Volume V, Issue II Publishing Chair: Amy Hodges
Winter 2015
Volume V, Issue II
Winter 2015
My Last District Event and Making Lifelong Friends: DLC Stephen Nguyen, Eta Class Going to DLC for the first time was one experience that I will always look back on in my time in KKPsi. Not only did I get to see old friends, but I got to make new ones and learn so much about improving my leadership skills. I got to learn about how other chapters run and share what Theta chapter had been doing. What I love about district events is meeting new people. This picture shows four chapters coming together. Alaina (Beta Omnicron, ASU), me (Theta, OSU), Mayowa (Gamma, UW), and Hannah (Mu Pi, U of O). We all come from different schools and different cultures, but we all share one passion, and that’s KKPsi. Not only did we discuss how our own individual chapters work, but we shared advice to each other in running for office, words of encouragement, and most importantly, shared hours of laughter and good company. Sadly, as a senior, this will be my last district event. My first event was WDC 2013 in Idaho when I was a newly active member, so I really didn’t understand much of what was going on. Regardless, I still got to see a degree for the first time, meet a few new people and as well as getting to know brothers in Theta chapter better. My second and third were both in 2015, Wagon States Days hosted by Theta and DLC hosted by Mu Pi. I was incredibly fortunate to have the two events so close. It deeply saddens me that I won’t get to experience another district event again, mainly due to the fact that I won’t get to see these three people again. Once I leave Oregon State, I will always remember the people I’ve met through district events. These people that I have gotten to know through only a few events have grown to be my closest friends, and ultimately, have become my lifelong friends. I will also take what I have learned in leadership abilities and apply it to my office as treasurer and my future career. My advice to those who are currently active is to go to at least two district events. To me, these district events help redefine what it means being in KKPsi as well as reminding you why you joined in the first place. Going will also spark new reasons that you wouldn’t have realized in your own chapter. Though my time in KKPsi is coming close to an end, I’m glad that I got to experience two district events before I leave. By going, it helped make me go full circle. As a PM to being an active, these events brought me back to why I am a part of this organization and why I will always strive for the highest.
AEA
Gamma 2nd Degree 2015 Let me start out by saying that going up to Gamma’s second degree January 31st was an excellent all around experience filled with fun, adventure, and sooooo many selfies. It began with an exhilarating road trip up with Brittany Reece and Claudia Lopez from the Mu Pi chapter. If they didn’t pick me up on the way then needy ol’ me would have had to drive up by myself, which is a buzz kill, so that was pretty awesome. Things got a bit sketch when we had to pump our own gas (Oregonian issues am I right?) but we got some Pringles and rocked out to my home gurl Ke$ha which made it all good. When coming into Seattle we went to the Shep-Craig family dinner, catching the tail end of their Rotatoe. For those unfamiliar, Rotatoe is one of the coolest things ever. There are 4 families in the Gamma Chapter, the Schunke family, the Rogers Family, the Caldwell family, and the Shep-Craig family. The way Rotatoe works is each family is stationed at a different house while the perspective members travel between each house, having a different course of a meal at each stop. For the main and last course, each group of perspective members return to their own house because at the end of the day you always come home. It’s a really cool idea to develop class bonding while learning about each of the chapters families. After Rotatoe, delicious tacos, new friends, and more selfies, we all got dressed and went off for degree. They hosted it in the Husky Union Building (HUB) and it was extremely nice. It was exciting seeing how degree is done there since all of my experience has been Theta degrees, Mu Pi Degrees, or Western District honorary degrees. Once degree was all said and done, the part everyone was had been waiting for arrived! Dessert and pictures!!! There was everything from ice cream, to chocolate milk, to sliced fruit, and chocolate pudding :D and after, yet more selfies and good times we went back to Gamma HQ and got to see Kaila Eason’s dog Bingly. He is literally the cutest. After having our slumber party at HQ, we woke up to some lovely coffee and toast provided by our amazing hosts and headed back to watch the Super Bowl. All in all it was great time for road trip bonding, meeting some new faces, and keeping in touch with some familiar ones. AEA MLITB Don Jahne, Eta Class
A PM’S INSIGHT Experience @ DLC By Gordon Truong, Iota Class This weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the Western District Leadership Convention (DLC), hosted by the Mu Pi Chapter of ΚΚΨ at the University of Oregon. The experience I had was great. The social environment was engaging; the entire goal of the event is to help people build their social networks so that individuals can improve their ability to lead others, while engaging in a level trust. I met a large number of both active and prospective members who were there to represent many chapters of ΚΚΨ and ΤΒΣ. Some of the people I met were very familiar to me, while many others were new. One unforgettable individual I met was my homestay provider, Michael. We had the opportunity talk about ourselves more in depth and shared our experiences and culture in a way that no one can easily do in a two-minute or less time interval. Before we knew it, Michael, a Theta member Brett, and I created a friendship almost immediately. I also met one of
his roommates, Jacob, a Cal State graduate student named Bryan, a member of the Gamma chapter of ΚΚΨ named Huang, as well as many others. The people I met had interests about each individual, as well as what their experiences with their chapters. My favorite part of the experience was the leadership workshops. The leadership workshops were interesting in a way that helps active and prospective members enhance their level of leadership while seamlessly integrating the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood into all workshop and Convention activities. Near the end of Saturday evening, everybody had a chance to get together and sing our national hymns; it was a very connected experience. If I had another chance to participate in a leadership development workshop, I would be more than happy to go to them again each year.
