AXO is FTK!!!

Hello!! I hope everyone is doing well, and welcome back!

     This past weekend, 44 of our amazing sisters participated in Florida State's annual event, Dance Marathon. Not only did our sisters participate as first-time and repeat dancers, but as morale captains and Dance Marathon delegates. We are extremely proud to say that as a whole, our chapter raised over $39,300, including both generous donations from before and during the marathon. Throughout both 20 hour shifts, our sisters engaged in multiple activities, including learning a line dance, hitting the gong for every $100 they raised during the marathon, silent disco, getting to spend time dancing with their sisters, and listening to stories from the miracle families every hour. These activities and stories helped to increase dancers' passion for this cause and keep their moral high. Speaking of morale, our sister, Jill Kirkpatrick, was lucky enough to have the opportunity to be a morale captain this year for DM, allowing her to work with a team of almost 100 fellow captains to plan and prepare activities to keep dancers' energy high during DM. The captains did this by creating themes for dancers to dress up for and creating the line dance, along with many other activities. Jill said her main job was to "...make sure everyone was having the best time possible, especially during the late hours of the night...keeping a positive energy going through the civic center." To sum up her experience, Jill stated "I had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people through being an internal member for DM this year and would do it again in a heartbeat!" We are so proud of you, Jill!!
     All of our participants loved the experience they had at the marathon, Sara Dramis called it a humbling experience, being thankful that "Dance Marathon made standing for 20 hours feel like two" and that she was able to be surrounded be others passionate about the health and wellness other others, like Alpha Chi's miracle child, Sage. Joanna Savino stated that "Being a first year dancer at Dance Marathon was eye opening. Listening to miracle families tell their stories was truly inspirational and something I will never forget." We are so proud of our dancers for pushing through the marathon, and doing so passionately! Not only are we grateful for our dancers, but for our DM delegate, Abby Bolger.
     Abby has worked all year long towards Dance Marathon, helping to coordinate with dancers and make arrangements for the marathon itself. Abby said that she wanted to be the delegate for Beta Eta because of how moved she was by the miracle families stories at the marathon last year. She also stated that "This entire experience has made me so proud of the entire chapter for coming together and raising money for the families that spend long days and nights in the hospital while their children are fighting for their lives. I spent a total of 40 hours standing for these families [this past marathon] and have never felt so inspired," expressing her gratitude for this chapter, her position, and this cause. We are incredibly proud to have had so many sisters not only participate in Dance Marathon this year, but to give it their all and work so tirelessly for this cause. Thank you to everyone who dedicated their time and generously raised funds for Dance Marathon, we can't thank you enough for making all this possible!

Abby Bolger, Dance Marathon Delegate '18-'19

Garnet Shift!!!

Taylor Anderson & Kate Allen

Joanna Savino & Emily Gordon

Hannah Zimmerly and Sara Dramis

Jill Kirkpatrick & Savannah Sotomayor

Alpha Chi Omega Exceeds Goal at Dance Marathon 2018

Each year many of our sisters participate in Dance Marathon at FSU, an event where dancers stand for 20 hours to raise money for Children's Miracle Network hospitals as well as the FSU College of Medicine.  There are fundraising events year round and this year FSU aimed to raise $2 million for the kids, something we had never done before.  Not only did the FSU community meet this goal, we exceeded it by raising a total of $2,152,382.19!



In addition to FSU exceeding it's largest ever fundraising goal, we also exceeded our fundraising goal as a chapter!  Our goal was to raise $50,000 and we ended up raising $50,484.54!

This year, FSU decided that it was "#Up2Us to create more miracles for the kids" and they did just that by exceeding their fundraising goal!  Special shoutout to our Dance Marathon delegate, Ale Gonzales and assistant delegate Kailie Rush for all you have done for our chapter!

A big thank you to all sisters who participated and all donors!  None of this would have been possible without you!

AXO takes FTKolor!

