Always Alpha Phi

GAMMA IOTA-TEXAS TECH

Alpha Phi

Educator W Leads the Way WHILE PARENTS AND STUDENTS ACROSS the globe have been learning how to tackle virtual classrooms and distanced learning, Dr. Kathy Kinnison Rollo (Gamma IotaTexas Tech), Superintendent of the Lubbock Independent School District (ISD), has been empowering her staff and families to keep students engaged with their peers, their teachers and their education. When she began teaching 32 years ago, educating through a pandemic may not have been in the forefront of Kathy’s mind, but throughout her career she has focused on three pillars, valuing data, loving people and developing leaders. Those values were instilled in her during her college experience as an Alpha Phi. “I knew from the time I was little that I wanted to be a teacher. I always wanted to play ‘school,’ and my favorite Christmas and birthday gifts were school supplies…My mother was an educator, and she has always been my hero,” said Kathy. She began in Lubbock ISD as an elementary teacher immediately after graduating and grew into leadership roles as assistant principal, principal, Associate Superintendent for Elementary and Superintendent. When the district learned that a return to the classroom was unlikely following their spring break, equity was a key focus for Kathy. The very first thing she and her team made a plan for was providing breakfast and lunch for their students. “Seventy percent of Lubbock ISD’s children are economically disadvantaged, and many of them rely on us for nutrition,” said Kathy. “…With Aramark, our food service partner, we [created] 16 curbside feeding sites. With Durham, our transportation partner, we developed 24 bus routes to deliver food into neighborhoods. Since March 23, we have served an average of 8,200 children a hot lunch, and breakfast for the next morning, Monday through Friday.” Ensuring students had access to the technology devices was another priority. As the shift to virtual learning began, nearly 4,000 of the Lubbock ISD students did not have access to WiFi. Kathy and her educators teamed up with Cisco to develop 13 “Park-N-Learn” sites around the city and also worked with Verizon and Suddenlink to provide jet packs to families without WiFi. While the engagement of faceto-face instruction cannot be completely replicated in remote learning models, teachers in the Lubbock ISD, like many districts nationwide, are finding ways to virtually collaborate with and encourage students. “Our parents, guardians and caretakers have been absolutely amazing throughout this crisis. We

“Since March 23, we have served an average of 8,200 children a hot lunch, and breakfast for the next morning, Monday through Friday.”

have connected with over 99 percent of our students, and I attribute that to parents ensuring their children are engaged in learning,” said Kathy. She and her staff encourage their families to develop schedules that allow not just for schoolwork but also time together, time outside and giving one another “buckets of grace” to function amidst a lack of normalcy. Thank you, Kathy, for finding ways to connect your community and lead the way! 

OMEGA - UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS Omega Centennial Celebration

Chartered in 1920 at the University of Texas at Austin, the Omega chapter recently celebrated their 100th anniversary. Ten charter members led by Mab Harrison (Omega-Texas) and Jesse Mary Hill (Omega-Texas) came together, and, in 1935, the Omega women built the first sorority house on campus. Today, Omega’s living legacy is stronger than ever, with 3,436 initiates who have pledged their hearts to Alpha Phi. Several events in late February celebrated the occasion planned by a committee led by Centennial Chair and House Corporation Board President Renee Tucei (Omega-Texas). A Centennial Boutique allowed women to purchase commemorative items specially made for the event. Women were invited to participate in a Friday evening cocktail party to kick off the experience. That was followed up with a Saturday brunch at the Alpha Phi house, where women received an 80-page cookbook of recipes from fellow Omega Alpha Phis. The chapter hosted a blood drive during the brunch to participate in

“Every time I step through these doors, it’s like going back to 1984. Many of the lifelong friendships that I have today started right here...”

— Ruth Rathgaber Scribner (Omega-Texas)

the first ever Alpha Phi Day of Service. The celebration concluded with a special dinner, attended by 300. The evening included proclamations from the Texas Governor, Texas Legislature and Alpha Phi International, a silent auction and a mirror wall photo booth. To cap it off, the Loving Cup ceremony was led by Alpha Phi International Executive Board member Stacey Thulin Daniel (Omega-Texas). Ruth Rathgaber Scribner (Omega-Texas) is part of an Alpha Phi family, with an aunt and daughter who were also part of the Omega chapter. She said of her chapter, “Every time I step through these doors, it’s like going back to 1984. Many of the lifelong friendships that I have today started right here in the Fall of 1984. These women have stood the test of time with me. I have celebrated so many accomplishments. We’ve been in each other’s weddings. One of my best friends is my daughter’s godmother. We are in each other lives … and it started right here.” Congratulations Omega Alpha Phis!

