"Some things are just worth it."

On November 19th, MD Gamma initiated 10 new angels! Shari, a sophomore transfer student, shares her experience joining Pi Phi and the Hopkins community.

    Before deciding to join Pi Phi, I never really understood the need to join a Greek organization. I honestly could not comprehend the desire to sport neon shirts with Greek letters and call genetically dissimilar girls my sisters. However, after becoming an initiated member of Pi Phi I realized that Greek life is about a lot more than the physical symbols that can be seen around campus. As a sophomore transfer student, I came to Johns Hopkins knowing very few people. During my first week of classes, I would ask friendly people I met generic questions such as “Where are you from?” and “What’s your major?”. I also always made sure to include the question “What organizations do you participate in on campus?” to try to discover interesting things to get involved in. The link that connected all of the nice girls I met within my first few weeks here was three simple words: Pi Beta Phi. Realizing that I had nothing to lose by trying out the sorority, I figured I would give it a shot. I would like to thank my impulses for telling me to take a risk that day because I could not be happier with the result of my experience.

Ilana and Shari at Pink Party!

    As a new member, I immediately felt welcomed by every girl in the sorority. I opened my Facebook to find a number of messages filling up my inbox all from Pi Phi girls telling me how happy they were that I was choosing to join their sorority. This sense of enthusiasm and positive energy made me smile, knowing that this sisterhood was more than nominal. These girls would be there to support me. In addition, as a new member I attended meetings to learn about Pi Phi history, rules, and PanHellenic Council as a whole. I found these meetings so interesting that I often caught myself saying things to friends like “Don’t you think it’s interesting that Pi Phi was coined as a Fraternity?” which would immediately delve me into a long story about the history of Pi Phi.
    I also really enjoyed our first cookieshine, when all of the girls surprised the new pledging members outside of our meeting with loads of candy, cupcakes, and enthusiastic cheers. This show of happiness and enthusiasm further reinforced in my mind that joining Pi Phi was one of the best choices I had made since coming to campus a few months earlier. Interestingly, later on in the process, all of the pledges were interviewed by members of the AAC about what we liked and disliked about the new member process. When the woman turned to ask my opinions I had literally nothing negative to say. The only thing I could think of was that I wished I had more time to get to know all of these amazing and diverse girls better.
    As a newly initiated member, I couldn’t be happier with my decision to join Pi Phi. The girls are kind, genuinely caring, and continue to surprise me each and every day. When I receive a text on my phone from a sister just wishing me a Happy Thanksgiving, always with an enthusiastic smiley face, or run into a sister to eat with on campus, I truly feel like a member of the Hopkins community. Pi Phi has truly helped to make my transition to Hopkins a million times smoother and I could not be more grateful for that. I am now proud to be a new member of Pi Phi and sport our colors and letters around campus.
    On initiation day my friend saw me walking in a white dress and heels towards Charles Commons, where initiation was held. He stopped me and proclaimed, “I didn’t know you wore heels. I thought you said they were uncomfortable and painful.” To which I instantly retorted “Some things are just worth it.” In this case, Pi Phi is one of those things.

These are a few of my favorite things...

Aishwarya Rajagopalan was inspired by our win at Greek Weekend last month and tells us why she is grateful for Pi Phi!

Originally, I wrote a post exclusively about Greek Weekend, but in thinking about how gratifying it felt to take the title of Greek Weekend Champions, there were too many emotions to simply focus on the mechanics of the event. Instead, in the holiday spirit, I want to share a little list of the many things in Pi Phi that allow me to experience gratitude each day. Obviously this isn’t everything –I would be writing for years- but it’s a start, and I hope it will spur your own “list”.

Getting pumped for Powderpuff

First, I am thankful for the fact that my sisters are talented in every single way. From running the ball down the whole field to score touchdown after touchdown to baking lemon squares that taste like a little bit of heaven, I find myself learning more and more about the world through their involvements and my own!
I am grateful for our ritual, and how it binds us together once a week. We come to Chapter Meetings not only because we have to, but also because it connects us to thousands upon thousands of women who live the same values we strive to keep as our own. So if there’s one source of comfort in stressful times, it’s the fact that I know that somewhere along the way, I’m becoming a nobler woman, and thousands of women are doing the same.

