Winter Issue 2016
Editor Jessie Taylor
Pansy Press UC Irvine Delta Delta Delta
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R E C RU I T I N G B E TA OM E G A
here is no better way to start off Winter Quarter, for the Beta Upsilon chapter of Tri Delta than participating in Winter Recruitment! Recruitment kicked off during the second week of the quarter, starting with setting up a information booth on Ring Road. Tri Delta sisters took turns at the booth throughout the week, encouraging passers-by to take a look at all that Tri Delta has to offer. By stopping by the booth and through general word-of-mouth, many girls took an interest in Tri Delta and learned about the recruitment events taking place that week at the Tri Delta house.
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he Tri Delta house was opened and welcomed to many girls during these events, where UC Irvine sisters got the opportunity to learn more about them and share the values of Tri Delta sisterhood. So many great girls came out to these events, and at the end of the week the
chapter accepted a grand total of nine girls to become a part of their organization. That Friday afternoon of week two, the chapter celebrated their new pledge class, Beta Omega, with a “Friends” themed bid day. With the theme song playing in the background (“I’ll be there for youuuu…”), the new members were made to feel right at home— there really couldn’t have been a more suited theme for this celebration. All the events leading up to the chapter gaining a pledge class full of amazing women couldn’t have been possible without the leadership of the chapter’s Vice President of Membership, Chloe Saalsaa.
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hroughout the quarter, the UC Irvine Tri Delta chapter has had amazing opportunities to get to know the Beta Omega members. Each member possesses the same common values of a Tri Delta woman,
is figure-skate, Netflix, socialize and explore.” but all have diverse interests, majors, and come • Natalie Gomez: “I’m a first year, Psychology from various parts of the United States. A few of the Beta Omega members took the oppormajor from South Gate, California. In my free time I like binge watching Netflix, visiting new cafes (or tunity to share a little bit about themselves. the same old cafes I love), brows• Jenna Loventhal: ing through blogs, reading arti“I’m a first year Civil Engicles on the LA/NY Times, going neering and Dance double major from Mililani, Hato the beach, hiking, surfing, and “I’ll be there for you driving around aimlessly while waii. I like to go to the beach with my dogs or go to Dis- (Like I’ve been there before) blasting music with a friend.” neyland in my free time.” I’ll be there for you • Jessica Leyva: “I’m a ew Member Educafirst year, Dance and Jourtor, Jessika Guer(‘Cause you’re there for me nalism major from Santa rero has had plenty too) ...” Ynez, California. During of time getting to know these my free time, I am most women as her role informlikely in a dance studio or ing Beta Omega of the values at the gym. I also really love and standards of the Tri Delta hiking in the mountain ranges around my home!” organization. She writes about her role interact• Najla Shilleh: “I’m a first year Biing with this class, “I’m so excited to be teaching ology major from Chino Hills, Califorour beautiful Beta Omega class what it means to nia. In my free time, I mostly like to eat and be a Tri Delta woman. Each of them embody our sleep (lol), but I also like going to concerts!” purpose in one way or another, and I am so ex• Melissa Licari: “I’m a third year cited to see how they will grow into this chapter!” Math major from Orange, California, and I like to draw in my free time.” eta Omega, UC Irvine Tri Delta is so • Juliana Maylahn: “I’m a first year, unthrilled to get to know you more throughdecided/undeclared major from Saratoga out the years and is excited to see how you Springs, New York. What I like to do for fun will thrive on campus and as Tri Delta women!