On Friday February 20th, I was one of the active members selected to help Bob Schapper escort some band alumni members for an oral history review. Sage Gustafson, Brett Moffatt, and Amanda Barker were also there helping me represent the Theta Chapter. We all arrived at Benton Hall a few minutes prior to the escorting to coordinate and prepare. When Bob Schapper arrived, he introduced us to Annabelle Sears (‘41), Joan Gathercoal (‘55), Sherry Sission (‘65) and Debbie Hackelmann (‘75). We all introduced ourselves and talked for a little bit before the COED Oral History Interview was conducted. This was Bob’s third oral history interview for the 125 Year Band History Project. He stressed the importance of continuing these interviews long after this project is completed. I thought it was very interesting hearing the stories of when the alumni attended Oregon State. Joan mentioned that she was the first majorette in the marching band. She told us that she wasn’t allowed to wear pants like the rest of the band members, but she wore a more traditional skirt uniform instead. Her deceased husband, Forest Gathercoal, helped start the pep band in the early fifties and was last to direct the COED band. Sherry Sission mentioned that she was one of the first instrumentalists in the marching band. Bob Schapper told us that he was very eager to find out that the first year they allowed women to play instruments in the marching band was 1962. This was one of my favorite service events I have attended because the marching band has such a broad history. It makes me reflect on my own marching band experience and wonder what it would have been like several years ago. Many people know that Oregon State University is the oldest band in the PAC-12, but actually learning about the history through these alumni members further deepens my appreciation for our school marching band history. It inspires me to keep the tradition going, and serve the band program the way they enduringly have. I encourage all band members to be on the lookout for alumni and ask them about their own life experiences in the Oregon State band programs. I also want to give a very special shout out to Bob Schapper for coordinating so well with our alumni. Your hard work and dedication to the marching band history is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much! Alex Bird, Eta Class
The prospective members are hard at work before the final for Kappa Kappa Psi. Our bigs are doing a wonderful job helping us study! This is a great representation of the brotherhood of the Theta Chapter! #studytime #amazingbigs
GRANT CHOITZ-THETA CLASS
Honorary Degree Captain Beard’s rehearsal hall fell under a shroud of darkness as I entered and sat down for my first ritual as an active member. Naturally as it was my first time at a ritual, I was bound to forget something. The man at the door was none other than Tim Chase, a man whose smile could light any room he stepped into. We exchanged smiles, the greeting. Check. I went to shake his hand as instructed by the brotherhood. Success! After I stood in front of my chair and everyone filed into the room, we were instructed to take our seats. After various lines were read, the two initiates were allowed entry into the dark chamber of brotherhood. I knew the two initiates were Dr. Chris Chapman and Justin Preece, but it was difficult to tell which one was which. Vice President Jessica Lien, playing the role of the guiding spirit, helped both Chapman and Preece maneuver their way around during the ritual when they needed to do so. They were brought forward, where Geoff Bishop initiated the ritual. I am not a person that remembers words when it comes to recollecting things, but I do remember visuals. What I remember when Chapman and Preece were being inducted into the chapter, is that they were taken on a journey. These guiding words of wisdom led me to recalling my second and third degrees as a prospective member. That relation spurred a new passion within my soul for the fraternity, for my chapter. It was then and there that I wanted to express my passion for music…and so I began composing music in my head. While this music was not complete in my mind, I knew that it was a unique idea to follow up on, and so I am here now writing down the basic ideas I had from that night. “…Music is a universal language and truly the greatest of the arts…”
The two initiates were taught of the second and third degree. These lessons ended and they were brothers in the fraternity. The ritual ended and we celebrated their newly found brotherhood in the chapter with a cacophony of applause. We all went up to each individual and shook their hands. As I walked up to Dr. Chapman, I couldn’t help myself from smiling. We never exchange more than a few words while running into each other in Benton Hall, but when we do, we say more than we actually speak. “Ah there you are.” He said to me as I congratulated him on this great achievement. I walked over to Justin Preece; this man who had instructed me as well as many others on the drumline. A man whom I loathed early on for the change he brought to the rhythm section. But at this moment I found myself having great respect for this man, my brother. At that moment I threw all of my previous thoughts away, for that night he became my brother in service to the band program. There would be no more negativity from me about this man beginning that night. He had truly made the drumline a power house of rhythm, and deserved the honor of being a member in the chapter. “…I do not know how long t’will be, or what the future holds for me…” As I reflect on that night three things resonate within my soul: Love, Brotherhood, and Music. I think of
love because of the deep love I have for each member in this fraternity, and that night, for the two men receiving the prestigious honor of honorary membership in the chapter. I wrote Brotherhood for the reason that these two men, although they may be my leaders now, they are also my brothers as well. We share a bond now through the service to the band program, through our love for music. We shared this same bond before they went through honorary degree… but now we can say it aloud and in writing. My last point is music, for without it this brotherhood would not exist. Music is what drives each and every one of us. We each have our own pursuits in life, but there is one consistent thing among all of us: the power of music and all that it entails.
