Sold Out Show in Honor of Ali

Vice President of Philanthropy, Lauren Strickler and Chapter President, Emily Myers pose with TAKE instructors Jill and Bob and Mr. Roger Kemp.

It has been nearly eleven years since the passing of one of our beloved sisters, Ali. Ali had just finished her freshman year at Kansas State University as a Pi Phi baby angel. While working at a neighborhood pool in her hometown, Ali was attacked and brutally beaten to death in the pool's pump room on June 18, 2002.

In honor of Ali, the TAKE (The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation) self- defense-training program was formed. TAKE teaches young women how to defend and stand up for themselves. This two-hour session teaches the awareness and demonstration of skills you may need to defend yourself from an attacker. The class is free and is held at the K-State Recreation Complex. The self-defense training class is taken by Pi Phi's and is open to all students. The main goal of the program is all about defense, training, and power. According to TAKE, everyone needs and deserves safety awareness.

Learning the self-defense moves from TAKE instructors, Jill and Bob.

Following the TAKE class is a benefit concert in honor of Ali. Members of the K-State and Greek Community all contributed to this sold out show. Each year, Ali Kemp Bandstand is held at the Wareham Opera House in downtown Manhattan. All proceeds from the t-shirts, which are your ticket into the concert, are donated to the TAKE foundation. We had such an amazing turnout for the event this year, featuring Sigma Phi Epsilon’s, Patrick Beebe and the popular country star headliner, Logan Mize.

Logan Mize poses with Pi Phis!

Following the concert was a candlelight vigil honoring Mr. Kemp and Ali. The harmonious voices of “Angels Among Us” were sung peacefully in Ali’s remembrance. Thank you to all who came out to help support in celebration of our dear sister, Ali. 

56 New Angels "Flying" with Pi Beta Phi

The New Member Pledge Class of 2013

On the evening of Friday, August 19 2013, Vice President of Membership, Allie Niederee, read aloud the list of the 56 new members with excitement. After a week of hard work, members were cheering with excitement and joy as each and every one of these names were read off. The new members were greeted at Anderson Lawn and ran with eagerness to 1819 Todd Road where they were welcomed to their new home with open arms. 

The dance party was off with a bang as soon as the new members returned home. "Angel" by Akon blared through the speakers and glitter was thrown everywhere. 

"We are so excited for our new member class of 2013! They are incredible women full of enthusiasm for Pi Phi and excitement for everything sorority life has to offer. I can't wait to see them enjoy this experience as much as I have!"

 [Chapter President, Emily Myers]

The new members have already participated in several bonding events and gotten to know each other so well already! Last Thursday evening, they participated in Lambda Chi Alpha's annual "Watermelon Bust" philanthropy. Events from the night included a watermelon eating contest, watermelon bowling, watermelon 'Twister' and a whole lot of cheering each other on!

"I believe these girls have so much potential and are all different in their own special way, making them such a unique and tightly bonded pledge class. I cannot wait to see them grow throughout the years in all they accomplish!" 

[Vice President of Communications, Cassie Kerr]

Love is in the Air!

Love sure is in the air for some Pi Phi angels! In fact, four active members have gotten engaged from January to June and emotions have been running high ever since! Here are their stories and the amazing journeys they have gone through with their loved ones.

Samantha Rivotto 

(Junior)

Samantha and Kent

How did Kent propose to you?
Kent proposed to me on January 17th after a week vacationing together in Florida. I became really sick the last day of our vacation. So, when we got home my parents were being very careful about what I was doing and taking care of me. Kent really wanted to go to a nice dinner before going back to school and life got crazy again. Since I was sick, I did not want to get all dressed up and go to dinner. After a lot of convincing, I finally agreed. We went to the Renee Kelly Harvest House which is a castle turned restaurant. We sat down and started looking at the menu. Kent put down his menu and said, "there is something I really need to talk to you about." When he said this I thought nothing of it because he sometimes just does this so I kept looking at the menu. After a while, he was still talking so I looked up and Kent began to look very pale and nervous so I began listening. All of a sudden, he went down on one knee and proposed! Afterwards, I looked up and saw a camera flash and a professional photographer taking pictures. The photographer wanted to take more pictures downstairs and as I opened the door to the room downstairs, both of our families were waiting for us. I immediately began crying and ran and hugged my dad. We all had dinner together and took pictures. It was perfect!

How are you feeling at this point? 
Right now I have been so busy with school and work I barely have time to think! I am anxious and want it to be here already. We have decided to wait until we are both done with school to get married.

*Samantha and Kent will get married April 18, 2015 at Milldale Farms in Edgerton, Kansas with 250 people on the guest list.*

Shelby Nelson 

(Senior)

Shelby and Ross

How did Ross propose to you?

