Alpha Xi Delta Beta Epsilon

Spring 2013

Executive Board

Chapter President: Lydia Butler

Vice President of Chapter Life: Samantha Stevenson

Vice President of Membership: Kelly Swann

Vice President of Programs: Mackenzie Mahler

“Inspiring women to realize their potential.”

Xi Man Contestants Step It Up!

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Just when we thought that we had raised a record-breaking amount for Autism Speaks with the $1,900 that was raised in the 2012 Xi Man competition, the men in the competition stepped it up big time. This year, the seven contestants who volunteered their time to help us raise money for Autism Speaks beat the previous year’s record by more than $1,400!

This year we had 7 contestants compete for the ultimate chance to be crowned Xi Man 2013. Contestants this year included Vinnie Peluso (Rotaract), Jon Steben (Zeta Beta Tau), Zac Brand (ASAP), Dillon Docherty (Phi Delta Theta), Kyle Earman (ASMC), Will Deuerling (Sigma Phi Epsilon), and Nick Mariano (Phi Gamma Delta). Competing in several different categories such as talent, formal wear, being quizzed about Alpha Xi Delta’s history, and shaking their money makers on stage in the group dance, the men brought their “A Game” and had a great time in the weeks leading up to the main event.

As with every Xi Man event that we host, the main area where the men are awarded points is the fundraising aspect. This year the top two contestants beat the 2012 Xi Man winner, John Cayton’s, record of $924 raised by a single contestant.

Continued on Page 4

Vice President of Public Relations: Melinda Craddock

Vice President of Finance: Stephanie Lankford

Recording Secretary: Haley Miller

Panhellenic Delegate: Andrea Churchill

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Letter from the President Hello! My name is Lydia Butler, and I am the current president

of the Beta Epsilon chapter of Alpha Xi Delta for the 2013 year. I am so honored and excited to represent my chapter in this role and to make an impact of the chapter in a positive way. I am currently a Junior from Littleton, Colorado, and I am a Communication Studies major. I am planning to get my Master’s in Higher Education and Student Affairs after I graduate from Monmouth! I am involved in many different areas on campus including Order of Omega Greek Honor Society, Chamber Orchestra, Mortar Board Honor Society, and I am an Orientation Leader. I came to Monmouth not knowing anyone as a freshman. I chose Monmouth, because my grandparents met here, and my grandmother was an Alpha Xi Delta. I first arrived at Monmouth and did not want to join a sorority, so I did not go through formal recruitment. Instead, I was introduced to the lovely ladies of Alpha Xi Delta by my RA at the time, who asked me to come hang out with them. I was so excited after I hung out with them, and from then on I knew where I wanted to spend my college career! I am so happy that I decided to join Alpha Xi Delta. I cannot imagine my life without it. I have lived in the house since the second semester of my freshman year, and I love getting to spend so much time with my sisters. I have held numerous positions in Alpha Xi, and I honestly do not know who I would be without my involvement in the chapter. The women that I have surrounded myself with are some of the most encouraging and selfless people I have ever met. They have become my best friends, and each and every one of them embodies what Alpha Xi Delta really is. In being chosen as president, my sisters have put an immense amount of faith in me, and I am so grateful for that. I have already learned so much in my first semester as president, and I can only hope that I am able to learn and better our chapter in the rest of my time as president. This year has already been an incredible one. From Greek Week to raising over $3,400 for Xi Man, to gaining five new amaXIng sisters, I could not be more proud to lead this wonderful group. We have had many sisters reach many accomplishments from big awards to getting into Graduate programs and summer research programs. Everyone is striving to become the best version of themselves and bettering our chapter every single day. This summer I will be representing our chapter at the 50th National Convention in San Francisco with our Membership Vice President, Kelly Swann. I am looking forward to sharing our amaXIng accomplishments with other members from around the country! I am very much looking forward to where our chapter is headed. We are a strong group of women and I have no doubt that the Fall will bring many wonderful new members, memories and accomplishments that I cannot wait to see and be a part of!

Lydia Butler Chapter President

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Family Day Our second annual Family Day was

an even bigger success than last year’s. With upwards of 70 family members in attendance, sisters were able to show their families around our house and spend the day showing them what Alpha Xi Delta is all about.

This year the theme was “Just Another Day in Alpha Xi Delta Paradise.” Our hope was to show our parents how wonderful Alpha Xi is while incorporating the springy beachy theme to liven up the gloomy February day.

The activities of the day included the performance by the Sassy Lassies a Capella group, a slideshow from the year’s events, and candle passes for friendship with family members. There was also a Xi Boutique station so that sisters and families could purchase Alpha Xi merchandise.

Overall the day went very well, and we were able to share our experience of Alpha Xi Delta with family members, so that they could see what it is we are doing throughout the year.

Isabel Marshall Turns 99!

On April 24th, one of Alpha Xi Delta’s oldest Alumnae turned 99! Isabel Marshall was a member of the Beta Epsilon chapter during her time at Monmouth. To honor her on her birthday, members of our chapter visited her at her home where we sang to her and gave her a bouquet of pink roses.

Isabel made many contributions to our chapter in her time as an active member. She has lived in Monmouth for most of her life, and she has remained an active alum for our chapter over the years.

She was delighted to share stories with sisters about her days at Monmouth, and she was able to recall many fun memories that we loved hearing about. She is a beloved member of the Monmouth community, and she is someone that we hold near and dear to our hearts.

She loved telling the stories about knowing Alice, one of our founders, and about her time singing in the “Alpha Xi Trio.” Isabel is a piece of living history, and sharing her birthday with her was a wonderful and memorable experience for the sisters of Beta Epsilon.

