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|Image= [[File:Zeta_Sigma.jpg|200px]]
|Founded= {{start date and years ago|1989|04|22}}
|College= [httphttps://www.unt.edu/ University of North Texas]
|Location= Denton, TX
|Homepage= [httphttps://wwwunt.untkkgkappa.org/welcome Zeta Sigma Homepage]|Media= [httphttps://wiki.kappakappagammakkg.org/index.php?title=Category:Zeta_Sigma Media related to Zeta Sigma Chapter]}}
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'''University of North Texas, DenisonDenton, Texas'''
'''985 1,035 initiates (as of June 2018December 2020)'''
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'''Fraternity Officers:'''
Amy Benbow (Riccardi), Traveling Consultant, 1995-1996; Erin Balint (Hogue), Province Director of Chapters, 2009-2013
'''Fraternity Loyalty Award:'''
'''Additional Outstanding Zeta Sigma Alumnae:'''
Annaliese Limb, Chapter Consultant 1992-1994; Courtney Russell (Chamblee), Chapter Consultant 2003-2004
==University of North Texas History==
==Highlights of 2019==
In the year 2019, the Zeta Sigma chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma shined at the University of North Texasunder Erin Gossett’s Presidency. We received The Chapter of the Year Award, Most Improved Scholarship, Program of the Year (Kappa Kolor Run), Cross Council Unity, Fall Academic Excellence, New Member Academic Excellence, Greek Woman of the Year (Paige Sennet), and New Member of the Year (Rachel May), with Kappa receiving the New Member of the Year award for the third year in a row! These are all awards given to us by the University of North Texas Greek Life, an extremely high honor! Seniors Paige Sennet and Charlotte Loewes also each received the Golden Eagle Award,the highest honor a student can receive by the University of North Texas! In the Fall, Charlotte Loewes was also given the honor of representing the Student Alumni Ambassadors on the UNT homecoming court! We are so proud of our amazing, and high achieving Kappa Kappa Gamma members. By the community, we were awarded the “Adopt A School” award from Denton ISD for our philanthropic relationship with the local elementary school, Ginnings. With the Spring of 2019, we gained 13 Zeta Sigma Alumnae! We are so proud of Kelly Burke, Abigail Batterton, Kennedy Garinger, Megan Brackeen, Rachel Duban, Paige Sennet, Samantha Lawson, Kendall York, Allie Pope, Katy Baca, Rachel Dean, Kristian Cardenas, and Rachel White. Many of these amazing women have started careers in their respective fields or have continued their higher education in graduate school! In August of 2019 we recruited 29 amazing new members and then initiated all 29 sapphires into our chapter that October. Our Membership Chairman, Haley Arnold put on an amazing 2019 recruitment that ensured multiple legacies coming home, and women of value finding their place in Kappa Kappa Gamma. Our Marshal, Ivalis Guajardo put on the ultimate inspiration week, filled with a Big and Little Dinner honoring our new members, inspiration week shirts, and general education about what being a Kappa woman means. In the Fall, we also gained 6 beautiful alumnae members, Lisbeth Giron, Lindsey Whitt, Charlotte Loewes, Baylee Dehoyos, Noor Geoffery, and Nabha Tariq.
In regards to our philanthropic efforts, Kappa volunteered over 1400 hours. Many of these hours were spent at Ginnings Elementary in Denton, Texas. This is a local title 1 school close to our campus, at the elementary school, bi-weekly Kappas will go and read to the second grade classrooms. Weekly, Kappas will also go and volunteer at their GEMS program, where we mentor the 5th grade girls about morals, growing up, being kind, confidence, and the value of education. We also volunteer at the school dances acting as chaperones/dance partners/ decorating committee/food servers. Being active and contributing members of our community is extremely important to us and we are so grateful to be able to have the opportunity to be hands on while making our difference. Kappa has made tremendous connections with the children at this school, with both our lives and the children’s lives changing for the better. In April we held our first ever Grilled Cheese and KKGs event! This event was hosted at the Kappa house and helped us raise over $1878 for the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation and Reading is Fundamental. In the fall, Kappa hosted Kappa Kolor Run for the second year in a row, with an amazing turn out! The 5K was hosted on campus with many people in attendance, raising over $4100 for both RIF and the KKG foundation. We were so proud of our philanthropy chairman, Kaylie Davila, and the efforts of our entire chapter to raise a huge amount for the philanthropies we care so much about! Prior to the Kappa Kolor Run event, we also had a Reading is Key event at Ginnings Elementary. The entire 2nd grade was able to come to their library and have Kappas reading to them while they enjoyed snacks provided by our chapter. We sent every child home with a book, with over 120 children in attendance. Everyone had so much fun and it was a great way to start the week! Socially, we enjoyed many great times together as a chapter! We had our first ever KKJean date party, hosted by our amazing event chairman Michelle Olvera. Everyone wore all jean attire and went to the LSA rooftop to enjoy a meal and dancing! This April date party was a final hurrah for many of our graduating