Phi Mu Girls Shake It For Me

Last weekend several of our sisters traveled to different locations in Florida and Georgia to see Luke Bryan’s Farm Tour 2013. Sisters in Valdosta, Georgia enjoyed good food and a Gator game before shaking it for Luke.

Eryn Morgenlander (PC ’12): “Going to Luke Bryan’s Farm Tour in Valdosta Georgia was one of the most fun experiences I’ve had with sisters. Everything from the car rides, to screaming the words of “Country Girl” on the top of our lungs and taking non-stop pictures of Luke’s tight jeans (until our phones died of course), was memorable. I shared so many laughs with sisters I don’t get to hang out with all the time and it was definitely one for the books!”

Hannah Shope (PC ’10): “Luke Bryan's Farm Tour Concert was absolutely amazing! His concert was by far the best I have ever attended.  He is the Country Music Award Entertainer of the Year and rightfully so because there ain't nothing like seeing him "shake it" for country girls and country boys alike. What made this concert so special was being able to sing and dance along with my sisters in the middle of a field.  Before the concert, we enjoyed some finger-lickin’ BBQ and Gator football, so it was a day full of southern fun.”

Stacy Mills (PC ’12): “We started the trip off right by eating the best BBQ in Gainesville at 4Rivers. Tailgating with everyone was great because we were able to hang out and get to watch the game, even though we lost. By far the best part was watching Luke shake it for us and really making the concert one of the best I've been to!”

The Good Life

You know you’re a Phi Mu Gator when you go to an on-campus concert with your sisters and the audience is practicing their game day chants in the intermission between opening band Teammate and the main attraction, OneRepublic.

Sisters gathered at UF’s O’Connell Center last night to watch the annual free concert Student Government Productions sponsors every year. Indie images, Charlie Chaplin clips, concert segments and music video footage flashed across the giant screen above the stage as our sisters danced to the band’s hits.

“The show was really fantastic overall. I was really surprised to see OneRepublic doing covers from other artists, and actually doing those songs really well. My favorite part though was when one of their guitarists came onstage alone and performed a Spanish style guitar solo. It was completely unexpected and really energized the crowd,” Meredith Diamond (PC '11) said.

"I loved everything about it. The lights and presentation were spectacular and the lead singer literally has the voice of an angel, it's even better live. I loved the way he talked to the audience about college. Definitely one of the best shows I've been to," Carrie Mayes (PC '12) said.

"I saw OneRepublic at Jingle Ball last year and knew that they were amazing live, but last night they were even better than what I had expected! I thought it was cool when they all came out wearing Gator jerseys. I loved how the lead singer, Ryan Tedder, was so funny and such an incredible singer; and how I got to go with my big, Sam, and other phis. It was a really nice bonding experience over music and one of the best concerts I've ever been to," Ashley Phyu (PC '13) said.

It must be the season for concerts because our sisters are looking forward to more musical fun at Luke Bryan's Farm Tour in various locations and at the O'Dome again when Florida Georgia Line visits later this month!

It's Fall, Y'all!

As the weather finally starts to cool down and we move closer to the holiday season, our sisters are taking part in traditional fall activities. Last Friday evening a group of Alpha Nus visited Newberry’s Cornfield Maze, which boasts the slogan “laugh by day…scream by night.”

“I was fine for the most part. I went in the corn maze when there was still light out so it wasn’t that bad. But there were a few things that did scare me. Like there was someone dressed up as the Michael Myers character from Halloween which creeped me out and I hate chainsaws, so hearing the sound of them and people coming up to me freaks me out,” Julia McBee (PC ’13) said.

Luckily, sisters are the chains that hold onto you when you’re scared, and the ones who laugh with you when you get scolded for not acting your age.

“The funniest thing that happened at the Haunted Corn Maze didn’t even relate to the actual corn maze itself. At the corn maze, there is a petting zoo for everyone to pet and feed the animals. One of my sisters, Anna Kiriazes, decided she was going to climb onto the fence and get as close as possible to the donkeys and camels. As soon as she did that, the animal-keeper said ‘Hey! Get off there, child!’ Anna slowly got off the fence and walked away. The end,” Coral Makara (PC ’12) said.

Whether they laughed or screamed, all of the sisters and phis in attendance agreed that they had a wonderful time together.

“I had so much fun at the corn maze last Friday. It was surprisingly scary for being put on by a group of high school kids! Plus I was able to bond with all my sisters. It was a great time screaming together, running away, or laughing at each other's reactions. It was reassuring knowing I had my sisters around me to grab onto in case I got scared!” Annelise Gerardi (PC ’13) said.

When each new pledge class that joins our chapter, older sisters pass down these fun traditions that remind us so much of those we would participate in with our biological family, and allow us to strengthen our bond as sisters. As the air outside adopts that winter chill we look forward to sharing more of our fall customs.

