Gamma Phi Beta - University of Iowa

2 THE RHO The First Triple Legacy in Rho Chapter Julie Hayek '71 Grew Up Gamma Phi J ulie Hayek '71 grew up spending time in the Rho chapter house because her grandmother served on the Rho House Corporation for more than 50 years. "When I was a child, she had to drag me to the chapter house for her summer meetings. I didn't like it, and didn't want to go. Eventually I was running around unsupervised, and I began to think it was my house," Julie shared. The family became involved in Gamma Phi Beta when Julie's grandmother, Louise Hoover Shellady '16, pledged in 1916. Then Louise's niece, Florence Deaton Jacobson '30, pledged in the 1920s, and Julie's mother, Jacqueline Shellady Benson '45, pledged in the 1940s. "Twice I was invited to come for little sister weekends as a high school junior, and again my senior year," Julie said. In 1970, she went through recruitment without her heart set on Gamma Phi Beta. "I loved rush, as we called it. I had no plan to pledge Gamma Phi Beta, it just turned out to be the one I liked the most. I do recall reporting in to my grandmother nightly about the chapters I'd seen that day. I remember when I told her I really liked the Pi Phi chapter, I heard her suck in her breath over the phone!" Julie laughed. Louise, Jacqueline, and Julie were the first triple-generation legacy in Rho Chapter. Julie is proud that she is still in touch with many of the sisters from her pledge class. "My pledge class is very close; many of us are in contact. They are my best friends," Julie shared. "Some gals had a reunion a year or two ago. We stayed in the house in sleeping bags on top of the mattresses. It felt exactly the same! I loved it!" Following in her grandmother's footsteps, Julie has served on the House Corporation a few times when she has been available. "I wish every graduated Gamma Phi would sit on a corporation board. They would see the devotion and gain a new perspective," Julie said. "I absolutely loved everything about living in the chapter house. I can't believe we cut our date nights short to come together for a cozy. We performed skits and laughed and sang; it sounds so corny now." Today, Julie is married to Peter Hayek. "We have a home in Iowa City, but we spend most of our time in northern Minnesota. We have two sons, Benjamin and David, one granddaughter, Anna, and two dogs and two horses," Julie shares. "I've always loved horses. I got my first when I was 12, second at 21, then after a 25-30 year break, I have an Arabian with one eye and a new Paint (QH). There is nothing I'd rather do than be with the horses." E-mail: juliehayek@gmail.com Carlyn Bradarich '10 Crowned Miss Iowa USA W hen Carlyn Bradarich '10 came to the University of Iowa she was a transfer student who didn't know many people. She knew she wanted to join Rho Chapter because it felt like home from the second she walked through the doors on the first day of fall recruitment. "The girls were so down to earth and I felt very comfortable from the start. The conversations flowed and I felt like I could easily relate to everyone," Carlyn said. Now in her senior year, Carlyn cherishes her time with Rho Chapter and loved living in the chapter house. "Living with a large group of girls was a blast. I loved how close we all got during meals, or watching our favorite shows and movies in the 'jungle', our living room area," Carlyn shared. "My favorite memories are really just from the times we would all stay up real late in each other's rooms and get to know one another." Carlyn will be graduating in May with a BBA in finance. After graduation, she hopes to continue challenging herself with new experiences and personal goals. Recently, Carlyn was crowned Miss Iowa USA 2014 while competing in a pageant for the first time. "Winning the title of Miss Iowa USA meant so much to me. When I was crowned I felt like all of my hard work and dedication had paid off. I was very proud of myself for accomplishing my goal, and the amount of confidence I gained just from that weekend is something I'll never forget." "As Miss Iowa USA 2014 I hope to accomplish a lot within my community. I recently started volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House in Iowa City. However, throughout the year I will be working with a number of other charities. I just want to get as much as I can out of this year and make it an experience that I will cherish forever," Carlyn said. Carlyn encourages her Rho sisters to get involved outside the chapter to open their eyes to new experiences. "I would just like to let the girls in Rho Chapter know that they shouldn't be afraid of stepping out of their comfort zones and trying something new. I did this with pageants, and I still feel so blessed to have won the title of Miss Iowa USA. Even if the things you try don't always work out the way you hope, there can still be a valuable lesson during the journey," Carlyn shared. "The sisterhoods you can create with the girls around you can be lifelong, and the memories you will make will last a lifetime. Get involved, try new things, and have fun because you're only young once, and these years go by fast!" Tune in June 8 on NBC to watch Carlyn compete for the title of Miss USA. Carlyn also shared that if anyone is interested in competing for Miss Iowa USA, applications are currently being accepted for this fall's state pageant. Visit www.futureproductions.net/apply for more information.

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