Nap time at Pink Party?

I love that our headquarters has put so many structures in place to give us the support we need as a developing chapter. Working with Panhellenic can be challenging sometimes, just because I don’t always have the answers, but our AAC and Regional Team has never failed to offer insight into everything from mundane questions about recruitment policies to the more exciting Greek Weekend planning. It also doesn’t hurt that we have an incredible LDC who makes herself available to us pretty much any time for just about anything, from a cup of coffee to life advice. 

Champions for the second year in a row!

I guess I should take a moment to say that I’m really grateful for all the shirts I have accumulated over the year. It is so nice to not have to do laundry once a week anymore! Also I love the fact that every Wednesday, when Panhellenic women wear our letters, we show that Greek women are involved all over campus, whether it’s volunteering to teach computer literacy, or calling alums to re-establish connections to Hopkins at the Phonathon.

Date party!

I am forever indebted to Pi Phi for the opportunities I have received to develop myself as a leader on campus. Whether it’s serving as a Greek Weekend delegate or working on a private Bikram Yoga class for my sisters, I am cultivating a skill set that I just don’t get in the classroom: the servant leadership model. As a hopeful physician, my whole life will be dedicated to being that servant leader to my patients. I can only work with their goals, and I must always put their interests first. I never imagined that Greek Life would have such a profound impact on my professional goals.
Above all these –and the thousands of other aspects of Pi Phi that I cherish –I am most appreciative of the bonds of sisterhood that I have forged this past year. There’s a reason that we had such high participation rates in the Greek Weekend events- we genuinely love spending time together. At the Cook Off, so many sisters huddled around our tasty treats and even prepared me a plate of snacks as I worked check in; it was cold, but we all came together for a delicious afternoon. At Powderpuff, we packed the stands to cheer on our fierce athletes and took the trophy for the second year in a row. Most recently, we crowned a second Pi Phi as Hopkins Top Model. Beyond these accomplishments are the little things that make sisterhood so special.

Our newest angels!

It’s the hugs on a bad day, the smiles on a good one, the laughter in the library, and just seeing someone else in your letters on campus. Pi Phi is everything to me, and this holiday season, I hope you will take some time to reflect on what it means to you too.

Dancing The Night Away

MD Gamma has had a busy semester, including two date parties! Our first, themed Beauty and the Geek, took place in September.

 Caitlin, Allison, Elizabeth and Sasha dressed to theme!

Anna, Aishwarya and Dia, some of the beauties!

In October, we had our Halloween-themed date party!

Madalyn, Aishwarya, Kaitlyn, Emily and Emily in costume.

Vanessa and Brittany make quite the pair!

Stay tuned for pictures from our formal in December!

Pi Phis plant for peace on 9/11

Ali ('12) and Jenny ('14) enjoyed forging paths and planting seeds for sustainability and solidarity to commemorate 9/11.

Unlike any other weekend, when most students opt to sleep in after late nights of going out or studying, MD Gamma’s Alexandra Cohen, ’12 and Jenny Ferentz, ‘14 dedicated one Sunday morning to doing something different — on September 11^th, these sisters chose to perform community service at Hopkins Hillel’s Urban Garden. 

The girls, along with ten other JHU students and seven members of the local Baltimore community, spent an hour preparing soil and planting several Fall species, including lettuce, arugula, chives, cilantro, spinach, beets, and radishes.  The primary goal of Hillel’s Urban Garden Community is to harvest and serve the ripe produce at holiday meals later in the semester.  It also aims to educate various student groups on the importance of sustainable food growth and more importantly, on the interconnected nature of environmental stewardship and faith-based action.

