Alpha Chi Omega - University of Missouri

3 Alpha Chi Omega SISTERS IN THE BOND S tanding on the 45-yard line of Faurot Field, Ellie Scheer '17 holds an unopened envelope. An anxious yet excited energy fills the stadium as eyes turn toward the jumbotron starting to count down the seconds. 3…2...1… Ellie rips open the envelope and reveals three life changing words: Alpha Chi Omega. As she makes her celebratory run toward Alpha Nu's giant letters, two familiar faces watch her with excitement and joyous tears filling their eyes. "I was praying she would go ΑΧΩ," Cindy Harriman Scheer '89, Ellie's mother said. "Watching her hug her sisters, feeling like she was home was so amazingly cool. My pledge sister Alyssa Box Sapp '89 and I cried when Ellie and Bri Sapp '17 came up to us and gave us hugs—not only as our daughters, but now our sisters in the bond." As for Ellie, she jokes, "Who knew that my mom would one day be my sister!?" Though there's not a day that goes by without Cindy reminding her daughter of their sisterly bond, the two have more in common than a shared last name and joining Alpha Nu. From their reasoning to joining the chapter to the Alpha Chi Omega traits they exemplify today, Cindy and Ellie could be mistaken as more than mother-daughter, or even sisters, but identical twins. Despite the years between their times as freshman potential new members, something about Alpha Nu stood out to both Scheer women—the chapter's real and welcoming atmosphere. "I'll never forget sitting in the formal room on preference day chatting with Alpha Chis and feeling so welcomed and at home. I wanted to move in that day," Cindy recalls. Ellie adds, "I knew ΑΧΩ was the house I was meant to be in during sisterhood round. I remember sitting in my chair looking around at the current members and the PNMs and feeling so close and content with knowing I would be spending the next four years with these girls around me." As for living out Alpha Chi Omega values, both women see a strong sense of leadership in one another. "Leadership is something I have known my mom to exemplify from the day I was born. She is such an inspiration to our community and to me," Ellie said. This leadership Ellie sees when her mother provides for her family, including her sister, Claire, who has Aicardi Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. "She does everything she can for both me and my sister, who relies on both of us for everything in her day-to-day life. On top of mom's full-time job, she plans a conference for those with this disorder every two years, with people surrounding her with help and love. She is just such an incredible woman who is all Alpha Chi Omega." In Cindy's eyes, Ellie exemplifies strong leadership skills and academic interest. "As I watch her grow into a beautiful young woman I see her strong desire to do good in the world by helping others and being a true leader. Being a biochemistry major is so difficult, but her strong desire to help others and her drive to want to help find a cure for epilepsy defines her as a strong leader and student of medicine." As Ellie begins her second year as an Alpha Nu sister, she's already learned how to become a hardworking and strong woman for others on campus and in the community. "Being able to show my community how much this sorority has shaped me for the better, in kindness and work ethic, is nothing short of amazing. I love this sorority and the friends it has given me with everything I've got." While the rest of Ellie's collegiate years are ahead of her, Cindy happily reflects on hers, remembering initiation, being pinned at serenades by her now-husband, finding the last piece of a puzzle to reveal Amy Dowell '88 as her pledge mom and more. After graduating from Mizzou, Cindy became a seventh grade teacher, transitioned to third grade, and now has her dream job as the library media science/technology teacher. Additionally, she has served on the Aicardi Syndrome Foundation conference committee, the Wine, Dine, and Whinny fundraiser committee and the All Abilities Athletics committee. "Giving back to the community and raising awareness of Aicardi Syndrome and kids with developmental delays has always been near and dear to my heart. Encouraging the next generation to do the same is very important to me." Cindy and Rick live in New Haven, Mo., where they own Scheer Dairy Farm and can be reached at cjoscheer9904@gmail.com. Ellie entered her sophomore year at Mizzou this fall and can be reached at elliescheer1999@gmail.com. "I was praying she would go ΑΧΩ. Watching her hug her sisters, feeling like she was home was so amazingly cool. My pledge sister Alyssa Box Sapp '89 and I cried when Ellie '17 and Bri Sapp '17 came up to us and gave us hugs—not only as our daughters, but now our sisters in the bond."— Cindy Harriman Scheer '89

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