Alumni Newsletter - Sigma Epsilon Omega

S P R I N G
2 0 1 6
Spring 2014
Alumni Newsletter
Happenings in SEO
SEO welcomed 10 new brothers with the initiation of the
Xi class, of which myself 4 others are now serving in officer
positions. We faced a challenge to our pledge process last
semester, but thanks to the adaptability of Trey Soto and, as
always, commitment and cohesion of brothers, we have grown
only stronger as a result.
In addition, our lovely, hardworking, house manager
(Jaime-Andres) has had to deal with finding a new house for
SEO. We will be moving into it for the next year, if all goes well.
Save the Date
April 5th
Alumni dinner will be this
Saturday, at 5:00pm
Our Current
Officers
President: Williams Reyes
VP: Trenton Owens (Collegiate
chair and VP have been
combined)
Social Chairs: George Glaviano &
Sammy Sassoon
Treasurer: Sean Luong
Pledge Marshall: Ahmad Fayad
Director of Fundraising: Michael
Lepage
Philanthropy and activism chair:
Rudy Morales
Scholarship Chair: Luis Soriano
Alumni Chair and Sergeant at
Arms: Max Rosenthaler
Director of Publicity: Stephen
Klavuhn
House Manager: Jaime-Andres
Flores
SPRING 2014
The Pledge Process this
Semester
Marshall doin his
Our Lovely Pledge
thing
Our new Pledge
Marshall (Ahmad
Fayad) has shifted the
focus of the pledge
process to pledgebrother bonding over
proving commitment to
the fraternity. The new
omicron class has
grown steadily closer to
the fraternity, as well as
each other, through
activities fostering
cooperation and unity.
Look at them bond
ing!
s
That girl needs Jesu
Big C was especially
2
inviting this year
SPRING 2014
Omicron Class
Get to know the current pledges!
Cesar Torrez
Hi! My name is Cesar Torres. An interesting thing not many people know about me is that I lived in Mexico until about the age of 1. Currently I reside in Newport Beach, CA, with my parents and my sister, Johanna, who also attends UC Berkeley. I lived in Newport Beach until I was 16, which is when I began college. Being away from home at such an early age was not a new to me, I frequently left home for extended periods of time for club activities and even got the opportunity to study abroad in Australia at the age of 15. I am currently an intended Molecular and Cell Biology major emphasizing in biochemistry. An interesting quote I came across in one of my biology textbooks said: viruses "lead a borrowed life" and although this quote was referring specifically to viruses I feel it applies to humans as well. It is important to remember to do what you love everyday, which I feel I do. Brian (Joey) Huang
"Hi! My name is Brian Huang, but you can also call me Joey, there is no preference! I am currently a freshman, and I am a Chemical Biology Major in the College of Chemistry. I enjoy swimming, shopping (especially at lush and H&M :D), and hanging out with the fraternity. I am from Los Angeles County in SoCal, specifically West Covina in the 626. I am pledging for this fraternity because I wanted to be part of a unique safe space where I can form stronger bonds with other LGBT people than I would in a club. I identify as bisexual, and I believe my best trait is my compassion for others as well as my unique perspective on things. Marlon Gonzalez
Hello, my name is Marlon Gonzalez and I am a member of the Omicron pledge class for Sigma Epsilon Omega. I am a first year at the University of California, Berkeley and am currently undecided as far as my major is concerned. I am native to the Bay Area having lived my entire life in the city of Hayward, California, and I am excited to learn more about myself as I dig deeper into my adventures at Cal. I like long walks on the beach and really enjoy conversations with others. 3
SPRING 2014
Jesus Calisto-Lopez
Hello my name is Jesus Calixtro-­‐Lopez. I am a 19 year old second year student at UC Berkeley. I am currently unclear concerning my future career path and major. I know that I want to work with people because from a young age, I have had a strong interest in examining human motivation. I am hoping to join SEO to find a home. Last semester was a living hell for me because I came out to my mom as pansexual and two spirited. My mom continues to struggle with accepting the truth, but I have learned that living life is worthless when you are not living. As I read my senior year yearbook last night, I realized that everyone knew about my queer identity and lack of self-­‐confidence. I continue to struggle with accepting myself and been confident but my time at SEO so far has helped to explore another aspect of queer life; brotherhood. The hardest part during this semester has been to feel comfortable with the brothers. Although they are friendly, I have had a difficult time looking at people in the eyes or calling them by their first time. I am an emotional wreck since I have seen all the important people in my life leave at one point either because life has another plan for them or because they cannot stand my insecurities. If I had to choose the best part in this process, I would have to say that it was the day when one of the brothers was direct to me and told me how my attitude violated the sense of brotherhood. I am excited for the rest of this process, and I would love to thank you for your dedication to this community, and I hope that I can help it grow, so more queer men can find a place to call home. New SEO slang
You need Jesus.
