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→Highlights of 2021
==Highlights of 2021==
After a long winter break, caused by COVID-19 precautions at the University of Idaho, members moved back into the chapter house Jan. 10, 2021. The move-in process provided members an opportunity to decorate their new rooms and learn where their classes would be held. Spring classes started Jan. 13, with several professors continuing to offer HyFlex classes, continuing social distancing when required. Students at UI continued to be screened for COVID-19 at the Student Recreation Center. Although rates began to lower on campus and less members were needing to be quarantined. The arrival of members in January was short lived, as many of them chose to have snowy adventures for the three day weekend granted by Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Jan. 18, 2021. The first month of the year concluded with a presentation on the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, a part of the fleur-de-lis of our philanthropy.
February flew by with the Flower gram’s sisterhood on Feb. 11, kicking off the first big event of the month. The sisterhood had Kappa’s writing messages and attached them to flowers for secret admirers. Members distributed purchased grams to sororities, fraternities and multicultural Greek organizations across campus. Leftovers were sold at the Teaching and Learning Center on campus. The money raised from Flower grams was donated to the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. An additional three day weekend on Feb. 15 for President’s day, gave everyone an opportunity to recharge after a busy week of philanthropy and school. Feb. 22, seniors received a programming that was set-up by the education committee. Beta Kappa Founders Day was celebrated later that week on Feb. 26, with a display of scrapbooks from the Beta Kappa archives, along with blue and blue cupcakes. The newsletter was published the following day, Feb. 27. The newsletter commemorated the past year of accomplishments for the chapter and showcased the fall pledge class. By the end of February, Beta Kappa pledged a spring snap for the first time in several decades.
The chapter entered March with a renewed sense of hope for school and chapter events loosening up on COVID-19 restrictions.
Kappa’s prepared for midterms which took place, March 8-12, followed by spring break, allowing another chance to rest before the end of the semester. Greek week succeeded spring break, March 22-26, with the majority of events being socially distanced or hosted through Zoom.
April brought sunshine to Moscow and a second chance of initiation for the fall class and spring snap. UI parents weekend was April 16-18 without any Kappa events, but the T-Shirt chairs ensured apparel for both members and parents. April 18-24 was the Spring Inspiration Week for PC’20, including the newest addition to the PC. After a virtual initiation week in fall 2020, the member class were able to participate to the full length of I-Week, with COVID-19 precautions. Also that week on April 19, the chapter gave appreciation to the house director, chef, advisory board and house board. It was a busy month as the following week was senior week for PC’17. April 26-30 seniors were given gifts from the chapter and recognition for the value their membership contributed to the sisterhood the past four years. April 26 was also the last chapter of the academic year. Mid-week they participated in an alumna education activity, April 28.
As May began, the excitement of graduation for the seniors and stress of finals for active members ensued. The last chapter council of the year was held May 2. Dead week was May 2-7 followed by finals concluding the school year May 10-14. Senior members marked the end of their undergraduate career May 15 as they celebrated their spring commencement. It was the first UI graduation that was in-person in over a year. Graduates wore masks and were socially distanced during the commencement.
Accomplishments for the Beta Kappa chapter in the spring semester was receiving the Richard D. Gibb award for chapter excellence on UI’s campus and being first in grades among all Greek chapters at UI. The chapter showed its resilience after a difficult year, posed by COVID-19.
August quickly approached as the summer had flown by compared to the summer 2020, when students were sent home from March to August. Members moved into the chapter house Aug. 8, kicking off work week. Members adjusted to in-person recruitment practices after the previous fall recruitment was exclusively online. During Work Week, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion chair gave a presentation on inclusive conversation and how to be respectful of all potential new members going through the recruitment process. The DEI chair position was formerly an appointed position to the chapter, but became an official Chapter Council position over the summer. The advisory board chairman was present for the entirety of work week and recruitment. The first day of recruitment was Conversation day, Aug. 13. Members and PNM’s wore masks throughout the whole week. The second day, usually Philanthropy Day, was changed to Community Day. Members represented their Vandal gear to show their spirit toward the school. The following day, Sisterhood day, members enjoyed longer conversations with the PNM’s and discussed the finances and GPA goals of the house. The last day of recruitment, Preference night, was a special evening for all of the members, especially the seniors. As they sang Dream a While for the last time in the recruitment process, PNM’s recognized how special the sisterhood is for its members. Aug. 17 was Bid Day! The Beta Kappa chapter ran home to 805 Elm with 21 new members. The theme, Kappa is Good, was inspired by Life is Good. The lawn was filled with tents, hammocks and water guns to further the outdoor theme.
After a weekend of bonding and getting to know the new members, the first day of classes quickly approached on Aug. 23. The first chapter of the year was the same day. It was the first chapter in over a year that was hosted in-person. Members gathered together in the formal room to hear announcements for the beginning of the year. Later in the evening, new members were formally pledged and presented with the Sigma within the Delta badge to wear during their new member process.
Labor Day weekend, Sept.4-6, started with members going off for adventures with their new member sisters. Although many members stayed in Moscow for the first Vandal football game of the season. It was also Kappa Krush, the first Kappa in-person event hosted in over a year. Members followed social distancing rules and headed to the game after to enjoy a Vandal win. Sept. 9 members received an annual open conversation with a Moscow City Police Officer. The programming provided members an understanding of local and campus laws regarding alcohol and the importance of safety. Two additional fall snaps were pledged into the chapter during September.
Sept. 26- Oct. 2 was the annual Kappa Klassic. The week consisted of a banner competition, selling nachos and a dodgeball tournament to raise money for Kappa HQ’s new philanthropy, Mental Health Awareness. The philanthropy was successful and raised over $2,000 for the cause. October was only the beginning of what was the busiest month of the year. Oct. 4-9 was UI homecoming with events such as window painting, most vandalized fans, canned food distribution and house decorating. Many Kappa alumnae came to Moscow for the highly-anticipated fall weekend. PC '16, who had their senior year cut short due to COVID-19 lockdowns, were able to gather Saturday, Oct. 9, to receive closure on their Kappa days with special senior traditions.
The Kappa spirit continued the following with Fall Inspiration Week, Oct. 11-16. Each day members celebrated the sisterhood through traditions and ritual. Oct. 16, initiation day was a joy-filled occasion with new members becoming active members. Beta Kappa traditions were honored after the brunch. PC’20 was also able to honor the memory of their late pledge sister, Kate Roe.
November hosted elections for the chapter. Nov. 29, the new CC was formed after the six week election process. The same night the chapter history report was voted on by the chapter and approved.
Dec. 6-10 will be UI dead week followed by finals Dec. 13-17. After finals winter break will begin with members returning to their families before the new year.
==Highlights of 2022==
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