Both originally from New York, Ali and Jenny found additional meaning in Sunday’s planting event.  Reflecting on the day, Cohen shares, “…9/11 has been marked by mourning and remembrance of the heroic Americans who lost their lives in terrorist attacks against our country.  As a New Yorker, I feel particularly effected by the tragedy, but I also recognize the incredible humility of those who came together to strengthen and rebuild our great Nation’s pride and security.  On this, the tenth anniversary of September 11^th, I found it important to vow to never forget the events that took place on that horrible day in history, but to also act to build community and work towards the betterment of American society.  I chose to plant in Hillel’s Garden on 9/11 to recognize the potential for renewal of hope in America and in the world.  As our seeds will sprout into healthy and lush plants, America, too, will continue to grow out of this era of fear, and will hopefully one day experience peace with its current enemies.  It was important for me to act philanthropically on 9/11 to show my solidarity with those who remember our fallen and those who wish to build, or plant, a stronger society built on Fraternal values.  It also doesn’t hurt to know that in a few weeks I’ll get to eat some tasty vegetables that I planted!” 

Appropriately, Ferentz wore a t-shirt marked with a large peace sign. She spoke of the experience, "The leader of the day gave us a kavannah (in English, "intention") for our planting – to think about something that we want to exist in the future that the plants we were putting in the ground could grow to represent. At first, my mind went directly to hope and peace, but then I decided that the seeds I placed in the earth would stand for unity and a commitment to believing in a tomorrow more safe than today. I am so happy I was able to participate in this activity on such a landmark memorial for my generation." 

The Garden planting event was part of an initiative through the Jewish Volunteer Connection of Baltimore and Kayam Farm in Reisterstown, MD.  Participants citywide elected to commemorate the ten-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 by contributing to a variety of community service projects.  To follow the growth of the Hopkins Hillel Urban Garden, ‘like’ the Facebook page here.

Other Chapter members marked the day by attending a Commemoration event and candlelight vigil hosted by Johns Hopkins University Muslim Association (JHUMA), Hopkins Hillel, and Students Educating and Empowering for Diversity (SEED).  Jenny attended the planting and the campus-wide commemoration event.  “The 9/11 ten year memorial service was an important event to go to as a New Yorker, an American, and as a "9/11 baby."  I definitely felt like a part of the Hopkins community as the night went on, and overall it was a unifying and meaningful event.”

— Ali Cohen

Pi Phis are everywhere!

We may have been far apart this summer, but Pi Phi was still dear to our hearts! Whether its wearing your letters or chatting up a stranger, our sisters have found that the Pi Phi connection extends way beyond our chapter. Here were some of our experiences this year:

Kristin B.
I was walking through my neighborhood and saw an older woman struggling to carry groceries from her car to her house. When I stopped to help, we began talking and I mentioned I was a Pi Phi. She got really excited and said she was a Pi Phi as well, started talking about her college days, and all the Pi Phi songs and events. It's neat to see just how lifelong Pi Phi is!

Nicole C.
It was right after Initiation and I was walking to class in the morning. The girl behind me commented that she liked my Pi Phi bag and it turned out she was also a Pi Phi. She's a JHU grad student from Virginia Tech. She wished us all luck and was happy for us.

Anna H.
I was working in retail over winter break, just a few weeks after we had gotten initiated. There was a customer who was wearing a JHU sweatshirt, so I started chatting her up. She went to JHU Med School, and when she saw my Pi Phi lavaliere, she recognized me as one of the new charters, and was super exited for us. I expected active members to kind of know that we just started a chapter, but it's really cool that alumnae keep so up to date and involved, too.

Emily K.
I went to the pool with my friend and wore our Homecoming tank top. And older woman stopped by and asked if I was a Pi Phi and proceeded to tell me that she was too. She went to Florida State University and lives in Las Vegas now. She was hilarious and sweet, and told me that she was excited for our chapter. She said that we have an enormous and amazing network of women across the country with Pi Phi and wished our chapter the best!

Christina W.
I was visiting law schools and feeling very overwhelmed by everything. When chatting with an alumni of one, I felt an instant connect. Willing to share her law school experiences with me, it wasn't surprising to learn that she was a Pi Phi at Stetson University! Later, I was helping with a book drive in NYC and was wearing my Pi Phi sweatshirt. Turns out a lot of the volunteers and teachers were Pi Phi alumnae - always continuing to support literacy!