SEO has returned to its
traditional religious
roots with this
exclamation. Tell this to
anyone acting like a
complete mess, or in
need of serious fucking
help.
Boop!
Boop has become the new
“Bye, Felicia”. Use this
for whenever you really
can’t think of anything to
say, but still want to
sound sassy! Brought to
you by Xi class member
Sammy.
Use this link to learn more about boop
http://fivegum.tumblr.com/post/79218449149/realitytvgifsthe-face-wed-10-9c-on-oxygen
4
SPRING 2014
Cory Mohn
Hello! My name is Cory Mohn and I am a third year from Pleasanton, CA. I am pursuing a double major in Rhetoric and Media Studies. Besides pledging for SEO, other extracurriculars include: working as an editorial writer for BARE Magazine (the fashion magazine at Cal) and as the Assistant Show Director for FAST|Fashion And Student Trends, where I help organize a fashion show each semester composed of student designers and models. In my spare time, Soren Hiatt
Soren Hiatt is a Political Science major with a minor in Public Policy at UC Berkeley. He is set to graduate in the fall semester of 2015. Avid follower of politics Soren hopes to attend law school after his time at UC Berkeley and pursue a career in political campaigns. Ever the optimist he is confidant that with the right political minds the United States can be progress for the better. He pledged SEO this semester with the goal of expanding his circle of friends with wonderful like minded queers. And is looking forward to bonds created within SEOs space that can last a lifetime. When not studying or following politics Soren can often be found with his cat Meowlorie listening to Lana while contemplating life and the state of the economy. Juan Mendoza
Juan M. Mendoza: UC Berkeley student with a double major in Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies and a minor in Disability studies. His passion for the arts has led him to work in education, where spreads the power of theatre to youth. While at Berkeley, he upholds a position as a Student Liaison for the TDPS department and is working on his honors thesis project. His thesis project will focus on the power of theatre and how it can be used as a tool to break the silence and understand ones own identity. 5
THE LOREM IPSUMS
SPRING 2016
Last Words,
I hope you enjoyed the newsletter, and I look forward to
seeing many of you this Saturday! Remember that you continue to
be a part of the SEO community, even though you may have
graduated. Feel free to stop by whenever you guys wish, and I
know many new members are eager to meet the alumni that we
have all heard about. You are all also an important network of
professionals that help extend the benefit of being a brother.
Our board works tirelessly to keep SEO alive, and even
more to help it thrive. However, the onslaught of difficulties
recently (including moving our house) reveals how vulnerable SEO
can be. Any donations are greatly appreciated, and will definitely
be put to good use. On another note, I can’t wait to have an
awesome time this Saturday, but remember the position we are in
as a fraternity. We are going to be moving soon, so please respect
our current space.
Lastly, as a recent addition to the SEO community, I don’t
know too many of you in person, but remember my job is to help
keep you connected to this fraternity. I’m always open to any
input, you just have to let me know. In looking to set up an
alumni association (board), brothers have suggested that we
entrust such a board with collecting money, mentorship of current
brothers, t-shirt sales, expansion of SEO, and organizing
connections to job opportunities. But ultimately it’s all about what
you want! I have kept track of everyone who’s shown interest, and
will try to contact
you in the near
future.
Best wishes,
Alumni chair,
Xi class,
Max Rosenthaler