Member of the Week: Meet Kristen Lee!

            Hello! My name is Kristen Lee, and I am a senior Nutrition and Dietetics major here at USM. I am in PC ’11, which is “senior pledge class” this year, (I am still trying to get used to this!). Last year, I was the secretary of Chi Omega, so I was always the loud one calling roll at functions and events to make sure that all the Chi Omegas were present. Being secretary really opened my eyes to the chapter’s diversity, and it helped me learn how to balance my time and prioritize. Being secretary was definitely a privilege because it allowed me to get to know each member on a more personal level, even more so than I already did. Although we are one of the largest sororities at Southern Miss with about 160 active members, it is not difficult to get to know each member of the chapter. This is one of the aspects that I love most about Southern Miss Greek Life. Southern Miss Greek Life has big enough chapters to make a difference, but small enough to get to know everyone in the chapter. 

            Since I am a nutrition major, I am involved in a couple of nutrition related clubs. I have been a member of the Student Dietetic Association for three years, and I have recently been elected as the treasurer for the upcoming school year. I was elected to be an ambassador for the College of Health two years ago. Both organizations focus heavily on campus and community involvement in their own ways. Greek Life has helped me become involved on campus because it introduces me to new people every day and I always have a Chi Omega advisor who is willing to write a letter of recommendation for me.

            As I am trying to think of a favorite memory at USM, I notice that they all involve Chi Omega in some way. With that being said, one of my favorite USM memories is Songfest, which is Chi Omega’s philanthropy event. Now, I know you’re thinking that I had to put that down, but the truth is, I didn’t! Songfest is the oldest and largest Greek event on campus, and if that does not convince you how incredible Songfest is then you really just need to see it for yourself. It is entertaining, funny, and beautiful. Every member of every Greek organization is involved, and last year we raised over $50,000 for our philanthropy, Make A Wish! With this year being my last Songfest, I am really upset, but I rest easy knowing that I can always come back each year since it is open to the community.

            If I had to choose one word to describe myself, it would probably be sassy since Beyoncé is sassy and she is my idol. My favorite hobby (as cheesy as it may sound) is riding around with my besties jamming to Taylor Swift, since that is what we are usually doing if we aren’t studying. My weirdest talent is probably that I can twerk on my head. Feel free to be amazed. If I had to choose one food to eat every day for the rest of my life, it would probably be something involving chocolate.

            Finally, I believe that happiness is something you create for yourself. It is not something that you can wait on others to create for you. My idea of happiness is a sound mind, a happy heart, and a healthy body.

Xoxo,

Kristen Lee & the Epsilon Delta Chapter of Chi Omega

Member of the Week: Meet Rachel Smith!

Hi! My name is Rachel Smith and I am a junior at the University of Southern Mississippi. I pledged Chi Omega my freshman year and I am a member of the 2012 pledge class. I serve as the Corresponding Secretary on the Cardinal Cabinet board of Chi Omega. As corresponding secretary, it is my responsibility to communicate with other organizations and Greek chapters in the community on behalf of the Epsilon Delta Chapter. Although my role as Corresponding Secretary is business-like and kind of behind-the-scenes, serving on Cardinal Cabinet has been truly wonderful. I have enjoyed growing close with this dedicated group of girls, and working with them to ensure the success and overall well-being of our chapter has been very rewarding and exciting!

Other than Chi Omega, I am very involved on campus at USM through the organizations, Eagle Connection and Diamond Darlings. Eagle Connection is a group of student ambassadors that recruit and give tours to prospective students. Being selected to be a member of the Eagle Connection team is a competitive and nerve-racking process. Luckily, I was successful with the advice from other Chi Omegas that were experienced Eagle Connection members. Being an active member of Eagle Connection has been terrific in many ways. I have especially enjoyed getting to know and grow close to the other student ambassadors. I enjoy having the opportunity to contribute as a team to leave Southern Miss better than I found it. Diamond Darlings is a group of young women who help out with all kinds of exciting things at baseball games. Through Diamond Darlings I was able to establish friendships with young women in other Greek chapters, as well as spend time with other baseball-lovin’ Chi Omegas! Besides involvement with these organizations, you might also see me on campus working as a technical assistant in Cook Library. I have worked in the Learning Commons of the library since my freshman year. I love my job because I get to interact with and assist the majority of  students on campus, which this makes me happy because I love being a part of other students’ personal experiences here at Southern Miss.

My favorite spot on campus is an area that many students consider to be “the front” of campus. Between the oldest and most beautiful buildings on campus and hovering, ancient oak trees, is a beautifully landscaped and serene place. I have spent many lunch hours relaxing on benches in this area. This is without a doubt my happy place on campus.

Although I enjoy doing almost anything, the thing I do the most and enjoy the most is spending time with my family. I have a sort of large, but absolutely goofy, family that I love very much and never get tired of spending time with. I am happiest when cutting up with them. With my family’s help and support, I will be going on the British Studies program this summer to study in London! I am very excited to travel abroad and not only meet new people, but also see the sights with other Chi Omegas too!

If I had to choose one food to eat everyday for the rest of my life, it would undoubtedly be chocolate. Any chocolate, all chocolate, I love it!   

Overall, being involved on campus and joining Greek life has enriched my college experience in so many ways! It has opened doors to solid friendships and opportunities for which I am already seeing the benefits of networking opportunities! Also, I will be moving into a cottage with four pledge sisters in the fall along with giving eagle connection tours during which my love for the chapter and the University of Southern Mississippi will only grow!

Xoxo,

Rachel Smith & the Epsilon Delta Chapter of Chi Omega 

Member of the Week: Meet Alicia Frazier!

