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Why did your chapter choose this organization(s) to support?
We chose Nehemiah because they are a loving organization that is positively changing kids lives. The people who run Nehemiah are so passionate, but they need help encouraging and working with the children. We felt a desire to get involved and help Nehemiah in anyway we can. Since our National Philanthropy is Reading is Fundamental, we promote the importance of reading. We want to build strong reading skills in these children, and illustrate how school provides endless opportunities.
==Highlights of 2016==
The spring semester was an eventful one to say the least. In February, Epsilon Rho celebrated 40
years of establishment at Texas A&M. Alumnae of all ages gathered to compare stories, remember
times as collegiate students, and experience what our chapter is like today. The most favored event
of the weekend was the mock recruitment styled presentation at the Kappa house. Later that
month, our Chaplains hosted the first ever Kappa Kampfire, where chapter members use their
talents to lead worship music and encourage one another. In March, our chapter raised $7,929 for
Nehemiah at Kappa Kookout, a picnic-styled philanthropy event hosted in the backyard and
$13,000 by winning first place in Paddy Murphy, a philanthropy fundraising competition hosted by
the men’s fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon. In April, Kappa paired up with a fraternity in the
National Pan-Hellenic Council to proudly take home a trophy at Stompfest while benefiting
Nehemiah. We ended the semester off with a bang at Kappa Sapphire Ball, where chapter members
and their dates enjoyed a formal party at Pebble Creek Country Club.
In June, members from Epsilon Rho attended National Convention in San Diego where our
chapter was awarded the National Philanthropy Award, the KKG Foundation Award, and the
Honarable Member for the Heritage Award.
At the beginning of the fall semester in September, we welcomed a pledge class of 81 women to our
chapter after the most successful recruitment week yet. We were ecstatic to meet our new family
members at Big Little Reveal and later initiate them in October. The first weekend in November
was a busy one for Epsilon Rho. We raised $51,462.25 at our philanthropy event, Kappa Kolor 5k
Run on Saturday morning and spent the remainder of the weekend enjoying time with our mothers
at various Kappa Mom’s Day events. Throughout the semester, chapter members participated in
"Kappa Kindness" as a way to say thank you to Bryan/College Station by delivering sweets to local
law enforcement officers and children at the Boys and Girls Club as well as a special performance
by our Kappa Pickers at a local nursing home. In December, Kappas and their dates two-stepped
the night away at our final social event of the year, Ranch Party, in celebration of our many
accomplishments in 2016 and in anticipation of a great year to come.
This year, the first ever woman Student Body President was elected at Texas A&M University. This
monumental moment empowered women campus-wide and within our chapter
The Nehemiah Center of Navasota is our local philanthropy and where most of our time,
fundraising, and effort goes. We have 5-10 actives volunteering at the after-school program every
day of the semester. Additonally, we host Kappa Kolor 5k Run and Kappa Kookout to raise money
to help provide better facilities, equipment, and books for the kids at Nehemiah.
Our chapter chose to support this organization due to previous relationships and the many
opportunities it provides us to encourage literacy, or Reading Is Fundamental, to children
attending the after-school program.
We meet in the chapter room of our sorority house
For Oral History Project we recommend Carling Repass (heartwarming, funny story)