Fall 2014

EPSILON MU CHAPTER OF SIGMA KAPPA H UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI

The

Pearl Post

Big Take-Aways from Convention 2014

Epsilon Mu Learns Valuable Lessons, Earns Highest Fundraising Chapter

psilon Mu was represented at Sigma Kappas 86th
E
National Convention in Henderson, Nevada, by
three wonderful leaders from our chapter and advisory

An important part of National Convention is to recognize

the achievements of Sigma Kappa as an organization
and its outstanding chapters across the country. Each
night we had an awards banquet, which exemplified
how outstanding each and every one of our Sigma
Kappa chapters is, said Olivia Barfield.

board. President Kara Simon 12, Vice President of

Membership Emmi Apel 12, Vice President of Finance
Olivia Barfield 12, and Advisory Board Chairman
Casey Gentry 96 traveled west to attend meetings,
ceremonies, and educational sessions from June 18-21.

Epsilon Mu was awarded as the highest fundraising

chapter for the 2013 Walk to End Alzheimers. The
chapter raised over $20,000 and we hope to raise even
more this year.

I was overwhelmed with educational programming,

incredible speakers, and the powerful sisterhood, said
Emmi Apel. I know what I learned throughout that
week will stay with me for a lifetime.

In addition, our Housing Corporation was awarded with

Outstanding Corporation Board and Best Corporation
Board.

Our officers attended sessions that helped them

understand and improve their leadership roles. Sigma
Kappa provided sessions on a variety of topics and
aspects of the sorority experience, and attendees were
able to pick those they felt they could benefit from.
My favorite session was on motivating chapter
members, which is especially important with a chapter
of our size, said Kara Simon.

Kara Simon 12, Olivia Barfield 12,

and Emmi Apel 12 represent
Epsilon Mu at national convention.

We are so proud to receive these awards be represented

by these outstanding Sigma Kappa women. The chapter
leaders and are excited to bring what they learned back
to Epsilon Mu and we look forward to Convention 2016
in Chicago!

Spring EvEntS raiSE $12,000 for

foundation and Charity
Kappa did extremely well in the spring semester
S igma
and has started the fall semester on a great note!
Eventful Beginning to Spring Semester
Our first big event in the spring was Ultra Violet Week. This
included profit shares and canning, as well as two large events.
The first one was Field Day, where fraternities and sororities
came together and played games on our campus intramural
field. The second event we held was Sigma Kappatizers, a
late-night buffet of everyones favorite foods for the campus
community to attend. Combined, we raised over $7,000 for the
Sigma Kappa Foundation.

Successful Greek Week

photobooth for
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We also participated in Greek Week and were very happy with

our pairings of Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Pi. The theme was
Castaway: A Romance, and we represented our chapter well
and even took first place in the campus blood drive. Another
campus event we were involved with was RAMS, which raises
(Continued on page 2)

The Pearl Post

Spring EvEntS
raiSE $12,000
(Continued from page 1)
awareness for multiple sclerosis. This event consists of a comedy show,
community service, and a dance competition. We were lucky enough to
advance to the final round for the dance competition.

Hilarity for Charity

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Mizzous Fran

Finally, we ended the semester with a unique event. Sigma Kappa

sponsored Hilarity for Charity on campus at a local comedy club. All
proceeds went to Seth Rogens organization that helps raise money
for Alzheimers disease. We held an open mic night for people across
campus to participate, and we, of course, had some great Sigma Kappa
performers. The event raised $5,000, and we hope to do it again next year.

