ΑΩ Welcomes You! National Convention

KKΨ - ALPHA OMEGA CHAPTER OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER
AUTUMN 2007
Salutations from the Alpha Omega chapter of Kappa
Kappa Psi at the University of Pittsburgh! I hope that
this newsletter finds you healthy and happy. Here at
by Kate Falen, President
Pitt, the past Spring and current Fall semester have
kept us striving for the highest in many different ways.
In the Spring, we had the honor to successfully host the
Central Precinct meeting of brothers and sisters in the
Northeast District, and the seven pep bands that traveled to our University for the first two rounds of the
Women's NCAA basketball tournament. The Precinct
meeting was a great success, with a large turn out of
brothers from around the district, and the service opportunity to host the pep bands gave us the chance to
meet with two chapters of KKPsi (James Madison University and Prairie View A&M), and a newly developed colony from the University of North Carolina.
Come March, we received the exciting news that our
chapter was selected as a finalist (among 10 other
The brothers of the Alpha Omega Chapter after Third Degree.
chapters across the nation) for the William A. Scrogg's
Founder's Trophy. This honor had the brothers work
together with their different talents to produce a fantastic presentation to take to Orlando, FL in July for the
National Convention of 2007. While we did not come
by Alexis Barlow
home with the trophy, we came away with the pride of
being selected and the satisfaction of knowing that we
At the past National Convention, I got to serve as our delerepresented our brothers and University to our fullest
gate. I personally enjoyed representing the Alpha Omega
capabilities. It was also inspiring to our chapter to conchapter in this convention. I also served on the Membership
tinue the work that we do and to constantly improve.
Committee. Being the delegate at National Convention is a
This semester has been a great opportunity for us to
great honor that one should want to take a part of, because it is
improve
upon past projects, and introduce new ones, as
a great opportunity to get to know brothers from other chapters,
well
as
strengthen
our bonds and create new ones with
and to learn about the fraternity on a national level. Being
the
incoming
Gamma
Iota class. Please, read on and
delegate is an experience that I will never forget!
see what Alpha Omega has been up to! We hope to
see you in the 'Burgh in the near future!
ΑΩ Welcomes You!
National Convention
2007-2008 Officers
Kate Falen — President
Alex Moore — Vice President of Service
Danielle Zartman — Vice President of
Membership
Darcy Hidek — Secretary
Jon Grasman — Treasurer
Kellie Fisher — Historian
Anthony Roscoe — Sponsor
Jack R. Anderson — Director of Bands
In This Issue:
Article
Band Awards
Chapter Contact Information
Chapter Events
Fall 2007 MC class
Historian’s Report
Secretary’s report
Spring 2007 MC class
Treasurer’s report
Vice President of Membership’s report
Vice President of Service’s report
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Gargantuan Circloid
2
Fall 2007 MC Process
Fundraising
Danielle Zartman, VPM
Jon Grasman, Treasurer
Here at Alpha Omega, the three person Gamma Iota class is the newest edition of brothers. Pete Kotowski, Sarah Toon and Joseph Floro
now get the chance to leave their mark on our chapter. This semester, they have learned about the history of our chapter and the history
of KKPsi and TBS. They had a spectacular lesson on Pitt Band history presented by Brother Justin Greenawalt, and also a stimulating
discussion about brotherhood with our sponsor Anthony Roscoe.
During their MC process, they have displayed all of the qualities that
this fraternity is about. All three are outstanding leaders, remarkable
instrumentalists, excellent friends, and most of all, very eager to be
brothers and contribute to the brotherhood. To strengthen these qualities, they have completed four projects. They’ve met many times together as a class to bond, planned a social gathering for the brotherhood, a bake sale to raise money for the brotherhood, and completed
a service project to help the band. AΩ is very excited to see what
these brothers will contribute to the brotherhood and one thing is for
sure, this chapter will never be the same.
This year we have had a modest amount of
fundraisers, although not as much as in previous
years. As you all know we are a non-profit organization with the ultimate goal of raising
money which will go towards the band or promoting music in some way. Some of the fundraisers that we have undertaken are Pie-a-Section
leader, selling hand warmers, and working at a
local haunted house. While this list isn’t very
long, we have several fundraising projects that
are in the works, such as a bake sale led by this
semester’s MCs, selling Pitt Band duffel bags,
and we hope to cooperate with local restaurants
to allow us to schedule a day when we can get a
percentage of their profits when the customer has
a specific flyer. We plan to continue to Strive
for the Highest in terms of fundraising throughout next semester so we can continue our support
of music. As always, should you feel so inclined, we would be more than happy to accept
any and all monetary donations toward achieving
The Fall 2007 MC class, Gamma
our goals and purposes of supporting university
Iota, includes (left to right) Pete
bands and the art of music. If you have ideas of
Kotowski, Sarah Toon, and Joseph
other ways we can raise money or you can help
Floro. They were initiated into the
us raise money please forward those to us as
Alpha Omega chapter on Dec 1,
2007. The following descriptions are well. We’re proud of what we have accomtheir reflections on the fraternity and plished so far, but we are already looking toward
the MC process.
what we can do in the future.
