Kappa Quill Spring 2016

Kappa Quill

Spring 2016 | Volume 40 | Issue 2

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Letter from the Executive Director

“Girls compete. Women empower.”

“Girls compete. Women empower.” This is an inspirational quote from Pinterest that has stuck with me as I am regularly reminded of the challenges we face as women. Whether it is a purchasing a car, salary/raise negotiations, or any number of other scenarios, people often make lesser assumptions of us because we are women.

Even in the 21st century, we still have instances where we are required to prove to the world that we are smart and capable, independent of our male counterparts.

Given the images of women portrayed in entertainment and the media, how can women feel empowered?

How can we be encouraged if we regularly consume content that does not feed the part of our soul that validates who we are individually as women?

To this, I say it is friendship that feeds us. That is why women continue to be drawn to the sorority experience in record numbers in a world that offers so many other opportunities for their time. We are all at different stages and places in our lives. None is of greater importance than another. The college student wishes she knew exactly what she wants to do in life. The recent college grad wonders why the transition from college to career is so hard. The working woman may be struggling to balance home life and career advancement. Marriage, divorce, the birth of children and the loss of loved ones are some of the hurdles that we as women may face during our journey through life.

I have no answers for the challenges we may face other than to acknowledge reality and encourage conversations about how we feel. It is the sharing of our deepest feelings, insecurities, fears, hopes and dreams that brings us to decision points in life.

These heartfelt, raw conversations with those who have our back help us to either choose to embrace and appreciate the good things in our lives, or determine change is necessary and give us the courage to do so.

I am often reminded of that very support that has helped carry Affiliated Soro me through my ownNational incredibly difficult and challenging time this past year. It was with the love and support of my family, closest friends, and of course my Sisters that have helped bring me to the other side.

April 8, 2014

Kappa Delta

We are on a journey together as sisters. I hope that your To Whom It May Concern: friendships in this sisterhood strengthen you and help you find peace and joy to This isthe to authorize that I, And Elizabeth make most of your life. alwaysHartford, remember,am the Phi, paypal account. youofhave any questions you NAS's are never alone; you areIfpart a sisterhood values you. Crows always fly together. atthat Liz@kappadeltaphinas.org.

In Kappa, Sincerely,

Elizabeth Hartford Liz Hartford Executive Director co/Executive Director Kappa Delta Phi, National Affiliated Sorority, Inc.

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Table of Contents Letter from Executive Director.................... 1 Letter from the Editor................................... 4 Philanthropy/Summer Workshop.............. 5 Letter from our Brothers.............................. 6

Important Dates Founders Day December 6, 1971 Summer Undergraduate Workshop August 12-14, 2016

Pg. 07 A Recent Grad's Guide to Globetrotting Just like your college term papers, properly researching ahead of your expedition is the key to earning an A in Global Travel 101!

Letters of Intent Due May 1, 2016 Spring Board of Directors Meeting June 10, 2016

A Recent Grad's Guide to Globetrotting. 7 Student Leader..............................................9 Chapter Reports.......................................... 10

Pg. 05

Alumnae Association.................................. 16 Cooking with Jeanette................................17

2016 Summer Undergraduate Workshop We're getting ready for another great SUW! This year we're headed to Elizaville, New York.

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Infographic.................................................... 18

Mission Statement The purpose of Kappa Delta Phi National Affiliated Sorority, Inc. shall be to promote academic achievement, to encourage community involvement through philanthropy, and to cultivate the everlasting bonds of sisterhood. We shall fortify the values of leadership, generosity, charity, and integrity within our sisters through guidance at both the chapter and national level.

National Founders Pat Ouellette Angie Parker Kathy Luciano Dee Tzovarras Tricia Crosby Laurie Beckwith Joanne Lobozzo Becky Ritter Joyce Welch Renie Mountain Bridgett Burtchell Bonnie Griener

NGLA 2016 Recap Each year fraternity and sorority members, as well as campus based professionals, fraternity and sorority professionals, vendors, and speakers from across the Northeast gather for the Northeast Greek Leadership Association conference. NGLA’s mission is to build community amongst members for a variety of fraternal background while challenging members to align their actions with fraternal values.

