As One Chapter Ends, A New Begins

As 2012 comes to an end, so does our time with our current Executive Council. We cannot thank these ladies enough for their hard work, leadership and everything they have done for our chapter.  We're so excited to continue our success with the 2013 Executive Council!

Chapter President: Taylor Svec

Favorite Pi Phi memory: My favorite Pi Phi memory was bid day in 2009 when I official found out that I would be a member of Pi Beta Phi. I was so excited to meet new people and start my college career at Kansas State. I also enjoyed winning Homecoming that same year with Sigma Nu!

What does Pi Phi mean to you: Pi Phi means to me lifelong friendship and an even stronger bond with my mother and sister. It was such a fun experience seeing my sister being initiated into Pi Beta Phi and attending convention with my mom during the summer of 2012.

VP Administration: Hayley Jenkins

Favorite Pi Phi memory: Going to Gulf Shores, AL for spring break with over half of my pledge class. When we went to dinner at night together we would basically take up the entire restaurant!

What does Pi Phi mean to you: A place to call home and amazing friends to share my college experience with.

VP Fraternity Development: Ann Grannell

Favorite Pi Phi memory: This question is so difficult for me to answer, because there are so many wonderful memories to choose from! Overall, my favorite memory would probably have to be Sneak my freshman year. Before Sneak happened, I hadn't gotten to know many of the girls in my pledge class. It sounds cliche, but we really bonded and got to know each other on a more personal level during this one night get-away. These girls are incredible and have made my experience at Pi Phi better than I could've ever imagined. I love PC'10!

What Pi Phi Means to You: If I could sum it up what Pi Phi means to me in a quote it would be: "From the outside looking in, you can never understand it. From the inside looking out, you can never explain it."

VP Finance: Madeline Sanders

Favorite Pi Phi memory: My Favorite Pi Phi memory was when my mom and her two sisters initiated me. My mom gave me her arrow and her lavaliere. I can't explain the special feel of sharing this bond with my best friend. 

What does Pi Phi mean to you: Pi Phi means that we are going to be forever a part of a lasting legacy, not merely four years of my college career.

VP Member Development: Emily Myers

Favorite Pi Phi memory: It is so hard to choose my favorite memory! I would have to say that I loved freshman year sneak. It was the first time I realized how important Pi Phi is!

What does Pi Phi mean to you: Pi Phi is so much more than just another organization on campus.  It is truly a bond that words can't even describe. Pi Phi means best friends, late night chats, study buddies, road trips, game days, and support when you need it most. It has enhanced my college experience more than anything and I am so thankful for it! 

VP Membership: Shanna Stewart

Favorite Pi Phi memory:  My favorite Pi Phi memory is probably Freshman Sneak because that was the first time our pledge class all got to know each other and started to get really close. Another favorite memory would definitely have to be the Spring Break trip to Gulf Shores with our pledge class!

What does Pi Phi mean to you: Family. Pi Phi is my home away from home and is truly another family for me. I feel so blessed to have every single of these girls, especially those in my pledge class, in my life. I couldn't get through school without them!

New Member Coordinator: Emily Smith

Favorite Pi Phi memory:  My favorite pi phi memory is bid night my freshman year. It was so much fun to dance, watch skits, and start getting to know my wonderful pledge class! :)

What does Pi Phi mean to you:  Pi Phi means so much to me. More than I could ever say in a short answer. It means true friends who will always be there for you, through the good times and the bad times. Girls you can trust with anything and everything. It also means always having someone to hangout with, there's never a lonely moment living in the house of Pi! :)

VP Communications: Elizabeth Hughes

Favorite Pi Phi memory: Living in the Pi Phi house has been the best thing I've ever done and will always be my favorite memory.  I've grown so close with the girls and made the best friends I've ever had. 

What Pi Phi means to you:  Pi Phi is my home and my family.  It's inspired me to be the best version of myself, has given me so much strength and support, and I couldn't imagine life without it! 

VP Philanthropy: Megan Spradlin

Favorite Pi Phi memory: One of my favorite pi phi memories would be living in the house sophomore year! It was an opportunity to get to know everyone in my pledge class a little bit better. I don't think i've laughed harder than I did during that year!

What does Pi Phi mean to You: It's hard to put into words what Pi Phi means to me because I can't imagine my life without it and  all the people I've met by being a part of Pi Phi! It has given me so many opportunities to be involved and meet tons of girls that have taught me so much and motivate me to be a better person.

VP Event Planning: Jesse Milholm

Favorite Pi Phi Memory: Late night talks in the third floor hall way.

What does Pi Phi mean to you: everlasting friends. 

VP Housing: Whitney Hillen

Favorite Pi Phi Memory: Bid day Sophomore year!

