Texas Pride!

Everyone enjoyed our Texas Pride date party this past friday night out by Lake Bryan! The night was not complete without a photo-booth and lots of country western two-steppin! Think Theta Think Texas.... PRIDE!

NO time for SIESTA! Lets have a FIESTA!

Last friday Theta welcomed 800 guests into our home in order to kick off our 2nd annual Theta Fiesta! Allie Heath led us as we successfully raised over 5000 dollars for Scotty's House, our local philanthropy. We were accompanied by the fraternity, Beta Theta Pi, also known as Beta, who carefully cooked, chopped and helped served our five dollar fajitas! Bryce Peterson, member of Phi Gamma Delta, also known as Fiji, walked away with one of our raffle prizes, an autographed football on behalf of our Aggies! Many parents, alumni, and good friends from other sororities and fraternities attended the event which jolted all of our enthusiasm. Thank you to everyone who decided to spend their friday evening with Kappa Alpha Theta! We are thrilled by the success of the event and hope that the money donated to Scotty's House enables them to improve operations and help more children affected by abuse.

Taylor. Swift.

After 2 very long weeks of waiting, the day had finally come. We traveled to Dallas to arrive 2 hours before the concert performed by Charlie Worsham, followed by NEEDTOBREATHE, followed by the talented Taylor Swift. Many Theta's journeyed to the Big D to be a part of this special night involving 55,000 fans! Lets just say with her class, charm and personality, Taylor is definitely Theta material! It was a weekend filled with theta love and bonding, so thank you for making my year Taylor Swift!

This picture was from our view! Theta's LOVE Taylor Swift!

Kiting All Over Kampus

We are so proud to be so involved on campus in organizations like, Muster, Wells Project, FLIP and Fish Aides just to name a few! All of that time on campus puts theta within the opportunity to meet special TAMU officials! Just this last week President Loftin, the president of our lovely university, became the subject of many kiting encounters! Check out these fun pictures! Way to be involved Theta!

Run to the Chicken!

Theta represented this weekend at Delta Zeta's annual 5k and 3k fun run, titled, Run to the Chicken! We decided to try out the 5K. Turns out that theta has some seniors with endurance, but eventually within thirty minutes we had all finished the race! Those who participated congregated afterwards at Ayrshire. Blue berry muffins coated in I Cant Believe Its Not Butter after a morning run. Now thats a way to start a Saturday! Give a hand to Katie Hall, Kaitlyn Taylor and Allie Heath! All I know is next time, I am bringing my favorite furry friend to pull me along!

The Babies!

BID DAY OOO OOO ONE ONE!

We could not be more thrilled to bring in a new pledge class for the year of 2011! All of our hard work is shown in the beautiful faces that now fill 1503 Athens! The girls bounded off the bus on August 26, knowing that they were now a part of Kappa Alpha Theta!

Decked in our fishing gear theme, we burned away the weeks donated sweets with a theta-wide dance party to end the evening. These girls obviously represent external beauty but their internal beauty represents theta. PC 11 is the BEST catch on the block! Guy Harvey couldnt have painted prettier faces himself!

Creative Crafts with Lauren Schultz!!

An interview with theta's own Lauren Schultz- the owner of her bow-making business Sweetest Little Things!

Pictured on the right Lauren Schultz, and on the left Alyssa Boatright (both thetas)- look closely and you will see her designs on both of their heads!

How I got started:

I have always had a passion and love for crafting! I got started about a year ago right after Spring Break. I kind of stumbled upon the craft randomly. I had learned how to make the headbands and thought it would be a really fun way to do something I love while making extra money for my internship to Africa in the summer.

Why I got started:

My original intention was not to sell the headbands. I actually learned the craft in order to increase the number of accessories I owned for my hair :) But quickly after I wore my first headband, I received a lot of compliments. When I indulged that I had in fact made the headband, girls were asking me to make them one too. I realized this could be a fun, self-owned business project to pursue, and I gave it a shot! It has been so much fun.

How I learned:

I learned how to make the headbands last Spring Break from my roommate, Paige Dickerson's, little sister, Erin. She had learned from one of her Theta Sisters (naturally) at Oklahoma State University. She taught me the basic technique, and the first night I made at least 8 or 10. It was just so relaxing and fun! I also utilize craft websites and crafting blogs to get ideas on how to make new types of bows and flowers. I find inspiration in lots of new places!

How many orders:

I made a Facebook page in order to regulate the sales. It also gave people a way to both look at what I had to sell and place orders that way. Girls can also comment below pictures that I post asking to purchase that specific one. I then notify other onlookers that it is sold. Girls can still request that I make an identical one for them if they so choose.