Nancee Brearly Debbie Therriauly Barbie Richard Eileen Coombs Karen Kulikowski Kathi Gleason Jan Spaulding Sharon Soles Sue Caron Leslie Vartabedian Mimi McBride

Media/Materials Committee

Our very own Timisha Johnson (KAM), Courtney Ross (KL), and associate board member Caitlin Dailey (KAM) made the trip to Steel City (Pittsburgh, PA) to attend the conference. Each year the KDF NAS Board of Directors provides scholarships for up to three members to attend.

Interested in attending next year’s NGLA conference in Hartford, CT? Keep an eye for details Fall 2016!

Sara Hauser Danielle Young Alex Nestro Amanda Roberge Jenn Shipp Jessica Moran

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Letter from the Editor

Write Your Next Chapter

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ith Convention just a few short weeks away, I’m reminded of my time as an active member, especially my senior year and first year post-grad. So much changes from the time you affiliate to the time you walk across the stage (or field) at graduation. Where will you work? Where will you live? How in the world will you pay bills (the student loan bills cometh!)?

down, as well as adding to it. Remember to keep our values of kindness, devotion, pride, leadership, generosity, scholarship, and sorority spirit as the guiding force for all that you do. It truly is your time to shine!

We can’t wait to see all that our Sisters accomplish!

Until the Fall…

With all of the unknowns there are a few certainties to take comfort in (I know I did!) – 1. You can In Kappa, always count on your Sisters. 2. You are ready to tackle whatever challenges life throws your way (your education and leadership experience have prepared you). 3. This is going to be one of the (if not the most) exciting time in your life. Buckle up, Sara Hauser stay confident in yourself, and enjoy the ride!

National President Editor-In-Chief Not graduating quite yet? Congratulations! When the seniors leave the hallowed halls of your institution it’ll be your turn to lead your chapter.

You’re continuing to build on the legacy passed

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Summer Undergraduate Workshop

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he Meetings Committee is excited to announce that the 2016 Summer Undergraduate Workshop will take place Friday, August 12th through Sunday, August 14th at Camp Eagle Hill in Elizaville, NY. This is the first time in our history that we are hosting SUW in August! We are looking forward to incorporating new activities, including a high ropes course! Keep a lookout for more information!

Philanthropy New Year, New Cause

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rom puppy kissing booths to pancake breakfasts, chapters have been hard at work all year to raise money for this year’s National Philanthropy – the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Headquartered in New York City, the ASPCA’s mission is the prevention of animal cruelty and homelessness. It is the first humane society founded in North America, as well as one of the largest in the world. The ASPCA works to rescue animals, find forever homes for furry friends, and work with lawmakers to create legislation to protect animals. As is Kappa tradition, a check will be presented at the Black and Gold Awards Banquet at #KappaCon16. We’ll share how much our sisterhood raised via social media for those not able to attend, as well as announce the new National Philanthropy for 2016-2017!

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Letter from our Brothers Greetings, We have had a very productive year this year. Fifty-seven members graduated as we witness our numbers of graduates increasing every year. This year, Summer Leadership Workshop was held in August at Alpha Chapter at Bridgewater State University. Our chapters were introduced to our newly adopted new member eduction program. The program provides guidelines which assist our chapters in providing a more consistent new member experience to ensure the continuity of our ideals and principles. We again had Phired Up! present to our leadership to help them to recruit men of high character and quality into our Fraternity.

We surpassed expectations by bringing in forty-six new members during the Fall semester alone.

Our field consultants were all trained in our newly adopted Chapter Evaluation Rubric. The new program will help us to evaluate chapter effectiveness and act as a basis for convention awards.

Also introduced to the undergraduate leadership was the new KDPhi Risk Management Policy which is based upon the NIC Risk Management Standards which most colleges and university inter-Greek councils will follow and use as a foundation for their own standards of conduct.

The November President / Treasurer's meeting was held at Epsilon Chapter at Rhode Island College.

