Let ITB Snow The Power of Our Bonds The Eighth Note December 2018
Table of Contents About the Cover .......................................................................... 3 MOTS of Love from Theta Rho ................................................. 4 An Interview with J.P. Gravitt .................................................. 6 A Reflection ................................................................................. 8 An Interview with Sarah Tanner ............................................. 10 How does Iota Chi Bond? ........................................................ 12 Visiting Family ........................................................................... 13 An Interview with Noah Moore .............................................. 14 To Infinity and the Bond ............................................................. 16
About the Cover
For this edition, the Eighth Note Committee decided to pick some of its favorite photos depicting sisterhood and brotherhood to decorate the front cover. We hope you enjoy, and happy holidays everyone! MLITB
MOTS of Love from Theta Rho Caprinxia Wallace Tau Beta Sigma, Theta Rho
Even with the hard practices, long nights, cramps from the long bus rides, and our toes baking in our marching shoes from the hot Florida sun, Theta Rho still manages to make time and fulfill one of three pillars of our great sorority: sisterhood. In our chapter, we work hard and bond even harder. This season, we made time after one of our practices to brush up on important information during post-membership with a twist. The chapter was split
into two teams. A member of each team is chosen to answer a series of questions that are found on every membership candidates’ test. The first to write their answer correctly, and legibly, received a point for their team, while the loser had to pick a random stroll or step from the bag. The questions were as easy as “Name our sorority flower,” and as difficult as “Write the entire Vision Statement.” After a long and grueling practice to get ready for
homecoming the next week, this served as a great way to remember the reason why it is important to continue to uphold the ideals that were set by our great founder. One big event our chapter created is our Annual Alumni Luncheon. The luncheon takes place every year on the Sunday after the homecoming football game. Its purpose is to help sisters, new and old, meet and fellowship. This year we chose to reserve a room at Rock Bottom Restaurant, and we had a slew of sisters from all years come out to celebrate Theta Rho’s 21st year of service, sisterhood, and music. It’s still a relatively new event, but each year, the turnout gets better and better. From the first charter members to the current active sisters, Theta Rho has a bond that is unlike any other. At the end, before we said our last goodbyes to sisters who’ll soon after depart to all over the country, we recited a poem that will forever remain in our hearts and connect us as SisTAUs:
God sent us to be sisters So we can be best of friends, To be there for one another Even when there is pain. I thank the Lord for sending my sisters to me, For whom I truly love and care. We shared so many things together, Like laughter and some scares. It’s funny how we sometimes argue. I guess it’s normal in this world, But having you as my sister Means more to me, more than you’ll ever know. I wouldn’t trade you for anything. I will never let go. As our friendship continues to grow, So will my love for you. Just always remember you can talk to me. I’ll be the best friend you ever knew. -Angelica Machado
An Interview with J.P. Gravitt Kappa Kappa Psi, Nu Nu Alumnus
1) How has your experience as a brother shaped your life post-graduation? It has MASSIVELY impacted my professionalism by leaps and bounds. During the chartering process, we went through so many obstacles and difficulties, and as a naive freshman/sophomore, I was taking this stuff a little too personally, I’ll admit. However, my fellow soon-tobe charter members all pulled together, sat down, and hashed things out. Handling things in this direct, professional way really impressed me. It is still my go-to method for conflict resolution and has shown me how regardless of what happens, High School Musical got something right: We really are all in this together. So let’s try and make our dreams come true. 2) How has your chapter represented “Much Love in the Bond”? #MLITB was a totally foreign expression to me until a year or so into our colonization process when I saw someone comment on picture of us finishing Second. I had learned professionalism, proper planning, and plan execution. I never stopped to remind myself that we are a fraternity. I was worried we weren’t doing enough “fratty” things with one another, that we were just loosely held together under this KKPsi colony ban-
