Alpha Xi Delta - University of South Dakota

page 3 page 3 Alpha Xi Delta Alpha Xi Delta W e asked the initiation class of 1996 to tell us a little about themselves 25 years after their initiation. This is what we found out! • Six out of 13 initiates are still living and working in South Dakota. Of course, they also live in three neighboring states (Iowa, Minnesota, and Colorado), but we also have sisters living in New Jersey, Virginia, Idaho, and Michigan. • Many of them have advanced degrees, including master's and juris doctorates. • Most of them are married with children and working full-time. • Among this group of 13, there are two attorneys—one was named a South Dakota Circuit Court judge—two teachers, two self-employed in business, a licensed social worker and a marriage and family counselor, a nurse, a human resource director, and a budget analyst with the Veterans Administration. SISTERHOOD IS INFINITE Highlights from a Long-Delayed Order of the Rose Celebration 25 YEARS OF SISTERHOOD AND COUNTING Sisters Share Their Most Cherished Memories of Epsilon Chapter Taylee Agard Pierre, S.D. Christina Anderson Belview, Minn. Jadyn Anderson Omaha, Neb. Ella Bradshaw Jefferson, S.D. Hannah Brooks Dakota Dunes, S.D. Sydney Conley Kansas City, Mo. Rachel Dew Brandon, S.D. Melany Melgar Enriquez Sioux Falls, S.D. Katherine Fischer Sioux Falls, S.D. Josie Hamer Sioux Falls, S.D. Keelie Iddings Sioux City, Iowa Tian Jacobs Sioux Falls, S.D. Josie Jensen Yankton, S.D. Natalie Johnson Lynd, Minn. Ellie Kendall Aberdeen, S.D. Breanna Klocke Hawarden, Iowa Summer Kostelac Charlottesville, Va. Sloane Lightfoot Aurora, Ill. Ashley Linn Brandon, S.D. Shaylee Longe Bridgewater, S.D. Keara Peplinski Pierre, S.D. Mara Rothstein Waconia, Minn. Allison Ruden Le Mars, Iowa Skyla Sanders Sioux Falls, S.D. Mallory Vetter Philip, S.D. Morgan White Elkhorn, Neb. Welcome, Welcome, NEW MEMBERS These ladies appear just as excited to be part of Bid Day as we are to welcome them into our sisterhood. A dozen sisters from the initiation classes of 1969-71 joined together in Vermillion for a celebration of the Order of the Rose. Due to a blizzard in 2019 and the pandemic in 2020, this event was a long- awaited celebration. The sisters poured over scrapbooks, shared memories and laughs, and cheered the Coyotes to a win over Northern Arizona. The resounding remark was, "Let's do this more often rather than waiting until the Order of the Pearl in 10 years." It was lovely visiting with current members and connecting with them. No matter the generation, it is clear that sisterhood is a lifelong relationship; these sisters certainly proved that with hugs, smiles, and laughs. The Founders Day ceremony and Order of the Diamond, Pearl, and Rose ceremonies are set for Saturday April 23, 2022. If you initiated in 1947, 1962 or 1972, please mark your calendars to attend. Something to help it stand out. We can't wait to celebrate with you! A lovely get-together with past and present Alpha Xis to honor the Order of the Rose recipients. Congratulations to Order of the Rose recipients. Continued on page 4 The one universal trait we found is that they have fond memories of living with their sisters in the Epsilon Chapter house. Below are some of the memories we want to share with you: "My favorite memories are being in the upstairs living area watching television with friends, sharing stories, and laughing!"–Ellie Brito Larson '96 "My favorite memory of living at 214 North Plum would be Bid Days. The days were filled with so much joy, excitement, and love. Growing up with only brothers, my Bid Day was the day I gained a bunch of sisters that help me grow so much into the woman I am today." –Jessica Munce Van Beek '96 "I have so many fond memories of my time living in the Alpha Xi Delta house, but I mostly treasure the feeling of sisterhood and

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