Lauren's first canine customer!

How to order:
Ordering is really easy! Girls typically Facebook message me saying they want me to make them some. They will either say they want to meet to pick out the fabrics to make the headbands, or they will notify me on which picture from the Facebook page they like. If it is the second, I simply replicate it for them. If they want to pick their own fabric, I set up a time with them to come over to my house to pick out the fabric and buttons they want. This really allows the customer the opportunity to both feel included in their creation and to be creative in the decision making process. After that, I typically have them ready in a day or so. I will either deliver them or find a time to meet up with the girl. It is really flexible :)

Pricing: $7.00 for a headband on either a hard-band or a stretchy fabric band. $4.00 for the clips.

Lauren's information:
Facebook Page: The Sweetest Little Things
Email: laurenschultz22@neo.tamu.edu
Number: 2145788830

The ICE COLD sistas of the BLACK AND GOLD

During the hectic week leading up to 5K, Theta decided to relax and STOMP IT OUT in Texas A&M’s annual Stomp Fest Competition. Thetas like Avery Harris, Jenn Madden, and Laura Price rocked the stage in Rudder Auditorium along with several other Greek sororities! The amount of work and effort put into the event was evident from the backdrop to our moves! Check out the way we GOT DOWN in our picture feature for The Battalion (TAMU's Newspaper)!! They placed in OUR hearts!!!

Ya We GOT DOWN at 5K!

April 16, 2011, a morning that most decided to spend curled up in a warm bed except for the 1000 plus, dedicated health enthusiasts, and philanthropic individuals who chose to participate in the Delta Omega Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta’s annual 5K and silent auction. Theta is proud to announce the staggering totally of 45,288 dollars raised on this momentous occasion.

The newest additions to Theta, also known as PC 10, began the day with hard work and front yard dance parties. We could jointly feel the excitement to witness our first Theta 5K pulsing through our pledge class. As the older KAT’s addressed their duties, the once crisp morning air had disappeared and the time for the race had come. Led by the voice of President Megan Minns, the runners busted through the cascading arch of balloons at the starting line, while the participants aiming for a morning that required less sweat, began to walk or rollerblade. Once the race times were calculated and the silent auction closed, the severity of the reason to which we had gathered fell upon the crowd.

Our 5K supports the local philanthropy called Scotty’s House as well as Theta’s national philanthropy named CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates. Both organizations deal with addressing abused children and their recovery process. CASA Advocates joined Callie Lowe, Jenna Street, and Julia Wood, this year’s 5K chairs, in announcing the final tally of funds received for the event. Overwhelmed by the support encompassing the room many were brought to tears.

The reality of child abuse is difficult to accept and sometimes even acknowledge but in that moment, however, the advocates and onlookers recognized that these children desperately need our financial aid in addition to our emotional support. Thetas were honored to serve our local community by providing funds to support Scotty’s House. We have never had so much success with a 5K and cannot wait to see how the money can help improve the quality of life for the children given aid by Scotty’s House. We also greatly appreciated the willingness of our community to rise early, run fast (or walk J), and leave late to help this year’s 5K go beyond our anticipated goal. 5K was essentially flawless.

KATs and Dogs helping at the shelter!

Kappa Alpha Theta and the Corps of Cadets Outfit D2 pair up to help out a local animal shelter.

Recently service chair Jenna Ponsford presented the idea of helping a shelter in nearby Hearne, Texas called HOPE: Handfuls on Purpose Enterprises. The shelter's mission and purpose is to be "a public benefit non-profit corporation organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. Specifically, we prevent cruelty to animals and instruct the public on pet care and training. These are subjects useful to individuals and beneficial to the community. Our organization has designed and developed a program for this purpose. We operate an animla shelter for the rescue and placement of companion animals. Our shelter operates seven days a week to recieve animals from the City of Hearne" (Hope Animal Rescue). This spring HOPE got permits to help rebuild their shelter, taking the current cages covered by a tin roof and tarps and moving all of the kennels inside as well as creating a large grass area to play in and adding a dog run! Theta and D2 not only helped bathe the dogs, they helped put up new fences, shoveled dirt, and carried large amounts of fencing and poles. "The shelter runs solely on donations, and every bit helps," Kyle Powell of D2 said, "it is awesome how the owners Kenneth and Elizabeth have pooled their own money-as well as getting the shelter publicity to receive donations- for the shelter. The structure there now is sturdy and hand-made to protect the dogs and cats... But the new structure being built will not only make maintenance easier, it will be safer for the animals. The hand of God is very active in this organization and their leaders!"