Sister Speed Dating

We’ve all heard of speed dating to meet potential love interests; but what about to get to know your new sisters? This year we held an event at the Pink Castle where potential big sisters and our Phis were able to have just minute long conversations with each other in an effort to meet as many people as possible. Questions ranged from “What is your second favorite color?” to "If you were invisible, where would you go?"

Maddie McClinton, our Morale Chair, helped plan this new event, “Teach your date something new. That was the question that stumped many, but for some it offered a chance to show off their best moves. Walking around the room, amidst the giggles and chatter of over 120 Phi Mus, a sudden movement in the corner caught my eye as a new member taught a sister how to dougie. Fun, friends, and some dance moves, common parts of any Phi Mu function, but this time with a little speed dating flare.”

Sisters and Phis enjoyed answering the quirky questions and getting to know the women in our chapter that they will soon call sisters.

“Speed dating was a great way to see which sisters were taking littles and allowed the Phis to learn more about the sisters. I had a great time answering unique and fun questions with the girls,” Erica Mecke, PC ‘13, said.

“With a pledge class as large as ours speed dating was a fantastic way to meet new sisters! We were prompted by silly questions and had the chance to be ourselves in our own home!! I feel much more confident that our Phis will find not only their sisters, but their best friends in the Alpha Nu chapter!” Olivia Molina, PC ‘12, said.

The Buddy System

As a part of the Phi experience, our new members are paired with a buddy each week until their initiation. This week we talked to some of our Phis about their experience with this system.

Julie Giurintano: “Through the buddy system I have become so much more comfortable talking to sisters and my buddies reassure me that I always have someone to call if I need help.”

Kaitlyn Smith: “I love having a new buddy each week! The buddy system makes it easier to meet your sisters, and introduces you to people who will be there for you whenever you need them!”

Lauren Dubose: “My favorite thing has been being with my party pal and enjoying a sunny Saturday tanning and hanging out at the pool with sisters. I got to laugh and have a good time swimming around.”

At Phi Mu we strive to make our Phis feel welcomed into our sisterhood from the moment they are offered a bid. On top of the buddy system, we have traditions such as karaoke night at Splitz and a trip to a theme park within the first week after of their membership so that we can get to know the amazing women we will proudly call our sisters after their initiation.

Meghan Ray: “I went to karaoke night with a bunch of sisters and never thought I'd get up there and actually sing but I felt really comfortable and so I did and it was pretty great! But I think the most fun I have had so far is just being at the house getting to know the sisters and finding that everyone I talk to is friendly and loving and even though we are all different we all have so much in common and I just love spending time with everyone I meet at the house!”

Layne Marshall: “I thought the Bid Day Trip was a lot of fun because I got to meet upperclassmen and get to know a lot of the Phis better. All the people I met that day are my best friends which is cool because it’s only been a week!”

Sister Spotlight: Nicole B.

Spending nearly 10 hours a day for six weeks straight covered in dirt isn’t what you’d expect a sorority girl to tell you she did this summer. But our sister Nicole Bracewell did just that! She participated in an archeological dig at Kingsley Plantation in Jacksonville that was started back in 1968 by a UF professor by the name of Dr. Fairbanks. Nicole unearthed common artifacts such as ceramics, Native American pottery, iron fragments, beads, and bone (which apparently look like sticks after spending so many years in the ground). This fall Nicole is looking forward to working in a lab where she and the rest of the team will finish analyzing what they found out in the field.

Fun fact: Kingsley Plantation is not your typical slave plantation. Zephaniah Kingsley married a slave, armed his slaves with guns, and did not Christianize them, making it a very unique site!

It's Bid Day!

Last week, 102 beautiful Phis ran onto our lawn, giving us the largest 
pledge class in the University of Florida’s history! We celebrated with a photo booth, candy bar, and music blaring through the Pink Castle. In the midst of all this excitement, PC ‘12 had some words of wisdom for PC ‘13:


Andrea Esinhart: “When you get off the bus strut your stuff because all eyes are on you. Sisters think you're the prettiest thing to walk the face of the earth, so work it! We love you so much already so be prepared to hug your little heart out today.”

Loren Humphrey: “Don’t try to figure out everyone’s names on one day.  You will meet everybody eventually so don’t worry and don’t be afraid to ask, just have fun!”

Maddie McClinton: "Don't be afraid to sit at the front table with Mama 
and Papa. It will make your day and there is never a dull or short story from Papa Don! They are truly a blessing to this chapter and don't hesitate to get to know them better!"
Jordyn Middlebrooks: “Get to know ALL of your sisters, don't isolate yourself and only hang out with the girls you meet on the first couple of days. Making new friends and having the opportunity to bond with so many diverse women is one of the greatest things about this chapter.”

Emily Braun: “Get ready for the biggest ride of your life!”