What Pi Phi means to me: To me, Pi Phi means best friends that feel like family.

Angel Competes in Black and Gold Pageant

We are so proud of freshman, Onyeka Ehie, for winning second runner up in the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Black and Gold Pageant!  The goal of the pageant was to display the true character of African American women, and counteract any negative stereotypes.  As second runner up Miss Black 2013, Onyeka received a $500 scholarship, and is excited to be involved in various events with Alpha Phi Alpha throughout her term!

"I really learned that being diverse is one of my favorite thing about myself, and I'm glad I got to contribute to the process of showing African American women in a positive light! I had never done a pageant so this was something so different and it took A LOT of time and hard work, but I didn't regret anything!" 

Favorite Part?  My favorite part was probably the time we had to just get to know each other and working on the introduction dance was a blast.  It was so much fun and I got to know the girls really well.

All of the contestants

Onyeka and her  family

Pi Phis Cheer on the Wildcats

Just about every little girl dreams of being on the sidelines of a football field, dressed in head to toe school colors, cheering on their team. Junior Tricia Brensing, sophomores Shelby Wallace and Samantha Rivotto, and freshman Kara Evans are living that dream, as Kansas State cheerleaders.  These women dedicate hours of their time to perfecting their sport, making appearances, signing autographs, and pumping up the fan base of the K-State Wildcats.

Not only are they role models for girls everywhere, they're members of Kansas Beta, too!

Our beautiful Pi Phi Cheerleaders!

Tricia Brensing

How long have you been cheering? This is my third year cheering at k-state started doing cheer in 7th grade!

Favorite part of being a cheerleader? All of the opportunities it's given me!  I've met amazing people, traveled to awesome games, get to voluneteer with the Fierce Cats, various campus appearances, etc.  Plus I absolutely love KSU sports and always have, so getting to be on the sidelines supporting my favorite team is wonderful!  (my fav part of actually cheering is the stunting :)) 

Shelby Wallace

Favorite aspect of Pi Phi?  The exposure I've had to new experiences and people. Pi Phi has made me try new things and grow close with people I might not have met. The friendships I have made with my pledge class, and even those younger and older, have made being a Pi Phi an unforgettable experience. I love how these girls will forever be in my heart! 

How do you manage both cheer and a sorority?  It can be difficult. Cheer is a huge time commitment with practice, games, and appearances. A sorority also has its demands of meetings and events. Finding balance between the two is something I try to do. If I have cheer practice during a pi phi event one week, then the next I might try to attend a pi phi event. Let's just say I have learned the importance of time management while being in college!

What is your favorite memory of cheerleading?  I had the amazing opportunity to go to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament last year in Pittsburgh! This was something I had always dreamed of doing. We were able to spend four days there, sight-seeing, trying new things, and taking tons of pictures! This experience was even better because I got to go with Tricia, my mom in Pi Phi! We had a blast together, and this trip only made us closer!

Mom/Dot

We are so lucky to have you lovely angels representing Pi Phi! Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to both organizations!

Cosmopolitan Presents Campus Kisses for the Troops

Last Thursday Kansas Beta was honored to host Campus Kisses for the Troops at the Pi Phi House!   This event is sponsored by Cosmopolitan and Seventeen Magazines, and Maybelline New York, which provided the funds and fun to make it all possible.  Angels and friends wrote and kissed postcards for our military overseas, thanking them for their service and sacrificing for our freedom.  We were able to surpass our goal of 1,000 postcards, reaching a total of 1,467! Maybelline makeup artists performed free makeovers, and even handed out complimentary lip gloss to each participant!  In addition, we supplied pizza and refreshments, Seventeen and Cosmopolitan magazines and lots of Hershey Kisses.

This was truly one of our favorite events to participate in as Pi Phis! Thank you so much to our troops for all that you do for us, and come home safely!     

Over 1,400 postcards!

Executive Council

Pi Phi loves our Troops!

Leadership Development Consultant visits Kansas Beta!

Last month Pi Phi had the pleasure of welcoming Jenny Mason, our National Leadership Development Consultant (LDC), to the House of Pi! Jenny graduated just last year from Texas Christian University, and is now a proud Texas Delta alumnae.  Over the course of her visit, Jenny met with each member of our Executive Council to discuss new ideas and compliment our hard work.  She also got a taste of Manhattan, as members of Kansas Beta treated her to local restaurants and showed her some highlights of our great college town.  She was also able to experience the beginning of K-State's Homecoming Week, and even participate in Beta Theta Pi's fall philanthropy! We had a wonderful time hosting Jenny, and truly benefited from her advice! Pi Phi Love

Homecoming 2012: Wildcat Adventures

Congratulations to the women of Pi Beta Phi for placing 2nd in overall Homecoming 2012!!!

