ZTA: Race for the Cure

April 26, 2014 was one of the biggest days of the year for the ladies of Zeta Tau Alpha. Members of the chapter volunteered at the Ozark affiliate Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade in Rogers, Arkansas. Members got to choose how they wanted to volunteer, and served at various events. Girls worked at the Survivor’s Breakfast, Bark for a Cure, or the Race for the Cure.

Emily Trokey, a freshman, volunteered at the Survivor’s Breakfast. The Survivor’s Breakfast is an event for breast cancer survivors and their families to socialize with other survivors and enjoy breakfast the day of the race. 

When asked about the Survivor’s Breakfast Trokey said, “Spending the morning with dozens of breast cancer survivors was so humbling. Everyone knows someone affected by breast cancer. I know that the survivor breakfast was an event that was very dear to a lot of our hearts.”

Several members also ran in the Race for the Cure and formed a “Zeta” team. Many of the girls sported the names of their loved ones, who have been affected by cancer, on their backs.

Megan Walbe, a senior ZTA, said that she has loved volunteering with Race for the Cure during her four years as a Zeta, but that this year was extra special. “Not only was it my last time running (the race) as a senior, but my close friend/ZTA sister just lost her mom to cancer, so it was important that myself and the rest of my senior pledge class volunteer together to show our love and support our sister and her mom,” said Walbe.

Also, Zetas participated in Bark for the Cure by greeting people and their dogs, organizing bandannas for dogs to wear support breast cancer awareness, and helping with contests such as the “Pinkest Pride” dog.

The members of Zeta Tau Alpha formed the largest volunteer group for the Race for the Cure events. While serving members of the community, the members also got to talk to survivors, and work with their sisters to benefit their philanthropy, Breast Cancer Awareness and Education.

Shelby Cormack

Panhellenic Twitter Competition Winners: Alpha Omicron Pi

Congratulations to AOII for winning the 2014 Panhellenic twitter competition!! As a prize, the chapter is recognized for their hard work through the following Blog feature! 

In 2002, a young graduate assistant in the Division of Student Affairs overheard a discussion about wanting to colonize a new Panhellenic chapter at the University of Arkansas. As an AOII alum, she immediately contacted headquarters and inquired what must be done to colonize AOII at the University of Arkansas. The graduate student, Danae Ledbetter, created a local alumnae chapter and elected officers and the women got underway

In 2004, Alpha Omicron Pi presented for colonization along with two other chapters. AOII received the bid for colonization and in 2007 AOII went through formal recruitment for the first time. We met quota that first year in 2007 and have met bid day quota every year since then.

Within one year, the beautiful AOII house was built and 85 girls moved in January 2009. Complete with a fitness center, crafts room, media room, numerous study rooms, living areas, and a kitchen with endless cookie dough, the house is sorority house heaven for its tenants.

Only 5 years after colonization, the Arkansas chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi reached ruby status, which is the highest level of AOII chapters. At the next conference in Los Angeles, California, Arkansas AOII will be eligible to win the Jessie Wallace Hughan Cup. The cup is named after one of AOII’s four founders and is given to the number one AOII chapter. We are currently recognized for having the number one New Member Education program from AOII International.

In the 2013-2014 school year, Alpha Omicron Pi accomplished a lot. 

AOII gave 136 bids on Bid Day 2013!

AOII placed third in Watermelon Bust

AOII placed first in the homecoming floats and placed third in homecoming overall. AOII was even featured on local news channel, 4029, and the Northwest Arkansas Gazette for the hard work and innovative pomping.

AOII placed third in Greek Sing for their Tarzan performance during 2014 Greek Week.

Here is a glimpse into the life of an Arkansas AOII:

AOII's philanthropy is Juvenile Arthritis Research. AOII participates annually in the NWA Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis. The Strike Out Arthritis softball tournament is our signature event raising money for Arthritis Research. For the first time, AOII is hosting an annual AOII Goes Blue Week. The events of this week will kick off with Strike Out Arthritis on April 13^th. The Northwest Arkansas Naturals will be sponsoring AOII and help raise money for Arthritis Research at their game on March 14^th. AOIIs are invited to sit in a special section of the stadium, will participate in organized activities and featured throughout the game, and the philanthropy chair will speak on the local radio about the cause. March 15^th-16^th, there will be a table outside the union raising awareness about Juvenile Arthritis and selling tickets for the first annual Strike A Pose Fashion Show. On Thursday, March 17^th, AOII Goes Blue Week will conclude with a fashion show and clothing market at the UARK Bowl on Dickson Street. The ticket cost and part of the proceeds from the clothing will go towards Juvenile Arthritis Research.

Additionally, models from each Panhellenic house are invited to be models for the Strike a Pose Fashion Show. Nevertheless, AOII’s service extends far beyond the philanthropy. AOII participates annually in Sisters for Soldiers creating care packages for US military officers serving our country. AOIIs serve at the local Boys and Girls Club, read at local elementary schools, work with Habitat for Humanity, and many more. AOII also supports their sisters by helping raise money for girls who feel called to do mission work all over the world.

It is amazing to look at all that Alpha Omicron Pi has accomplished at the University of Arkansas in only 8 years. We look forward to watching this chapter grow and exceed the expectation.

For more information about AOII at Arkansas:

Facebook: University of Arkansas Alpha Omicron Pi-Xi Omicron

Twitter: @aoiiarkansas

Instagram: @aoiiarkansas