Fall Recruitment Surges

Now for the most exciting news: we are so thrilled to announce that we
have welcomed 105 new members to the Epsilon Mu Chapter this fall!
Epsilon Mu will continue to grow and prosper in the upcoming years!
In Sigma Kappa,
Kara Simon 12
Chapter President
(214) 909-9646 | skmupresident@gmail.com
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PAGE 2

Welcome, New Members

Caela Ancona
Sydney Bailey
Brittani Batye
Paige Berry
Anne Blackburn
Amanda Britz
Tatiyana Brooks
Rachael Buirge
Rebecca Burkhart
Madison Chaney
Claire Chisholm
Indiga Christy
Natalie Cibulka
Amber Clark
Jasmine Cruz
Vanessa Cundiff
Alli Dameron
Maggie Deiss
Sarah Dopp
Sidney Duggins
Hannah Fahey
Jordan Faith
Niki Finn
Rachel Foster-Gimbel
Cassie Gibbons
Gabrielle Giordano
Megan Goddard
Lily Gorman
Megan Greene
Megan Hampson
Alexis Hardin
Mikayla Hawley
Alexa Hazelton
Lindsay Hornecker
Rachel Horner
Ashley Hulet

Kiera Johnston
Ryan Kboudi
Emily Keys
Hope Knopf
Katherine Kohler
Lucia La Torre
Quiroga
Randi Lacy
Caroline Lesch
Sarah Lillwitz
Ashleigh Litzsinger
Veronica Long
Courtney Manning
Melissa Mars
Emma Martin
Danielle McQuinn
Marin Meiners
Ann Marie
Metzendorf
Courtney Meyer
Monica Mikolajewicz
Dana Miller
Megan Miller
Ashley Misuraca
Elizabeth Moore
Connor Morgan
Carly Mueller
Taylor Mundy
Maggie OGrady
Claire Oettel
Ashley Oliver
Kelly Pidcoe
Alexandra Pierce
Erin Price
Brooke Prinster
Christy Prust

Sarah Przybyla
Sabrina Salemo
Hannah Sandfeld
Paige Sauerburger
Sarah Schell
Evan Scherder
Cori Schrade
Courtney Seaboldt
Larkin Shull
Paulina Simon
Kylie Sobota
Rachael Stark
Lexie Stockglausner
Hailey Stolze
Alyssa Stottler
Rylee Stoulil
Gina Struttman
Rachel Szopa
Anna Talamo
Amy Taylor
Mary Kate Terry
Megan Thill
Ashley Torres
Melissa Urbanec
Lucija Vesligaj
Taylor Wasson
Emily Wilhelm
Gina Williamson
Jessica Willis
Danielle Wilson
Mackenzie Wolk
Rachel Wuestling
Sarah Wunderlich
Llana Zorfas

Twice as Nice: Bray Sisters Cherish

Sigma Kappa Experience
wins Kellie Bray 94 and Kristie Bray
T
Larson 94 did not come from their
small-town home in Cameron, Missouri, to
Mizzou with any interest in Greek life. The two
had only ever heard the negative connotations
associated with Greek chapters and individuals,
and so they didnt seek it out.
That perspective was washed away once the
sisters got a taste of what being Greek really
meant. Kristie and Kellie connected with Sigma
Kappa women from the time they began their
freshman years at Mizzou, which led them to go
through COB in the fall.
As soon as they became Greek, they became involved. The two
were leaders in Epsilon Mu and the community, despite their
original plans to stay less busy after high school.
Kellie and I came from a small high school; we were involved
in everything, said Kristie.
After their hectic years during high school, the twins decided to take
it easy while at Mizzou. This, too, lasted for only a short period.
Both began by serving on the Junior Greek Council, an organization
for freshmen similar to IFC or PHA executive councils. From there,
Kristie served first as treasurer and then as president for Epsilon
Mu. Kellie took a more Panhellenic route as she became the vice
president and then president of Mizzous PHA.
Kristie and Kellie did not let their involvement with Sigma Kappa
stop at the end of their collegiate experience. Both continue to
hold volunteer positions. Kristie has been a member of Epsilon

