Kat at Bat is a Home Run for CASA

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A publication of the Omicron Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity
at the University of Southern California
Kat at Bat is a Home Run for CASA
SPRING 2014
IN THIS ISSUE
THETAS ABROAD
2
LEADING WOMEN
SPOTLIGHT
3
THETA
SENIORS
4-5
THETA
ACHIEVEMENTS
6-7
THETA
NEWS
8-9
ANNOUNCEMENTS
10
Download the
current newsletter
online at:
www.usctheta.org!
Theta Raises Over $22,000 with Annual Philanthropy Event
O
n Friday, March 28th, the Omicron
Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta put
on their annual KAT at
Bat philanthropy event.
In addition to the profits
made from the event
itself, Theta members
raised
additional
funds through raffle
tickets, shirt sales, and
donations. This year,
we raised over $22,000
for Theta’s international
phil anthropy: Cour t
Appointed Special
Advocates (CASA) and
Theta Foundation.
CASA is an association
that works to ensure
th at eve r y a b u s e d ,
abandoned, or neglected
child has a qualified adult
who provides one-onone support, establishes
a close relationship as
a mentor to the child,
and encourages new
opportunities. These
CASA mentors not only
form a bond with the
child, but they also act
as the child’s voice in the
courtroom to ensure that
the best wishes of the
child are heard during
judicial proceedings.
This year at Kat at Bat,
21 fraternities walked
out onto USC’s McAlister
Field and competed in Theta’s annual allday whiffle ball tournament. After a long
afternoon of games,
Pi Kappa Alpha took
home the championship
following a well-played
game against Sigma
Chi.
“ The day was an
incredible success,”
Theta’s philanthropy
chair Erica Demitroff
said. “So many of our
participants said it was
the best day of their
entire college career.”
“Af te r wo r k in g fo r
months planning this, I
was so happy to see that
we could have fun and
raise money for a great
cause at the same time,”
Pre si d e nt K im b e r ly
Ostiller said. “Raising
over $22,000 was such
an accomplishment,
and everyone’s smiling
faces on that day
showed me our hard
work paid off.”
As it’s known around
the Theta house, Kat at
Bat truly was “Christmas
in March” this year!
by Alex Burns
Thetas Abroad
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Spring 2014
Thetas Abroad
Lauren Steinberg describes her new home in London
Brisbane, Australia
Julia DiMartinis
Kaitlin Mogentale
Leading Women Spotlight
Melbourne, Australia
Jenny Michelman
Brussels, Belgium
Jackie Hamilton
Prague, Czech Republic
Caroline Brain
Mackenzie Hummel
Copenhagen, Denmark
Chiara Nosse
London, England
Rayne Chapman
Sawyer Harris
Lauren Steinberg
Sussex, England
Lexi Byron
I
have been across the pond
studying in London for the past
three months and I absolutely love
it! Unfortunately I still talk like a valley
girl—no British accent. I am studying
journalism at City University, which
is located right in the heart of
London. I was born and raised in
Los Angeles, so transitioning to
school at USC was just a minor
adjustment and I wanted to study
abroad to experience life in another
city and culture.
Paris, France
Emily Dods
Linda Hsu
Julianne Levinson
Kate Magee
Nicole Matthews
Berlin, Germany
Claire Becker
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Aron Hendin
Kylee Lessard
Barcelona, Spain
Kate Cardone
Madrid, Spain
Niki MacWhirter
Morgan Muhonen
Emily Reinstein
Washington DC, US
Aarti Chandorkar
Having been here for the past three
months, I have seen so much of
London and blogged about it as
well. At first it was difficult for me
to adjust to life in another country.
The weather in England can be a
bit unpredictable and the food isn’t
great, but everything else makes up
for it!