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W E T H E
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C H A M P I O N S Bump, Set, Spike!
here is a good chance that there has never been a volleyball game more intense than the championship game between Tri Delta and Alpha Phi. The game took place on February 23rd at 9:00pm at the Anteater Recreation Center. The support for both teams was unreal—the bleachers were full with friends and fellow Greeklife students. The game was structured to whichever team won two out of three games, took home the championship title. The first game was an intense battle between the two teams, and Alpha Phi won by a close call. However, that didn’t discourage the Tri Delta team—and they recovered very quickly, winning the second game. The final third game was a game of only fifteen points—and whoever scored fifteen first won the entire championship. It was an insanely close game—you couldn’t even say the audience was on the edge of their seat
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because EVERYONE was standing, cheering on their favorite team, and waving encouraging signs. The game went by in the blink of an eye, and the final score ended up being 15-8, Tri Delta winning the championship! Coach of the Tri Delta team, Ryan Buck, said his favorite part of coaching was “seeing the girls’ hard work and dedication pay off. The championship was well earned and seeing the smiles on their faces as we won were priceless.”
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his game was a great way to bring different fraternities and sororities together—and Tri Delta would like to extend a huge thank you to all of its supporters, especially their Sister Sorority for the quarter, Delta Gamma, who helped cheer on the Tri Delta team.
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Sincerely Yourss A Letter Writing Campaign B enefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
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or a few hours this past February, UC Irvine past winter quarter, the fundraising event was a Tri Delta sisters gladly abandoned their reg- letter writing campaign called “Sincerely Yours.” ular Saturday activities to help raise money for their favorite philanhapter members met thropy, St. Jude Children’s at the Tri Delta house Research Hospital. This orbright and early Satganization is very close to urday morning to participate the hearts of Tri Delta womIn July 2014, the Tri Delta in this letter writing camen, and has been officially organization announced their paign. From 11 am to 3 pm, partnered with Tri Delta sisters gathered around tagoal to raise a total of $60 bles stacked with envelopes, nationwide since the year of 1999. A few years ago, in stationary, stamps, and got million in 10 years July 2014, the Tri Delta orbusy writing. Each sister ganization announced their contributed at least thirtygoal to raise a grand total five letters, where they kindof $60 million in just ten ly asked their closest friends, years. Every quarter, the UC Irvine chapter orga- family, professors, and neighbors to donate on benizes an event to help reach this hefty goal. This half of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In the
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past, this fundraiser has brought in the most donations out of the other events throughout the year— and this year they are hoping to raise over $10,000.
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hile writing letters, chapter members not only had the opportunity to laugh and bond with their sisters—but also got the chance to hear their Philanthropy Chair, Katie Van Wonterghem speak about her recent trip to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital facility in Memphis, Tennessee. Wonterghem spent her visit attending panels, meetings, workshops, and touring the hospital and the short term housing facility, Tri Delta Place—which is entirely funded by the Tri Delta organization. Wonterghem admitted she was so touched by the trip, she probably cried twentythree times. She recalls a moment she spent in the hospital where she was snapchatting a picture of the “Sincerely Yours Wall” when she turned around and saw a young girl in a hospital gown smiling and snapchatting a picture of her. Wonterghem shares how at that moment, she saw herself in the young girl, and right then it became real to her that this sickness can happen to anyone. The young girl then began playing Katy Perry’s “ROAR” song on speaker phone, and Wonterghem couldn’t help but think “Man, I hope I do hear you roar, I hope you beat this, and I hope I can help St. Jude help you do it.”
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I’ve Got a “Crush” on You
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Tri Delta Crush Party
he fabulous ladies of UC Irvine Tri Delta celebrated yet another successful quarter with their annual “Tri Delta Crush Party”. This semi-formal is one of the most anticipated events of the year, where sisters can invite their “crushes” to enjoy a special night of fun, food, and dancing. This year the Crush Party was held at the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity in Costa Mesa—an excellent venue just a few minutes away from campus.
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Photos by College Trav
s the guests arrived they were welcomed with many different festivities to partake in. A photo booth was set up near the entrance, where participants lined up to take fun, memorable photos they got to keep and take home with them! Many of the guests then made their way to the dance floor or straight to the fajita bar for a delicious and filling dinner. All in all, the Crush Party was a very memorable way to share a bit of those Tri Delta good times with those outside the chapter and to celebrate a successful end of Winter Quarter!
