Chi Omega - University of Wisconsin

Getting Together with Your Sisters This Holiday Season? S end in your photos of you and your Chi Omega sisters as you gather together this season and into 2024! Email them to our communications coordinator, Caroline Turlington Hammond, Eta Gamma '05, at chammond@penningtonco.com "You choose them, and they choose you." That's how Genie McGlasson Castro '84 summed up her experience with Chi Omega recruitment. Genie joined Chi Omega as a sophomore and quickly encountered the exceptional support that Nu Chapter could provide. When one of her professors encouraged her to pursue a program that allowed Wisconsin- Madison students to study in New York for a year, she decided to go for it, sadly leaving her Chi O sisters behind. The following fall, she returned to the Chapter House and was welcomed back with open arms. While in New York, Genie earned her associate degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She then double majored and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with bachelor's degrees in fine arts and fashion design. "My mom inspired me to learn to sew when I was young," she shared. "All through high school, I made my own clothes and wanted to wear the cutest fashions." After graduation, Genie headed back to New York and worked in the fashion industry for eight years. She then began a new chapter by relocating to Hudson, Wisconsin, to pursue other interests. She dove into the art world, teaching an open-edition class at the Minneapolis College of Art Design. For the last 20+ years, she's been dedicating time and effort to her art career. Working in the world of art has offered Genie a variety of interesting opportunities to engage with others and support her community. As a mother of four, she enjoys volunteering in her children's classrooms, bringing art pieces to share, and organizing art shows. She was also recently able to give back to her alma mater by donating a piece of artwork to a fundraiser for student scholarships. Genie uses her skills to educate aspiring artists in a variety of environments. "I have a booth at the Minnesota State Fair and a shop on the main drag here in Hudson." She also teaches a class on printmaking and, recently, she added a photography dark room to her studio—another avenue to help fellow artists follow their passion. One of Genie's favorite visitors at her fair booth is Chi Omega sister Kimberly Kotila '84. "She encouraged me to go to our reunion last year," Genie recalled. "I was nervous, but she picked me up and it ended up being so much fun! I called my old roommate, Karyn Graske Ahern '83, who also lived nearby, and she met up with us. It was so great to see that our bond stands the test of time." When she isn't creating, Genie spends her days supporting her kids as they compete on baseball, soccer, softball, and swim teams. You can find out more about her artistic exploits on her website, www.geniecastro.com. If you'd like to connect, send her an email at genie@geniecastro.com. Members of the newest pledge class having fun at Lake Mendota. From left: Emma Herzog '23, Bella Steinberg '23, Izzy Resnick '23, Rebecca Warady '23, Danielle Glucklich '23, Jadyn Greene '23, Lili Braverman '23, and Hannah Melnick '23. LIFE IN COLOR Genie McGlasson Castro '84 Talks Fashion, Art, and Lifelong Friendships "The bonds between women who support one another and bring each other up in the world sing loud." –Genie McGlasson Castro '84 We Want to See Your Photos! Season's greetings and happy 2024 to you and your family! Go Badgers!

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