Wagon States Days 2015
January 23-25
Why I Psi by Stephen Marshall My first ever district event was Washington Weekend 2012 hosted by the Gamma Chapter. My first short stint as an active didn’t work out in a way that I could go to any of that year’s district season, and while I was excited about meeting Brothers and Sisters, I was apprehensive about my level of experience and throwing myself into a group I did not know much about. Regardless, I got in the car with the 3 other Thetas attending that event and I honestly cannot tell you much about exactly what we did that weekend. I know we went to the Seattle Center and Pike’s Place, watched people dangerously race a golf cart around a house in the woods, and sat by a bonfire. What I do remember about that weekend is the friends I got closer to (some of the best friends I have ever had in fact) and the new ones I made, and the warmth, excitement, and acceptance they helped me feel. I learned more about service and music from my experience with others there than I could from any project or workshop. At the end of the day, our organizations stand as a wonderful reminder of what like-minded people can achieve when they really believe in something. We are all drawn to music and therefore many of us are drawn to one another. Through this draw, we are able to bring out the best in one another, and to find internal motivation to support the art that has given us so much, regardless of what we may receive in return. Our founders understood this truth, and for this reason they incorporated the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood to address Universities’ need for service to bands. The attributes required to achieve success in service are the same as though required for making great music; patience, teamwork, listening, cooperation, trust, and that x factor that effects us so deeply, and yet we cannot ever fully understand. While this may not be a specific district memory, it does remind me of an experience that has shaped my perceptions of what it takes to be successful and to work with others successfully, whether in music or in life, or more likely, how to make sure I always have a little of both. On Thursday, February 26th I attended the Oregon State Jazz Concert at the Majestic Theater to sell tickets at the ticket window. I was delighted to volunteer because it was my first time volunteering at the Majestic. In previous band concerts, I was always selected to usher or escort high school band members at the OSAA State Band competitions. In my opinion, ushering is nice because there is a lot of interaction with people who are enthusiastic about music. This was a very similar result when I was behind the ticket booth. I saw a wide variety of students, teachers, faculty, and other senior citizens eager to hear the jazz band perform. Hearing them perform caused me to reminisce of the days I used to play the bass trombone in my high school band. I pondered the thought of possibly joining the jazz band next year if time allows. Overall, I thought the event was a great success in terms of reaching out to the community. The dedicated jazz musicians show a great message towards the music program at Oregon State University. Go Beavs! By Alex Bird, Eta Class
Who is the one person at every event that's never in the pictures? The photographer. It's an interesting task to photograph events, like the Sunday breakfast at #oswagon2k15. You observe, you frame, you attempt to record while placing photos in a meaningful context. What do people want to remember? Usually it's the moments that are candid, spontaneous, hard for a photographer to pin down. You can ask people to pose, recreate, and you can get closer to the truth and feeling of a moment. The joy in photography is recording the joy of others. Being the photographer at an event allows you to have a purpose, to hide behind your task. You don't need to truly interact with the world; you are the ultimate observer. You can hide behind a lens from emotions bubbling up at just the wrong time, you can focus on recording the memories of others while becoming uncaring about making memories themselves. The placement of people becomes art. Each art is a jealous mistress. And for all that she gives in her perfect representation of life, photography is no exception. For every gift, she takes. Recording life is not living it. Our favorite art, music, is also demanding. She requires us to devote our time, which we gladly give. Music, I've found gives and gives and gives. Music gives a community. Music requires you to feel what you are playing to produce your best work. Music requires focus, of leaving the outside world behind, not buried. (I will readily admit that this is not my strong point.) But when I'm in the band, thinking, focusing with so many other people to produce a beautiful thing, the worries of the world fall away, leaving me refreshed, rejuvenated, in a way