Theta as well as D2 hopes to be a part of this again, and thanks HOPE for the opportunity!

One of the six puppies abandoned with their mother at the doorstep of HOPE shelter.

Thetas from pc '10 washing a mother of six puppies who had just returned from having eye surgery. Photographed from left to right: Kyle Powell, Courtney Cunningham, and Lauren Sims

D2 Sophomores Kyle Powell, Josh Drillette, Garrett Powers and Matt Keller enjoy a burger at the Dixie Cafe, located down the street from the shelter!

Mixer Fun!

February 25^th we had a mixer with PIKE! We had the Aggie Wranglers come to the Theta House and spent about two hours learing how to two-step and jitter bug! It was a great time and I know we all had fun getting to know all the guys and dancing! One of the moves we learned is called “the pretezel” and Beth Pinto had the steps put on the back of the shirts for the event. I still see them all over campus. Who doesn’t love repping Theta?

The next Thursday we met up with Beta at Daisy Dukes and had the top floor all to ourselves! We played some pool and danced around…and I heard one Theta ended up with a new boyfriend!

Senators and Theta Senoritas

As the elections dwindled, polls were closed, and votes tallied many people were left curious about this year's election results, BUT no one was surprised to see Kappa Alpha Theta take over student government for Texas A&M University. Not only did we have an active member cause quite the stir with a runoff election against Jeff Pickering for president, we also had many girls achieve their intended positions! Caroline Weathers and Rachel Sullivan, just to name a few, were elected as Mays Business Senator and Off Campus Senator! Both girls have celebrated their leadership skills by choosing to participate in student government. Caroline explained that she wanted to become involved in student government so “that I could become more involved in the school, and give back to this institution that has blessed me with so much. I am honored to be able to fight for what Texas A&M stands for and to support the student's opinions in the university”. We are so very very proud of all of our kitties that have recently been elected to their desired positions! Cant wait to see what you achieve this year!

Thetas Involved in the Water Crisis

Texas A&M isn't just a well known campus for the strong greek life, it's know for its 800+ organizations that all work to improve the quality of life for people other than themselves. In the Delta Omega Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta, you see this service-oriented group work to change lives as well. Theta member Valerie Whitt is the president of an organization called The Wells Project. This organization 'work[s] to raise awareness and funds for the current water crisis in Africa. Our goal is to reach a thirsty nation for Christ by providing them with clean water to drink and the good news of the gospel so that they might know The Living Water, Jesus. We are partners with Living Water International, which means the money we raise as an organization goes directly to the building of clean water wells in Africa'. Only a Theta could take on that kind of responsibility! Valerie found out about this organization through another Theta, her big sister Dylan Higginbotham. "I didn't know about the water crisis and how big of a deal it really is" Whitt said, I learned that a person dies every thirteen seconds, and that is crazy. Needless to say it broke me."

Through joining The Wells Project Valerie found out how valuable drinking water really is. The process of walking miles to fetch water in third world countries not only affects your physical need, it changes your whole day and family dynamic. Without the ability to be in your home, the family dynamic itself isn't able to develop. When asked why she decided to apply for president of The Wells Project, Whitt said, "College is a time of selfishness, a time all about us... I want to look back at my time in college and know I did something bigger than myself".

Under Valerie is 5 more executive members of The Wells Project, and 4/5 executive members are Thetas. These include Amy Huff (Vice President), Beth Pinto (Event Planner), and Sarah Noland (Campus Outreach). In addition to that current theta members in The Wells Project include myself (Molly Shute), Morgan Mitchell, Allison Cable, Callie Lowe, Brittney Rice, and Devin O'Donnell. Theta's are also seen as a majority in the Wells Project advocates, where volunteering does not make someone a member. 'Thetas help The Wells Project more than people notice, 1/4 of the entire organization is Theta, and this is seen in how they dominate leadership, show up to help and be involved as well as participating in the 10 Days. The amount of help from Theta opened a whole new network!'.

Some of the things The Wells Project includes during the year is the 10 Days concert, art

auctions, and has community, schools, churches and campus teams to expand outreach and knowledge of the current situation in the Water Crisis. During the past summer Valerie went to Guatemala to see first hand the process of building a well. This life-changing moment left her with the thoughts that it isn't just thirst that is the issue, it's that there are diseases in the dirty water and it goes for everyone not just the poorest ones. But needless to say that without Theta this organization wouldn't be as strong as it is today. It is because of people with good hearts like Valerie that make Theta's love and sisterhood so special. Without this, Theta wouldn't be the sorority it is today.