ner. Then GroupMe started sending me notifications. As if they knew what I was thinking, one of my soon-to-be brothers spontaneously asked if we wanted to go to dinner. Twenty minutes later, and we’re all together, laughing and joking about honor band and all that we’ve done so far. 3) How has your experience as a brother changed your relationships with people? I try to treat everyone like a brother. Granted, I’m an only child, so my views of a brother are probably more idealistic than reality. I try to treat everyone like they belong. We’re all here on this spaceship we call Earth, so we might as well learn to get along with and be nice to one another. I know how special and included KKPsi made me feel, how I had a clear purpose, and how I want everyone around me to have the same feeling of purpose, love, and appreciation. 4) Outside of your chapters, have any experiences with brothers or sisters made an impact? YES. I don’t even know where to begin. Starting with Pi (Auburn University) being our big brother chapter when we were colonists, I’ve made friendships
with so many people, including my big, Gerritt, and so many of Pi’s membership candidates along the way. While I only was initiated in 2015, Pi started helping us in the beginning of 2013, so now, my extended family in Auburn is HUGE. I also remember going to Theta Theta (UAB) for their probate and seeing my first ever step/stroll. While I still can’t do it, I certainly love watching it all. When I first attended SED in 2016 down in Auburn, I also met so many amazing people. I also happened to be designated chair of the district ways and means committee, and I was agonizing over the district budget I was drafting. Between just SED Convention and National Convention, I’ve learned so much, especially about parliamentary procedure, which (as nerdy/dorky/ weird as this will sound) quickly became a major interest of mine, so much so that I was elected as sergeant at arms at Nu Nu. There are just so many people who I have met along the way, at conventions, etc., who have all been so great and just made me want to be an even better brother and better person. I cannot thank them all enough. 5) The motto of the Southeast District is Strength, Excellence, and Diversity. Has this influenced your actions as a brother or in your post-graduate life? I think I’ve always tried to live by this. I try to be, at least, mentally strong, though the physical part of that is a little lacking, and excel at whatever I put my mind to. I also love being around a
diverse crowd with different thoughts, opinions, views, family lives, cultures, backgrounds, etc. because both strength and excellence comes from diversity. It’s our diversity of strengths that make us all strong and able to excel at anything together. 6) What is your favorite thing about being a brother? Definitely the people, my fellow brothers from all over the district and country and the leaders is my favorite thing. Everyone together makes KKPsi amazing to me and kept me super motivated, even if I might have been otherwise. 7) Anything else? ROLL TIDE!
A Reflection
Sarah Poff Tau Beta Sigma, Epsilon Theta When I received my bid to TBS, I was excited, but I had little idea of what I was getting into. Interest week and Bid week helped inform, but I entered candidacy knowing a mere handful of sisters. While meeting and interviewing all 30+ actives took time, I instantly formed connections with my candidate line. We grew closer by struggling together on multivariable calculus homework, organizing service and social events, and bringing each other food and supplies before tests, performances, and sometimes just as an excuse to drop by and lend an ear. The highlight of every day quickly became sharing moments and support with my line: laughing so hard that I couldn’t breathe, trudging up all of “Freshman Hill” to deliver scissors or a forgotten calculator, and receiving a hot tea when I was sick. We were busy, but we cast our support nets wide and were there for one another. Candidacy was over in a flash. Our first semester, many of my line sisters took leadership roles and littles! We continued to integrate into the chapter and strengthen our bonds. As social chair, one of them began “mini-events” to help sisters bond in low-cost, low time-commitment settings. Another was service co-chair. Three from my line took littles. I attended their events for emotional support and continued to learn about the inner workings of our
sisterhood. The incoming candidates were the same age as or older than us, and we greeted them like old friends. We stopped feeling like newcomers in the chapter and started sharing our opinions and, of course, our support. After that semester, over half of my line sisters went conditional. This is completely understandable as they were seizing upon their ideals professionally, in the classroom, and/or in the Southeastern hemisphere. While I missed my line, I continued growing closer with the rest of the chapter. I got my first two littles and poured so much love and support and advice into them that I’m surprised they didn’t burst. I was elected corresponding secretary where I continued strengthening bonds within my own chapter, with other TBS and KKPsi chapters, and with alumni. We visited FSU’s ritual (lots of carpool karaoke!), carved pumpkins with our most recent little sister chapter KSU, and hosted an alumni brunch to end all brunches - spinach quiche included. Further inspired by the support from my sisters, I sent alumni birthday and holiday cards and organized an alumni pen pal program to remind our graduated sisters of the support net we maintain for them on campus. The longer I spend in college, the more I realize how essential support and care are; you cannot care for others if you do not care for yourself. Simi-