seniors, and a great way to connect before summer came. In the Fall, we had our beautiful November formal at the Reunion Tower hosted by our event chairman Megan Taylor. This was so much fun and the food was a hit with all of our Kappa sisters and their company! Many funny superlatives were given out and it was a great night for all of us to have time together. In December, we joined Sigma Chi in a holiday themed mixer! This included a bonfire to roast marshmallows, snacks, and the movie Elf on a projector. Our Vice President Academic Excellence, Lisbeth Giron, hosted an amazing end of semester event for us at the Alamo Drafthouse movie theater in December as well! We got to enjoy a meal together and watch the Grinch in our pajamas after a long semester of hard work! Within the Kappa Kappa Gamma walls, our connections with each other grew stronger than ever. This is something we have at times struggled with, but have gained so much peace and understanding among each other. Our above and beyond education chairman Cassandra Leissler put on multiple amazing programs for us this year. We participated in the EME program, Aspiring to a Higher Ideal of Sisterhood. This presentation really made a difference in our chapter, and many girls felt comfortable speaking their mind in this safe space. We also had our own University’s office of diversity and inclusion come and speak to our chapter as well. These programs expanded our chapters minds, hearts, and ears to what kind of support our sisters need. It is not always to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, but in order to gain perspective, we must sit and listen to those around us, something the Zeta Sigma chapter has gained and benefited from so much over this last year to ensure we are a chapter everyone is proud to say they are a part of. Cassandra consistently went the extra mile for our chapter, so that the women in our chapter and the women we strive to recruit display the values of Kappa Kappa Gamma in such a way that every sister feels needed, necessary, and loved in that space. We have surely cultivated a sense of empathy, kindness, and compassion towards one another in this 2019 year that will last beyond it.
We are so excited to celebrate Kappa’s 150th anniversary next October! We are already gaining excitement as we have learned that the Minnie Stewart Van will be visiting us the first week back to classes this upcoming January 2020! Everyone is excited to come and kick off this 150th year with the Van! We have elected a wonderful Education Chairman, Gabby McComb for the 2020 year, and we know she will put on a beautiful 150th Founders Day for our Zeta Sigma Chapter!
==Highlights of 2020==
During 2020, the Zeta Sigma chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma was presented with many new obstacles as we faced a global pandemic. However, our sisterhood only grew stronger under Sheridan Smith’s Presidency. This year we received Chapter of the Year for the second year running, Program of the Year (Reading is Key), Greek Women of the Year (Ivalis Guajardo), Spring 2019 Academic Excellence, 2019 All Sorority Academic Excellence, and Standard Fraternal Excellence. These awards were presented to us by the University of North Texas Greek Life. Senior Ivalis Guajardo was also crowed Homecoming Queen while representing North Texas 40. These members are known as the “Top 40 Leaders” on UNT’s campus. Zeta Sigma takes pride in Ivalis for her dedication to this chapter and her love for campus life.
As Zeta Sigma took on fall 2020, we experienced an all new virtual recruitment. However, New Member Chairman, Madeline Menefee held a wonderful bid day over zoom. We celebrated our new members with the theme House of Blues. After bid day, Madeline Menefee went the extra mile to hand deliver goodie bags to our new members to make them feel special during this time. Shortly after, Madeline and Marshal, Hannah Gonzales set up a drive-by where new members could safely pick up their new member pins. That following October, Hannah Gonzales held a virtual initiation where we welcomed 21 sapphires into Zeta Sigma. This fall, we also gained one new alumna, Emma Cawthon who previously served as Public Relations Chairman in 2019.
In 2020, the Zeta Sigma Chapter at the University of North Texas continued to support the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation and Reading is Fundamental (RIF). While these two organizations are allocated to us by nationals, we continuously are impacted by them and take pride in both organizations. To raise money for Reading is Fundamental (RIF), our sweet Philanthropy Chairman, Emery Nolan set up a Kendra Scott giveback where 20% of the proceeds went to RIF. This was a nifty way for family and friends to shop virtually or visit the Kendra Scott store, while following CDC guidelines. From this event, we raised roughly $400. Zeta Sigma also actively volunteers at Ginnings Elementary which is a title 1 school located in Denton, Texas. Typically, Kappa’s visit the campus bi-weekly to read to second grade classrooms or volunteer at numerous events (e.g. school dances or the GEMS program). Although, due to COVID-19, visitors were not allowed to visit campus this year. However, this obstacle did not stop Philanthropy Chairman, Emery Nolan. She found a new way to impact the students at Ginnings, where she set up an Amazon Book Drive with books selected by the Ginnings librarian.
