2016 Presidential Spotlight: Abby Ripoli of Alpha Chi Omega

Meet Abby Ripoli, the 2016 president of Alpha Chi Omega! Abby is a senior from Chicago, Illinois, double majoring in finance and French. We asked her about herself, and she said:

What is your favorite Auburn tradition?
The eagle flying over the field!

What's your favorite thing about being president of your sorority?
Getting to know so many girls I wouldn't get to normally. 

What made you choose Auburn?
Warm weather and awesome people!

Favorite quote?
"Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence." -Sheryl Sandberg

Describe Alpha Chi in three words.
Genuine, dependable, and fun! 

Alex's Lemonade Stand with Tri Delta

Tri Delta recently hosted Alex's Lemonade Stand on Auburn's concourse!

Alex's Lemonade Stand was founded by a girl named Alex Scott who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer when she was only a year old. When she was four, she heard her parents talking about paying her hospital bills and decided to take matters into her own hands. With the help of her family, she hosted a lemonade stand in her backyard. On the first day, she raised $2,000! Once news spread, Alex was able to raise $1 million for childhood cancer research and awareness before she passed away in 2004.

Tri Delta continues to carry out Alex's legacy by handing out lemonade on the concourse and asking for donations. All donations go to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, which is dedicated to raising funds for research into new treatments and cures for children battling cancer.

2016 Cabinet Spotlight: Liaison to SGA

Meet your Liaison to SGA, Emily Johnson!

Emily is a junior from Alpharetta, Georgia, majoring in finance. Fun fact: she shares a birthday with everyone's favorite wizard, Harry Potter.

As Liaison to SGA, she keeps Panhellenic updated about SGA news and events. She chose this role so people would know all SGA does.

Her favorite part of being a member of SGA has been planning the Camp War Eagle Pep Rallies for incoming freshmen.

2016 Presidential Spotlight: Ellen Ormond of Alpha Gamma Delta

Meet Ellen Ormond, the 2016 president of Alpha Gamma Delta! Ellen is a senior from Trussville, Alabama, majoring in elementary education. Besides being president of Alpha Gam, she has been involved with Auburn for Water, Project Uplift, the College of Education Student Government Association, as an ambassador for the College of Education, and with Pine Hills Literacy Project. We asked her about herself, and she said:

What's your favorite thing about being president of your sorority?
I am so thankful for the opportunity to love, encourage, and care for the members of my chapter. I have already grown close to so many wonderful girls through my role as president.

If you're famous one day, what would it be for?
I wish I could say for being a comedian...I love making people laugh!

What is one thing you couldn't live without?
My Brooks tennis shoes.

Favorite Auburn tradition?
Everything about gameday but mainly the eagle's pre-game flight around Jordan-Hare!

Describe your sorority in three words.
Driven, compassionate, and fun. 

2016 Cabinet Spotlight: Director of New Member Education

Meet your 2016 Director of New Member Education, Kelsey Williams!

Kelsey is a senior from Alabaster, Alabama, studying elementary education.

In her position as Director of New Member Education, she acts as a liaison between the new member educators fro each sorority and Panhellenic. She plans events for new members such as the New Member Barbecue in the fall. She's loved getting to meet and know many new sorority members and to be able to stay involved and connected with Panhellenic.

When asked about her advice for new members, she said, "Enjoy it! The time flies by, and before you know it, you'll be a senior. Take the time to enjoy each social, chapter, and formal while you still have the time." 

2016 Presidential Spotlight: Jennifer Ashman of Alpha Xi Delta

Meet Jennifer Ashman, the 2016 president of Alpha Xi Delta! Jennifer is a senior from Grayson, Georgia, majoring in healthcare administration. Besides being president of Alpha Xi, she has been involved with Freshmen Forum, This is Auburn as assistant director, Big Event, Student Recruiters, War Eagle Girls and Plainsmen, and the Recreation and Wellness Center as a supervisor.  We asked her about herself, and here's what she said:

What's your favorite part about being president of your sorority?
Getting to see the ins and out of all the other exec members' roles. We're used to seeing the end result, but I enjoy getting to help all of them behind the scenes.

What are some of your favorite things to receive as gifts?
Anything Auburn, Tervis tumblers, and Chipotle giftcards. 

Describe your sorority in three words:
Easygoing, genuine, and outgoing.

If you're famous one day, what would it be for?
Building medical clinics in third world countries.

Why did you choose Auburn?
The Creed and the Auburn family!

2016 Head Pi Chi & Assistant Head Pi Chi's

Taylor Horton is serving as Head Pi Chi.

Taylor is a senior from Birmingham, Alabama, studying Rehabilitation and Disability Studies. As Head Pi Chi, she was in charge of selecting and training all 109 Pi Chi's to make sure they are prepared to handle any situation they may encounter during recruitment week to ensure that all the girls in their group have the best first week possible at Auburn. She wanted to serve in this role to be a rock to each Pi Chi and wanted to teach them how to grow, encourage, be thoughtful, and help their girls find their best fit.

Her favorite recruitment memory was as a Pi Chi watching her girls' reactions as they all opened their bids and ran to their new homes! She said, "There is no greater feeling than being the one to get your girls through all the trials of the week and to see it all pay off once they open their bid!"

Her advice to a Potential New Member is "Don't try to fit in with a sorority and be someone you're not! Make the sorority get to know you and make the sorority fit in with you. If you spend the whole week being someone you aren't to fit in with a sorority; on bid day you're going to be surrounded by tons of girls who aren't like you. This is your college experience, and the next four years are yours to make them what you want! Start off by joining a sorority that makes you feel confident and loved and that brings out the best side of you!"

Karly Devole is an Assistant Head Pi Chi.

Karly is a senior from Fairhope, Alabama, majoring in Early Childhood Education. In her role, she helps Taylor with overseeing all the wonderful Pi Chi's.

When asked about her favorite recruitment memory, she said, "My Pi Chi! She made the week so much easier. She knew all the right things and said them at the right time. I swore up and down that if I found out her sorority than that was the one I wanted to be in. In the end, her sorority was not the place for me, which was perfectly fine because I ended up where I belonged."

Her advice to a PNM is "Have your own little value-based list of questions to ask the sororities on longer days. For you to go in and ask some questions about them and how they view the sorority can help keep the members interested and remember you! (It can also help you know whether or not its the place for you.)"

Elizabeth Cowen is also an Assistant Head Pi Chi.

Elizabeth is a senior from Birmingham, AL, majoring in Nursing. Along with Karly and Taylor, she is responsible for training the Pi Chi's, planning their week, and organizing their and PNM's schedules.

When asked about her favorite recruitment memory, she said, "When I was a Pi Chi last year, my birthday fell during recruitment week. The PNM's in my Pi Chi group surprised me with presents and a cookie cake, and it truly made my whole week."

Her advice to a Potential New Member is "Auburn is huge, and each of you will find your place and truly love it no matter where you end up. I will be praying for each of you as you go through the week. At times I felt that recruitment shifted my focus to areas that were scary or overwhelming, and it made me lose sight of the bigger picture. Trust that you are placed here for a reason. Recruitment is a wonderful way to get involved and offers endless opportunities and valuable friendships. Get excited for an awesome week!"