MEET THE MCS
Joseph Floro, Sophomore Trumpet, majoring in Film Studies and History. Joe joined Kappa to further his experience in
the band program by giving back to it through service. As an
MC, his favorite experience was increasing his knowledge of
Pitt Band history.
Gamma Theta Class
In Spring 2007, we initiated eleven new
brothers into our chapter:
Pamela Callahan, Sophomore Flute
Erin Delahanty, Junior Colorguard
Pete Kotowski, Senior Drumline, majoring in History and
Christian Delozier, Sophomore Trumpet
Political Science. Pete has always wanted to give back to the
Jen Doody, Sophomore Clarinet
band and loves the spirit and of brotherhood and service in
Kappa. Pete enjoyed the MC process of meeting the brothers
Heather Duschl, Sophomore Colorguard
and learning about the incredible bond they share.
Chris Eyster, Sophomore Mellophone
Allyson Heslop, Sophomore Bass
Sarah Toon, Sophomore Mellophone, majoring in NeurosciMike Maloney, Sophomore Trumpet
ence and Applied Developmental Psychology. Sarah decided
to join Kappa because she is interested in serving Pitt Band and Tyler Meinhart, Sophomore Trumpet
getting to know band members in other sections. Her best
Adriana Schultz, Sophomore Flute
event as a Membership Candidate was participating in a service Stephanie Sterchak, Sophomore Tromproject.
bone
Gargantuan Circloid
3
As a way to boost morale during
nual Pitt Band Date Auction with
November we hosted a "Pie a Sec- TBΣ, MKY, and IBK. We auction Leader" event and made over tioned off several brothers, donatAlex Moore, VPS
$30 dollars (and a huge mess).
ing the money to VH1's Save the
Later in November the brotherMusic, and providing the winners
In just four months, the brothers of AΩ have hood traveled to Canonsburg, PA with gift certificates that had been
already proved how much they are committed to volunteer at the Food Bank of donated by local restaurants.
to servicing the Pitt Band and the community. Washington County. We spent
Our final plans for the semester
It's been a busy semester for the band, but our four hours passing out canned
are playing Christmas carols at the
brothers have still found time to do some great goods and carrying boxes filled
Rodef Shalom to support United
work. Well before the semester began, Jen
with food for the less-fortunate,
Cerebral Palsy, as well as playing
Costello and Lou Rusiski organized the taping and afterward we celebrated our
for Children's Hospital and the VA
of a marching tutorial video featuring Kappa
accomplishments at a brother's
Hospital. We're excited for Spring
brothers. This video will be sent to each inhouse. Returning from Thankssemester and we can't wait to concoming freshman before next band season.
giving Break, we hosted the antinue our tradition of service!
Later we re-taped several segments, including
voice-overs with marching instructions. Before
band camp, when band freshmen were arriving
Darcy Hidek, Secretary
on campus, we helped alleviate their process of
moving in by carrying luggage into the freshFollowing the lead of our previous secretary, Alexis Barlow, I have
men dorms. We also hosted a movie night to
make them feel more at home. At band camp, been working to create opportunities for brothers from the AΩ chapter
to travel and meet with brothers from neighboring chapters. As a nawe provided popsicles to famished bandies.
tional fraternity, it is important (and fun!) to create bonds with brothers
We sold muffins and juice before the Gramoutside of our own chapter. During the football season we hosted the
bling State game and donated apples to the
band from Grambling State and met with a few brothers from their
visiting bands of Grambling State and Navy,
chapter (Epsilon Rho). It was very exciting to watch a very talented
giving us the opportunity to meet their band
band that has such a different style from our own. Also, a group of
during the game. Kappa still loves to eat!
With football season in full-swing, brothers brothers, including myself, had the opportunity to travel to Michigan
helped set up and deflate an enormous football State for the away game and stay with brothers from their chapter (Zeta
helmet on the William Pitt Union lawn. Also Epsilon) for two nights. We enjoyed seeing their band practice before
the game and perform an excellent half-time show, even though the
we talked to prospective Pitt freshman about
game was a heart-breaking loss.
Pitt Band and tried to recruit a few our way.