Ross and are high school sweethearts. We met my freshman year of high school and have been dating for 6 years now. Ross proposed to me on top of a mountain in Winter Park, Colorado while we were on a ski trip. It was our last day skiing and Ross had asked me to go to the top of the mountain with him one last time. When we went up there, he handed me a Winter Park shirt that I had been wanting as a souvenir. Wrapped up inside of the shirt was a very sweet note Ross had written to me. In the note, he explained why he loved me and that he needed to ask me a question that he could never ask anyone else. After i was done reading the note, I looked up and Ross was on one knee and asked me to marry him...on top of a beautiful mountain! It was so perfect and I was completely surprised. It has been the best day of my life by far!

How are you feeling at this point?

I am nothing but excited to get married. My mom does a lot of the planning so I'm not too stressed about anything, just really anxious for the day that I become Mrs. Timothy Ross Ditch!

*Shelby and Ross will get married May 24, 2014 at the Town Pavillion in downtown KC with around 300 people on the guest list.*

Emily Myers 

(Senior)

Emily and Brad

How did Brad propose to you?

Brad and I met in high school. We have been dating for 6 years and I couldn't have asked for a better man in my life! The way he proposed was so typical to what kind of a person he is. He took me to the lake to go fishing, and he tied the ring on my fishing pole when I wasn't looking! I didn't even realize what was happening until he got down on one knee. It was perfect and I am so blessed to be engaged to such a caring, loving guy. I can't wait to experience so much in life with him!

How are you feeling at this point? 

I am so excited at this point! I have a lot of the planning done, as far as the big things go! I haven't been too stressed about anything yet, but I'm sure that will come the closer it gets. It's an incredible, new experience!

*Emily and Brad will get married June 7, 2014 in Manhattan, Kansas with around 300 people on the guest list.*

Harriet Reymond 

(Junior)

Harriet and Aaron

Harriet and Aaron were just recently engaged a few weeks ago. They met through a mutual friend and have been inseparable since. More details are to come!

How are you feeling at this point?
I am really excited for the wedding, just not for the wedding planning. It is definitely a lot to do and can be pretty stressful.

*Harriet and Aaron will get married June 14, 2014 at Redeemer Church in Overland Park, Kansas with around 250 people on the guest list.*

New Member of the Week

McKenzie Ast

Hometown: Rose Hill, KS

Major: Biology/Pre-Medicine

Hobbies: hanging out with friends and family  

Favorite part of being a Pi Phi: meeting some of my best friends!

Favorite college memory so far: Winning the big 12 championship in football and basketball! EMAW!

Future career plans: Physician

Favorite vacation: Grand Cayman

Favorite food: Peanut Butter!

Favorite TV show: Dexter

Greatest accomplishment: Receiving a scholarship from K-State!

Interesting fact: Placed 2nd in girls state wrestling in 4th grade!

New Member of the Week

Abby McNitt

Hometown: Prairie Village, KS

Major: Biology

Hobbies: Singing, working out, spending time with family and friends

Favorite part of being a Pi Phi: Meeting great new friends!

Favorite college memory so far: Bid day

Future career plans: Something health related

Favorite vacation: Mexico

Favorite food: Ice Cream

Favorite TV show: The OC

Greatest accomplishment: Receiving 1st place in the Rising Star Youth Vocal Competition in New York

Interesting fact: I love reading

New Member of the Week

Alex Nepote

Hometown: Shawnee, Kansas
Major:  Nutritional Sciences / Pre-Nursing
Hobbies: Anything that involves being with my friends!
Favorite part of being a Pi Phi: Meeting some of the best friends I've ever had who have helped make my freshman year the best year ever.
Favorite college memory so far: Everything! From Bid Day to Initiation to Spring Break, all of it has been so fun!
Future career plans: Hopefully attend Nursing school and then just going from there.
Favorite vacation: Gulf Shores, this spring break
Favorite food: Pineapple, popcorn and popsicles
Favorite TV show: How I Met Your Mother
Greatest accomplishment: Joining Pi Phi at K-State

New Member of the Week

Julia Noland

Hometown: Lake Quivira, Kansas
Major: Elementary Education
Hobbies: Hanging out with friends, shopping, baking, swimming and boating at my lake
Favorite part of being a Pi Phi: Meeting some of my best friends and being a Pi Phi with my older sister who attends OSU!
Favorite college memory so far: The Pi Phi date parties!
Future career plans: Teach second or third grade at my aunt's elementary school, where she is a principal in Colorado or get a teaching job in Kansas City
Favorite vacation: Our family vaction to Colorado every year
Favorite food: Rice Krispy treats from the Derb- so good!
Favorite TV show: Modern Family
Greatest accomplishment: Becoming the captain of my swim team my senior year of high school and being on the executive board for a community service program at my high school
Interesting fact: I've flown on a plane through a thunderstorm before!