Mus Housing Corporation for the last 10 years,

helping the chapter through times of difficult
transition and recent renovations. Kellie got
involved with the Beta Zeta Chapter at the
University of Maryland, became a collegiate
province officer, and now serves on the national
programming team.
I have really gained some valuable friendships,
networks, and comfort through those [volunteer]
experiences, said Kellie. Its a lifetime
sisterhood.
Since graduation, Kellie and Kristie have stayed
busy, both with Sigma Kappa and in their own
careers and lives. Kellie, with a degree in general agriculture,
moved to Washington, D.C., after graduation and has been there
for 16 years. She has held many different roles in government
affairs but currently works for CropLife America. You can
contact her at kelliebray@gmail.com.
Kristie moved to Des Moines, Iowa, for five years after graduating
with a degree in agriculture education. She currently lives in
Kansas City with her husband and two daughters, Caroline and
Ellie. Kristie is the Director of Education for the American Royal.
You can contact her at kristie_bray@hotmail.com.
Through Kristie and Kellies time as Sigma Kappa women, both
still value it as an important part of their lives.
Its a great opportunity for women to grow together as leaders
and as friends, said Kristie.

CongratulationS,
nEw alumnaE
Brooke Pollard 12
Tylar Pollard 12
Audra Russell 12
Allison Ehrlich 12
Julia Bosley 12
Lexi Tolcou 12
Sara Marler 12

Sallie Weir 12
Rickelle Pimentel 12
Brittany Davis 12
Lauren Pope 12
Kailey Nicholas 12
Molly Van Herck 12

Spring 2014 new alumnae celebrate at Senior Send-Off.

PAGE 3

SavE thE
datE
Friday, October 10
Initiation
Sunday, October 12
Annual Housing Corporation Meeting
Friday, October 24
Homecoming House Decorations

The

Pearl Post

Epsilon Mu Chapter of Sigma Kappa

908 Curtis Avenue
Columbia, MO 65201
Address Service Requested

Saturday, October 25
Homecoming
Saturday, November 8
Founders Day Celebration

Find Us Online

f
f
l

Visit Our Website

www.missouri.sigmakappa.org
Like Us on Facebook
MizzouSigmaKappa
Follow Epsilon Mu on Twitter
@MizzouSigmaK

Attention: This newsletter is intended for alumnae and undergraduates. If your daughter is still attending
the University of Missouri, she will receive a copy at the chapter house. If she has graduated,
please send us her permanent address to update our records. Thank you.

New In-House Cook and Facility

Upgrades Spice Up Epsilon Mu
he Epsilon Mu Corporation Board has been busy! Over the
T
summer we made many updates and improvements to the chapter
house that have been well received by our members.

honors the one corporation board that best exemplifies the mission, vision,
and values of the National Housing Corporation. We are very honored to
have received this award.

The largest updates were repaving the parking lot to repair large potholes
and adding custom shelving and storage units in the multipurpose room for
the chapter. These storage units provide our members with additional space
for various craft projects and recruitment and Homecoming items, as well
as work surfaces for these projects.

During our August board meeting we held a ceremony formally dedicating

the music room to longtime board members Pat Jarboe Buchanan, Beta
Sigma 59, and Kate Klosterman Schoenhard 69. Both Pat and Kate
have served on the board for 25 years and were instrumental in the 2013
renovation project. Thank you, Pat and Kate, for being such dedicated
volunteers to both the board and Epsilon Mu!

Another big change for the new school year is that weve hired an inhouse cook to prepare meals for live-in members. This is very exciting
as it will give our wonderful house director, Ms. Elaine, the opportunity
to plan healthy meals and work directly with the cook as opposed to an
outside food service. The board is very excited about this change and looks
forward to feedback from the chapter.
At the Sigma Kappa National Convention held over the summer, the
Epsilon Mu Corporation Board was recognized with the inaugural Barbara
Fenters Outstanding Corporation Board Award. This award pays tribute
to one of the leading founders of the National Housing Corporation and

Be sure to mark your calendars for the annual meeting of the corporation on
Sunday, October 12. The meeting will start at 11 a.m. at Keller Auditorium
in the geology building on campus. Look for a formal invitation and proxy
in the mail soon!
In Sigma Kappa,
Krista Thomas Roberts 99
Corporation Board President
(636) 236-5082
krista.t.roberts@gmail.com