During the mornings, I have class;
during the afternoons I get to
explore. My favorite places to go in
London are Primrose Hill (basically
a huge hill that you can hike to the
top of to see an amazing view of
the city), Topshop on Oxford Street
(I never leave empty handed), and
Carnaby Street (which has Ben’s
cookies—BEST cookies in the
world). Nightlife in London is also
amazing. The clubs are all very
unique and fun (my favorites are
Cirque and Mahiki), and the pubs
and bars are quite an experience as
well. Studying abroad in London
means I run into USC students
pretty regularly—the city is so big,
but it feels small because we go to
many of the same places. I even
ran into Sawyer Harris at the gym!
Also, studying abroad in Europe is
amazing because travelling is so
easy. Almost every weekend I have
gone to a new country or city. I have
travelled to Paris, Amsterdam, Italy,
and all over the UK (including Bath,
Windsor, Beaulieu, and Stonehenge).
I chose to travel around Italy during
my spring break because Italian
food is my favorite. What’s not to
love about pizza every day? In Italy
I went to Venice, Rome, Tuscany,
Pisa, Cinque Terre, and Florence
where I happened to run into Aron
Hendin who recommended a great
gelato place.
Being abroad is the best experience,
and I highly recommend it to anyone
and everyone! The adventures I’ve
had and the places I’ve seen are
truly unforgettable.
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Hadley
Leatherman
Charlotte
Sewell
Emily
Reinstein
Becca
Marshall
Hometown: Newberg,
Oregon
Hometown: Atherton,
California
Hometown: Manhattan
Beach, California
Hometown: Laguna Hills,
California
Major: Health and
Humanities
Major: Communications
(English Literature Minor)
Major: Public Relations
Involvement: SC
Outfitters, USG Wellness
Committee, Fit Corps
Internship
Involvement:
USC Xpressions Dance
Company, Alternative
Spring Break trip to
Guatemala
Major: International
Relations (Social
Entrepreneurship and
Digital Studies Minor)
Future goals: “I have
a strong passion for
helping people with their
health and plan to make
a career out of it. Jillian
Michaels, I’m coming for
you!”
Best part of Theta: “It
is inspiring to find a
group of girls who are
willing to constantly lift
your morale and always
support you selflessly.”
Words to live by: “Life
begins at the end of your
comfort zone.”
Future goals: “I had the
most amazing, eccentric
English Lit teacher in high
school. I would love to
be that kind of teacher
one day!”
Best part of Theta:
“Living in the house! It’s
a wonderful opportunity
to not only live with your
best friends, but also
to meet so many other
Thetas you wouldn’t
otherwise get to know.”
Words to live by: “Dance
it out!”
Involvement:
Charity Brands
Consulting Internship,
Director of Strategic
Communications at
the Asbestos Disease
Awareness Organization
Future goals: “To use
business ideas to solve
the world’s most pressing
issues, focusing on
women’s empowerment.”
Best part of Theta: “Theta
is my home away from
home!”
Words to live by: “Find
the intersection of
the world’s greatest
need and your greatest
passion.”
Involvement:
Involvement Director
for Women and Youth
Supporting Each Other
(WYSE), University Club
Employee
Future goals: “Next year
I will be teaching 6th
grade social studies. My
career goal is to become
a principal.”
Best part of Theta: “It’s
hard for me to leave the
Theta breakfast table in
the morning because
I’m so in love with my
incredible sisters! I have
grown so much because
of the ambitious, inspiring
women who surround
me. I am eternally
grateful.”
Words to live by: “Go get
‘em tiger!”
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THE THETA CLASS OF 2014
Congratulations
to...
Maggie Altergott
Why do you
love Theta?
What will you miss most about
Theta?
Christie Angelich
Chandler Baker
“
I love Theta because it has
brought me great frienships
that I will have for the rest of
my life.” -Paige Parker
“
Sherryl Bako
I’m going to miss being greeted with smiling
faces at breakfast and sharing hilarious
bathroom talks with mouths full of toothpaste.