Besides football games we are always looking to visit other chapters
Many of us volunteered for the Pittsburgh
and
host visitors for degrees. We have been privileged with the presSymphony Orchestra. We passed out fliers to
ence
of brothers from Clarion University (Epsilon Phi) for our first two
raise awareness for Pitt Night program and we
degrees
of the semester. A trip to attend their chapter’s second degree is
traveled to Heinz Hall to help usher before the
in
the
works
for the upcoming weeks. As our schedules are always
concert.
more
opening
the spring without the practice and football schedule I
As October began, the brothers traveled to
South Park to don face paint and masks and act hope that we will be able to attend more rituals at neighboring chapters
in the Hundred Acres Manor haunted house to such as Duquesne University (Kappa Rho) and West Virginia Univerraise money for charity. We enjoyed ourselves sity (Omicron). Also, as soon as we can find a date that suits both chapso much that we took another group and went ters I am planning a social with Duquesne’s chapter at a Chinese buffet
again with TBS! With midterms underway, we and a bowling alley for an evening of good food and brotherly fun.
The Spring semester also brings the convention season. We will have
offered midterm help to the band, in which
groups
of brothers attending the Central Precincts convention at West
Kappa brothers provided free tutoring in their
Chester (Eta Rho), and the Northeast District convention at Virginia
field of specialty. On Halloween night, we
Tech (Eta Beta). Also, we hope to attend the Southern Precincts condressed up again and joined with TBΣ in a
vention at University of Maryland (Gamma Xi) because our previous
night of trick-or-treating for canned goods
president, Laurel Ball, attends school there and we can visit her during
throughout Oakland and Shadyside. We collected over 300 pounds of food to donate to the our trip. Conventions are always a fun way to bond with members of
our own chapter and of schools around the precinct and district. My
Allegheny County Food Bank.
With our busy football schedule this year, we hope is for each brother to attend at least one event with another chaphad quite a lot to accomplish in our practices. ter since it is such an important part of our identity as a national fraternity.
Service Review
Secretary’s Report
Gargantuan Circloid
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Membership Candidate Degrees
Three degrees will be held in the Spring semester which take place in the band room in
Trees Hall in Oakland. First degree is set tentatively for Sun, January 20, 2008. Alumni are
welcome and encouraged to attend these ceremonies. Please contact the chapter for details.
Alumni Banquet
April 6, 2008
Join us for the 60th anniversary of the original founding of the
Alpha Omega chapter at Pitt!
The brotherhood will be holding Third Degree and a Graduating Senior ceremony followed
by dinner. We’ll also be showing some of our archived information and videos!
Please RSVP by email to Julia Jankovic at [email protected], or by mail to
Kappa Kappa Psi-Alpha Omega • Department of Bands • Univ. Box 7436 • Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Please check our website for updated information: www.pittband.com/kkpsi/index.html
Or e-mail questions to: [email protected]
Archive Project Kellie Fisher, Historian
This year, the Alpha Omega chapter is looking back on its history as
we celebrate the 60th anniversary of our founding on February 14th,
1948. One of the ways we plan to celebrate is with the upcoming Archive Project. Throughout the year, we collect various items that need
to be stored safely. Some examples are trinkets from chapters we’ve
met through our travels, photographs, and other memorabilia from conventions and from within our chapter. The new items, although not
very old or sentimental yet, get stored with similar papers in our cataloged archive. You’re invited to contribute to the historical fun, too!
Send us pictures, papers, pamphlets, or even tales about your time spent
with Kappa. We always love good “it’s a small world” types of stories.
One of the goals I have this year as historian is to begin a digital archive. I would like to do this by scanning old documents and pictures
and saving them in a secure hard drive. Some of our treasures are quite
old and have not been handled carefully over the years. By keeping a
digital copy handy, we can prevent further damage to these items. We
are lacking in scanners and hard drives but we’re not giving up. The
AΩ chapter is also in the front ranks of those brothers wishing to start a
local Alumni Association of the Greater Pittsburgh region. This interest
was generated from the changes to the National Alumni Program last
spring. Although there is now a National Alumni Association, the desire for a local group is still strong. For more information on the ΚKΨ 
Greater Pittsburgh Alumni Association contact [email protected]
ΑΩ Brothers Earn
Band Scholarships
Thank you to the alumni who continue to
recognize and honor band members
Donald S. Wood Scholarship
Christian Delozier (2007), Arianne Gallagher (2007), Julia Jankovic (2006, 2007)
Frank Borden Scholarship
Jess Sanko (2005)
Pitt Band Alumni Council Scholarship
Tyler Meinhart (2007)
Symphonic Band Awards
Colleen Davy (2005), Justin Greenawalt
(2007), Martin Habich (2007), Ryan
Hardesty (2007), Julia Jankovic (2007),
Jeremy Ketter (2004), Patty Nichols (2007)
Jess Sanko (2007), Bethany Summerson
(2007), Andrew Verrillo (2007), Adam
Warble (2006)