Hey Y’all,

My name is Alicia Frazier and I am a Senior Communication Studies major from Petal, Mississippi. I am a member of the 2011 pledge class for Chi Omega here at Southern Miss and currently I am serving the chapter as Secretary.

Though Chi Omega has provided so many leadership and service opportunities to me while being a student here at Southern Miss, it has not limited my involvement in other areas. Just this past year I was the Secretary for Eagle Connection, the student recruitment team, and was an officer for the Eagle Ambassadors football recruiting organization. I also had the distinct privilege of serving as a Southern Style Ambassador for 2013. Other areas where I am and have been involved on campus are the Luckyday Scholarship program, Campus Crusade for Christ, and the Diamond Darlings. One of my other favorite involvements was Freshman Associates for 2011-2012.This year, I will be an executive board member for Golden Eagle Welcome Week, or better known as GEWW. In addition to my campus involvement, I have also had two jobs here at Southern Miss, one in the Office of Admissions as a student tour guide, and another as a Summer Conference Ambassador.

Now before any of this involvement was ever a thought in my imagination, I had to make a simple choice. I chose to “Go Greek.” Sorority recruitment and joining the Greek community singlehandedly opened the door for me, a clueless freshman, to get involved and be a leader here at Southern Miss. The deep friendships and connections that Greek life encourages is what makes the experience unlike any other on the university scale.

It is truly difficult to pin down one favorite memory/experience/spot on campus that I would claim as my own. To be honest, this entire campus would have to be my favorite and I could not say that I have ever had a bad experience. To choose one thing though would have to be the Southern Miss Founders and Awards day every spring. This is a time for alumni and current students to be together as the Golden Eagle family and celebrate the history and growth of our beloved university. Southern Miss has worked hard to get to where we are today; nothing was given to us or handed over on a silver platter. This lesson in hard work and dedication is something that any student can take away, but Greek life teaches its members that and so much more.

Fun Facts:

Describe yourself in one word: 

-Industrious
What is your favorite hobby? 

-Yoga
What is your weirdest talent?

-I am surprisingly good at remembering people’s names after I meet them one time. It might be a little creepy. 
What is your idea of happiness? 

-All of my Pinterest boards coming to life at my home, in my closet, in my refrigerator, etc…
If you had to choose one food to eat every day for the rest of your life, what would you choose?

-It would have to be the tomato basil soup from The Depot in downtown Hattiesburg.

Xoxo, 
Alicia Frazier & the Epsilon Delta Chapter of Chi Omega

Member of the Week: Meet Taylor Crenshaw!

           My name is Taylor Crenshaw and I am a senior music education major with a minor in Spanish. I am a member of the PC’13 of Chi Omega. As a senior, I am very involved on and off campus. I have been on the Dean’s List for 6 semesters, and have served as a volunteer tutor at local elementary schools. Along with academics, I am very passionate about my major, music. My favorite hobby is playing piano. I am a member of the USM Pride of Mississippi Marching Band, USM Basketball Pepband, and USM Symphonic Winds. I have participated in the USM Orchestra, USM Wind Ensemble, and the USM Trumpet Ensemble.

Not only am I very involved in my major, but I am also a Luckyday. Being a Luckyday Scholar has provided me with multiple opportunities. Through Luckyday, I received the study abroad scholarship and will be spending this summer in Spain. Southern Miss has been my home for three years, and the best decision I ever made was joining Greek Life. Chi Omega has brought me so may opportunities as well as friendships I could never replace. Looking into the audience and seeing a sister during a concert brings a huge smile to my face and sharing my talents and interests with my sisters lights up my world. My favorite memory of my years thus far at USM has been the opportunity to perform in Songfest. Playing my trumpet and using my abilities to benefit Make-A-Wish was an amazing experience that I will never forget.

            Happiness, to me, is leaving something or someone better than you found them. In relation to my definition of happiness, if I had to describe myself in one word, it would be dedicated. Dedication is more than half the battle of success.

Xoxo,
Taylor Crenshaw & the Epsilon Delta Chapter of Chi Omega

           

Member of the Week: Meet Sueb!

Hello! My name is Susan Walley, but I am known as Sueb. I am a sophomore at USM and a member of PC ’13. In Chi Omega, I am a member of our Cardinal Cabinet board. On USM’s campus, I am involved with Diamond Darlings and the Polymer Science Association.  

That's me! (And my sweet Biggie, Rachel!)

Diamond Darlings is a group of women who love baseball and loving helping out the USM baseball team! Through Diamond Darlings, I was able to meet other Greek women from several different chapters and make a lot of new friends while enjoying watching baseball. In the PSA, I am able to represent Greek Life among my peers, while also representing my studious side.  
Some of my favorite memories from USM so far have been spending time at the Chi Omega house and building friendships with people I did not necessarily know very well. I have also loved spending time in the Polymer Science building, where I work in the lab. I love my job and I love my coworkers. I have found my home in both of those places.  
I am pretty easy going, but I love organization. I like to have things in an organized manner. I am typically happy no matter where I am, as long as I am with the people I love.

My main hobby is Netflix, but what college student’s isn’t? However, I find myself very invested in the shows that I watch and I tend to care about the characters a little too much sometimes. Recently, I started running so maybe that will become a hobby…? If I had to pick a restaurant, I would choose Raising Cane’s, but basically I just really love French Fries (I don’t think that choice needs to be explained because it’s pretty obvious that French Fries are the best).  Through joining Greek Life, I have been able to be a part of a whole new world of experiences and I know that freshman year was only the beginning! At Southern Miss, I have found my niche and I could not be happier.

Xoxo,
Sueb Walley & the Epsilon Delta Chapter of Chi Omega