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!