performers, and artists to showcase their work. The showcase included poetry readings, dancing, singing, monologues, and skits. Every piece performed was written by a student here at Monmouth College. When she was asked why she decided to put on this event, Jonsson stated, "I wanted to give artists who write their own material a chance to perform without being judged by faculty and staff on their ‘talent.’” Not only was the event an amazing opportunity for up-and-coming artists to express their passion, but it also served to raise awareness for autism and to help raise money in support of Autism Speaks. The money that we raised came from the enterance fee. Student artists also made several autism-related pieces that we were able to raffle off.

Many of the acts too held true to the spirit of the event. Nick Dadds shed a little light on what it is like to be a counselor at a camp working with autistic kids. Ed Wimp, Mary Schuch, Allyson Frazier, and Connor Shields all performed original music. Michael Carioto performed a dance to one of Allyson Frazier's songs, and Courtney Jonsson performed of a self-written monologue. To wrap up the night full of creative expression, Zach Brand read an original poem dedicated to his friend who had lived with autism. This poem was a beautiful closing to an event that really let the light shine on the untapped talent that Monmouth College has to offer.

Students Write for Autism

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During the week of March 23-30, the Alpha Xi Delta Beta Epsilon Chapter joined the seven other Monmouth College Greek organizations for Greek Week, a celebration of Greek life on campus.

The chapter had another reason to celebrate being Greek at the annual banquet held Friday, March 30. Amidst other awards honoring excellence in chapters and Greek individuals, Office of Residence Life awarded Alpha Xi Delta senior Samantha Jagust “Greek Woman of the Year.” “I didn’t expect to win it at all,” said Jagust.

Greek Woman of the Year and Greek Man of the Year are chosen by a selection committee, comprised of professors and staff leaders. Prior to Greek Week, the committee gave each fraternity and sorority on campus a list of criteria that nominees for the award must meet. After each fraternity and sorority submitted names for nominees, the selection committee reviewed each potential recipient and chose Jagust.

“I am very proud of Sam, especially since she is so enthusiastic about every aspect of Greek Life,” said Alpha Xi Delta senior Gianna Scumaci. “I was happy when an Alpha Xi won it because it just makes me even more proud of my sisters.”

As the criteria includes grades and campus involvement, Jagust more than met the qualifications with her positions as Order of Omega President, Panhellenic President, and various other positions in many organizations.

Alpha Xi Delta also won Greek Week overall, meaning we helped to raise the most money for the chosen philanthropy and had a lot of fun while doing it!

Greek Woman of the Year

Sam Jagust, Greek Woman of the Year

The holiday season is always a wonderful time of year to reflect on what the past twelve months have brought to our lives and a time to be thankful for our friends and families. For the sisters of Alpha Xi Delta, the holiday season was no different.

This past December, our chapter was lucky enough to receive some beautiful presents from family, friends, and Alpha Xi Delta alumnae. Some of the fabulous gifts that we received were supplies needed for the kitchen in our new house. These gifts included cookie sheets, cupcake pans, vegetable trays, and many other important items for our kitchen. Another amazing gift that we received was an artificial, pre-lit Christmas tree, donated by the family of one of the current members. The tree was very much appreciated, and helped to fill the house with Christmas cheer.

Thank you to everyone who helped to make our holidays as cheerful as possible! We couldn’t have ended the semester on a better note!

Holiday Cheer

Above: Jen Priske helping

open presents.

Left: Our chapter

around the tree!

Alpha Xi Delta Beta Epsilon Spring 2012

Contact Us To make sure your alumnae information is up to date,

please contact: Mackenzie Mahler at mmaher@monm.edu

To learn more about Autism Speaks, please contact:

Lindsay Banks at lbanks@monm.edu

For all other concerns, please contact our chapter president:

Kimberly Short at kshort@monm.edu

Or write to us at

Alpha Xi Delta 318 North 9th St

Monmouth, IL 61462