larly, I find that caring for others gives me happiness and purpose. Practicing “kindness and a consideration for the needs of others” (7 of 8) and receiving my brothers’ and sisters’ “generosity of mind, heart, and hand” (6 of 8) has defined my college experience and redefined me as a person. I feel comfortable sharing anything with my chapter, and when I do graduate (fingers crossed) and wander far from home, I have courage that I will not be alone. MLITB, Sarah Poff Candidate Class Spring 2017 Georgia Tech ISyE 2020 P.S. If you would like to know what specific events our closely-bonded chapter hosts, both internally (minievents!), with our brother chapter, with alumni, and with other chapters, please read our
chapter newsletters! These newsletters were written to inform alumni of the goings-on of our chapter, so some information may be unclear without context. If this is the case or you have any other questions or comments, please reach out to me: poffsk@gmail.com | Facebook Messenger Spring 2018 Newsletter: https://drive. google.com/open?id=0BxF5c8DdeWX4ZjdoLTlkM2FncWxYZzVGWk0zOTlwRDlheDZj Fall 2018 Newsletter: https://drive.google. com/open?id=0BxF5c8DdeWX4d0ItTzhDUFdjbHdSSzRNMHRtYWN2YlBMdk9Z Bonding with our brother chapter, KKPsiIota (from last year’s Eighth Note): https:// docs.google.com/document/d/14kypYhCrhRqPG2wzjKEIDz8BOt6pdQ6UpvyDBB7SCcs/edit?usp=sharing
An Interview with Sarah Tanner Kappa Kappa Psi, Pi
1) How does your chapter represent “Much Love in the Bond”? I like that in my KKPsi family and throughout our chapter, my brothers really do feel like my family. Out of all of my friends I’ve made in college, it’s definitely my friends in KKPsi who I can count on. 2) How does your chapter get along with its sister chapter? The bonds that exist are good, and I think we really do strive to support each other and strengthen those bonds. 3) Why did you join KKPsi? For me, it was about being able to give back to a program that had already given so much to me. I chose KKPsi over one of the other organizations because that brotherhood bond was apparent and really appealed to me, even as a freshman. 4) How has your experience as a brother changed your relationships with people? It’s a really interesting bond because it’s really helped me become a better collaborator and more cooperative in terms of how to work with lots of different
people, how to be patient, and how to disagree respectfully with each other. What makes it interesting is that it’s still a strong family feeling, so it’s different than your relationships with people in your actual family. It’s an interesting blend of friendship, family, and professionalism, which creates a really cool system of supporting each other and pushing each other to continually grow and step out of each other’s comfort zones to help the chapter and the band grow. 5) Have you had any experiences outside of your chapter with brothers or sisters that have made an impact? Outside of Auburn, it’s still really cool how I can make friendships with people from other chapters that don’t stop when we leave convention. They’re meaningful relationships in my life. 6) The motto of the SED is Strength, Excellence and Diversity. Do you think your chapter represents that? I think we are a strong chapter that is becoming more diverse. This has been an ongoing goal of our chapter, which I’ve definitely seen improvement in. Including all sections of the band, especially auxiliary, is a huge improvement our chapter has made. I think we
represent everything very well, but we all agree these are things we constantly strive toward improving in our chapter. 7) How does your chapter interact with other chapters in the district? We try to go to other chapters’ rituals, but marching season makes it harder sometimes. It’s an experience I really love. I feel like we have solid relationships with other chapters in the district. I’ve gotten to be a part of a few different meet-and-greets at football games. It’s very cool these people are complete strangers to me, but we’re all so excited to meet each other, learn about each others’ chapters, swap gifts, and build stronger bonds both between people and our chapters. That, to me, is something both the chapter and the district have improved upon these past few years.
8) Anything else? Out of everything I’ve been involved in during my five years of college, KKPsi is the most meaningful thing to me. The relationships and friendships I’ve made through KKPsi that have been fostered and strengthened are some of the most meaningful I think I will have in my entire life.