Brother Steven Simo presented to the undergraduate leadership on the Education Foundation and its purpose. He informed the assembly that there are internships available to our members who would like to help the Foundation. A presentation on Risk Management was given to the general assembly

by Alpha Iota Chapter. All chapters provided reports on their philanthropy projects to date. Our National Philanthropy is again this year, Homes for Our Troops. Last year, as a fraternity, we donated a total of $13,500. All indications are that we will do better than that at the upcoming convention in April 2016. Brother Theodore Wacholtz (Lambda Chapter) was voted in by the membership as the 2015-2016 Undergraduate Representative to the National Board of Directors. Brother Mitch Cosgrove (Lambda Chapter) was the previous Undergraduate Representative and was thanked for his service during this meeting.

As we grow our own numbers, and the Sorority grows theirs, it becomes more difficult to find a venue capable of hosting Convention for us. We would ask that as each of you attending weddings, and similar functions, you keep an eye out for possible places to hold future conventions. If you find a place please do not hesitate to email us and we will look into each and every venue suggested.

We look forward to a strong Spring 2016 semester with a number of positive possibilities facing us in the future.

May The Spirit Never Die! Tony DeMarco | Jon Kadel Co-Executive Directors Kappa Delta Phi National Fraternity

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A Recent Grad’s Guide to Globetrotting Adventure (Part 1)

By Tamara Litt, a KAG Sister, Associate Board Member + Travel Enthusiast “I can’t possibly afford to travel on my modest student (or recent grad!) income.” That’s simply not true! If there’s one thing my travel adventures have taught me it’s to always look for creative solutions. Now is the perfect time to broaden your horizons and experience everything this amazing world (+ your fellow humans!) have to offer!

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First Things, First Your own adventure starts with reaching your destination and getting around once you arrive. Look into low-cost air carriers – Ryanair (based in Ireland), EasyJet (based in the UK), and Vueling (based in Spain) are just a few options.

Don’t forget to not only plan your transportation to and from your initial destination, but also how to get around once you’re there. Taking the train between countries can be an experience all its own. When I was studying in Milan, the train was the preferable option to explore parts of Switzerland. However, I needed to fly for some places in Italy. Another option to consider - traveling through ridesharing services. I used BlaBlaCar to travel to Florence from Milan because it was so inexpensive!

You can view driver’s bios, as well as ratings to ensure a smooth ride.

I used Airbnb in Rome, Barcelona, and London. But remember, it’s all about location, location, location!

Make sure your accommodations are conveniently located to ground transportation alternatives. I learned the hard way that the cheapest option may also be the most inconvenient to reach. When I stayed in Venice the first time, my hotel was nice and cheap, but incredibly far from the city center. The second time, Airbnb brought me right into the heart of Venice.

That’s always the best bet: to stay close to the center

A Place to Rest Your Head Make sure to do your homework and carefully research as you plan each part of your trip. Take into account all the options: hotels, motels, hostels, Airbnb apartments, etc. I utilized all of the above for living arrangements while traveling. Forget what you’ve seen in movies, DO NOT BE AFRAID OF HOSTELS - they can sometimes be nicer than hotels and offer extra accommodations! I svvtayed in a hostel in Florence that had a pool, bar, club, laundry room, restaurant, etc! Another hostel in Italy, offered free shuttle bus rides to and from the hostel!

USA Pavillion, World Expo, Milan, Italy

Some hostels are coed and can be all different sizes - if you’re traveling with a small group of four or six, you might share the same room. Pick the option that’s best for you. Be sure to check in advance with your choice of hostels so you know what to expect from the accommodations and avoid any surprises. Insider safety tip: Some hostels provide lockers for your belongings, but you’ll need to provide your own lock.

Airbnb can also provide a better bang for your buck.

of the city or airport, because even if it’s a tad pricier getting around will be easier. Check with the hotel for transportation options.

The essentials: A lot of the Airbnbs I stayed at offered food, as well as some hostels (read the fine print). Plus, ask if they offer WIFI so you can check in with friends and families stateside throughout your journey.

Just like your college term papers, properly researching ahead of your expedition is the key to earning an A in Global Travel 101!

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Kappa Alpha Alpha

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his has been a big year for Kappa Alpha Alpha!

