Pi Beta Phi - University of Southern California

ENTRE NOUS 2 SISTERHOOD BONDING With COVID-19 restrictions easing, we have been able to host a series of sisterhood events and look forward to hosting more to encourage sisterhood among all member classes. Throughout the past months, we welcomed our 2022 New Members with a virtual and in-person Bid Day on January 29. The following weeks consisted of a Cookie Shine, a movie night sisterhood event, and a New Member retreat on February 20 at the chapter house where members were able to share their talents and bond while enjoying a catered meal and delicious desserts. Additionally, we had a successful big/little reveal week where bigs decorated elaborate and eye-catching posters and baskets filled with goodies for their littles. The week ended with a reveal celebration on March 2 with the most creative and hilarious dynamic duo costumes and a fun karaoke night that created lifelong Pi Phi memories. Having the ability for New Members to experience these traditions again, for the first time since the pre-COVID era, has been greatly meaningful for everyone. NEW MEMBERS Although the barriers introduced by the pandemic impacted the New Member classes of 2020 and 2021, our Alumnae Advisory Committee (AAC) members and alumnae came together to plan a special event that included a reminder of Pi Phi secrets and the sharing of the California Gamma mythos. Thanks to some amazing sisters, who all dedicated their time and effort, they provided the two classes with a memorable experience to allow them to feel closer to Pi Phi and its century-old customs. This was spearheaded by: Julie Avins Long, California Epsilon '78, outgoing AAC Chair of nine years; Susie Scott Wilson, California Epsilon '78, incoming AAC Chair and outgoing AAC Member Experience; Margo Wilton Lesser '78, Region Eight Alumnae Engagement Director and member of South Orange County's California Alumnae Club; Sally Sharr Shore '79, member of South Orange County's California Alumnae Club; Sydney Robles '17, former Chapter President; and Lauren Hebroni '18, former Vice President Finance/ Housing and Recruitment. We enjoyed our Initiation Ceremony on March 27 and Parents Weekend was April 8-10. Parents Weekend consisted of a parent/ daughter bowling night and parent/daughter tea and brunch at the chapter house followed by the formal presentation ceremony of the New Member class of 2022 on Sunday, April 10. PHILANTHROPY For the first time in two years, we hosted one of our beloved fundraisers, Pi Social, on February 26. The event supported Pi Phi's philanthropic effort, with all proceeds benefiting Pi Beta Phi Foundation and Read > Lead > Achieve®. The event was open to the entire USC community and featured our famous Pie a Pi Phi tradition where members and guests were all pied in the face with whipped cream, and an Arrowman of the year was selected after competing in a talent show. Additionally, Arrowspike, our annual volleyball tournament, returned on April 29, and we had the opportunity to fundraise again for Read > Lead > Achieve®. We also have been conducting our Champions Are Readers® (CAR) program where, every Friday, a group of Pi Phi's visit the USC Magnet 32 nd Street Elementary School to provide one-on-one reading support to the first-grade class. CAR always reminds us how meaningful the work of Read > Lead > Achieve® truly is! ACADEMICS Our chapter is proud to provide a supportive academic environment to all members. Every night, the dining room is filled with studious women participating in Pi Phi's quiet study hours. Pi Phi stands out as a special organization because we have members of all different majors and interest areas ranging from engineering to entrepreneurship to cinematic arts and more. Additionally, we are so proud that our chapter's cumulative GPA consistently ranks above the all-fraternity/ sorority, all-women's, and all-undergraduate averages. Pi Phi Love, Christine Balian '21 Chapter President Together Again (Continued from page 1) Pi Phis and friends participate in a Mega Challah Bake event, learning about the traditions and cultural significance of baking Challah bread and getting to make our own from scratch. From left: Logan Forster '21, Gracie Flynn '21, and Abby Foygelman '21. Members at Pi Social in front of the pie-in-the-face board, painted by our talented Margot Ryan '19, who continued the tradition from her sister Julia Ryan '14, who painted the board used in previous Pi Social philanthropy events. From left: Jadon Davis '22, Lucy Cantor '22, Jessie Grill '22, Emily Hesby '22, Sophie Cunningham '22, and Farrah Finn '22.

• Cover