Zeta ‘Zine January 2012

Introducing our New Member Class of 2012

News from the Gamma Alpha Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha

The Gamma Alpha chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha celebrated Bid Day on January 15 with a stunning new member class of 60 wonderful women.

Upcoming Events

Secret Sister RevealFriday, February 17

5:30 p.m.

Alumnae BrunchSunday, February 19

12-2 p.m.

Zeta DaySaturday, March 24

Initiation WeekMarch 26 - April 1

InitiationSunday, April 1

8 a.m.

Fashion ShowSunday, April 15

12-4 p.m.

See page 4 for more details.

For more information or to get involved, please contact:

Rachel KrantzAlumnae Relations Chair

r.krantz@umiami.edu

Vanity Adams Anastasia Gaertner Shannon O’ConnorJenny Bard Nour Ghaddar Amanda Reyes Kitty Baron Amy Goodner Jen RizzoMaty Beraja Mary Gustafson Sofi RodriguezDeanna Bova Lauren Johnson Katie RossEmily Brudner Anni Kanellopoulos Jamie SantucciShelby Byer Nora Kenny Caroline SaundersLisa Cameron Divya Korlipara Jordan SchumanBianca Chavez Andrea Lafnitzegger Stephanie SchwartzMaria Deam Kaia Lagoni Whitney SommerfeldtJessica Denorus Mary Lester Karina SomohanoOlivia Devoti Brie Maris Sabina SzczepaniecPeri Diamond Kelly Martin Briana TonnsEmily Duerr Allie Mason Talia TouboulJulie Earl Maggie McMahon Michelle WaltenburgNatalie Falcon Haley Meskunas Sammi WeissLaura Falcone Mariella Molestina Hayley WillistonLaura Fiacco Stephanie Montarroyos Jade WollschlaegerCarly Frederick Blair O’Brien Emily YorkSkylar Frisch Remi O’Connor Laurel Zaima

Recruitment 2012

While Michelle Falcone, our extraordinary Recruitment Chair, would say that we have been preparing for recruitment all year, the rest of us arrived on January 8 to participate in workshops and finish up decorations. We appreciated help from a few alumnae in practicing our Preference Night ceremony and benefitted from sisterhood bonding in the forms of an on-campus scavenger hunt and a “manicures and movies” night. Arriving a couple days early certainly contributed to our success!

Recruitment 2012 provided the perfect opportunity for us to get closer as sisters and utilize the special talents of every member. From creating the door decorations and bulletin boards, to the skit and carefully practiced ritual ceremony, the ladies of Gamma Alpha rediscovered why they call ZTA their home away from home.

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Sisterhood Bonding and Preparation

Open House Night

Philanthropy Night

On Open House Night, we sported our Panhellenic T-shirts and introduced potential new members to ZTA with a spirited football theme. Torie O’Neil, Gamma Alpha’s new Historian, made us laugh and cry with her wonderful video displaying the fun sisterhood we have in ZTA. We were excited to meet almost 475 UM girls who decided to take the leap into Greek Life this year.

With the suite doused in pink, we proudly presented our philanthropy on this second night of recruitment. We added special Gamma Alpha philanthropy footage to the national video and people were inspired by our commitment to Breast Cancer Education and Awareness. They seemed especially impressed by our annual fashion show, which raised over $50,000 last year!

Invitational Night

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Thanks to our new additions, the Gamma Alpha chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha now has about 170 members. We are excited to enhance our sisterhood and to show the University of Miami community what being a Zeta is all about through our participation in Greek Week, our 19th Annual Fashion Show, and so much more!

Invitational Night was a success, with potential new members giggling at Jeannine Scarpino, who played an overbearing Rho Gamma, and enjoying the beautiful voice of our sister Julie Bowman. The skit showcased numerous Gamma Alpha sisters’ talents, along with our overwhelming pride and sense of belonging in ZTA. As Dana Gibilaro said, “There’s no place like ZTA.”

Preference Night

On Preference Night, we enjoyed getting to know the girls who would become our sisters on a deeper level. A few tears were shed as senior Lexi Heller shared what she had gained in ZTA over the past three years, and everyone could barely contain their excitement for Bid Day!

