Kappa Delta - University of Illinois

Kappa Delta at the University of Illinois 3 S igma Omicron Chapter of Kappa Delta has had many exciting philanthropic, social, and sorority events over the past few months. The members hosted a spa day for the Girl Scouts, elected a new executive board, and attended semi-formal. The Kappa Deltas started the school year off with formal recruitment. We recruited a wonderful new member class of 54 women, and they got involved right away. They helped run Girl Scouts events and were able to vote and run for council. The council has three members of the new class in positions. Later in the semester, Kappa Delta hosted semi-formal, and Vice President of Public Relations Emma Perona '20 took professional photos throughout the event, which the women loved. The women of Kappa Delta are very proud of our new GPA ranking. We obtained the third- highest GPA of more than 20 sororities. This surpassed the chapter excellence goal of having a GPA in the top 10. One of the new goals is to stay within the top five GPAs on campus. We plan to do this by hosting more study hours and pairing upperclassmen with new members who have the same majors. This way, the juniors and seniors in Kappa Delta can help the younger members choose classes and join major-related campus activities. Sigma Omicron Chapter hosted four events throughout the 2016 Shamrock Week: a 5K, chili dinner, dodgeball tournament, and bake sale. Overall, Kappa Delta raised almost $25,000, which went to Prevent Child Abuse America and the Crisis Nursery. On top of Shamrock Week donations, Kappa Delta aided Crisis Nursery, our local philanthropic organization that provides 24- hour emergency care to children facing neglect and abuse at home. Every semester, Kappa Delta hosts a donation drive within the chapter that brings in food, clothing, diapers, baby formula, gift cards, and more. There are also a handful of women who work at Crisis Nursery 10-20 hours a week taking care of children and are often on call. One member, Hailey Simpson '17, worked an overnight shift at the nursery after a long day of recruitment and came back for another round of recruitment early the next day. Last semester, there were three Girl Scouts events. They started off by walking in the Homecoming parade. Next, the Kappa Deltas and the Girl Scouts went to Urbana Boulders, a rock climbing facilitiy, on International Girls Day for an event called Confidence Rocks. The most recent event was the annual Daisy Day Spa at the house, where the girls made confidence collages, did hair and nails, and learned about hygiene and the importance of washing hands. Sisterhood Chairman Rachel Napoli '19 created an event with the women of Alpha Gamma Delta, where members got together to study for upcoming finals and then watched a movie. Members of the chapter are heavily involved in external activities and clubs. Emily Jacobs '15 is the president of Shi-Ai, an organization devoted to the unification of sorority women. Emily is also a member of the Panhellenic Executive Board, serving as vice president of scholarship. We also need to extend special congratulations to recipients of the Illini Leadership Certificate: Nesma Hamouda '14, Hannah Brostoff '14, and Alyssa Vogt '14. The women of Kappa Delta are so proud to have such exceptional women as members of our chapter. Being a Kappa Delta goes beyond the four years of college. Our chapter has wonderful alumnae chapters across the country. The members are incredibly supportive and help in many ways from networking to donations. Alumnae are a special part of Kappa Delta. Lauren Prince '20 was surprised at her initiation by her mom, who is an alumna from Kappa Delta at the University of Illinois. During finals week, the alumnae chapter of Naperville so thoughtfully sent pizza to the house for a study break! KD truly appreciates its alumnae and all they do for their sisters. This year has been full of academic, social, and philanthropic success. In the future, Kappa Delta will keep these ideals and, of course, try to improve upon them. We would like to host more Girl Scouts events and raise more money for their philanthropic endeavors. The chapter also hopes to form an even better relationship with the alumnae and would love for you all to drop by the house. Your support and input is a great tool to improve Kappa Delta. Love in AOT, Sydney Rothman '19 President kdpres1@gmail.com (847) 532-9499 exceeding exPectations at every JUnctUre sigma omicron Proud of academic, recruitment, and Philanthropic achievements Kaet Czurylo '19, Valerie Sherman '19, Megan Elliot '19, and Katie Biggs '19 sharing a booth at semi-formal. Megan Lomas '20 and a Girl Scout after a relaxing day at the Daisy Day Spa! Nesma Hamouda '18 and Bianca Oddo '18 having a blast at semi-formal. Rachel Pinta '19, Kaet Czurylo '19, Sydney Rothman '19, and Shannon Balogh '19 spreading love and confidence on the quad.

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