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.