Texas Eta (Pi Beta Phi at Texas A&M) Angel News

Pi Phi’s Firedance is our semi-formal held each fall...

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 20:17:00 -0400

Pi Phi’s Firedance is our semi-formal held each fall semester where girls are encouraged to wear flaming red dresses. We dance the night away with our friends and dates and of course, the girls take TONS of pictures

As February came to an end, 71 teams of 8-10 students...

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 19:49:07 -0400

As February came to an end, 71 teams of 8-10 students came to participate in Pi Phi’s annual Dodge the Arrow Dodgeball Tournament. The games started at 10am and each team fought for a spot in the playoffs later on in the afternoon.

The event was SUCH a success and we raised about $21,000 to donate to our local philanthropy, Barbara Bush Parent Center, as well as First Book, the national organization that works closely with Pi Phis all around the country! The BBPC serves adults in the Brazos Valley in multiple ways through different levels of education as well as parenting classes to better serve their families. ESL classes or GED prep classes are also offered, to name a few. This foundation was established in 1997 by former first lady, Barbara Bush, and continues to thrive solely based on the contributions and physical volunteer work by the Pi Phi chapter here at Texas A&M.

First Book was started in 1992 and has a simple goal: to provide children of low-income families with their first book. Since the beginning of our partnership, Pi Phi has donated roughly 2 million books to communities nationwide!

The day was full of friendly competition and the players agree that they cannot WAIT until next year!

http://www.piphidta.com/#

On November 5th, we celebrated Pi Phi’s outstanding...

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:30:53 -0500

On November 5th, we celebrated Pi Phi’s outstanding academic achievements at our annual Scholarship Banquet! This year’s banquet was held at the MSC Ballroom and in attendance were professors from all departments, nominated by Pi Phis for their dedication to teaching and outstanding service to our school. Our speaker was LaRhesa Moon, current President of the Womens’ Former Students Network, who entertained us with her life stories and encouraged us to pursue with excellence even the seemingly random classes in college because you never know when the knowledge you gain will be valuable to you. In addition, every Pi Phi with a 3.0 GPA and above was honored for her academic successes and rewarded with a Starbucks giftcard, including the 41 girls who made 4.0s and received pearls for their arrow pins! Finally, the Texas Eta scholarship was awarded to Senior Julie Scoggins, a very worthy recipient recognized for her outstanding dedication to academics!

Trick or Treat on Sorority Row is one of our favorite events and...

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:59:24 -0500

Trick or Treat on Sorority Row is one of our favorite events and this year was no different! On Halloween night, each sorority prepares a Halloween-themed activity and hands out candy to Trick-or-Treaters from the Bryan/College Station community. It is a really fun way to give back to the community and celebrate Halloween with one another!

Photos from our Halloween Date party with Tri-Delt! Special...

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:41:00 -0500

Photos from our Halloween Date party with Tri-Delt! Special guests included: Scooby and the Gang, the Spice Girls, Blue and Steve, and the band KISS! WOW ;)

On October 29th, Texas Eta had the wonderful opportunity to host...

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:38:46 -0500

On October 29th, Texas Eta had the wonderful opportunity to host Kisses For Troops, our second time to hold this fun event! After a delicious chapter dinner cooked by our favorite Chef Sue, the Pi Phi girls donned their lipstick and best “kissy” faces and started writing and kissing postcards for our active troops. Cosmopolitan Magazine, who sponsors this event, donates $1 to the USO for each postcard signed and kissed. The postcards are then given to the troops on New Years’ Eve as a way of encouraging them and thanking them for their service with kind words and a New Years’ kiss! After writing their postcards and taking pictures with Reveille at the Kisses For Troops photobooth, the girls lined up to get a makeover from the Maybelline makeup artists present at the event. It was a fun way to celebrate sisterhood while also showing gratitude to our troops for their selfless service! Thank you to Cosmopolitan for choosing us to host this event again!

On October 26, PC ‘12 celebrated the end of their new...

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 21:05:32 -0500

On October 26, PC ‘12 celebrated the end of their new member program with family and their Pi Phi sisters at our annual New Member Presentation! Our lovely New Member Coordinator, Shannon Castille, and her fantastic committee of New Member Educators gave a wonderful overview of the new member experience, reflecting over how much the girls have learned and have grown throughout this time. A few of the girls also came up and shared stories of their favorite moments in their new member period from New Member Retreat to mixers to Big/Little Reveal week! Throughout their time as a new member, each girl is educated about the history, purpose, mission, and values of the sorority. Pi Phi strives to instill in each of its members the 8 Pearls which represent our core values: Love, Patience, Self-Control, Charity & Service, Purity, Unselfishness, Sympathy, and Friendship. During the ceremony, 8 of the new members were nominated by their peers and awarded with one of the 8 Pearl awards for showing one of these Pi Phi values throughout the semester. Our 8 Pearl winners this year were: Helengrey Simpson, Samantha Duffey, Elisabeth High, Caity Tarabocchia, Shelby Edmiston, Laurelyn Kelly, Mary Claire Pollard, and Mary Allison Ethridge! Each girl was then presented to the chapter by her father and Big Sis! It was a fun way to celebrate the end of pledgeship and the start of each girl’s journey as an official Pi Phi member! Congratulations PC 12!

