Beta Eta Attends AXO Leadership Academy

(Left to right) Paris Thie, Gaby Panneflek, Molly Reinking and Sarah Henriksen

Indianapolis bound! Just this past weekend, four of our executive members (Chapter President, VP Standards, VP Risk Management and VP Public Relations) attended the 3 day annual Leadership Academy workshop organized by Alpha Chi Omega headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. The same four executive board members from almost every AXO chapter across the nation, including their advisors were in attendance; volunteers from headquarters were also present, who served as group facilitators and offered first-hand leadership advice to the newly elected officers.

The program was organized into several different events including: general leadership panels and renowned speakers, large group session meetings divided by officer position and breakout group sessions led by the facilitators. The information relayed in these events enlightened sisters on important topics like effective execution of officer duties, mental health as an individual and chapter, leading as a sister, communication skills and qualities of a great leader in a collegiate and future workplace environment.

According to our VP Public Relations officer, Sarah Henriksen, one of the many remarkable aspects of the trip was getting to discuss her individual chapter and position with officers from other AXO chapters who share the same leadership title. She said she enjoyed everyone comparing their roles in their chapters and lending advice/tips to grow together as an organization nationally, becoming stronger as a whole. Overall, Leadership Academy contributed to our executive members professional development, knowledge on a variety of useful topics and taught them how to give chapter members their own individual experience as "Real. Strong. Women."

2016 National Alpha Chi Omega Convention

The 2016 National Alpha Chi Omega Convention was held in Orlando, FL this year with the theme Sunshine & Sisterhood. The Beta Eta Chapter being in Florida was fortunate enough to send multiple advisors and executive board members. 

"I, Gianna Traylor, VP of Chapter Relations and Standards attended as the chapter voting delegate. Vice President Philanthropy Mindy Do, VP Membership programming Alex Dering, VP Collegiate Recruitment Information Mckayla Michaud, Whitney Bogard, and Anna Brown attended as a convention page as well on behalf of the chapter. 

"We began the weekend with a welcome dinner on Friday night and a National Chapter Meeting on Saturday. At the National Chapter Meeting, as the chapter delegate, I was able to vote on behalf of the chapter for our new national council for the 2016-2016 year which included our new national president, Angela Costley Harris. Throughout the day we had a sisterhood luncheon, listened to key note speaker Molly Cain, attended educational sessions, and ended the night with a reunion night dinner with over 60 Beta Eta alumna! Sunday was similar with another National Chapter Meeting, a foundation luncheon, listened to keynote speaker Abi Ferrin, more educational sessions, then ending with a final night dinner and dessert reception. 

"Along with reaching overall accreditation of at least Alpha status during the 2015 year period, Beta Eta also received the 2016 Seeking the Heights: Community Relations award for our involvement in the community and willingness to help others. So proud! 

"The weekend was definitely one to remember filled with memories, friendships and new friends; and valuable and relevant knowledge. There is something so special about experiencing the ritual in a room full of over 900 sisters from all over the country and all walks of life. We are so excited to bring back everything we have learned to the chapter and see ways in new ways we can seek the heights!"

ROTC- Savannah Markell

Savannah Markell, a freshman, tells us on why she decided to become a part of ROTC at Florida State and how she received a three-year scholarship!

"I was inspired to join because I wanted to serve my country but not on the front line. I knew I wanted to be a nurse even going into high school but I had no idea that ultimately I would be doing my job through the US Army. Looking back, I would have laughed if someone told me I would be an army nurse but now I am so excited about my future. Being an ROTC Cadet is time consuming but doable, especially because all we do motivates you and encourages you to be a better person overall. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday we have physical training, PT, from 06:30-07:30. PT is different every morning, some days we have track work outs some days we go on long runs. Tuesday, I have my military science class and it meets once a week. We talk about the army values, learn ranks, and basics that we will need to know.

"Wednesdays we have Lab that consists of planned lessons, the ms1s and 2s are led by the ms3s and 4s. I’m an ms1 and seniors are ms4s. We learn tactical hands on stuff in lab that we can't learn in our individual classes. As you go up in MS classes, you gain leadership skills and are expected to show initiative and take care of the younger cadets and show them the ropes. I will graduate with a major in nursing and minor in military science because of the military classes I take over these four years.

"It is kind of crazy because I came in my first semester not sure if I wanted to go the army route but I showed up to all the PT's went to class and started to succeed, I'm actually number one on the OML which is the list of all the MS1 cadets. We all compete against each other for contracts/ scholarships, and I recently received a three-year scholarship. It was very unexpected and I was elated to earn it because as a nursing cadet I compete with the nation of nurses and not for what my fellow FSU cadets are competing for."