Kappa Delta - Florida State University

Why did you join Kappa Delta? I remember meeting my future big sister, Catherine Hess Reiff '95, on the initial day of recruitment, and we just clicked! It felt like we had already been friends for ages. Kappa Delta instantly felt like being at home. What made you proud to be a Kappa Alpha? I took pride in the genuine friendships and camaraderie. We truly respected and valued one another and prioritized our relationships. I also was so proud of how we carried ourselves on campus and in our philanthropic efforts. What career path did you pursue after college? I graduated in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in finance. After graduation, I worked in the medical sales field for about 10 years before starting a fashion blog, Bethchappo.com. A year after starting my blog, I secured deals with brands such as Nordstrom, Target, and Anthropologie. This motivated me to take the leap, resign from my corporate job, and focus 100% of my attention on my blog. After 11 years, I've never looked back! How did your Kappa Alpha sisters support you and your passion? I remember experiencing a range of emotions and nerves after sharing my first blog post on my Facebook page. My Kappa Delta sisters came through, and the outpouring of kindness and support from my sorority sisters was not only so heartwarming but also motivated me to continue this path. There's no better group of cheerleaders. What are your favorite memories from your time in the Chapter House? There are so many! Socials and formals, a late-night Guthrie's run, welcoming new members during recruitment, and road trips to St. George and Gainesville for the game. I also loved getting ready with sisters before a night out and eating lunch in between classes. (You never knew who you'd run into, but you knew you'd always have a place at the table!) How do you stay in touch with sisters from your era? I have a close circle that I see throughout the year. Our children are friends too, which is so special! I no longer live in Florida, so it's tougher to see everyone as often as I'd like, but we have social media to keep us all up to speed. I know when we cross paths, it will be like no time has passed. What are you up to these days? I am married to my husband, John, and a mother to my daughters, Chase and Campbell, and my son, Calvin. We reside in Zionsville, Indiana. My oldest is currently looking at colleges. We've toured FSU and stopped by KD. (She loved it, so fingers crossed!) We stay busy with sports and activities. We love to travel as a family, we spend as much time outdoors as we can, and we enjoy entertaining our family and friends. Memories to Last a Lifetime BETH CHAPPO '97 REFLECTS ON KAPPA ALPHA'S IMPACT Growth and Gatherings Growth and Gatherings Kappa Alpha Embraces New Sisters K appa Alpha kicked off our year in high spirits as our council brought home awards from the 2023 biennial Kappa Delta Convention (read about those on page 1!). It was such an incredible experience to meet Kappa Deltas from across the country and celebrate our commonalities despite geographical differences. Recruitment Success Thanks to Vice President of Recruitment and Marketing Emily Salcedo '20, we had a fun spirit week, where we held workshops that helped us prepare for recruitment and learn more about our sisters, and a successful recruitment week. On Sunday, August 27, we finally welcomed PC '23 home to our Bid Day theme: PC 23 Is Poppin'. (Special shoutout to Bid Day Chairman Emily Pakula '20, who made the day possible!) Our new member class has been graciously led by Vice President of Learning and Development Mary Mac Krause '20. She has led stage meetings for our 89 new members, teaching them about life as a Kappa Alpha. The new members had the chance to form bonds with their sisters during new member retreat, which included a sleepover at the KD house and a beach day in Panama City. Recent Events On September 24, we held our annual Color Me KD run. Through the continuous efforts of Vice President of Events and Programming Isabel Thompson '20 and Director of Philanthropy Madi Gersten '21, we were able to raise more than $19,500 for CHS and PCAA. Everyone had such a fun time working the water, color, and cheering stations throughout the 3.1-mile route. On September 28, we had our first date function of the semester, KD's $5 prom, where we dressed up in '80s-inspired dresses. Our directors of social events, Jaclyn Madson '22 and Raegan Tausz '22, did an amazing job coordinating the event. Our Mission Each semester, our governing council and executive board create a mission statement to highlight an area of sisterhood we would like to emphasize. This fall's mission statement is: "We strive to actively foster new relationships within the PCs to enhance the bond of our sisterhood." As a Chapter, we want to embrace every aspect of our sisterhood and value each member, whether they are new to Kappa Alpha or approaching graduation. We are proud to share our recent accomplishments and are looking forward to what is to come. Thank you for your constant support! Love in AOT, Elizabeth Manning '21, Chapter President Members of our recruitment team enjoy our wig day theme showcasing their colorful hair!

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