CONGRATULATIONS TO MISS OCTOBER: Shannon Castille! 1. Where are...

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 00:53:26 -0500

CONGRATULATIONS TO MISS OCTOBER: Shannon Castille!

1. Where are you from?

Midland, Texas!!!

2. What PC are you in?

PC’10

3. What is your major?

Community Health (Psych minor)

4. Outside of Pi Phi, what are you involved in?

This very moment: SCHOOL!

However, last semester I babysat for a WONDERFUL little girl with Autism who just recently had her 8^th birthday party (glow-in-the-dark balloons and homemade donuts made for a special day)!!! I have so missed seeing her after school the first half of this semester but planning on starting back up with her very soon “BIG YAY!”

5.Inside of Pi Phi, what have you been involved in?

New Member program has just come to a close! The whole experience was great! PC’12 is SO AWESOME & I have learned so so much from the position.

I was on DTA committee last year… (coral comfort colors!)

6. What is your favorite of Pi Phi value and Why?

Sincere Friendship. I feel that genuine friends make such a difference in every aspect of life. Pi Phi not only brings together so many incredible girls but also puts such an emphasis on this value and THAT’S why it is my favorite.

7. What is your favorite Pi Phi memory?

EASILY road-tripping with Beth P & Brooke H across America!!! Straight from finals to the Fort, Lake Palo Pinto, MITLAN, alien museum at Roswell (ha!), Grand Canyon, and then BEAUTIFUL CALIFORNIA. Awesome Pi Phi road trip :)

8. What is something that you will take away from your college experience?

The importance of quiet times! These wonderful four years can be easy, fun, enjoyable days but college is unavoidably sprinkled with days that are stressful, scary, or push me out of my comfort zone. I think that (even more than the academic knowledge, experiences, friends, and challenges) the lesson of making time to be still and in the Word daily will be what is relevant to EVERY day of the rest of my life, no matter the circumstances.

9. What are you passionate about?

My family!!! I aspire to be the spitting image of my mother & my dad is my most treasured friend. I have two older brothers (such gentlemen) and a simply wonderful, classy younger sister. I LOVE THEM each so so dearly.

Making people know that they are important & loved no matter what. Working at Hope Pregnancy Center (as well as babysitting Alena) have been the greatest opportunities of my college experience & have shaped this passion.

10. What is something random/funny fact about yourself?

I don’t like to watch movie previews… Scuba certified? (But NOT as cool as Sarah Joy!)

11.What are your plans for after graduation?

THAT I couldn’t tell ya… Maybe dental hygiene?

Congratulations to the lovely Miss Morgan Greco, our very own...

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 11:53:01 -0400

Congratulations to the lovely Miss Morgan Greco, our very own Vice President of Member Development, and…Texas A&M’s Sorority Woman of the Year!!! Morgan was nominated for the award by a fellow Greek and chosen out of a pool of incredibly well-qualified applicants. She was recognized for her service to Pi Phi in various ways and the Greek community as a whole for the academic precedents set through her work as VPMD. She has been a true leader in the chapter and in every way deserves this prestigious recognition. We are so thankful for you and could not be more proud of you Morgan!

Photos from Pi Phight, our very first date party of the year!

Sat, 06 Oct 2012 15:31:45 -0400

Photos from Pi Phight, our very first date party of the year!

This past week was Big/Little Revelation week for PC ‘12!...

Sat, 06 Oct 2012 15:31:25 -0400

This past week was Big/Little Revelation week for PC ‘12! Throughout the week, the girls were showered with baked goods, candygrams, and cryptic clues from their unknown Big, but on Thursday they finally got to find out the identity of this mysterious gift-giver. The girls lined up outside of the chapter room dressed in a costume to match their Big Sis for the “reveal.” Once ready, the girls were ushered in one at a time to run in and meet their Big in an epic embrace. The rest of the night was spent taking pictures and hanging out with their new Pi Phi Phamilies!

Two weekends ago, Texas Eta hosted our annual Dad’s...

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:50:41 -0400

Two weekends ago, Texas Eta hosted our annual Dad’s Tailgate at General Weber’s backyard before the South Carolina State game! Dad’s Tailgate is an event we always look forward to and this year’s definitely didn’t disappoint! The girls and their families snacked on fajitas and guac and all the Dad’s received a Pi Phi Dad baseball cap as a gift for attending the tailgate! What a fun afternoon for all! Thank you to all the Dads and families who attended; we can’t wait to see you back next year!