ZETA PHI-MIT

In the Bag

Wendy Wen (Zeta Phi-MIT) is the cofounder and COO of Senreve, a luxury handbag company launched in 2016. Senreve is derived from the French words for “sense” and “dream.” According to the Senreve website, “Senreve was born when, as rising female professionals, [Wendy and co-founder Coral Chung] found [themselves] in search of the perfect luxury handbag." They were in search of a bag that was beautiful and feminine, while also versatile. When they realized nothing existed that fit their needs, they designed their own. The handbags have been embraced by celebrities and Alpha Phis alike, and the company has been recognized in publications like Business Insider, The Hollywood Reporter, InStyle, Fast Company, Forbes and People.

DELTA RHO-BALL STATE Thank you!

After many years dedicated to serving as an Alpha Phi advisor, Linda Reese

Belles (Delta Rho-Ball State and Epsilon

Beta-Butler initiate), recently stepped down as chapter advisor for the Gamma Epsilon chapter at LakeForest. Prior to her time with Gamma Epsilon, she also served as an advisor at Epsilon Beta-Butler. As is the tradition in the Gamma Epsilon chapter, Linda was gifted an ivy shaped pillow, made by Nancy Weaver Roach (Delta Epsilon-Iowa) as a thank you for her service. Thank you, Linda!

BETA GAMMA-COLORADO

Encouragement in Full Bloom

Ty Hiss (Beta GammaColorado) is the brains and beauty behind the recently launched national flower distribution company called Fresh Sends. As Founder & CEO, Ty aims to create a brand which sends tangible encouragement through simple arrangements and heartfelt, clever cards that help people feel seen, known and loved. Ty also works with fellow alumna Kearby Milliner (Beta Gamma-Colorado), the creative director at Ty’s other venture, Rooted Floral and Design. There, they create floral arrangements and graphics that wow wedding guests and event goers alike.

ETA DELTA-CSU EAST BAY

Wedding Bells

Within 15 months, three Alpha Phi sisters — and biological sisters — tied the knot. Their father, a Delta Sigma Phi, and mother, Karen Raven (Eta DeltaCSU East Bay), helped celebrate the special time in their daughters’ lives. All three women were surrounded by family, friends and their Alpha Phi sisters. It is 15 months they will never forget!

To kick things off, Sarah Raven (Eta Delta-CSU East Bay) married Joshua Marsh on September 15, 2018. She celebrated with Alpha Phis in attendance and chose Bordeaux as her wedding color.

Above: Eta Delta-CSU East Bay women: Fatima Rowen, Maddy Richardson, Michelle Halligan, the bride Sarah Marsh, Amanda Gipson, Jackie Flores

On June 22, 2019, Michelle Raven married Thomas Halligan. She included navy blue in her color scheme to represent the night sky behind the Big Dipper and light blue to represent forget-me-nots.

Above: Kelly Halligan, Amanda Gipson (Eta Delta-CSU East Bay), Ellie Rico (Eta Delta-CSU East Bay), Sarah Marsh (Eta Delta-CSU East Bay), bride Michelle Halligan (Eta Delta-CSU East Bay), Jackie Flores (Eta Delta-CSU East Bay), Fatima Rowen (Eta Delta-CSU East Bay), Sam Ronco (Eta Delta-CSU East Bay), Christina McKinley

Finally, on December 14, 2019, Amanda Raven wed Nate Gipson. Perhaps Amanda picked green for her wedding color to represent ivy, or maybe it was a nod to the holiday season — she will never tell!

DELTA GAMMA-NORTHERN COLORADO Flaunting It

Lora Cheadle (Delta Gamma

Northern Colorado) puts a new spin on the idea of flaunting it. Her book, FLAUNT! Drop Your Cover & Reveal Your Smart, Sexy & Spiritual Self is designed to help women disrupt negative stereotypes and prove that being smart, sexy and spiritual are not mutually exclusive concepts. Lora writes from experience. She is a corporate attorney, a wife and mother, an ordained minister and she dances burlesque. FLAUNT is an acronym for Find your Fetish, Laugh out Loud, Accept Unconditionally, Navigate the Negative and Trust in your Truth. “The world tells us we need to snag that perfect relationship, lean into our career, lead an Instagram perfect life and be a certain size/age/shape in order to feel worthy. But striving to meet the expectations of others never leads to true happiness or fulfillment,” said Lora. “Women deserve to be seen and known for who they are.” Her book was the No. 1 best-selling book in Colorado the month is was released.