We kicked off the new school year with a dog walk, Tails on the Trails, that benefitted the community as well as our philanthropy, the ASPCA. We welcomed five beautiful new sisters in the fall and have already seen them accomplish so much.

We hosted a pancake breakfast that benefitted the ASPCA. We also volunteered at a local bakery in Bangor, Cake Concoctions, where we were given the opportunity to decorate cupcakes to be sold with the proceeds to benefit the ASPCA. We continued annual Silent Auction with donations from local businesses to raise money for the ASPCA. We have four amazing new affiliates this semester that already exemplify the ideals that make us, us. At the beginning of the Spring semester we started a theme of positivity. We created a positive sister poster for each sister and together wrote down positive qualities about each sister around their picture. The posters are now hanging in our chapter room as a constant reminder of our Kappa love.

We have started weekly Positive Sister Moments. our weekly volunteering, serving lunch at the We start chapter meetings by having sisters write Bangor Area Homeless Shelter. Spring semester down a moment that made them happy from the has already brought so much, including helping the past week that reminded them of our sisterhood.

Friends of Maine Hockey with their 50/50 raffle at These moments are shared and kept to look back a UMaine hockey game and so many sisterhood on in our chapter scrapbook. We have so much love bonding experiences. We will be participating in for this organization and we are excited to share it. the University of Maine’s Dance Marathon that benefits the Children’s Miracle Network and Relay In Kappa with love, for Life. In March we will be holding our second Kappa Alpha Alpha

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Kappa Alpha Iota

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ello beautiful Kappa sisters! The sisters here from Kappa Alpha Iota hope you have had a wonderful academic year and you finish strong.

Always remember to work hard, do your best, and your sisters from far away Shippensburg, PA are always here to support you.

The Kappa Alpha Iota sisters have kept busy throughout these two semesters by focusing on our academics, sisterhood, and philanthropy. We are proud to say that our efforts to raise money and awareness for ASPCA have been a success. First, we did tabling in our Ceddia Union Building (CUB) for a week where we sold Valentine's candy grams and raffles for people to win a giant stuffed puppy. It was a huge hit among the students, and one of our most successful tabling experiences yet. We then took to our local Chipotle as we were able to set up a fundraiser with them where we could get 50% of the proceeds that were made within a set four hours. After many sisters tweeted, posted on Facebook, and told their friends, our Chipotle fundraiser for ASPCA turned into another success for us, raising over $100. Our efforts to raise awareness and funds for ASPCA will continue all throughout the semester.

With this being the spring semester, we are excited to hold our 5th annual Dash for Diabetes in memory of one of our sisters, Emily Norman, on Sunday, April 24, 2016. This year, we are hoping it will be bigger than ever. One thing that will be added this year is auction prizes that will help us raise more money for the American Diabetes Association in our sister’s name.

Some examples of things that will be auctioned off are an Antonio Brown autographed picture donated by the Pittsburgh Steelers, multiple gift certificates to local restaurants, Shippensburg University apparel, a Jamberry basket, and much more to be announced. We are looking forward to this event and all the support, but especially to take this time to honor Emily.

Lastly, we would like to take this time now to recognize that we are having five sisters graduate this semester.

Our graduating sisters are Amanda Oster, Brandi Reisher, Sarah Treder, Emily Taylor, and Kimmy Rindt.

Ladies, we are so extremely proud of you for making it to this point in your career and we wish nothing but great

things for your future. We all know you will be nothing less than successful, but remember we are always here for you regardless. With this is mind, we would also like everyone to meet our wonderful 10 new affiliates of our chapter. The sisters of Kappa Alpha Iota are pleased to introduce: Taylor Flank, Alexandra Piazza, Kimberleigh Rambol, Steph Pappas, Lauren Pysher, Erin Kurtz, Emily Carroll, Alex McIntosh, Meaghan McGrath, and Miranda Gorsuch. We hope that you share our excitement as we guide them through their journey in becoming sisters of Kappa Delta Phi National Affiliated Sorority.

We wish all the best for your studies and all that you do!

In Kappa, The sisters of Kappa Alpha Iota

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Kappa Alpha Mu Greetings from Kappa Alpha Mu Chapter!