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n h a e P l l e g n n i i c d a L e ove r p S
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ΔΔΔ & ΔΓ
his quarter to encourage a little bit of Panhellenic Love and new friendships, the sororities involved in UC Irvine Greek life were assigned “sister sororities”. This was a great way for members of other chapters to meet one another and to meet girls outside of their own chapters. This Winter Quarter, Tri Delta and Delta Gamma were paired together! Tri Delta Panhellenic Delegate, Grace Leekley, organized the event bringing Tri Delta and Delta Gamma sisters together. The event took place at the Tri Delta House on February 9th and consisted of bonding with Delta Gamma through a cookie decorating contest and movie-watching. For the cookie decorating contest, a Tri Delta sister and Delta Gamma sister were paired together with Kimberly Hedges (from DG) and Chelsea Smith winning the competition. Leekley writes, “We also put on ‘13 Going on 30’ and snacked on popcorn and basically just hung out.” The event last two hours with a great turn out of about 60 girls.
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elta Gamma also showed their support at the Tri Delta volleyball championship and cheered on the Tri Delta team with signs saying “ΔΓ Y’s ΔΔΔ”. Tri Delta reciprocated the support the following week at the Delta Gamma soccer game. All in all, it was a great quarter spreading Panhellenic Love with Delta Gamma!
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Deltas Take on Dallas UC Irvine Tri Delta officers travel to Dallas, Texas to participate in the Collegiate Leadership Conference (CLC)
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his past February four officers of UC Irvine Tri Delta got the opportunity to fly to Dallas, Texas to participate in the Collegiate Leadership Conference (CLC). This conference is held every year and is open to leaders of Tri Delta all across the nation to provide valuable leadership training and networking opportunities. Each officer participated in a workshop geared toward her position, where she learned from guest speakers the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in carrying
out her specific responsibilities. Officers attended other important workshops, as well, where they learned more about Body Image 3D and how to have difficult conversations—both vital aspects to Tri Delta leadership. ot only did officers learn from speakers, but also from other sisters in their position too. Even during meals, sisters utilized the time together to learn more about various chapters and to establish strong, valuable connections with
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one another. UC Irvine chapter President, Catherine Cocheteux, writes about the experience, “Our officers really learned a lot about not only their positions and how to better their leadership skills, but also about our sisterhood and how we can connect with any Tri Delta throughout the country.” Altogether, the conference provided officers with a wealth of knowledge and networking opportunities to help successfully lead their chapter in a positive and encouraging way.
Monica Marcelletti, VP of Chapter Development, (middle left) writes: “Thank you Tri Delta for the amazing experience I had this weekend. Working and learning with my sisters from all across the nation is something I will never forget.”
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2016
Greek Awards
A great day to be a Tri Delta—UC Irvine Delta Delta Delta brings home four trophies from the 2016 Greek Awards
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he annual UC Irvine Greek Awards was held Monday night on February 29th in the Bren Events Center. This ceremony takes place every Winter Quarter in order to recognize the accomplishments of Greek chapters and student leadership in the Greek community. It was a great day to be a Tri Delta as the chapter brought home four awards: Excellence in Recruitment, Excellence in Living your Ritual, Excellence in Risk Management, and 2015 President, Sierra Mathias, received Outstanding President.
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eceiving these awards are a great honor to Tri Delta and shows how the chapter is continuously striving to put its best foot forward in various disciplines. 2015 Vice President of Membership, Lauren Widger, writes about the chapter receiving the Excellence in Recruitment Award, “It was such an honor seeing our chapter’s hard work pay off and to bring home the Recruitment Greek Award this year! We stood out among the other chapters because we practice recruitment with other Southern California Tri Delta chapters. We were also recognized for the officers’ positive reinforcement and the chapter’s morale during fall recruitment. Welcoming home our Beta Psi pledge class was reward enough for our hard work, but this was a great confirmation of how Tri Delta excels at values-based recruitment.”
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