Maddie Dedicates her Summer to Children!

 

Maddie is working this summer in Washington, DC as an intern for national non-profit, KaBOOM!. KaBOOM! is dedicated to giving all children the childhood they deserve. She is working this summer as an intern for the project management team where she travels to communities to build playgrounds!

Maddie says, "The most amazing part of my experience has been watching communities come together to create an amazing result! On build day, we work with over 200 volunteers. We build the playground and dozens of other project such as picnic tables and benches in just 6 hours! I have been lucky to build six playgrounds, in Washington DC, Maryland, 3 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and even one in Canada!"

 Maddie chose this internship because she believes that play is essential to childhood and every child should have a great space to play! She has loved her projects at schools the most as she has gotten the chance to work with teachers who share this excitement to integrate play into the school day!

Maddie is junior elementary education major. She hopes to either teach fourth grade or work at a non-profit relating to youth and community development after graduation. We are so proud of Maddie using her summer to help others, as well as working hard to gain more insight to the needs of children as a future educator.

Andrea Makes a Difference this Summer!

While she's not busy representing our Gator pride at the Phi Mu National Convention, our sister Andrea E. is a counselor for the YMCA's  Adaptive Camp, a program for children with disabilities ages 3-23. The program focuses on teaching its campers basic life skills such as changing, bathing, using the restroom, eating and social interactions. Counselors arrange games aimed at improving cognitive abilities and play sports to advance motor development in their pupils. On Fridays they take field trips to places like MOSI, the aquarium, Pump It Up and the zoo.

"My favorite part about working with disabilities is gaining insight to their lives. Being able to really gain compassion, trust, and respect is evident in present and future. Anyone regardless of gender, religion, race, and ethnicity has the potential to acquire a disability."

Andrea is working towards a bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a minor in Disabilities. After graduation she hopes to become an Audiologist or Speech-Language Pathologist.

Congratulations Haley N.-Pi Kappa Phi's Rose Queen!

We are so proud of our sister, Haley Neel, who was crowned Rose Queen at Pi Kappa Phi's Rose Queen Pageant last night. Pi Kappa Phi's philanthropy benefited Push America, whose mission is "Building leaders of tomorrow by serving people with disabilities today."

"I decided to participate in the Rose Queen Pageant because my boyfriend is in Pi Kapp and I always seem to find myself there, plus the guys are very sweet and like brothers to me. My favorite part about participating was watching our chapter come together and supporting Pi Kapp's philanthropy. I also really enjoyed meeting other contestants in other chapters. To me, being crowned Rose Queen means a chance to showcase how dedicated and amazing Phi Mu is. WE did it!" -Haley Neel, PC '13.

Sister Spotlight: Andrea D.

We can't wait to welcome back our sister Andrea Duty after her semester abroad in London, England! She spent Fall 2013 taking classes at The Foundation for International Education and interning with the Organic Trade Board.

"I loved all the markets and different cultures that were present in London! I tried to do a bit of everything from seeing Wicked the musical, going rock climbing and bouldering in the English countryside, and even watching a football game in a traditional pub."

Her favorite part of the trip was the opportunity to visit several other countries while living in London. These included Ireland, Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Spain, Wales and Iceland. Andrea also enjoyed trying new foods; surfing, cliff diving and seeing a family of seals in Wales; and visiting the hot springs in Iceland.

Thank you Mama and Papa!

As our sisters prepare to travel across the country to see relatives for the holidays, we would like to take a moment to say thank you to the two people who make 1152 E. Panhellenic Drive our home away from home. 

Sharon and Don Gaddo have spent the last 10 years as Alpha Nu's house managers. But our sisters don't think of them as "managers". They're our house parents; we know them as Mama and Papa. From day one they went above and beyond in their duties, leaving alumnae and active collegiate members thankful for the time we are given with them.

From hosting trivia competitions, cooking evening snacks and sharing their wisdom at chapter, Mama and Papa are always there for us even when we just need someone to talk to. Some of our seniors took time this week to share why they love Mama and Papa so much.

Stephanie Facompre, PC '10: "Mama Sharon and Papa Don are some of the most giving and selfless people I've ever met. The most amazing part to me is how often they spontaneously reach out to a sister in need. Even before I became close with them, they were there for me during difficult times with unconditional love and support."

Celia Meyer, PC '10: "Papa Don is probably one of the most interesting people I've ever met. I'm sure I'll never meet anyone else who agreed to be a house dad that writes novels and met the Queen. I love spending time with both of them and hearing all of their stories, they've both made Phi Mu feel like my home for four years."

Kirby Newkirk, PC '10: "I love starting my day off talking to Mama Sharon before I leave for class. Whether it is over breakfast or when I am making my coffee, she always takes the time to ask how I have been. I know I can always go to her if I ever need anything. Papa Don always puts a smile on my face when I see him and he calls out 'Hey Commodore, how are ya doin' today?' The amount of time that they spend on this chapter is amazing. We are so blessed to have them as our house parents!"

Sister Spotlight: Lindsie Herring

With the holidays approaching, gift ideas for family and friends are on everyone's minds. What if you could give your loved ones a present and donate to charity at the same time? One of our newly initiated sisters, Lindsie Herring, offers a way to do just that.

Herring started her embroidery business, Sweet Southern Tees, as a way to raise money for Dance Marathon 2013.

"I wasn't a dancer, but I wanted to give in some way, so I decided to make shirts and sell them. I made a Facebook page to get the word out and raise more money. After DM, people were asking if I could still sell shirts, so I continued the business, but decided to continue giving to charity," Herring said.

Every month a new charity is chosen and part of her proceeds go to that particular organization; which usually pertains to a current event or has special meaning to Herring. April is autism awareness month, so some of her business' income went to Autism Speaks; in July she donated to the Wounded Warrior Project because it is the month of the United States' independence day; and in September she gave to a local Gainesville charity called Stop Children's Cancer because it was children's cancer awareness month, just to name a few.

"In May we gave to Compassion International because I sponsor two kids (in Africa and Honduras) through that ministry. That one personally means a lot to me because I have seen first hand how impacted those kids' lives are. I actually got to meet the boy that I sponsor in Honduras and it was life changing. The reason I like to give back is because I have been so blessed throughout my life, and the least I can do is help out a little bit by raising not just money for these causes, but also awareness," Herring said.

Support Lindsie and the charities that she donates to by checking out her products Here!

Congratulations to Alpha Nu's 2014 Executive Board

On Tuesday night the sisters of Alpha Nu elected our 2014 executive board. We are all excited to see what these amazing young women will accomplish next year and look forward to the positive impact they will have on our chapter.

Teresa Ahler, President: "I am so excited to have been elected as President of Phi Mu for the 2014 term. I am looking forward to working with the rest of the executive board to continue the great strides our chapter has made in the past few years. I am grateful for the support and encouragement that I have already received from my peers and I will work my hardest to meet and exceed the expectations that are held for me. With the help of my sisters, I am certain that 2014 will be a great year for Alpha Nu!"

Amy Pouliot, Vice President of Public Relations: "I am really excited for the upcoming year. I believe this executive board will work well together to strengthen our chapter."

Jasmine Baxter, Vice President of Membership: "My key objective before and during recruitment is efficiency and effectiveness. I hope to build confidence in Alpha Nu and be the type of person that can help others see things from various points of view instead of getting swept up in the majority mindset."