Bid Day Bid Day began with Reveal on the Rock and lots of jubilant photos. That evening, new members arrived in style at our gracious sister Lisamarie Garcia’s house for a luau-themed dinner. We enjoyed talking to our future littles and even learned how to hula dance!

Recruitment 2012

A special thanks to Louisa Roberts, our Traveling

Leadership Consultant, and the alumnae who supported us during

Recruitment 2012! We would not have been nearly as successful without your wisdom

and assistance.

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Looking Ahead

My name is: Rachel KrantzI’ve been a Zeta since: Spring 2011My favorite ZTA memory is: getting ready for last year’s fashion show with everyone running around setting up the venue and helping each other with hair and make-up. I am studying: Public Relations and Economics, with minors in Political Science and Health Sector Management.I enjoy: Pilates, cooking, spending time with my family in Colorado, and eating lunch every Wednesday at the farmer’s market with my ZTA family.

ZTA has been the best part of my college experience so far and I’m thrilled to serve as Alumnae Relations Chair in 2012. I can’t wait to meet more alumnae and to show off our new members at the Alumnae Brunch!

My name is: Angelica SogorI’ve been a Zeta since: Fall 2008, Gamma Alpha chapterMy favorite ZTA memory is: the night of Big/Little Reveal. Not only was this night exciting and memorable for me as my Zeta family grew, but from all the smiles, surprises, and hugs that occurred in a few hours... It’s a wonderful reminder that through your Zeta sisters and Zeta family, ZTA really sometimes is a home away from home.In life after college, I have: studied at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Science to earn a Masters of Science, which I completed this past December. I am now looking forward to traveling a bit (as I write this I am currently visiting a Zeta in Los Angeles!), and I am hoping to plan an international trip in the near future, as well.I enjoy: traveling, snowboarding, running, photography, and my dog, Benjamin.

I’ve had a wonderful undergraduate experience, especially because of all the friendships I’ve made and experiences I’ve had in Zeta. I was fortunate to stay in Miami and continue my Zeta connections with the Miami Alumnae Chapter, where I have met more amazing women, and still continue to connect with the Gamma Alpha chapter. I look forward to meeting some new faces at the Collegiate/Alumnae Brunch next month!

This could be you next month! Email r.krantz@umiami.edu with your bio so your ZTA sisters can get to know you better.

A Little Bit About Your Zeta Sisters

Alumnae Brunch on February 19

Join the Gamma Alpha chapter at our suite on Sunday, February 19 from noon to 2 p.m. for brunch. We are excited to introduce our new members and to meet many of you! This is a great opportunity for alumnae to see all that our chapter has recently accomplished and to enjoy some tasty food. There’s no need to bring anything but your lovely self and your ZTA memories! To RSVP or if you have any questions, please contact Rachel Krantz at r.krantz@umiami.edu. Directions to the ZTA suite can be found to the right.

From the South: Drive north on US 1. Turn left on Granada Boulevard. Turn left on Pisano Avenue. Cross over University Drive. Make your first left into the parking lot (Doctor’s Hospital will be on your right). The Panhellenic Building is a 2 story building in front of you. Our suite is on the second floor. From the North: Drive south on US 1. Turn right on Granada Boulevard. Turn left on Pisano Avenue. Cross over University Drive. Make your first left into the parking lot (Doctor’s Hospital will be on your right). The Panhellenic Building is a 2 story building in front of you. Our suite is on the second floor.

Directions to the ZTA Suite

Fashion Show on April 15

Our 19th Annual Fashion Show is coming up on April 15 and we would love to have many alumnae in attendance! Gamma Alpha sisters are currently working to raise their fundraising goals, secure boutiques to lend us clothes, and obtain silent auction items. If you can assist us in any way, we would appreciate your help. You can contact our Fashion Show Coordinator, Dana Gibilaro, at danagibilaro@yahoo.com. The appropriate paperwork is also attached to the email in which you received this newsletter. As of February 1, the ticket price for the event will increase from $35 to $40, so get your tickets today! You’ll be happy you attended this fun event for an important cause! The theme is Strawberry Fields Forever, and includes a silent auction, luncheon, and fashion show.