2
The Bow
My Friend, My Sister, My Inspiration by RAINEY LYNCH, California Nu
Of all the gifts Pi Phi has offered me, two I find especially
Over the course of Leadership Institute, Annie and I, along with
meaningful are friendship and the opportunity to grow as a
the other amazing women in our Halo Huddle, opened up about
leader. That's why I immediately said "Yes!" when my Advisor
our ambitions and our insecurities, had honest conversations
asked if I'd like to attend Pi Beta Phi Leadership Institute in 2018.
about confidence and authenticity, and empowered each other
Having already thoroughly enjoyed my experiences at both
to set and go after our
Convention and College Weekend, I thought Leadership Institute
goals. Though we all
would be another valuable opportunity to make new friends
returned to our chapters
and learn leadership and life skills — and I was right!
afterward, our shared experience at Leadership
When I arrived in St. Louis, I met the group of women with
Institute helped us
whom I'd spend most of the weekend, otherwise known
form friendships and
as my Halo Huddle. One of those women was ANNIE
mentorships that aren't
JURGENSMEYER. At the time, I was Chapter President at
limited by distance.
“Our shared experience at Leadership Institute helped us form friendships and mentorships that aren't limited by distance.”
California Nu, and Annie was an emerging leader at Missouri Alpha. We discovered we both are Pi Phi legacies and bonded
Before our Halo Huddle
over our shared love for our sisterhood.
parted ways, we started a group text message to stay in touch. It quickly became clear that Leadership Institute, and the friendships we developed there, truly made an impact on all of us. One by one, we began stepping into new leadership positions. In the fall of 2018, Annie was slated Vice President Membership (VPM) for Missouri Alpha. And, a few months later, I was hired as a Leadership Development Consultant (LDC) for Pi Phi. We celebrated our accomplishments and continued to share our joy and gratitude in our group text. When I received my LDC fall visit schedule, I was thrilled to see Annie's chapter on my list! Annie and I were reunited during my visit to Missouri Alpha. Shortly before we met to discuss her experience as VPM, we learned Annie was slated Chapter President for the coming year. I'm so proud of Annie for everything she's already accomplished and can't wait to see what she achieves in the future. It's such a delight to call her my friend, my sister and my inspiration. Our friendship wouldn't have been possible without our incredible sisterhood and the opportunities Pi Phi provides to
From left, Missouri Alpha Chapter President ANNIE JURGENSMEYER and Pi Beta Phi Leadership Development Consultant RAINEY LYNCH, California Nu, reunited at the Missouri Alpha chapter house during Rainey's chapter visit.
its members — including transformational experiences like Leadership Institute. Thank you, Pi Phi, for giving me friends who inspire me to be the best version of myself every day!