A magical summer

There's been quite a lot of magical moments this summer! First, we celebrated the 2011 Convention in Orlando, FL at Disney World. Now, we (along with the rest of the world) get to see the final installment in the Harry Potter series. Here's how some of us celebrated (or rather, mourned) the final film:

Caitlin Hoff keeps it classy as Fleur Delacour

Jenna McLaughlin supports Gryffindor

MD Gamma goes to UIFI

We were lucky enough to send two of our fabulous leaders, Vanessa Valdivia and Natalie Copeland, to the UIFI (North American Interfraternity) Conference. Natalie shares her experience below:

I spy a Pi Phi sweatshirt and a Pi Phi house.

The adventure that was the UIFI conference began before I even got on the plane to head to Indiana.  While waiting for the very small (as in I had my own one-person-row) plane I met another participant, a Beta Theta Pi from University of Connecticut.  We traveled to Indiana and rounded up even more Greek participants after we reached our destination where there was no bus or person insight.  We eventually took over the main food court in the air port and waited for awhile. That was probably the most down time we ever actually had. 

            Once we reached the Alpha Delta Zeta house, where all 77 (men and women) were going to sleep, the real adventures began.  We set up our bunks and we were off.  From making paper bag “mail boxes” to being thrown into your smaller “chapters” of 10 or 11 people, the conference started with crazy jump-roping games and team building exercises.  From there, my chapter bonded, and throughout the week we were drawn into an intense, honest and dark discussion about the current reputation of the entire Greek system across the country.   

            The two lead facilitators eased us into the serious aspects through discussions of morals and values by first having us move around a room to show who agreed, or disagreed, with simple things like “Is it okay to go 5 miles over the speed limit?” and so on.  After two horrible videos and a serious discussion later, no one really wanted to talk about the Greek system any more.

            As a pick-us-up for the next day, the facilitators had us perform some community service.  My group went and helped out around a preschool at a local women’s shelter.  The children were all adorable and no older that 5 or 6.  We took them to a park and played, which was nice.

            Now, I’m not going to say we resolved everything that we had talked about by Friday and all left feeling good.  Rather, I was more worried leaving UIFI than I ever was actually going there.  Still it was a great experiences and it made me consider how the rest of the world views the entire greek system, not just Pi Phi.  Even though we talk about wearing “our Pi Phi hats,” it’s more than just a “Pi Phi hat”  — it’s an entire larger community of individuals that we are representing and not always representing in the  best light. The main question that UIFI left me and a lot of other participants with was: How can you change this negative stigma? 

            Overall, the entire experience was amazing. Coming from Hopkins with such a small greek population it was eye-opening to meet a large group of individuals from many different organizations. I am really glad that Pi Phi allowed me to have such an opportunity and I can’t wait to see all of my sisters again in the fall! 

June Members of the Month: Our 4k Riders

The Members of the Month for June are Meg Lavin, Ilana Selli, and Vanessa Valdivia. These three women are currently participating in the 4K for Cancer ride from Baltimore, MD to San Francisco, CA. In order to participate, each lady individually raised $4,5000 — talk about commitment to philanthropy! Follow their travels by clicking on their names below.

Meg at Fraternity Day of Service

Meg Lavin is a junior studying History and History of Art. She is also a member of the ROTC.

Left to right: Ilana and Vanessa on their way to formal

Sophomore Ilana Selli and senior Vanessa Valdivia are both neuroscience majors. They are also Big and Little!

We are impressed by these three ladies' dedication and perseverance in the battle against cancer. Our thoughts are with you during the 4K!

May Members of the Month: Aishwarya Rajagopalan and Lauren Silvey

Accomplished students celebrated the end of the semester at the Student Awards Banquet, which included several recognitions for leaders within Greek life. We were excited to be included in this year's winners and to leave a mark as our first school year on campus came to a close.