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his has been an amazing and remarkable year for the Kappa Alpha Mu Chapter. We went through many challenging and rewarding experiences this past semester. After going through some hard times, we as a chapter, have overcome together and become stronger because of it. Our chapter was lucky enough to welcome in Fall 2015, Lambda Affiliate Class Alysa, Brittany, and Nicolina, who made our chapter much more stronger. These women stepped up and took executive board positions and truly showed the definitions of kindness, devotion and pride. They are true symbols of what it means to be a sister.

Even though the five of us were in lovely old Henniker, NH, across the pond, one of our very own sisters had the experience of a lifetime. Timisha was able to study abroad in merry ole London, and have a truly incredible experience studying at Kings College. Even though she was three thousand miles away and a six-hour time difference, she still made the time and effort to stay involved in the sorority and take part in Affiliate Education.

We are working hard on our philanthropic events and opportunities. Our new sisters hosted an amazing event that got over half the student body to come. They organized a “Puppy Kissing Booth” where a non-profit, volunteer based organization (Homes for Happy Dogs) that takes in strays and abandoned animals, brought in several puppies, and for a dollar, students, staff, and friends were able to hold a puppy for five minutes. Half the money that was made was donated back to the shelter, and they were extremely grateful. Not only did this event raise awareness for Homes for Happy Dogs and the ASPCA, but also it got the students up and out.

Our chapter also participated in Henniker’s local Music on Main Street and got our name out to the town, and was lucky enough to co-host New England College’s tradition of a late night barbeque. We held a booth at Up All Night, an event before midterms for students to de-stress before finals and have fun by participating in events all night. We hosted the make a cookie in a jar table, and it was a rousing success.

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Kappa Lambda

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pring semester is in full swing here at Husson University. As part of our national philanthropy, we have joined forces with the Bangor Humane Society. We all volunteer a couple times a week and help out with any event we can. Past events we’ve been involved in include making “swag bags” for their Paws on Parade walk, collecting old blankets to donate, and helping at Petsmart adoptions. Of which have all been very successful. A non-animal event we have attended is the Out of The Darkness Walk in Orono for suicide prevention. For the holiday season, we collected numerous letters to Santa for the Make-AWish Foundation, fundraised money to buy turkeys for a local soup kitchen, and collected stuffed animals for hospitalized children.

As for this semester, we have enjoyed making chew toys out of old shirts and dog treats. Philanthropy events in the works include our 3rd annual “Mr. Husson” pageant, a volleyball tournament, a silent auction, along with our 3rd annual Kappa 5k as well. On another note, we need to give a big thank you to our fabulous fundraising chairs. Fundraising has been highly successful throughout this past year and we are looking forward to upcoming events such as a car wash, Yankee Candle sales, and other events the future holds for our chapter.

A special congratulations goes out to our co-fundraising chair, Courtney Ross, for representing us at this year’s NGLA conference in Pittsburgh, PA. Furthermore, we are continuing to enjoy weekly sister dates. Going on a sister date with a new sister each week has allowed us to get to know every sister better whilst creating an even stronger sisterhood. We truly hope to make this a tradition for years to come. As this semester comes to a close, we are looking forward to what the rest of the year holds as well as welcoming many new sisters in our family.

Kappa Mu

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ooking forward with a positive attitude is what Kappa Mu is going by. Being only one active at the beginning of the semester (hoping by convention that is not the case) it is difficult to do and plan anything. This semester was a big out reach semester to alumni and our neighboring chapter Kappa Rho. Kappa Mu is forever grateful for everyone

who has helped in anyway. It is times like these that really show how much of a support system Kappa is! One proud thing this semester was the t-shirt fundraiser. With everyone’s help the goal was met, five shirts above the goal to be correct! For one person raising $200 in one fundraiser I believe that is really something to be proud of!

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Kappa Sigma Hello Sisters!

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his semester Kappa Sigma has been all about coming together! Three of our sisters came back from studying abroad in St. Croix and Australia, after having the times of their lives. They excitedly met our four new sisters from the fall semester, and this spring semester we are welcoming four new affiliates!

Along with those four lovely ladies, we also have been delighted to be joined by Alexis Payne, a sister of Kappa Chi, who transferred to Plymouth State this semester.