I will miss having my best friends in the same
place at the same time. I am so thankful to have
made lifelong friendships with these spectacular
women. ” -Catherine Barth
Catherine Barth
Mimi Bea
Amanda Borland
Kelsey Bradshaw
Haley Bronstein
Hannah Campbell
Congratulations
to...
Amanda Levy
Kate Lindemann
Jillian Madrid
Becca Marshall
Genny Mazza
Kenzie McDade
Erin McGillivray
Mahsaw Motlagh
Kristen Nakashioya
Danika Newlee
Berkeley Cavingnac
Rachel Niemoller
Taylor Chavez
Monica O’Dwyer
Sarah Beth Comfort
Beau Ossorio
Chellsey Cruz
Alyssa Overbeck
Natalia Dabdoub
Brooke Overend
Alison Deverian
Paige Parker
Jackie Dion
Sarah Paulin
Caitlin Dowling
Jeannie Peterson
Sophie Elkus
Leila Pozin
Sarah Fell
Danielle Price
Molly First
Casey Rea
Alix Fitch
Reminton Rebeil
Morgan Furlong
Kendall Robertson
Malorie Galligan
Maddie Ross
Rose Gauthier
Betsy Schell
Hannah Getts
Nicole Simon
Elli Hanson
Lindsay Stall
Lexie Houghtaling
Chelsea Stessel
Anna Johnson
Sarah Kaidanow
Ellen Kaster
Malla Keefe
Sarah Kortschak
Maggie Lanter
Teddy Leatherman
Remi Levoff
Why are you proud to be a
Theta?
“
I am proud to be a Theta because it
is a daily reminder that I am part of
a community of fun and outstanding
individuals that never settled for the
ordinary and always strived to make a
difference within themselves and the
lives of others.” -Alix Fitch
Lauren Szurgot
What advice do you have for the
2014 New Member Class?
“
Be open to new experiences and new
people. This is an incredible time to make
memories and to learn about yourself and the
world around you. Enjoy every minute of it!”
-Genny Mazza
Dawnielle Tellez
Haley Thompson
Isabella Trentalancia
Sasha Videsheva
Adrienne Visnic
Gracie Warwick
Allie Wilson
Lauren Wingard
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Smarty KATs!
Thetas Giving Back
Omicron celebrates highest GPA with annual scholarship dinner
Girls volunteer at local preschool
T
heta was recognized for achieving
the highest GPA on the row this
past semester (a 3.5!) after 22 girls
earned a 4.0 and 88 girls earned above
a 3.75. To celebrate their amazing
work and thank the professors who
mentored them along the way, Theta
hosted their bi-annual Scholarship
Dinner. Each semester thetas invite
their professors to this inspiring event
to honor intellectual curiosity, one of
the four points of the Theta kite. In
recognition of all their hard work, each
girl who received a 4.0 was awarded
a scholarship pearl as part of Theta
tradition. In addition to speeches
from the Scholarship Director Maggie
Ridenhour, Chief Education Officer
Danielle Norton, and Chief Executive
Officer Kimberly Ostiller, this semester’s
dinner featured special guest Dr.
Ainsley Carry. Dr. Carry, who is the
Vice Provost for Student Affairs at USC,
gave such an encouraging speech.
He gave Theta women three tips for
success: 1) to figure out what they do
and don’t want to do, 2) to always be
early, and 3) to always do their best.
With their remarkable achievements,
determination, and Dr. Carry’s advice,
there’s no saying just how far these
ladies will go!
by Katherine Levinson
Founders Day
Thetas around Los Angeles come together to celebrate with alumni
F
ounders Day, first celebrated in the
19th century, commemorates the
bold and determined efforts of our
founders, Bettie Locke, Alice Allen,
Bettie Tipton, and Hannah Fitch.
Because of their vision, our lives are
enriched as we follow in their footsteps
and pursue excellence in every aspect
of our university experience.