Dia and Lauren Silvey (right) during recruitment

Lauren Silvey won the award for Senior Academic Excellence. She studied Writing Seminars and is among the 2011 graduating class — some of MD Gamma's first ladies to graduate!

Aishwarya (left) with Devon, Brittany, and Vanessa at the Homecoming game

Aishwarya Rajagopalan won the award for Outstanding Greek Sophomore. Her efforts in campus life include involvement as a Peer Health Educator and Relay for Life. She has used such experience to benefit the sisters of Pi Phi in her role as Health & Wellness Chair.

We're so proud of these ladies for their excellent representation of Pi Phi and May Members of the Month!

April Member of the Month: Natalie Copeland

The month of April brought with it the anticipated Spring Fair festivities on the Homewood campus. Eager to become involved in the fundraising events, MD Gamma was inspired to host a "Pie a Pi Phi" booth much like other chapters around the country. Natalie Copeland, Chair of Spring Fair, went above and beyond in her organization for the event. She helped to procure campus celebrities like Rob Turning, head of Greek Life, to volunteer to be pied alongside MD Gamma sisters. Despite poor conditions, the booth raised more than anticipated for First Book, Pi Phi's national philanthropy. For her devotion to the cause and successful planning of our first "Pie a Pi Phi," Natalie deserves special recognition as April's Member of the Month. 

Supporting philanthropy!

Sunshine and springtime

Take a look at how Maryland Gamma celebrated the warm weather and seasonal festivities.

Liz Duval being pied at Spring Fair's Pie a Pi Phi

Pearl and Vivi raise money for literacy

Monmouth Duo with Kappa Kappa Gamma

Kara, Hannah, and Anna at Homecoming 2011

Homecoming 2011

Stefany, Violet, and Linda at formal

March Members of the Month: Lucy Coyle and Abigail Ryan

Congratulations to our two March Members of the Month, Lucy Coyle and Abigail Ryan! These two women are members of Octopodes, an a capella group here at Hopkins. This sesmest, the Octopodes have been successful in their win at the International Championship of Collegiate A Capella (ICCA) Quarterfinals competition that took place at Hopkins in February. This earned them a ticket to semifinals which took place in mid-March. Within the group, both ladies have arranged various songs, including "Soul Mate" by Natasha Beddingfield and "Lonely Night in Georgia" by Marc Brussard. Abigail sings the solo for Lady GaGa's Bad Romance," and Lucy sings the solo for "Uncharted" by Sara Bareilles. The two talented singers balance the demands of countless rehearsals, tours, and performances with their commitment to Pi Phi. For this reason, Lucy and Abigail are March's Members of the Month.
Check out the video of their winning performance from Quarterfinals!

Fraternity Day of Service

On March 2nd, Maryland Gamma celebrated its first Fraternity Day of Service. To celebrate Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss' Birthday, the chapter set up a bake sale and invited members of the Hopkins community to decorate bookplates. The bookplates will grace the inside covers of books to be donated to Montebello Elementary School in Baltimore. These activities helped to spread literacy awareness and created a fun - and successful - day of service.

Lauren, Meg and Natasha work the table on the Levering Courtyard.

Some of the many book plates that were decorated.

Delicious treats for sale, even some kosher and vegan options were available!

A Hopkins student supporting the cause!

Beck, Keelin, Steph, Linda and Julia all rocking our theme day shirts in spirit of the day.

Vivi in the Cat in the Hat costume.

Aly, Natalie, Sara, Pearl and Brittany hanging out during the bake sale.

February Member of the Month: Alana Merkow

February's member of the month is sophomore Alana Merkow. Alana is not just a member of the MD Gamma charter class, but she is also a member of Hopkins' varsity Track & Field team. Most recently, Alana became an Indoor Centennial Conference Champion in the shot put. In the competition on February 26th, Alana captured the title with her final throw of 39 feet and 4 inches. Her contribution played a large role in the team's historic first ever Indoor Conference Championship win.