MISS SEPTEMBER

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 16:22:40 -0400

NAME: Sarah Stimson

MISS: Universe

Where are you from?

Dallas, TX

What PC are you in?

‘09

What is your major?

Communications with a minor in Art

Outside of Pi Phi, what are you involved in?

haha I’m sorry, but straight up nothing. I have dabbled in other organizations here and there throughout college, but Pi Phi is my main deal now. Between that and my personal studies, I stay pretty busy. Sorry 4 being a L0ser.

Inside of Pi Phi, what have you been involved in?

I was t-shirt chair freshman year, which was really where I peaked. From there I went on to become Vice President of Housing, but I might as well have been “Lice President”, if y’know what I mean (it was a hard year for the house girls. Lotta tears. Lotta haircuts.) No, I really am kidding, being on exec was really special for me. I was also the committee chair for hospitality in recruitment for the past two years, and I got to be conversation chair last year, as well! One year I was head of the Pi Phi book club, and also had the distinct honor of being its only enrolled member!

What is your favorite of Pi Phi value (Honor and Respect, Integrity, Lifelong Commitment, Personal and Intellectual Growth, Sincere Friendship, Philanthropic Service to Others) and Why?

Obviously sincere friendship is a very special value, and one that has affected my life deeply. I think, though, that Personal and Intellectual Growth has been a favorite for me. I have changed and learned so much in college about who I am and how I relate to people. Pi Phi has really guided that. I am also pretty serious about my personal pursuit for knowledge and my studies of human interaction. As a person, an artist, a woman, and as a Pi Phi, I consider it of highest importance to pursue personal and intellectual growth daily.

What is your favorite Pi Phi memory?

Geez, there are a whole lot. For me, living in the house was the best thing. All of it. Laughing a ton, prayers before dinner, staying up too late studying or not studying or eating Fuego or doing puzzles, talking in the mini kitchen and hearing about girls’ lives—who suspected she would get engaged soon, who was having a crummy week and needed to talk, who wanted to have a dance party and look like idiots tryin to work it to rap music. I’ve made a lot of incredible friends and memories and shoot I really have laughed so, so much. Somehow through those little moments of laughing and sunshine and running like mad to catch the bus for class, I learned to care about Pi Phi—its present, its future, and even its history. Come on now, let’s all get tattoos to commemorate!

What is something that you will take away from your college experience?

This: I am different from you. You are different from me. Now let’s love each other really really well.

What are you passionate about?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA everything, man. I am passionate about the confusing and incredible and transcendent love of God the Father. My family, Art, learning learning learning every single day. I’m passionate about words. I’m passionate about hands. I’m passionate about people watching. I’m passionate about big cities and roads to nowhere. I’m passionate about the flickering, neon Velocity sign on Harvey Road. Everything, man.

What is something random/funny fact about yourself?

When I was about 5 I made up an imaginary grandfather whom I named Crying. Both of my grandfathers were alive, I had no need to replace either of them, but I created this fictitious companion anyway. My parents, who thought my tales of Grandfather Crying were hilarious, often asked me how he was doing and what we were up to. Apparently I tired of their constant questioning. Soon, I made up the excuse that he had gone to jail. When this did not stop their interest, I told them he had died. That’s right, I killed off my own imaginary grandfather with my mind.

What are your plans for after graduation?

A big dream for me is to work in retail visuals (window displays) for the store Anthropologie. While this is still a goal for me, lately I’ve been thinking I may go to grad school for a Masters degree in Fine Arts. Before that, I’d like to work for about a year for a woodworker in Dallas whom I worked for last summer. He is way cool, and I think I still have a lot to learn from him before I go to grad school. Ultimately, I’d like to work in a creative field that allows me to use my hands and brain a lot. I’d like to be a really loving mother and marry a superbly sexy man of God.

Sweet Home Pi Beta Phi! This year Texas Eta welcomed 56 new...

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 15:26:19 -0400

Sweet Home Pi Beta Phi! This year Texas Eta welcomed 56 new angels into PC ‘12! Decked out in bandanas, jean shorts, and everything country, the chapter was so excited to meet the newest edition to the chapter! Bid Day 2012 was a blast complete with live country music from Allen Duhon and BBQ for dinner. WE LOVE YOU PC ‘12!

PI PHI DOES IT BETA. #recruitment2012

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 15:19:19 -0400

PI PHI DOES IT BETA. #recruitment2012

Texas Eta claims #1 in grades once again with a GPA of 3.43, the...

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 14:59:35 -0400

Texas Eta claims #1 in grades once again with a GPA of 3.43, the highest in Texas Eta history! #beautyandbrains The chapter found out about the award by racing to put together two puzzles, one reading “#1 in Grades!” and the other “Highest GPA in Texas Eta history!” The girls were ecstatic for their achievements as a chapter and were rewarded with free dinner from the Chef Tai Veritas food truck! Way to go TEXAS ETA!