SOUTH FLORIDA/GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE Celebrating 65 Years

The South Florida/ Greater Fort Lauderdale Alumnae Chapter will celebrate their 65th anniversary this year. Throughout their history, they have come together to connect, support one another and positively impact their community. One of the annual philanthropic effort they enjoy is a trip to Build A Bear Workshop where they stuff typically two dozen bears that they donate to Jo DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, Florida. The children’s cardiac unit there

uses the bears as “cough-huggers” to ease the discomfort felt when coughing after open-heart surgery. Since this year is an anniversary milestone, their chapter president Jo-Anne Freeman Penttinen (Gamma Epsilon-Lake Forest) challenged the group to fill 65 bears. Once local shelter-at-home orders took effect, the project was placed on a bit of a hold, but, as of April, the chapter was more than halfway to their goal. Keep up the great work!

IOTA BETA-ST. MARY'S River Walk Queen

Michelle Bononcini (Iota Beta-St. Mary’s) was selected as the 2020 San Antonio River Walk Queen! She fundraised $19,643 to preserve, protect and promote the River Walk. Congratulations, Michelle!

XI-TORONTO

Making Connections

In February, the Xi-Toronto chapter hosted an alumnae and collegian networking event at the chapter house. The collegians had the opportunity to mingle, build professional networks and pick the brains of alumnae regarding post graduate experiences. Alumnae in law, business, commerce, medicine, tourism, event planning, education and other fields were part of the special night. Special shoutout — Thank you to Alison Nash for her continued 25-year involvement with Alpha Phi! Among those Xi-Toronto alumnae in attendance were Olivia Krys, Rachel Brunswick, Victoria Craib, Yonca Umur Osborne, Fadia Cocco, Alison Nash, Sabrina Lupul, Shaunesy Dyer, Alina Cheng, Sylvia Tenuta, Sukhe Mann, Lucia Ferrari and Barbara Komendera.

TAMPA BAY

Donating from the Heart

The Tampa Bay Alumnae chapter donated $5,150 to St. Anthony’s Hospital Foundation to fund new cardiac rehabilitation equipment. This equipment will aid postheart surgery patients in quicker recovery. Alumnae raised $6,750 hosting several heart health fundraising events and also donated $1,600 to Alpha Phi Foundation.

Above: Chapter treasurer Kristen Penna (Theta Nu-Appalachian State), chapter vice president programs Caryl Rohol (Gamma-DePauw), Donna Cothron (St Anthony’s Foundation Manager), chapter president Jackie Stubba (Beta Chi-Bucknell), Michael Moratelli (St Anthony’s Hospital Cardio-Vascular Manager), chapter vice president membership Mary Taylor (Alpha LambdaAlumna Initiate), and Robert Sherman (St Anthony’s Foundation Executive Director).

BIRMINGHAM-TUSCALOOSA Time To Connect

The Birmingham-Tuscaloosa Chapter of Alpha Phi Alumnae met in February at the home of Holli Watts (Beta Mu-Alabama) to form a nominating committee for their leadership. A slate of officers is being proposed at the next meeting. The women meet four times a year to fellowship and discuss chapter business. At the February event, Nancy Hammond (Gamma Rho-Penn State), Helga Visscher (EpsilonMinnesota), Laura Gallitz (Theta Pi-Emory), Martha Miller (Beta Mu-Alabama), Mary King Dunkin (Beta Mu-Alabama), Holli Watts (Beta Mu-Alabama) and CarlaHill(Delta Tau-LSU) were in attendance.

Not pictured: Pam Cooper (Alpha Lambda-Alumna Initiate).

DELTA NU-MAINE

Alpha Phi at the Helm

Danielle Rioux Blacklock (Delta Nu-Maine) was recently appointed as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries’ Office of Aquaculture. She oversees the aquaculture component of NOAA’s sustainable seafood portfolio, provides strategic vision and leads work on regulation, policy, science outreach and international activities in support of U.S. aquaculture. Danielle earned her master’s degree in marine affairs from the University of Washington, and her bachelor's degree in Marine Science. She has served as the NOAA’s senior policy advisor for agriculture, as the acting deputy in the Office of Aquaculture and as the senior advisor for Operations at Fisheries. Previously, she also used her talents in the roles of recreational fisheries specialist, a fisheries management specialist and a congressional liaison. She earned a Knauss Sea Grant Fellowship and the Department of Commerce Bronze Medal in 2018. Congratulations, Danielle! 