Page 3 - Alpha Phi - University of Alabama - Fall 2018

CHapter News

From the Chapter President

n behalf of our their initiation, our new members bonded at in the state of Alabama, collecting over 240
OExecutive Board weekly new member meetings, study hours, units of blood. We also hosted Alpha Phifa,
and the entire chapter, pledge class bonding events, dinner swaps a charity soccer tournament, with 14 other
thank you for your and swaps, and ivy linking events. Greek organizations participating and raising
continuous support as Initiation was a great end to a successful nearly $3,000 for the foundation.
alumnae!
homecoming week. All of our members had a As we prepare to elect a new executive
We are excited to great time pomping, participating in campus board and approach the holiday season, I am
share that we have activities, and getting to know members so grateful for the opportunity to lead this
over 150 newly initi- of our partner organizations. This fall, the chapter and look forward to seeing all we will
ated members of the Beta Mu Chapter! The chapter held two very successful large accomplish next!
chapter had a lovely initiation ceremony philanthropy events in addition to smaller AOE,
at Hotel Capstone, followed by a reception campaigns and events. We paired with Sigma
for all members and guests. Leading up to Nu to host the most successful blood drive Courtney Oleksa

hapter potlight: Katie Bernard
C S

Editor’s Note: Representing the chapter as Spotlight truly been an amazing experience! At Arts
is sophomore Katie Bernard. From the hometown of ’N Autism I am an after school teacher for
Huntsville, AL, Katie is working toward her degree in children with autism. I teach dance, yoga, and
early childhood special education. Our current director of the occasional bowling! I love walking into
parent and alumnae relations, Katie devotes a lot of her work and seeing the smiles on these kids’
time to others and the chapter specifically. She serves as faces every day! This year I am one of the
a senator here at UA for the College of Education, and she head coordinators for our field trip Fridays!
volunteers daily at Arts N’ Autism here in Tuscaloosa. She Every Friday we take the kids to a new place
is a den mom here at Alpha Phi, where she mentors a small around Tuscaloosa. This past Friday, the Oscar
group of new members we received during fall recruit- Mayer Wienermobile came to Arts ’n Autism
ment, and was just voted VP of member programming and and drove the kids around the block! I have
education. Katie is a positive light in this chapter and she been so thankful and blessed with the amaz-
exemplifies what being an Alpha Phi is all about. ing experiences and opportunities that Arts ‘n
Autism has given me!
What led you to join this chapter? I have been so honored to be the director Outside of school, how do you spend your
As soon as I got accepted to the University of of parent and alumnae relations this year. free time?
Alabama, I knew I wanted to go Planning the spring 2018 Outside of school and work, I love to spend
through formal recruitment. The Parent’s Weekend was out- my free time at Alpha Phi! Living in the house
week of formal recruitment was standing, and there are so this year has been so fun and exciting! After
one of the most memorable and many more goals and events a full week of work and studying, I like to
special weeks for me. I remember we are planning for this spring! take a relaxing
walking into Alpha Phi during the Currently, we are working on weekend off and
first round and falling in love with creating a parent newsletter watch movies
the house and every girl. The that is emailed once a month, with my sisters.
conversations I had with each girl informing parents of fun events Whether we are
were so real and genuine, and me we have had and upcoming making crafts
feel so comfortable! Alpha Phi plans for the month to follow! in the study
made me feel at home from the We have already started work- room or drink-
first moment I walked in. I am so ing on the spring 2019 Parent’s ing coffee on
thankful and so amazed at this Weekend, and I am excited to the balcony, my
spectacular place I get to call say that this will be a fun and favorite part of
home, and these amazing women Katie and sister Maddi eventful weekend! the weekend is
who I can say are my sisters! (and sorority little sister) Katie at work at Arts ’N
and after the speech they What type of work are you spending time
How are you involving the gave during the preference doing with Arts ‘n Autism? with my family Autism with one of her
parents this semester? ceremony! Working at Arts ’N Autism has at Alpha Phi. students.

Bordeaux Highlights :: Fall 2018 « 3