The women of Omicron look forward
to Founders Day celebrations every
winter. This January, Omicron Thetas
proudly represented our chapter
at Founders Day celebrations in
Pasadena and Los Angeles. Our
members interacted with alumni of
all ages, as well as active members of
other Theta chapters, including UCLA,
LMU, and Occidental. We enjoyed a
delicious lunch at the country club
while listening to the address of Ms.
Ramona Cappello. She shared with us
so many of her experiences—her days
as a proud USC Theta, her numerous
successful business enterprises, and
her influential position as president
of the USC Alumni Association. The
address was certainly inspiring for
all the young college women in
attendance.
by Kate Arnold
O
n Friday afternoons, the women
of Theta and men of Pi Kappa
Alpha fraternity spend time at a local
preschool, reading and playing with
the kids. Together, we read stories,
play with toys and flashcards, draw
and create art, and come up with all
sorts of crazy games. We are grateful
for the opportunity to give back to
the USC community so consistently,
and the preschool teachers we work
with are certainly grateful for the short
break every Friday! Pike reading is
such a blast—rewarding for everyone
involved!
by Nicole Jamgotchian
Letter From the President
A message from Kimberly Ostiller
Dear Theta Family,
It is with great enthusiasm
that I write this letter as the
new president of Theta.
Leading the chapter is
such a joy because of
the tremendous support
of our members and the
dedication of our officers
to their positions – thank
you, everyone!
This past Spring Semester was filled with service,
sisterhood, and campus involvement. The highlight of
the semester was our signature philanthropy event,
KAT at Bat (KAB). This year’s KAB was a weeklong
celebration with various events that culminated in the
fraternity whiffle ball tournament. This year, we held
a dinner at the Theta house for our teams and sold
KAB t-shirts, hats, and raffle tickets. When the day of
KAB finally arrived, our members enjoyed a beautiful
spring day, ate iconic PINK’s hotdogs and cheered on
their teams. The tournament was huge success, and
we are pleased to report that we raised over $22,000
for CASA!
Thetas enjoyed several sisterhood and bonding
activities this semester, too. Most notable were group
dinners held on Theta’s roof. These dinners, illuminated
with twinkle lights, featured fun trivia questions, live
entertainment, and gave our younger members and
graduating seniors an opportunity to mix and mingle.
Thetas continue to be leaders both on and off campus.
At our Spring Scholarship Dinner, our guest speaker,
Dr. Ainsley Carry, USC’s Vice Provost for Student
Affairs, recognized Theta’s commitment to academics
and service to the university. Our members continue
to impress audiences in theatrical performances
and excel in USC athletics. We are also proud of the
impressive jobs and internships our members hold
during the school year, summer and beyond.
The hardworking nature of our members never
ceases to impress me. Serving as president for these
amazing women has been a tremendously rewarding
experience. Although I look forward to summer, I will
miss being surrounded by young women who are my
closest friends and inspirations. To our graduating
seniors, we will miss you! Thank you for your years of
leadership, friendship and dedication to Theta. I look
forward to all the festivities that the Fall will bring,
including the welcoming of our new members at
Recruitment and the spirit of Trojan football!
Loyally with Theta Love,
Kimberly Ostiller
[email protected]
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Family Fun
Social
Girls celebrate mother-daughter and father-daughter day
Fun with Omicrons
E
very spring, Theta hosts two
special events to which parents
are invited to spend quality time
with their daughters at USC. Parents
from all over the country come to
experience these fun-filled days
with their daughters, and this year
was no different!
Mother/daughter day came first,
and this year the event hosted
celebrity chef Melanie Barsuk of
Simple Gourmet, who taught a
specialized cooking lesson while
the women enjoyed a scrumptious
lunch. Once everyone finished
eating, mothers and daughters put
their newly learned skills to the test.