How Does Iota Chi Bond? Kelli Gordie Tau Beta Sigma, Iota Chi
“How does your chapter bond within itself?” As a chapter that was chartered just three years ago, Iota Chi has grown rapidly to 42 active sisters. With a small alumni body and few established traditions, Iota Chi has worked especially hard to maintain the close bonds of sisterhood. This Fall semester, our chapter has started a new tradition to tackle this very challenge. At the end of chapter every week, our social chair, Cristina Klein, leads us in a Sister Bonding Session. Sister Bonding can be light-hearted and fun, or it can be much more deep and meaningful. In one session, we played the human knot game to strengthen teamwork and to also
have a lot of fun! In another, we sat in a circle with our backs facing the center. A small group of sisters would be in the middle, and Cristina, our social chair, would give them endearing instructions such as “Touch the shoulder of a sister who inspires you,” or “Touch the shoulder of a sister who made you laugh this week.” Of course, the sisters with their backs to the center couldn’t see who tapped them, but we all felt closer knowing we all love and support each other. Although these bonding activities were short and simple, they were effective in tying us closer together as sisters, and Iota Chi is excited to continue this tradition in the future.
Visiting Family
Grace Kendrick Tau Beta Sigma, Epsilon Theta
In this photo, I got to surprise my biological little sister at her First Degree. She had no idea I would be coming! I go to the Georgia Institute of Technology, and she is a first-year color guard member at Kennesaw State University, Iota Psi chapter. Our Chapter was in contact with the KSU VPM and we came in while they were taking pictures. My sister, Joy, had a facial expression of absolute surprise and excitement when
she saw I was there. I hadn’t seen her since my family had moved her into the dorms a couple of months ago. It was so cool to connect with my sister, show her how awesome TBS is, and bond with our little sister chapter! This is definitely my favorite TBS moment and we brought nine Georgia Tech sisters to share this Sisterhood moment with KSU!
An Interview with Noah Moore Kappa Kappa Psi, Theta Theta 1) How does your chapter represent “Much Love in the Bond?” Our chapter has about 20 active members and a few alumni who hang around, and I have never seen such hard working and loving people in my life. Some people may not know this, but our university did not have a football program two years ago. Because of the return of UAB football, we had to pull our collective efforts into making sure the Marching Blazers didn’t fly off the rails for the 2017 season. That season was the year I was initiated, and it was also the year where my idea of brotherhood was redefined. To me, and to my chapter, we are bound through our love and service to the band and musicianship, and I don’t think you will find a closer knit group anywhere on our campus, because we serve our bands and department of music until we have nothing left to do. 2) How does your chapter get along with its sister chapter? Both of our chapters work side by side to ensure our students get fed, and occasionally organize fundraisers and try to organize a formal for both organizations. When working this closely, occasionally things get rocky, such as a snide remark made to a member of the other
organization or a downplay of what the other organization does. These remarks are typically made by small fish in the metaphorical big pond of each organization, and from what I can tell, these comments do nothing to our relationships with each other. In a few cases, they actually brought us closer with their resolution. I love my sisters and everything they do for us because in one way or another, they always look out for us. 3) Why did you join KKPsi? Pre-brotherhood Noah was about as introverted as he could get. I went to class and then went back to my dorm, day in and day out. Post-brotherhood, I go to every bonding event that I can, try to be a spokesperson for recruitment in the band, and some people see me as an extrovert in some situations. It has almost completely flipped my people skills for the better. 4) Have you had any experiences with people outside of your chapter that have made an impact? Probably the most impactful experience outside of my chapter was at DLC last year. There was a lot of incredibly helpful information on leadership and development I took to heart. The most
impactful part of it for me was the keynote speaker, Mrs. Pamela Champion. Her story about her son struck a chord in me, and I don’t let stories like that get to me most of the time. 5) The motto of the SED is Strength, Excellence, and Diversity. How does your chapter represent that? Our chapter is strong not just in body but in mind as well. Some of our brothers could practically be counselors with how well they deal with each other’s mental health and cheering up brothers on gloomy days. We’re pretty dang good at picking stuff up too. Excellence comes through as we each do our best to strive for the highest. Many of our brothers are simultaneously holding offices in multiple organizations; a few hardly have time to eat because they’re so busy balancing officer duties with school. However, these brothers continue what they do and are shining examples of what can be achieved. Diversity is a key point when talking about UAB. It’s even a lyric in our alma mater. Our chapter has had its share of every ethnicity, identity, and color of hair run through our ranks. I am proud to say that we are an incredibly inclusive chapter. 6) How does your chapter interact with other chapters in the district? The chapters we mostly interact with are Nu Nu and Pi. We consistently get
their dates for rituals and every once in a while, we have brothers go visit. I have been told we have been contacted by some chapters in our district asking for ideas on service projects and bonding events. I have been trying to establish a good connection with Mu Omega by talking to its brothers and going to its ritual, and hopefully, we can share each of our ideas to increase membership and brotherhood. 7)Anything else? I love this organization with every fiber of my being. With all my heart and soul, AEA!