Last week many of our sisters participated in FTKolor, an exciting fundraising event in preparation for the 40-hour long Dance Marathon in March.  For a donation, participants were given white t-shirts that they were able to decorate with over 1,000 pounds of glow in the dark paint!  If you've ever heard of the color run, it is sort of like that but without the run!         


It was a great night full of fun, friends, food and great music!  We love seeing so much passion and enthusiasm for such a great cause and can't wait for 20 hours of nonstop dancing at the marathon!  Way to go girls, FTK!

   



    

Dance Marathon at FSU 2017- Captains!

Congratulations to everyone who received a Captains position this past weekend for Dance Marathon 2017!

Ale Gonzalez- Marathon Events

Alexa Rodriguez- Morale

Brittney Rangel- Morale

Caroline Imiolek- Fundraising

Colleen Chatfield- Morale

Katie McCarthy- Operations

Kayla Copley- External Events

Maddie Thomas- Hospitality

Madison Cappeller- Marketing 

Molly Cappeller- Marathon Events

Monica Shevock- Morale

Dance Marathon at FSU

AXO's with Chi Phi and Phi Gam!

This past weekend, the ladies of Alpha Chi participated in FSU’s 21^st Dance Marathon! We were paired with Chi Phi and Phi Gam. Sixty-eight girls participated as dancers, 9 were captains, 2 were core members. Brittney Rangel, our chapter delegate, did an amazing job and helped our team raise $43,503!

“I have never worked harder or longer than I did as delegate for the past 7 months. But there is no greater reward than seeing these kids tell their stories every hour on the hour, knowing I helped our team raise money to keep them alive. As the late nights, the meetings, the deadlines came to an end, I couldn't help but smile. We made miracles, we made 43,503 miracles--a legacy each and everyone one of us left this year, and next year we're going to do it all over again.”

FSU raised over $1.4 million for Children's Miracle Network!

Technology captain Stephanie Bernal with our miracle child Jessica!

20 Years Of Miracles

Dance Marathon at Florida State was celebrating its 20^th year of making miracles happen this past weekend! Benefiting the Children’s Miracle Network, Alpha Chi was lucky enough to participate again this year.  Amanda Corin represented Alpha Chi as Dancer Rep this year, motivating all of the sisters participating.  Alpha Chi had about 101 sisters participating as dancers, collectively raising $50,000.  Alpha Chi sister Michelle Goldman received an award for being the second highest fundraiser, raising $5,048. 

Alpha Chi was paired with Alpha Epsilon Pi as well as the Lady Spear Hunters.  Together, we placed 3^rd in fundraising among large pairings.  Alpha Epsilon Pi and Lady Spear Hunters each raised about $12,000.  Dance Marathon raised a total of $1,100,645.52, reaching a new high. Sisters that participated praised the event, professing it was the time of their lives.  Alpha Chi can’t wait for next years Dance Marathon! 

Senior Spotlight!

Senior Spotlight!

Sara Lyons

Hometown:  Jensen Beach, FL

Major: Biology

Favorite meal at AXO: Taco bar

Favorite memory at AXO: There are way too many for me to pick one!

Plans after graduation: Eventually go to Medical School

Where you see yourself in 10 years: Being an oncologist, married, with a family and happy

Advice for underclassman: Never be afraid to do something out of your comfort zone. Take every opportunity to meet new people that you can, don’t let being shy hold you back!

Chesley McLeary

Hometown: West Palm Beach, FL

Major: Marketing and Finance

 Accomplishments in college: I’ve been really involved in Dance Marathon. I was a Dancer, then a Morale Captain and then on the Core Board for two years

Favorite meal at AXO: Spaghetti squash and meatballs (obsessed with meatballs)

Favorite memory at AXO: Date functions with all my friends, my favorite was Wacky Tacky

Plans after graduation: Hopefully move to NY and get a job with either a bank or media company

Where you see yourself in 10 years: I’ll hopefully have a successful job and married

Advice for underclassman: Live it up during college and don’t take anything for granted. It flies by and don’t care what other people think…people will always judge. But don’t have too much fun, get internships and work experience. You’ll thank yourself later!