This year Education Chairman, Gabby McComb put together an exceptional Founder Day’s, celebrating 150 years of Kappa. During this virtual event, Zeta Sigma also celebrated 31 years here at UNT. It was a special event where we reconnected with alumnae and advisors, paying tribute to the women who created our favorite things about KKG. Although we did not hold a date party or formal this year. Event Chairman, Maggie Morley continued the tradition of superlatives by presenting them at our last chapter of the year. This was a fun way to include Zeta Sigma’s traditions while we experienced an altered school year.
This year, due to COVID-19 most events were held virtual, through zoom. Although we made the best out of it by holding vitual sisterhood events (e.g. virtual movie nights, game nights, and trivia). This semester we also revised the chapters standing rules which was orchestrated by secretary, Gaylee Goldston. Gaylee also safely held composites in the house. This was the first time PC 20 viewed the house since Recruitment was held virtually. However, New Memember Chairman, Madeline Menefee held a wonderful bid day over zoom, where our theme was House of Blues. Even though we did not have a formal this year, Event Chairman, Maggie Morley continued the tradition of superlatives by presenting them at our last chapter. Initiation also looked different this year, as it was held virtual. This Fall, we initiated 21 new members into Zeta Sigma. Not to mention, the 2018-2019 Marshal, Ivalis Guajardo was crowed as Homecoming Queen, while representing her organization North Texas 40. Plus, Ivalis is also the President for this organization. We are so proud of Ivalis for her dedication to her impact project and her love for campus life. Last but not least, our philanthrophy event, Reading is Key was awarded Program of the Year. Other Greek Awards that we won were Spring 2019 Academic Excellence, 2019 All Sorority Academic Excellence, our very own Ivalis took home Greek Women of the Year, Standard Fraternal Excellence, and last but certainly not least Chapter of the Year.
Chapter Philanthropy
We support Reading is Fundamental and Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. While these two organizations are allocated to
us by nationals, we continuously are impacted by them and take great pride in both organizations. To raise money for Reading is Fundamental (RIF), our sweet Philanthropy Chairman, Emery Nolan set up a Kendra Scot giveback where 20% of the proceeds went to RIF. This was a nifty way for family and friends to shop virtually or visit the Kendra Scott store, while following CDC guidelines. Zeta Sigma also actively volunteers at Ginnings Elementary which is located in Denton, Texas. Due to COVID-19, visitors were not allowed to visit campus. This obstacle did not stop Emery. She found a new way to impact the students at Ginnings, where she set up an Amazon Book Drive with books selected by the Ginnings librarian.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
VPO, Amanda Zimmerman and Panhellenic Delegate, Sophie Barrera constantly provided educational and inclusive opportunities to the chapter. For example, we had a Pride Alliance Training, a Hazing Awareness Presentation, and a Be Bold Leadership Workshop. During Domestic Violence Awareness month we were presented with a PowerPoint. This included helpful resources, statistics, and warning signs.
Sesquicentennial Celebration
Zeta Sigma celebrated Kappa’s 150th anniversary over zoom. Our Education Chairman, Gabby McComb held this special event where alumna and advisors were welcomed. During this event we paid tribute to the women who created all our favorite things about KKG, while reminiscing on old times.
Photographs
[[File:41DAF492-0D49-413B-887F-6B44E0551433 Zoom Days.jpeg|thumb|Zoom Days]]
[[File:21A74FC0-23E8-4565-AAFE-60A164CCD7C1.jpeg|thumb|Kappa times]]
[[File:BDB8B4CF-679B-48AD-A543-031A5427902A.jpeg|thumb|Big Sis]]
[[File:6226319F-7F14-4CAE-8DBA-BCA73C5C8E0E.jpeg|thumb|Sisterhood]]
==Highlights of 2021==
The start of 2021 was wonderful for the Zeta Sigma Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Although we were in the middle of the pandemic, we still were able to have a meaningful semester in Kappa Kappa Gamma while also keeping our sisters safe! Our Vice President of Academic Excellence, Katie Workman, started off the semester with a virtual Planner Night for our sisters to attend. Katie was also able to schedule multiple study nights throughout the semester with the University of North Texas Delta Gamma chapter, as well as a study night with the Kappa chapter at the University of Tulsa. We were able to get 2 wonderful young ladies through the Continuous Open Bidding process, which was run by our Recruitment Chairman, Karley Dykes. We had a virtual Bid Day, which was Blue & Blue themed!