that the other arts I practice can't. Literature is an escape. Drawing and painting an exercise in perfection, with photography a way to record. But music revitalizes me to go out and continue to really live. Music is emotion in auditory form. You cannot perform music without living it. A photographer touches every picture they take, but they aren't in them. With music, unless there are solos, it's also hard to discern where your contribution ends and another begins. But you are there. You are present in every ephemeral note. You are enjoying your art, and the emotions of the world. I know that I need to put my camera down sometimes, I need to not be behind the lens. I go through spurts where I drag my camera everywhere, and then can't stand it. I've played my instrument for the past decade, and I haven't wavered in my love. Music gives back in constant love, in emotion, in life. Music builds me up, revitalizes me. And for that, I can't be more grateful. Amanda Barker Theta Class
A Zeta Looks Back By Jamie Gregory, Zeta Class As I am approaching the 4th, final, and senior year of college as an undergraduate, I have been reflecting a lot on where our chapter has come from in the 3 years that I have been a full active in the fraternity. My class, Zeta class, went through in the spring of 2012 (personally for me it was my freshman year). We didn't really start off as a very big class, but eventually our class size became even smaller as there are only 5 Zeta class members that are still active. I am really proud of all the accomplishments our chapter has had so far. Our membership has been boosted dramatically, and I think that everyone in our chapter has very good intentions and actions in mind for the fraternity, bands and our school. In the last three years we have done multiple service outreach into our community, and our district event participation for our chapter has also increased. We even won the "Chapter of the Year Award" at Western District Convention last year (2014). I also love the fact that members in our chapter, as well as the chapter as a whole networks with so many more people in our own district and outside of it. Another thing I am quite proud about personally is the growth of my family, the Bounty Hunters. When I joined, we had a decent amount, however, we have very much grown in size, and brothers in our family have stepped up to take on Big Brother roles. Our family is much more social and has bonded together more, and I am very much looking forward to a large Bounty Hunter family gathering! In conclusion to my long rant, here are some things that I would our chapter, Theta, to keep in mind for the future: - Don't be afraid to have too many Littles. Trust me, it's kind of fun to be a Grand Big (or even in my case, a Great-grand Big). -"Doory's" name is 305A (Benton ThreeZeroFiveA!) Not Doory. Also, don't let him (her??) get stolen again!! - When all else fails, don't be afraid to fall back on old ideas that worked in the past for us. They might give you inspiration or ideas for other service projects. - Never be afraid to ask for help from people who have done things before you, regardless of if they are still an active or if they are an alumni. - There should be a bake off for the position of snack chair. - Go to as many degrees (like Mu Pi's or Gamma's) as you can, as well as district events. - But, make sure you keep up on your school work ;) - Delegate, Delegate, Delegate, especially if you are in a leadership position! - Most importantly, be proud of yourself as a brother, the brothers around you and our chapter. You are making a difference. "Ask not what your band can do for you - ask what you can do for your band." - JFK (Okay, not really...)
Theta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi proud to welcome the Iota Class into Active Membership
COLTON BROOKS
JEDD COURAGE
CHRISTINE DAQUINAG
KADE GERLACH
Big: Tim Chase
Big: Amy Hodges
Big: Ashley Ferns
Big: Daniel Munsey
Family: Bounty Hunters
Family: Bounty Hunters
Family: Bounty Hunters
Family: Quirillo
JADE HAILS
MARY MARSHALL
SARAH MOORE
DAVID NEILL
Big: Geoff Bishop
Big: Amanda Barker
Big: Sage Gustafson
Big: Brett Moffatt
Family: VonWilson
Family: Paulbert
Family: Paulbert
Family: Bounty Hunters
SAM NICACIO
NATHANIAL PATLOVICH
JACKIE PORTILLO
MIRANDA RAW
Big: Antonio Perez
Big: Daniel Malmuth
Big: Don Jahne
Big: Grace D’Angelo
Family: VonWilson
Family: Bounty Hunters
Family: Quirillo
Family: Quirillo
KEVIN ROONEY
DAVID SCHROTH
FRANK SEFTON
TAYLOR STEFFENS
Big: Jamie Gregory
Big: Stephen Marshall
Big: J. Garrett Luna
Big: Sarah Massey
Family: Bounty Hunters
Family: VonWilson
Family: VonWilson
Family: VonWilson
HENRY SYKES
GORDON TRUONG
NICOLE UGULINI
SAVANNAH VAN WHY
Big: Stephen Ngyuen
Big: Danny Mitchell
Big: Andrea Hollopeter
Big: Grace D’Angelo
Family: Bramgen Ilgsen
Family: Paulbert
Family: Paulbert
Family: Quirillo
SHANNON WEBB Big: Jacob Clark Family: Nanbo Clan