Below is a guest blog from the lovely Sarah Stimson who spent...

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 20:08:17 -0400

Hammer-drilling some bathroom tile

Table saw

Caught in the middle of transferring some drawings

Turning a column on a lathe! (my favorite)

Planing

Proud and silly at the lathe

Lunch

Sad to say goodbye to the bathroom remodel

Showin love to the cabinets

Carving for a cabinet

Below is a guest blog from the lovely Sarah Stimson who spent her summer apprenticing under a carpenter in Dallas! In her own words…

Here are a few photos of me at work during the best summer of my life.

Last summer I lived in NYC, doing my dream internship with my dream company in a dream city. I teared up constantly at the excitement of it all. The fulfillment. I kind of thought it’d be all downhill from there. I thought every future job would pale in comparison. Little did I know what was in store.

I’ve spent the last 9 weeks working for a custom craftsman. He is a woodworker who makes the most luxurious, breathtaking furniture and carvings I have ever seen. He is truly an artisan, keeping alive a dwindling trade. It has been an immense honor to feel like in a very small way I am learning skills and techniques that have been passed down for centuries. In essence, this is actually very sentimental work. I find it extremely rewarding.

The credit for my enjoyment in my work this summer goes entirely to my boss, though. I have very much enjoyed carpentry and hope to continue learning about it. The idea of it really inspires me very deeply. However, I could’ve learned about carpentry in a lot of different environments and not enjoyed it as much as I have. Ultimately, working with Paul has been the grand hilight of the experience. I can’t really put it into words (I think I might cry). He is a gentle but exciting and unusual person. He is an artist, and he has been generous with me in sharing his knowledge of many crafts and with his resources. He has become one of the best friends I have ever known. I will miss working with him every day and the freedom of sharing my thoughts without hesitation. They don’t really make his brand of cool anymore.

I think my favorite experience, probably, was getting to learn about carving. Rough carpentry was the practical side of what I needed to learn, but carving was the artistic side of what I truly wanted to learn. The tools are so beautiful, the process is tedious but engaging, and the result is gorgeous. I wanted all of it. Paul, my boss, may never admit it to you, but he is truly a master of this craft. Learning how to carve under his instruction was truly a once in a lifetime experience. I hope I’ll never forget it. I hope that I’ll also continue learning how to carve.

On my last day of work, Paul and I did some drawings in a cool historic cemetery that has kind of been our spot this summer. After that and lunch, we did a relief carving of a skull and crossbones into some honduran mahogany. It was the best day. The best summer. And that’s that.

Summer Spotlights

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 12:42:35 -0400

This summer PC ’11 Sophomore Emily Gray had the wonderful opportunity to travel on a mission trip to Haiti with Watermark Community Church. Emily has always had a heart for Haiti, and had gone on the trip last year as a high school student, returning this year with the privilege of being a college leader! Watermark partners with an organization called Mission of Hope in Titanyen, Haiti about 45 minutes away from the capital Port Au Prince. In the mornings, the group led a Vacation Bible School program at the MOH campus, playing with the kids and teaching them about the Bible. In the afternoons, they did a range of activities from painting houses and playing soccer with the villagers to serving families in the community by washing dishes and getting water for them from the well. What an incredible way to serve a community still suffering from the destruction in 2010. We are amazed by your servant heart Emily!

Summer Spotlights

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 19:35:47 -0400

PC ’09 Senior Kara Leaman has spent Summer 2012 working her way through Asia. Kara started her summer abroad in Singapore with her family, then moving to Shangai for 5 weeks taking Chinese and business courses. After that she spent a week sight-seeing in Beijing and for her final 5 weeks will be studying Chinese Language and Culture in Chengdu, finishing up with a week in Hong Kong! WOW! While there, she has also taken weekend trips to nearby small towns. Here is the link to her blog if you want to read more about Kara’s travels: http://thepandamurmurs.blogspot.com

Pi Phi love from the Great Wall!

Summer Spotlights

Sun, 29 Jul 2012 17:57:47 -0400

PI PHI TAKES CAMP OZARK!

This summer PC ’11 members Brooke Gentry, Kourtney Kern, Sarah Page, Laine Stebbins, and Abbie Thames, as well as PC ’09 member Allison Haynie have been rockin’ their chacos and one-pieces working this summer at CAMP OZARK, a Christian summer camp in beautiful Mount Ida, Arkansas. The girls have all served in various ways at camp as counselors or in hands-on work cleaning and preparing the camp for the summer as a part of the SWEAT team. While there they also met some Pi Phis from other chapters from all over the United States, as well as some of our fellow SEC students! WHOOP! PPL from Arkansas!