Our Vice President of Standards, Paige Saucer, organized a Galentines Day Card Pick up, where our Chapter Council wrote cards to sisters, and they were able to pick them up outside of the house. Although we were not able to go to Ginnings Elementary to read to the second graders, we were able to have a Giveback Night at Torchy’s Tacos to support Reading is Fundamental and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. In March, our New Member Chairman, Haley Billasano, held a virtual Big Little Reveal for our new members. Our Risk Management Chairman, Allyson DeLuna, was able to always keep the chapter informed on the ever-changing recommendations to keep us safe throughout the pandemic. Our Education Chairman, Madeline Menefee, helped put on an important DEI programming event, called “Are You Ensuring Everyone’s Asked to Dance?,” as provided by Kappa Headquarters. We sold stickers and the proceeds were donated to the Denton County Friends of the Family non-profit organization. Our Marshal, Julia Schmelter, had our Ritual and History District Specialist, Leslie Porter, hold a Zoom call where she talked all about Kappa Kappa Gamma’s wonderful history, as well as our own Zeta Sigma chapters’s history during inspiration week. We were able to do a partially in-person, partially virtual initiation service. We held a virtual Yoga and Meditation event planned by our Vice President of Standards, Paige Saucer.
In April, two of our seniors, Ivalis Guajardo and Amanda Zimmerman, received the Golden Eagle at the Eagle Awards, the highest award a student at The University of North Texas can receive. One of our juniors, Julia Schmelter, received the Outstanding Student Volunteer Eagle Award for her dedication to helping others. Our chapter won a donation to our philanthropies from our attendance at the United Sisterhood events run by the University of North Texas’ Panhellenic Executive Council throughout the semester. We held a virtual Jeopardy Night with our sister sorority for the semester, Alpha Delta Pi. Towards the end of the spring semester, we were able to start having more in-person events, put on by our Event Chairmen, Caroline Bounds. She planned fun painting events with both an in-person and zoom option for all of our sisters. We were also able to do hybrid (partially in-person and virtual) Recruitment Workshops in preparation for Formal Recruitment in the Fall, led by our Recruitment Chairman, Karley Dykes. We had a sisterhood event that was a Mental Health Seminar with a guest speaker, run by Paige Saucer.
At the end of our spring semester, we gained 19 Zeta Sigma Alumnae members, Ivalis Guajardo, Emily Berlin, Ida Serraon, Gabby McComb, Hannah Gay, Lexi Lea, Taylor Griffith, Amanda Zimmerman, Caroline Coker, Ally Pigmon, Meghan Flood, Carson Harrington, Isabella Parish, Megan Shumway, Sheridan Smith, Emery Nolen, Madison Bellinghausen, Logan Eidson, and Macie Smith. We were able to have two senior ceremonies that were hybrid, to accommodate all the seniors we had graduating as well as UNT guidelines.
In the fall, our Recruitment Team consisting of Karley Dykes, Rachel May, Caroline Bounds, Madeline Menefee, Riley Garrett, Kailey Grassi, Nicolle St. John, Sydney Bell, Gaylee Goldston, and Faith Mitchell, all helped us get ready for Formal Recruitment throughout Work Week! We grew even closer as sisters and were all able to reflect on our time in Kappa Kappa Gamma and what it means to us, so we were feeling very excited to bring new members into our sisterhood. We gained many wonderful new members through the Formal Recruitment process combined with COB. During Recruitment, we had our Pickers sing for all of the potential new members, led by Sydney Bell and Madeline Menefee. Our New Member Chairman, Haley Billasano, planned our Bid Day and we were elated to see all of our new members run home to us!
We were able to pair with fraternities to have tailgates before the football games, and we always had a blast at these events! Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chairman (a new position to our Chapter Council this year), Sidney Lobel, hosted a Hispanic Heritage Potluck at the house, as well as other DEI presentations throughout the year. In October, we had our Founder’s Day Celebration, planned by our Education Chairman, Madeline Menefee, where we celebrated 151 years of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Madeline also brought in a guest speaker to talk to the chapter about Women’s Health, which we all really enjoyed. We ended the semester with a ceremony for our graduating seniors. We gained 2 Zeta Sigma Alumnae members, Paige Saucer and Maggie Morely.
Overall, the Zeta Sigma chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma had an unforgettable year in 2021. We are excited to keep our chapter flourishing and to create an even stronger sisterhood for years to come.