To Infinity and the Bond Aly Bonville Kappa Kappa Psi, Pi
One of my favorite places to go on holidays is Disney World. Because I am from Alabama, it is not too far of a drive. I have had a lot of opportunities to go since I entered college at Auburn University. One of my favorite things about Disney World is the diverse people you can encounter at the parks. Apart from fueling my unhealthy obsession with Disney, going to the parks has also led to some unexpected meetings with brothers. Only one of those meetings was planned. The first time I happened upon a brother was the summer after I was initiated. I was in line for the Muppets Show in Hollywood Studios and looked up to see a girl wearing a tank top with Greek letters on it. At first, I thought the letters were for Kappa Kappa Gamma because I have been bamboozled by then many times thinking I saw Kappa Kappa Psi. But to my surprise, the last letter was a psi, and it was a brother! I quickly introduced myself as a member of the Pi chapter. The brother I met was Jenny Webber who was the vice president of membership from the Beta Gamma chapter at Louisiana State University. It
turns out that Jenny is a high school friend of one of my fellow oboists and brothers at Auburn. I was so excited to meet a brother like this in such an unexpected situation, but little did I know, this would not be the last time this would happen. For Christmas 2017 when I found out I was going again, I realized there was a brother from the Epsilon Xi chapter at Miami University of Oxford, Tabitha Sexton, who was participating in the Disney College Program and working at the Art of Animation Resort. I jumped on the chance to try and meet her while she was working, and I ended up being able to see her in action. I had never met a brother who went to a chapter so far away from my own, so this meeting was exciting for many different reasons. The most recent experience I had meeting a brother has been my favorite. I was attending the 2018 Food and Wine Festival during Auburn University’s bye week. Being a member of the marching band, I jumped on the chance to go somewhere during the one weekend I would not have to go to a football game. While we were in Epcot,
where the festival is located, I was in line for food and a photographer named Ariel Greenwood approached me. She had noticed a luggage tag I keep on my backpack that says “Auburn University Symphonic Winds.” She asked if I was in the band, which I responded yes. Then Ariel asked what I played, and I said oboe and clarinet. She also happened to play clarinet. Finally, Ariel let me know that she was a former member of the Auburn University Marching Band and also an alumna of the Pi chapter. I could not believe it! What were the odds I would meet a clarinet player who graduated from Auburn and was a former brother of my own chapter? Of course we had to snap a photo to prove to people this really happened. Later on, I found out that she is the great great great grand-big of my roommate. Each of these meetings had something in common. After realizing that the other was a brother, there was an instant connection and feeling of family between us. Brotherhood is more than something that happens among people who are always together. Something as simple as playing the same instrument can bring people together, but the bond created by being a member of Kappa Kappa Psi is something that extends much further and deeper.
We are connected through our common interests, our desire to strive in service and our mutual love of music. Brotherhood can traverse states, football rivalries, and so much more. When I joined Kappa Kappa Psi, I never thought it would create a bond so deep between myself and people who live across the country from me. That feeling of being instantly connected to someone you have only just met and willing to do anything for them is a facet of the bond we share as brothers, which continues even after we have graduated and moved on to greater things. I am so proud to be part of an organization that promulgates such lasting ties among people from all backgrounds. As Olaf said, “Some people are worth striving for”… okay maybe that is not exactly what he said, but it is still true. AEA and To Infinity and the Bond.