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Continued from page 1

This year, Xi Man winner, Vinnie Peluso and Runner-Up, Dillon Docherty both raised over $1,000 each by themselves! Both men are members of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and they truly went above and beyond to raise as much money as they could in the two weeks leading up to Xi Man.

From going out into the community, family members and penny wars donations, all 7 contestants raised over $3,400 for Autism Speaks! This was a record not only for Alpha Xi Delta, but a campus philanthropy record as well. We are so honored that these men volunteered their time to help us raise money for the event. Without their enthusiasm and willingness to put themselves outside

of their comfort zones, this event would not have been possible or successful!

New Members Rachael Landrey

Year: Freshman Major: Elementary Education Hometown: Woodstock, IL Reason for Joining Alpha Xi Delta: She joined because it felt like she truly fit in, and it was a family and home away from home!

Caiti Kozelichki

Year: Freshman Major: Math/Secondary Education Hometown: Alexis, IL Interesting Fact: “I’ve been twirling baton for 13 years.” Favorite Memory of Alpha Xi So Far: “Getting to coach Will for Xi man and watching the competition. I love knowing that he, along with the other competitors, raised so much for Autism Speaks!”

Right: Philanthropy Chair, Megan Haynes with the contestants

Left: Xi Men with the ladies of Alpha Xi Delta.

Left: Xi Man, Vinnie Peluso getting Crowned.

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April is always such an exciting month for our chapter. Along with Greek Week, Senior Week, Founder’s Day and Scot’s Day, the ladies of Beta Epsilon also spent the month raising awareness for Autism. This year we did something different than we have in previous years. While we still lit up Wallace Hall’s cupola blue on World Autism Awareness Day, we were also given different challenges throughout the week from Autism Speaks.

This year they decided to do A Month with a Mission. This was meant to have continuous awareness throughout the

month in a variety of ways. Beta Epsilon contributed to A Month with a Mission in many different ways. We helped spread the petition to get the word about Autism to congress, we set up a station and allowed people to sign puzzle pieces to show their support, and we asked the other fraternities and sororities to “Light it Up Blue” alongside us.

Although we spend much of the year raising awareness about Autism through our various events, holding these simple events in the month of April allowed us to raise even more awareness in many subtle ways. The support that we received across campus was immense, making our Month with a Mission a success.

Light It Up Blue

Year: Sophomore Major: Exercise Science Hometown: Hickory Hills, IL Interesting Fact: “I’ve been dancing since I was 3.” Favorite Memory of Alpha Xi So Far: “Helping make the dance for Xi Man!”

Year: Freshman Major: Religion, History, Classics Hometown: Marissa, IL Interesting Fact: “In addition to shooting guns, I throw tomahawks, ninja stars and knives.” Favorite Memory of Alpha Xi So Far: “Finding out who my big was and watching her pop out of the box was priceless.”

New Members Kara Terisi

Katie Schmierbach

Year: Freshman Major: Sociology and Anthropology Hometown: Princeton, IL Interesting Fact: “I was a dancer for 15 years.” Favorite Memory of Alpha Xi So Far: Greek Week!

Emily Olson New

Members

Cont’d.

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For the third year in a row, Alpha Xi Delta has brought home the award for Greek Woman of the year. This year, senior Kimberley Boyd won this award for her many different contributions to Greek life over her four years here at Monmouth.

Kim has been the Greek Week director for the past three years, putting in many hours of hard work to make Greek Week a successful event. As her time in Greek Life came to a close, she was also chosen by her peers to be a speaker at the banquet, along with Sigma Phi Epsilon member, Pete Lipinski. Kim shared her story and how Greek life has impacted her life these past four years.

Kim plans to pursue a career as a teacher with her Spanish and Education background in the future.

Along with Kim Boyd, sophomore Kelly Swann was chosen as the Emerging Female leader of the Year. Kelly is currently the Membership VP for Alpha Xi and she is also involved with ASAP, WMCR and other activities on campus. She is very involved and contributes positively to our chapter in many ways.

We are very proud of both of our Greek leaders, and without their efforts we would be unable to achieve many things that we have this year. Congratulations on your awards, ladies!

Greek Woman of the Year

As the year came to a close, award banquets filled the calendars of many of our sisters. One of our most prominent sisters, Michelle Hutchison received numerous awards at these ceremonies. While being honored as Lincoln Laureate for Monmouth College, as well as being recognized as student leader of the year at the Highlander Award Banquet, Michelle was honored as the overall Senior Woman of the Year.

This award applauds Michelle’s efforts both in the classroom and in various other areas of campus including her time as a residence assistant, career assistant, and her contributions to her many extracurricular activities.

Michelle plans to attend Western Illinois University next year to obtain a Master’s Degree in College Student Personnel in the hopes of returning to work for a college or university in the Future.

Along with Michelle, freshman Haley Miller was honored as Freshman Woman of the Year for her leadership as a freshman in both Alpha Xi, and in her studies. Congratulations to both of our sisters, and we thank them for their many contributions both to our chapter and to campus!

Senior Woman of the Year

Alpha Xi Delta Beta Epsilon Spring 2012

Contact Us To make sure your alumnae information is up to date,

please contact: Jennifer Simmons at

jsimmons@monmouthcollege.edu

To learn more about Autism Speaks, please contact: Megan Haynes at mhaynes@monmouthcollege.edu

For all other concerns, please contact our chapter

president: Lydia Butler at lbutler@monmouthcollege.edu

Or write to us at

Alpha Xi Delta 318 North 9th St

Monmouth, IL 61462