Along with having our hands delightfully full with recruitment, we have also been working on different fundraisers for the ASPCA. Our sisters have also been coming together with community service projects!

Stamping out Stigma, a suicide prevention group on campus, and the Student Support Foundation, which helps students who find themselves in difficult times, have been our two main projects. We are also very excited to be volunteering at Belle of the Ball in Boston!

Another exciting thing happening with Kappa Sigma this semester is our collaboration with the other Greek

Organizations on campus! We are very excited to invite alumnae to our first ever Plymouth State Greek Luncheon happening in May! With Love, Kappa Sigma

Kappa Tau Hello Kappa ladies! How the semester is going well for everyone! The ladies of Kappa Tau have been having a weird winter here in Vermont.

Going from warm sunny days to cold blizzards, the semester has had a weird start, but we Kappa Tau ladies are resilient.

This semester we have been changing things up, changing positions, a new year, new responsibilities.

As part of our fundraising for ASPCA, we have been collecting bottles, as part of a bottle drive for the ASPCA. Individually, our members

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have been collecting bottles from family, and friends and all the money we will be donating to the charity.

Along with collecting bottles, we are planning a 50/50 raffle. Between selling tickets to students on campus, to reaching out to our families and locals. We plan on selling tickets for a month, then pulling the name after out Spring break. Along with these two fundraisers, we are planning on either a Yankee Candle fundraiser, or another fundraiser of that sort. With having so few members, we are pushing forward, trying to raise all we can, while finding new members, and perusing our educations. Happy Spring to everyone!

Kappa Upsilon

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he spring semester of 2016 has been more than eventful for the Kappa Upsilon chapter here at Umass Lowell. Our recruitment started the first day of classes, quickly leading into a club fair event with many beautiful artifacts present, and many potential affiliates.

Over 10 recruitment events have been held on campus, getting to know potential affiliates such as: Kappa Kakes, where sisters and rushes can make cupcakes and play games together, and Krafts with Kappas, where sisters and rushes got to decorate wine glasses together and play icebreakers. Our rush theme for this semester was Tiffany and Co. with the label “awaiting our spring collection�. With interviews occurring just the other night, the chapter is planning on giving bids to four very smart and motivated girls. On the other hand with only three months until graduation, we will be seeing six of our sisters leaving us for the alumni world. The entire chapter wishes them the best, and hopes to see them at all of our alumni events.

Within the active chapter, the two biggest fundraisers of Gillette and Yankee Candle have been taken off. Many Gillette dates accumulated back in July, and have been consistent throughout the year. The Yankee Candle fundraiser began at the beginning of the semester, and has many actives promoting the items to their friends, family, and social media pages. All proceeds have the option to go to the chapter, or to the ASPCA national fundraiser of the year, which has caused many positive endorsements towards fundraising. Philanthropy events have also been rolling in for the semester. So far for the first month and a half back at school, sisters have been encouraged to go out into the community either on their own time or with other sisters, in order to get to know the greater Middlesex County. Some sisters have started to contribute to the Lawrence Food Drive and have asked other sisters for donations. Other sisters have volunteered on their own at the Boys and Girls Club of greater Lowell, and have given blood. While also sisters who are apart of other clubs have offered hours through participating in jostling diabetes money collections, and serving at promotional dinners for academic and societal awards. Our philanthropy head and committee plan to

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announce five more major philanthropies within the next week, for sisters to take hold of for the rest of the semester.

For more Kappa-related events we're preparing for our alumni event, Kappa Cocktail, in partnership with our brothers from Epsilon Chapter. This event will hold 50/50 raffles, reconnecting with old sisters, and dinner. Other activities will also be available at the event with a theme, such as a photo booth. Our chapter is also reaching out to Kappa Chi this semester, where a majority of the Sisters are going to go visit them at SNHU within the next month. Another event the chapter is planning out is the great Convention, happening later this spring. We are all working together for nominations simultaneously for chapter and Convention Awards. We are all thinking of themes for the table, and pulling together valuable artifacts to present our growth as a chapter and all around sisterhood. We all can’t wait until Maine gets another taste of Lowell!

