Sigma Kappa - University of Florida

2 Beta Tau ConnSKtion Michelle Morris Ciolek '91 (Continued from page 1) Michelle has had the opportunity to visit the chapter house over the last several years and has been impressed with the openness and polite welcome she received from the active members. "The changes in technology have brought the house a long way," Michelle said. She recalls talking to one member on a house tour about some of the changes that the decades have brought on. "One of the girls pointed at a small closet and asked 'What did you all use this for?' I thought it was a trick question because it was the phone closet. Back in my day the phone would ring throughout the house until someone answered it, and you could use that room to take your call. The sister replied, 'That's what I thought; it's a storage closet now."' Michelle lives in Weston, Florida, with her two children. Kaitlyn will soon be 11 and will be in sixth grade this fall and Taylor will turn 9 in September and is going into third grade. Michelle fills her time outside of work with her kids' activities and working out, which includes training for triathlons. You can contact Michelle at michelle.ciolek@oci.fda.gov. B eing a member of Sigma Kappa gave Martha Potts Pace '57 the opportunity to grow and thrive as a leader. "I love to do organizational work, and the sorority gave me the opportunity to get involved," Martha said. Even though she went through recruitment her freshman year, she didn't join until she was a sophomore, making sure Sigma Kappa was the right fit for her. Martha's love for working with people quickly led her into the position of recruitment chairman. She recalls meeting Sandy Peterson Francis '59 in a math class during her junior year and inviting her to a Sigma Kappa recruitment event. As it turns out, Martha was a better recruiter than she was at math; she dropped the class but gained a Beta Tau sister! She and Sandy remain friends today. Martha earned a bachelor of arts in secondary education and later obtained a certificate in elementary education. She remains involved with Sigma Kappa as an alumna and has enjoyed the opportunity to meet other sisters such as Ruth Murray Cruickshank, Phi '19, University of Rhode Island, who had been Martha's teacher in junior high school. "It was great to get to know her in a different way, as an adult," she said. Martha's involvement with the Beta Tau house corporation led to the opportunity to go to national convention in San Juan and Boston. "If I hadn't joined a sorority I don't think I would have realized how much I enjoy organizational work," Martha said. While she enjoyed her career as a teacher, Martha found that she was happiest when she had other activities outside of the work and home to utilize her skills. Sigma Kappa has helped to fill this need for volunteerism and civic engagement. Martha has also been involved with political campaigns, her local arts council, and theater groups. She enjoys staying active and engaged in her community. "I'm not happy with just a career or just a family. I want my family, my friends, and to be doing something outside the family that I am of service to and an important part of," Martha said. Martha and her husband, William, a Phi Gamma Delta, live in Palatka, Florida. The couple has three children. Martha is still active with Beta Tau alumnae functions and loves receiving news from the chapter and her sisters. You can contact her at mostlymartha1@yahoo.com. Sigma Kappa Gave Martha Potts Pace '57 Opportunity to Thrive Sisters Reconnect Beta Taus have made many memories over the last 65 years. If you have photos you would like to share, please send them by e-mail to btcorporation@gmail.com or mail to 5745 SW 75th Street #202, Gainesville, FL 32608. Blast from the Past

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