The goal was to create a tasty spice
blend. After laughing and dirtying
their aprons, the mothers and
daughters tied the final ribbons on
T
his semester, Thetas clad themselves in everything
from onesie pajamas to iPhone Emoji-inspired
costumes as they took on the row each week with
a diverse social calendar, establishing relationships
with different fraternities and enjoying the events
they hosted. Some of the most clever themes
included “Loggers and Joggers” (think Lululemon
leggings or oversized flannels and beards) and “The
Great Fratsby” (where Thetas strutted their stuff in
flapper dresses and pearls)! Continuing a tradition
with the men of Phi Kappa Psi, Theta got artsy at
a paint party in an underground venue in Beverly
Hills, where white clothes and white furniture were
splattered with every color of paint by the end of the
night. To bring the year to a close, Theta held its final
invite at the Avalon in Hollywood, bringing the young
women and their dates together for a memorable
evening of celebration and dancing the night away.
their unique spice jars, little takehome souvenirs to remind them of
the wonderful day!
Father/daughter day was equally as
special as the girls and their fathers
headed to the Warner Bros. studio.
At the studio they received a full
tour of the grounds—they drove
down streets that had been walked
on by countless stars and featured
in hundreds of movies, from old
classics to current blockbusters.
The group also had the chance to
see the actual set of the Ellen Show,
Friends, and The Big Bang Theory.
As always, the girls were extremely
thankful for these days, and
consider themselves lucky to have
these family days every year!
by Katherine Levinson
by Alex Buckingham
Sisterhood
Thetas bond with disco roller skating
Social Media Savvy
Theta hosts LinkedIn bootcamp
G
oogle “Taylor Swift” and you’ll see a long list
of men she has dated over the years—not
particularly surprising for a celebrity,
but not what any young woman wants
her prospective employer to see.
Social media can have far-reaching
consequences (both positive and
negative) for employment, so our
marketing team invited personal
branding expert Josh Ochs to Theta
for a dynamic presentation on
“best practices” for young adults on
social media. On the night of Josh’s
presentation, Thetas packed the
dining room, laptops in hand, to hear advice about
how to edit their own LinkedIn profiles. Josh explained
the power of social media to promote oneself to
potential employers—he suggested
reaching beyond merely maintaining
an appropriate Facebook page, and
utilizing outlets such as Twitter to
publicize positive involvement like
community service. With extensive
extracurricular involvement both
on and off campus, our ladies will
definitely be taking Josh’s advice
and marketing their impressive
accomplishments!
by Kate Arnold
O
ne of the most memorable
sisterhood events of the
spring semester involved Thetas
skating the night away at Moonlight
Rollerway. The skating floor was
a kaleidoscope of flamboyant
colors, and Thetas with tutus,
leg warmers, neon spandex, and
retro red and white skates were
everywhere. Holding onto each
other to avoid slipping and falling,
wobbly Thetas clung to each other
as they lapped around the rink and
attempted to do fancy tricks. Soon
it was time for limbo: a thought
that filled many equally with dread
and excitement. Nervous Thetas
lined up waiting to be called up
to smoothly (or not so smoothly)
glide under the limbo bar as it
became frighteningly lower and
lower. Adrienne Visnic was the
crowned Queen of the evening
with her fantastic 1970s outfit
and impressive tricks, but every
single girl certainly got to feel like
a roller-princess in one of the best
sisterhood events yet!
by Ally Christensson
RECRUITMENT 2014
Calendar
Recruitment
Convo Days House Tours Days Slideshow Day Preference Bid Day August 23-24
August 25-26
August 27
August 28
August 29
Please send in reference letters to the chapter house
by August 15th! If you have any questions please contact [email protected]. If you would
like to volunteer during recruitment please contact
[email protected].
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THE CHAIN THAT BINDS US
LINKS US HEART TO HEART...
Please join the
Kappa Alpha Theta Omicron
LinkedIn and Facebook pages!
Contact Alumnae and Foundation Liaison
Katherine Flynn with questions [email protected]
MADE WITH THETA LOVE
This edition of Thetas of Troy was created by:
Katherine Levinson, Editor
[email protected]
Special thanks to:
Ari Uhalde
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c/o Kappa Alpha Theta
653 W. 28th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007