Pi Beta Phi - University of Southern California

ENTRE NOUS 2 TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS, Follow Your Passions, and Enjoy the Process enver native Lara Merriken '88 was 30 years old, on a hike in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, when she had an idea that would change her life. Lara set out to create a health food bar made only of fruits, nuts and spices. The initial flavors were Cherry Pie, Apple Pie, Cashew Cookie, Banana Cookie and Chocolate Coconut Chew – appealing to this self-described "junk food junkie." Her family and friends served as her focus groups. She set up shop in a small Denver duplex, her manufacturing equipment limited to a rolling pin and a Cuisinart. She spent three years doing research and development and even worked in a grocery store for $10 an hour to learn aspects of the business. Early on in the development of LÄRABAR, naysayers didn't think that Lara – who earned her USC degree in psychology and worked with at-risk children – had a chance, citing a saturated grocery market, daunting startup costs and lack of expertise. Undeterred, she never lost sight of her vision. LÄRABAR became a top-selling energy bar and sold to General Mills, where Lara serves today as creative director. "You never know where life is going to take you," Lara says. As she told the Huffington Post, "Trust your instincts and follow your passions – and most importantly, enjoy each step of the process." At USC, Lara was a walk-on for the women's volleyball team her freshman year. The next year she went through recruitment and pledged Pi Phi. Lara says the friendships she formed are her fondest memory of California Gamma. "Truthfully, college was a tough time for me," Lara says. "I felt like I didn't know who I was, how I fit into everything and where I was going, so being a part of Pi Phi was a nurturing experience. I met some wonderful friends, and our pledge class was a group of truly interesting and fabulous women. Being part of such a positive and energetic group of women was very empowering for me. "The events and formals were always fun and being both a little sister and then a big sister was very gratifying. I loved the camaraderie that living in the house provided and the opportunity to strengthen bonds with people who are still dear friends. I also had fun playing intramural volleyball for our chapter." Lara's messages of good heath, good living and good business have been seen in more than 100 publications, including Fortune, Entrepreneur, The New York Times, People and Oprah. Outside magazine called Lara one of the Top Visionaries in the United States. She has made numerous television appearances, and delivered the 102nd commencement address at Sweet Briar College. Lara is also featured on the NPR podcast series How I Built This. Lara is passionate about mentoring. She particularly enjoys sharing her story with students and up-and-coming entrepreneurs, promoting personal achievement through self- confidence, visualization and hard work. She is the mother of a young son, as well as a brood of hens and a yellow Labrador. Thank You, RECENT DONORS e sincerely thank all of our loyal California Gamma donors who have contributed since the last issue. The donors below made contributions between August 2017 and March 2018. Donors are shown in their lifetime giving categories. Eight Pearls ($25,000 and above) Arrow ($10,000 to $24,999) Entre Nous ($5,000 to $9,999) Pam Salka Wirht '78 Wine & Blue ($2,500 to $4,999) Pi Phi Love ($1,000 to $2,499) Shirley Warren Hays '53 The Allanson Family Kaitlin Allanson '15 Cookie Shine ($500 to $999) The Morris Family Liza Morris '17 Ring Ching Ching ($100 to $499) Judith Calvert Flowers '61 Janis Counts Ocean '62 Mary Ann Denzler Guilfoile '77 Vicki Graveline '89 The Binnette Family Danielle Binnette '17 The Sellinger Family Jordan Sellinger '17 The Spuria Family Nichola Spuria '15 Boom Boom (Up to $99) MAKE YOUR CONTRIBUTION ONLINE For California Gamma, giving back is easier than ever! Pi Phi donors can make electronic check or credit card contributions online by visiting contributions.omegafi.com/contributions/product/1479-piphi-ca-gamma. What could be easier? And if you haven't purchased a brick yet, you may also do so online at contributions.omegafi.com/contributions/product/1511-pi-beta-phi-usc-brick. Thank you, Angels!

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