On Thursday, February 17th three of our sisters jumped into the freezing waters of Duck Pond for the 13th annual Polar Plunge.  The Polar Plunge raises money for the Watauga County Special Olympics.  This year there were 200 jumpers and over $8,000 was raised. Sisters (from left to right) Jade Lawrence, Caroline Harrison and, Bekah Whilden share their experience. 

All of the girls agreed that their first reaction when they hit the water was pure shock.  “It was almost as if time had stopped”, said Lawrence.  Though this was a chilling experience, each sister said it was well worth the cause. 

“The Special Olympics has always had a special place in my heart because growing up, good family friends of mine had a special needs daughter who was only a year younger than me and just to see the struggles she went through made me appreciate the things I can do. ” -Whilden

This event is especially close to Harrison’s heart since she will be working with special needs children this summer at a camp.  Harrison comments that “these children are worth the small “sacrifice” of jumping into chilly water.  They are such amazing people!”

Not only was this event beneficial to the Special Olympics, but it also strengthened the bond of sisterhood between Whilden, Harrison, and Lawrence. ”I’m just so glad that I got to share this experience not only with sisters, but pledge sisters. I feel like it brought us all closer and it is something that we will remember for the rest of our lives. I can’t wait to jump in again next year!” -Lawrence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wntqHmyuLmk&feature=player_embedded

The Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity “AOII” is a fraternity (the term sorority was not yet used) that was founded on January 2, 1987 at Barnard College.  This fraternity was founded by four adventurous women:  Helen St. Clair Mullan, Stella George Stern Perry, Elizabeth Heywood Wyman, and Jessie Wallace Hughan.  These women were determined to make a difference and leave their legacy through the creation of this fraternity.  With that being said, on a snowy day the four women climbed the winding staircase to the stack room of the old Columbian library where they pledged one another into the Alpha chapter.  Now, 131,000 women have found their home in this organization. 

Alpha Omicron Pi fraternity is now working on leaving its legacy on Appalachian State’s campus.  AOII is the newest women’s fraternity on Appalachian’s campus.  The colony class was organized in 2008.  Molly Caudill, previous president of the Sigma Gamma chapter of AOII and member of the colony class, talks about her experience in AOII in a face-to-face interview.  Caudill expresses that being a founding member had its challenges.  For example, Caudill along with the rest of the Colony class did not have anyone older to look up to as far as other sisters in the chapter.  Headquarters sent over advisers to help guide the girls in getting the chapter started.  Also, Caudill held the position of treasurer and she related her position to starting a business.  Overall though, Caudill has enjoyed seeing the fraternity grow from the ground up and how the fraternity has connected with the Appalachian community in a few short years through their local philanthropy projects. 

One of the AOII alumnae, Susan Davis, shares how she is involved in AOII after college.  Davis, who is a member of the 2001 Epsilon Gamma chapter, has served as the colony chapter advisor of AOII at Appalachian State.  Davis expresses that, “Being involved as an advisor of a colony allows me to see a different side of the organization than what I saw as a collegiate member.  Being involved as an advisor makes me want to do more volunteer work with the fraternity in the future.” (Davis)

A new member of the 2010 class, Kim New, expressed in an interview the kind of legacy she wishes to leave at Appalachian State through AOII.  New states, “I hope to make all other girls looking for sisterhood feel welcome and accepted in AOII.  I want girls to have a group of friends that are always there for them and will never judge them.  That’s what I have found with AOII and I want other girls to be able to have the same amazing experience that I am having.” (New)

Alpha Omicron Pi is striving to make an affirmative name for themselves on campus.  With leadership like Caudill’s and Davis’ and the determination of New, AOII will surely leave a positive legacy on the campus of Appalachian State as it has on many other college campuses through philanthropy and sisterhood. 

*written 10/13/2010; revised 03/15/2011

What girl doesn’t want to be pampered?  An pampering is even more fun when you’re spending quality time with your closest friends, your sisters!  The ladies of Alpha Omicron Pi, Sigma Gamma chapter at Appalachian State University enjoyed a spa evening the day before their winter semi-formal.

Chatter was constant as our sisters caught up with each other over manicures and virgin mimosas.  We even had a lady come in to wax our eyebrows.  Needless to say, by the end of the night we all felt like new women ready to hit the dance floor with our dates!

Though hours were spent beautifying ourselves, the beauty of sisterhood could not possibly be overlooked.  Gazing around the room at all of my sisters who are beautiful on the inside and out give one a feeling of comfort and a sense of home. 

A special shout out and thank you to our sisterhood chair, LaurBeth Zint for making all of our bonding times possible!