Not only is she a star athlete, but Alana also brings the Pi Phi value of "Philanthropic Service to Others" to her teammates. Alana is currently working hard to plan the annual Blue Jay 5k, a race put on by the team in April in order to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. 

Her dedication to her sport and to philanthropy makes Alana an outstanding Pi Phi, and February's member of the month.

Recruitment 2011: Perspective of a New Member

My name is Kaitlyn Corbin and I am one of Maryland Gamma’s new members! Before I tell you a bit about my recruitment experience, I figure some background information is necessary. I went to an all girls’ high school in New York City. In coming to Hopkins I was definitely looking for a group of girlfriends who would be there for me whenever I needed them. I was also looking for a solid support group of upper classmen who knew the ins and outs of JHU to help me as I navigate my way through freshman year and beyond. Obviously, the prospect of joining Greek Life at Hopkins was appealing.

At noon on one dreary Saturday morning, many of us Hopkins’ girls gathered in Charles Commons for what would be one of the most stressful weeks I’ve had at Hopkins. We began sorority recruitment. Despite all of the stress, it was one of the most fun weeks I have had here! Along with the rest of our Rho Gamma groups, we went to and from each sorority’s parties, learning more about their values and their unique presence on campus. We met both sisters and potential new members along the way. After each day we marked whom we liked and as we got further into recruitment, the number of sororities that we visited became smaller and we got a deeper glimpse into what makes each sorority unique at Hopkins and as a national chapter.

After 3 very long days it was Bid Night. All of the girls gathered in the Glass Pavilion dressed in white. Small envelopes with each ladies’ bids were pasted behind their chairs. After some ceremony (which to be honest, I wasn’t paying much attention to) the moment came for us to open our bids and go meet our new sisters. I ripped open my bid envelope to find the Pi Beta Phi symbol and immediately felt a rush of emotion. I really cannot describe the feeling more than incredible excitement. Finally, through all the commotion, I made it to the group of Pi Phis jumping and singing to welcome all of the new members to the Pi Phi family.

  Bid night was something to remember. Fashion shows, dance routines, and eating cake at midnight definitely can bring a group of girls together. It’s super hard not to feel a connection to people after dancing like fools to Miley Cyrus!  At multiple points in the night, I realized that I hadn’t had this much fun with a group of girls (not to mention girls I had just met) since my best friends in high school. The bond was instant and I know that things are only going to get better from here. I can honestly say that I am so proud to be part of Maryland Gamma’s Alpha Class. In one night I made practically 60 new friends, now sisters, and the best way of describing this feeling was “coming home.” 

New members and old celebrate together

New Members Ally Tanzola, Kaitlyn Corbin, Emily Rosenberg (left to right))

          

Still in the Glass Pav, directly after receiving their bids

Intersession 2011

Hopkins' 3-week Intersession is a time for students to explore unique academic classes (The Chemistry of Baking), obscure extracurriculars (How to Play the Hammered Dulcimer), and personal enrichment classes (Dance like Jane Austen). Here's how we spent the break.

Some angels went abroad to study and learn in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. . .

From left to right: Vanessa Valdivia, Kristin Boulier, Anne Hobson, Hannah Cohen

From left to right: Hannah Cohen, Kristin Boulier, Vanessa Valdivia

. . . while others went to Israel. . .

Steph Dalwin and Alexandra Hill

. . . and we even celebrated a birthday at Miss Shirley's Brunch!

The birthday girl, Anna Huang, and Georgia P.

Natalie Copeland and Brittany Prieto

Spend the holiday season with some Pi Phis!

The air may be cold outside but that doesn't stop a Pi Phi from having fun. Over the holidays we traveled as far as Australia and stayed as close to Hopkins as the city of Baltimore itself. Check out some of the ways the Maryland Gamma sisters spent their Decembers.

Do these colors look familiar to you?

Brittany Tusing celebrated the holidays with a Pi Phi
themed tree

Natalie Copeland (right) hit the hockey rink.

Emily Daggett took an extreme vacation in Australia that included
cuddling koalas and sky-diving.