Michelle Nicastro

Hometown:  Monroe, NY

Major: Double major in Psychology and Family and Child Sciences

Accomplishments in college: Florida State Honors student, graduating Cum Lade with honors medallion, Panhellenic Rho Gamma for Recruitment 2013, women’s all-campus flag football champions in 2012, getting a promotion at my job in management for 2 years, interning at a local Middle School, and completing undergraduate research at the College of Education

Favorite meal at AXO: Taco bar! Queso makes any day better.

Favorite memory at AXO: Meeting my little Taylor Locklear. She is my best friend, my go to person for everything. Without AXO I would not have found the girl who stands by me through everything.

Plans after graduation: I’m staying in Tallahassee after graduation to work and get ready for graduate school instead of moving back to New York. I plan on going to graduate school for School of Child Psychology in the Spring somewhere in Florida. I’m excited for the opportunity to enjoy Tallahassee outside of school!

Where you see yourself in 10 years: I haven’t decided on a specific career path, but if anything I want to be working with children. Hopefully by then I will be settled with my family with at least a Master’s, working in a career that I enjoy

 Advice for underclassman: Never stop taking advantages of the opportunities available to all of us. Some of my greatest accomplishments and memories at FSU are the ones where I took a risk, worked towards a goal, and did not stop trying. Also, remember that AXO is part of something so much bigger than just our sorority. We are part of Panhellenic. Don’t miss out on meeting all of the other amazing girls from other organizations.

We are so proud of you, ladies!

Senior Spotlight!

Senior Spotlight!

Katrina Drexler

Hometown: Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Major: Marketing

Accomplishments in college: Deans list, Dance Marathon (four year dancer), order of omega, new member educator for AXO

Favorite meal at AXO: Baked potato bar and chili day

Favorite memory at AXO: Being vp of new member education and all of my best friends

Plans after graduation: Moving to another city and hopefully having a job

Where you see yourself in 10 years: I see myself in Las Vegas with all of my best friends celebrating someone’s bachelorette party.

Advice for underclassman: Don't spend too much time sweating the small stuff, always keep the bigger picture in mind and remember to have fun in college because it truly is the best four years of your life!  

Alyssa Farrell

Hometown: Wesley Chapel, FL

Major: Criminology and Finance

Accomplishments in college: VP Risk Management for Alpha Chi, was offered a full time job at the Office of the Attorney General

Favorite meal at AXO: Pitas!

Favorite memory at AXO: Sisterhood Retreat in Tennessee

Plans after graduation: Continue working at the Capitol for another year before hopefully moving out of state.

Where you see yourself in 10 years: Working for an insurance company in my dream city (once I figure that out)

 Advice for underclassman: Realize you literally have the rest of your life to be an adult. Have fun and don’t rush anything!  

Mackenzie Feldman

Hometown:  West Palm Beach, FL

Major: Marketing, double minoring in Economics and Hospitality

 Accomplishments in college: I had two internships in NYC the past two summers

Favorite meal at AXO: Pita day

Favorite memory at AXO: Wacky Tacky each year

Plans after graduation: An elementary teacher in NYC

Where you see yourself in 10 years: I see myself hopefully married (lol) still living in NYC as a teacher.

 Advice for underclassman: Get as much real world work experience, cause it matters a lot when you are applying for jobs!

Bianca Gentile

 Hometown:  Davie, FL

Major: Political Science/ International Affairs

 Accomplishments in college: Member of Order of Omega Honor Society, Member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Intern at Law Offices of Friedman and Abrahamsen, Social Chair, Personal Development Chair, PACE Chair at AXO, fourth year dancer for Dance Marathon

Favorite meal at AXO: Mac and cheese

Favorite memory at AXO: Too many to count! But game days, socials, and nights out with my sisters are my favorites. 

Plans after graduation: Will be attending law school

Where you see yourself in 10 years: Hopefully a stable job, a home, a family, healthy, and happy

Advice for underclassman: Even though college may be a crazy time, remember to always stay classy, make good decisions, and represent yourself well. Your reputation IS important!

Congratulations, Seniors! We are so proud of you!