For this year's "Wildcat Adventure," Kansas Beta was paired with the men of Phi Delta Theta and Tau Kappa Epsilon. Our pairing chose to get creative by focusing our efforts around the theme "Willie Wildcat and the Purple Factory." Everything from our WRL routine to our float design featured Willie as Willy Wonka, candy, oompa loompas, and lots of bright colors.

Pi Phi is proud to have placed in several competitions, including Spirit Sign, Paint the 'Ville, Children's Carnival, Parade, and a #1 ranking in Float! The angels had a wonderful time getting to know our Homecoming pairings throughout the week, and the chance to rally together as Pi Phis to show how proud we are of our chapter! We are certainly looking forward to competing again next year :)

PC'11 pledge class about to walk in the parade

Newly initiated PC'13 having fun in their first Homecoming

PC '12 and Willie getting ready to cheer on the undefeated Wildcats!

Our amazing performers at WRL

Pep rally!

Pi Phis walking in the parade through Aggieville

Spirited Pi Phis who dressed up as Oompa Loompas

Our first place float!

Angels on the Sideline

Most of us are cheering on the #1 ranked Wildcats from the stands or on T.V. this season, but the K-State dance team, also known as The Classy Cats, get to cheer from the sidelines. These ladies put in countless hours of practice, rehearsals and performances to be called a Classy Cat.

Senior Hayley Lorenzini, junior Erika Baker, sophomore Karissa Kirkendall, and freshmen Abby Hill, Madeline Ginder and Kaitlyn Mohan are more than just Classy Cat teammates, they’re members of Kansas Beta.

Erika Baker

What is your favorite memory of being a Classy Cat thus far?

-My favorite memory of being a Classy Cat was when we went to Dallas last January for the Cotton Bowl. It was a blast and dancing in the Dallas Cowboy Stadium was something I'll never forget.

What is an interesting fact about Classy Cats?

-We are part of the Marching Band and not the Athletic Department. Also we do pep rallies with the band when the team gets back from away games around 2 or 3 AM.

Abby Hill

What is your favorite part of being a Pi Phi?

- My favorite part of being a Pi Phi would definitely have to be the great girls I have met so far! I love our pledge class so much already and I can't wait to live in with them next year! Also, it has been amazing getting to know the older girls, especially after growing up with no older sisters... now I have like over 100 to look up to!

What made you want to be a Classy Cat?

-  I have grown up going to some K-State games with my dad who is a huuuuuge Wildcat fan! When I was younger, my favorite part of going to games was to watch the Classy Cats on the sidelines!

How long have you been dancing?

 - I have been taking dance/acrobat classes starting at the age of three! I became actually serious about dancing when I was in 5th grade and began competitively   dancing and continued that until my senior year!

  These angels are a great representation of strong work ethic, dedication, school spirit, and exquisite talent. Kansas Beta couldn’t be more proud of them!

Pi Phi Passionate About Student Governing Association

Like many Pi Phis before her, Sophia Tolentino chose to dedicate her time and energy to being a part of K-State's Student Governing Association (SGA) this year.  A freshmen from Manhattan, Kan., Sophia was one of few selected to serve as an SGA Intern after undergoing the interview process.

"I'd heard wonderful things about the SGA program, and was encouraged by many people to apply.  I love being involved, and was interested to see how SGA actually works."

Biggest Responsibility: Our biggest responsibility as interns is to stay attentive and participate.  We are in the learning stage right now, and the only way to learn how SGA works is to pay attention in the meetings and ask questions 

Favorite Aspect: Truthfully, my favorite part is seeing just how dedicated the senators and cabinet members are.  I thought I was busy and had a lot to do, but these people put in so much time and effort to keep this University running smoothly.  It's very admirable 

Interesting Fact: We meet every Thursday at 7 p.m., and depending on the material that needs to be reviewed, we sometimes won't adjourn until 10 or 11 p.m.  These students take this job seriously, and it goes to show that nothing is fluffed off by the members of SGA

We are so proud of you Sophia! Thank you for representing Pi Phi in such an important student organization and working so hard for K-State!

52 Official Angels

This past weekend Kansas Beta completed our initiation ceremonies, and we are proud to call 52 new members official Pi Phis!  As is KS Beta tradition, every angel receives a Pi Phi sweatshirt, which is featured in 'family pictures' taken after initiation. 

Throughout these next four years, Pi Phi will give you more joy, companionship, support and motivation than you could have ever imagined.  It will grant you sisters and memories to last a life time.   It will make the best times better, and provide strength for the worst.  It will be in your heart and at your side always.  Congratulations PC '12!