New Member of the Week

Elizabeth Kutina

Hometown: Great Bend, Kansas
Major: Kinesiology / Pre Physical Therapy
Hobbies: Hanging out with my friends and working out
Favorite part of being a Pi Phi: That I get to have so many friend that are similar to myself
Favorite college memory so far: Definitely Gulf Shores with my amazing pledge class
Future career plans: Become a successful physical therapist
Favorite vacation: Anywhere warm where I am on the beach!
Favorite food: Peanut Butter anything, My addiction
Favorite TV show: Keeping up with the Kardashians
Greatest accomplishment: Making it on the Dean's List my first semester in college and becoming a Pi Phi
Interesting fact: Last year during my last basketball game ever, I face planted and broke my nose and had to get surgery to fix it.

New Member of the Week

Taylor Wissing

Hometown: Olathe, KS

Major: Life Sciences 

Hobbies: Hanging out with friends, going shopping

Favorite part of being a Pi Phi: All the wonderful girls I have met and also being in the same house as my older sister!

Favorite college memory so far: Gulf Shores 

Future career plans: Medical imaging

Favorite vacation: Mexico (Senior Trip)

Favorite food: Anything chocolate

Favorite TV show: Pretty Little Liars

Greatest accomplishment: Doing well in school 

Interesting fact: I love anything that sparkles!

New Members of the Week

Meredith Schmidt

Hometown: Overland Park, KS

Major: Secondary Ed- Spanish

Hobbies: Ceramics, painting, drawing

Favorite part of being a Pi Phi: Getting closer to the incredible girls in my pledge class!

Favorite college memory so far: Mom's weekend

Future career plans: Teach spanish in middle or high school

Favorite vacation: Going to Italy last summer

Favorite food: Pizza

Favorite TV show: Revenge

Greatest accomplishment: Receiving the Superintendent's award in high school based on GPA - which means I was in the top 10% of my graduating class

Interesting fact: I'm an only child

Jordan Gregory

Hometown: Overland Park, KS

Major: Advertising

Hobbies: Hanging out with my friends and family definitely takes up a lot of my time. I like to doodle a lot too.

Favorite part of being a Pi Phi: Becoming friends with some of the most amazing girls on campus!

Favorite college memory so far: Spring break this year in Gulf Shores was one of the best weeks of my life and that wouldn't have been possible if I hadn't spent it with my pledge class.

Future career plans: I would love to work in an advertising firm someday!

Favorite vacation: Gulf Shores 2013! (That was my first time seeing the ocean so that was pretty neat)

Favorite food: CEREAL...specifically Honey Nut Cheerios.

Favorite TV show: F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

Greatest accomplishment: Winning the Regnier Award and scholarship at the SMSD Research and Development Forum for my portfolio in graphic design.

Interesting fact: Still haven't flown on a plane, sadly.

New Member of the Week

Madeline Ginder

Hometown: Topeka, Kansas
Major: Elementary Education
Hobbies: I love being around my 3 sisters and hilarious parents on the back deck at home. I also find myself on Pinterest often.
Favorite part about being a Pi Phi: Meeting and creating friendships with these girls has made me feel right at home.
Favorite college memory so far: Spring break at Gulf Shores with my pledge class. Also, being on the sidelines as a Classy Cat cheering on our football team who are Big XII champs!
Future career plans: I'm hoping to become a teacher like my own mom and teach second grade. It'd be a dream to teach at the same school as my mom!
Favorite vacation: Anywhere warm! Someday I hope to make it out of the country.
Favorite food: I'm a gal who eats everything and will ask "Are you going to finish that?" during our meal.
Favorite TV show: Friday Night Lights
Greatest accomplishment: Becoming a member of the Classy Cats. It's all I wanted to become when I was little.
Interesting fact: I love dill pickles! As well as the juice.. (my mouth is watering)

New Members of the Week

Sophia Hitchcock

Hometown: Leawood, Kansas
Major: Nutritional Sciences, PreMed 
Favorite Part of being a Pi Phi: I love all the t-shirts! But without Pi Phi, I might not have any bridesmaids at my wedding...
Favorite part of K-State: The Derb Chocolate Milk
Future Career Plans: Hopefully attend Medical School and become a pediatrician! 
Favorite Food: Sushi! (Apple Jack Rolls from Green Tea are my new addiction) 
Favorite TV Show: Gossip Girl or Criminal Minds
Favorite College memory so far: When my mom came up to initiate me! That was really special for both of us.

Jessica Reed

Hometown: Wichita, Kansas
Major: Biology, PreMed
Favorite Part of being a Pi Phi: Becoming really close to my pledge class, and being able to call myself a Pi Phi!
Favorite part of K-State: Kenny L Ford Hall is a great time.
Future Career Plans: Either attend Nursing School or Medical School
Favorite Food: Absolutely any kind of cereal!
Favorite TV Show: Gossip Girl
Favorite College memory so far: Fake Patty's Day!