Pi Beta Phi - Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University PAGE 3 K ylie Vincent Early '06 was drawn to Pi Beta Phi because of her legacy connection and friends from high school who joined before her. She stayed for the Sincere Friendships and community of support. As a member of Texas Eta, Kylie gained a sense of pride in supporting and giving back to the community. She also valued being part of an organization where excellence in academics was not only encouraged but expected. One of Kylie's fondest Pi Phi memories was an impromptu road trip with a few of her sisters sophomore year to Poteet to see the largest strawberry and attend the salsa festival in Three Rivers, Texas. "We still laugh reminiscing about the mishaps we encountered along the way." Kylie also has special memories of her time living in the house, whether it was late-night study sessions before finals or gathering for dinner in the dining room. "Living in the house was also when I really connected with my sisters and forged the strongest friendships." Since the house was an integral part of her undergraduate experience, Kylie sees value in improving it, which is why she supports Follow the Arrow Home: Building on 40 Years of Sisterhood. "I am involved in the campaign because I want to give back to an organization that gave me so much and I want to do something to foster the opportunity for future sisters to have a similar experience," she explains. "I would encourage other alumnae to reflect on those cherished memories from their undergraduate experience and do the same." In her career, Kylie is the owner of Kylie Early Travel, which she started in 2021 after working in-house for a travel agency. "During a time when the travel industry was really struggling after the pandemic, I didn't know what to expect, but it's been tremendously rewarding growing my business and forming relationships with my clients," she says. Along with growing her business from the ground up, Kylie's career highlights include traveling to amazing places around the world, including gorilla trekking in Uganda and sailing the Galapagos Islands. Kylie and her husband live in Houston with their two dogs and are expecting their first child this summer. In her free time, Kylie enjoys exploring new places, visiting museums, reading and trying new foods and restaurants. She is forever grateful to Pi Phi for giving her authentic lifelong friendships. Her sisters have become a second family to Kylie. They encourage her personally, spiritually and professionally, and have been there for her through joyous and difficult times. Although they are scattered across the country, the sisters speak daily on a group text thread and get together for a reunion every year. They have reunited at each other's weddings, the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque and the mountains of Colorado. "Every time we are together, I leave feeling uplifted and connected," she says. You can connect with Kylie at kylie.v.early@gmail.com. Grateful for Pi Phi Kylie Vincent Early '06 on Giving Back to the Organization That Gave Her So Much Kylie in South Africa. T exas Eta has excelled this school year, staying true to our mission to promote Sincere Friendship, develop women of intellect and integrity, cultivate leadership potential and enrich lives through community service. I am beyond thankful to be able to lead and serve this organization full of influential and inspirational women. This spring, 140 members served the College Station community as a part of The Big Event, and many members were on staff. Together, Pi Phi volunteered at 20 locations in just one day! Texas Eta also won the Derby Days competition hosted by Sigma Chi. During this weeklong competition, we raised money for the Huntsman Cancer Institute and our own philanthropy, The Boys and Girls Club of the Brazos Valley, which has continuously been a focal point in our membership experience. The opportunity to serve the kids at the club and advance our Read > Lead > Achieve ® initiative has been an invaluable experience for every member. This semester, we will log approximately 1,600 service hours. During our spring philanthropy event, Dodge the Arrow, we invited organizations across campus to participate in a dodgeball tournament for the chance to raise money for BGC and their local philanthropies. Committed to Community and Academics Texas Eta Members Remain Leaders in College Station (Continued on page 4) Sisters at the ring pass for Rebekah Sutton '20, who is engaged to Luke, the son of Jennifer Turman Smith '95! Pictured, from left: Elisa Irish '20, Katarina Mcilveene '22, Rebekah, Harper Hightower '22, Leah Goss '21 and Kate Patterson '22.

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