Kappa Delta Phi NAS Alumnae Association Dear Kappa Sisters, First, I want to congratulate all of those who have put in such tireless effort to ensure that you are making the most of your college career. I don’t mean to sound “old school” but the world has changed, and now, more than ever, it is vitally important that our young women have every advantage available to make it in the business world. You may want to be a Wall Street tycoon or you may want to work with special needs children, or you may want to be your own boss while also having a family and doing everything you can to make your corner of the world a better place. What you do in your undergraduate years will pave the road for whatever will follow. I don’t envy you the grueling hours preparing for your finals. If you opt to go on for a Master’s Degree it will be much different and you won’t necessarily have your pledge sisters’ ear by for support. That said, you’ll always have Kappa. I know this to be true because that is how it was for me and it continues to be so some forty-one years later. Spring of 1975 seems like yesterday.

Second, I want to personally congratulate and thank each sister for every hour of philanthropy you gave during the 2015-2016 academic year (and let’s not forget summer, too!). Individually and collectively you have shown that Kindness really is what it is all about. Kappa women recognize the need for more.

They organize and they go out there and make it happen each and every time! You are the role models for some many who will travel your path just as you have traveled the paths of those sisters who have gone before you. I could not be more proud of you than I am as I sit here with my thoughts. You are A M A Z I N G!!!

Lastly, I want to challenge all graduating seniors to remain active in the sorority span of life by joining

the KDPNAS National Alumnae Association. We need new members with a fresh perspective to ensure that we can all reach that which we pledge to fulfill throughout our lifetime. The Alumnae Association’s most vital role is to be the keepers of our sorority’s history, the ideals we subscribe to and the means to continue in the future. If you are attending #KappaCon2016, make your way to the Alumnae Table and see Jeannette Collette or myself for an opportunity to join in our efforts. We, too, continue to walk the walk of our ideals through our community philanthropy projects like our Calling All Angels Fund for sisters and brothers in a time of need and also our efforts to provide support to the Florence House, a shelter for homeless women in Portland, ME. We will be accepting donations of personal hygiene items on Saturday during Convention. It may sound like a small thing, but the good-will that our efforts foster with the Greater Portland Community are tremendous. I would even encourage you not to use to guest soaps and other items offered by the Grand Summit the weekend of convention and donate those to our cause. You will be amazed at what this small gesture will do.

You’ll hear more from Jeanette and me, as well as Mary Sloan, at this year’s festivities. I’ll be manning our merchandise table, and hope that you’ll all stop by to say hello and to support our efforts. You’ll see us during the meeting and of course during the awards portion of the banquet. Until then, I remain your faithful sister and friend Susan Dyer Taylor, KM 1975 President KDPNAS Alumnae Association, Inc. Executive Director Emeritus KDPNAS, Inc.

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Cooking with Jeanette Jeanette's Bing Cherry Pie This is a recipe that my family looks forward to every Easter. I have been making this pie for years. I hope you enjoy it!

Ingredients: 2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese Topping: 3⁄4 cup sour cream 2/3 cup sugar 2 tbsp sugar 1 tsp. vanilla 1⁄2 tsp. vanilla 1 tbsp. flour 14 large whole graham crackers, crushed 4 or 5 tbsp. Butter 2 eggs Juice from 1 can of dark sweet pitted Bing cherries (separate cherries for later use) 2 tbsp. cornstarch 1⁄2 tsp. lemon juice

Instructions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix together the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and flour until smooth; set aside. Mix graham crackers, butter and eggs for crust and line a 9 inch pie pan (I prefer to use glass). Pour the cream cheese mixture into crust and bake 20 minutes.

Raise oven temperature to 450 degrees. Combine topping ingredients and pour on top of pie, bake 5 minutes. Place in refrigerator overnight. Next day, cook the cherry juice, cornstarch and lemon juice together on the stove until thick & glossy.

Arrange cherries on the pie. Pour the above mixture over cherries. Keep pie in refrigerator for a few more hours until it is ready to be served.

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This handmade blanket

COULD BE

YOURS!

Enter our raffle to win this & other great prizes!