Eta Eta
| Eta Eta | |
|---|---|
| HH | |
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| Founded | November 23, 2002 |
| College | University of Central Florida |
| Location | Orlando, FL |
| Homepage | Eta Eta Homepage |
| Media related to Eta Eta Chapter | |
University of Central Florida established in 1968
Eta Eta founded November 23, 2002 - 121 charter members
965 initiates (as of June 2018)
Outstanding Eta Eta Alumnae (If you have chapter alumnae who have received recognition in any of these three categories, please list them with the date(s) of recognition.)
Fraternity Officers
Kelly Kohler, Leadership Consultant 2007-2008; Sareena Helton, Leadership Consultant 2011-2012
Fraternity Loyalty Award
Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients
Additional Outstanding Eta Eta Alumnae
Kelly Kohler, Chapter Consultant 2008-2009
Kalee Ankrum (Humphrey), Founding Sister 2002-2003
Kinsey Ankrum (Lallathin), 2004-2006
Courtney Austin, Founding Sister 2002-2004
The University of Central Florida was established on June 10, 1963 when the Florida State Legislature passed, and Governor Farris Bryant subsequently signed into law Bill No. 125. The Board of Regents appointed Charles Millican the first president of the new university in 1965. Millican, with the consultation of a citizen advisory group, would choose the name Florida Technological University as well as co-design the school's distinctive "Pegasus" seal. Before the university was constructed, the land where it would be was desolate farm land. In fact, the first time that Millican went to see the land where the new university would be, he could not find it and had to return weeks later with specific directions from the Chancellor of the Board of Regents.
In March 1967, Florida Governor Claude Kirk presided over the groundbreaking of the new Florida Technological University. Eighteen months later on October 7, 1968, classes began with 1,948 students, 90 instructors and 150 staff members, in the school's first academic building, the library. During the university's inaugural year, fifty-five degree programs were offered within its five colleges: Business Administration, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Engineering and Technology. The university's first mascot was the Citronaut, a mix between an orange and an astronaut.
UCF was founded as a non-segregated and coeducational university, with the founding goal being to educate current and future students for promising space-age careers in engineering, electronics and other technological professions, thus serving as a support system for the nearby Kennedy Space Center. In addition, the Central Florida Research Park, located adjacent to the UCF campus, serves as a major focus of simulation for space and defense-related research.
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida. UCF is a member institution of the State University System of Florida, and has grown to be the second-largest university in the United States by enrollment in 2011.
Contents
Colonization and Installation
The University of Central Florida was one of the fastest growing institutions in the U.S. in 2002. At that time there were 36,000 students attending the university. Kappa Kappa Gamma became the 10th National Panhellenic Conference group at UCF.
Colonization activities to establish the Fraternity’s 130th active chapter were held October 8-13, 2002. Founders Day 2002 not only celebrated the founding of Alpha Chapter, Monmouth, and the founding of Kappa Kappa Gamma, but it also celebrated the birth of Kappa Kappa Gamma at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. Bid Day and formal pledging were held October 13, 2002. On November 23, 2002, approximately 120 University of Central Florida students were initiated as members of Eta Eta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. The chapter was guided by Gina Caputo DiPaolo, Florida, local Coordinator of Chapter Development and Kylee Deterding, Iowa State, Chapter Consultant.
Chapter Traditions
Whether it's a weekend at Downtown Disney, going out together, cheering on the Knights in football, or just sharing stories with each other, Kappas are always participating in activities to strengthen the bonds of sisterhood.
The chapter has an annual overnight sisterhood retreat for the entire chapter at a secluded location. During the retreat, there are team-building activities, rituals review, and just hang out together as sisters. There are also new member retreats exclusively for the new member class. The women recognized the importance of family, and helped to make Kappa a home-away-from-home by hosting a variety of family-centered activities, including Family Weekend in Fall, and a Mother Daughter Day or Daddy Daughter Day in the Spring.
Kappa was not only about building friendships and becoming a part of sisterhood at the University of Central Florida, but also about sharing a bond that will last a lifetime with women who share these most meaningful friendships. It was also about becoming a part of an amazing sisterhood, built on mutual values that bind Kappas beyond college years.
Highlights 2002-2010
The University of Central Florida has grown each year. Statistics show that it is the eighth largest university in the nation. This school shows much diversity which is also reflected in Eta Eta chapter.
Eta Eta participated and won 2nd place in Pi Beta Phi's Rock the Arrow philanthropy. The chapter won 2nd place in Pi Kappa Phi's Bowlshlogger philanthropy. It participated in Delta Gamma's Anchor Splash and attended and won Phi Gamma Delta's Hostages for the Homeless philanthropies. Teamed up with Delta Upsilon, the chapter collected more than 800 pounds of aluminum cans. The members also collected 300 pillow cases to "Don't Skirt the Issue," and donated books to "Reading is Fundamental."
Also, Eta Eta participated in the Rotary Gridiron Classic at the Citrus Bowl Stadium in 2003. It was a great way to kick off our new installation at UCF and new recruits careers in the NFL.
The chapter was on a winning streak, winning Homecoming Week with Delta Upsilon and Greek week with FIJI and Alpha Epsilon Pi. The girls attended a date function at Halloween Horror Night, Bowling with Kappa Sigma, Pig Tails and Pig Skins social with Delta Upsilon, Sapphire Ball- Spring Formal, the Mi Tai date function on the Sun Cruise Casino, and participated in the Panellenic Trick or Treat on Greek Street event.
In 2005, the chapter participated in several philanthropies. Among them, Kappa Delta's KD Shakedown, Beta Theta Pi's MS Walk, Pi Beta Phi's Rock the Arrow, Delta Upsilon Lipservice, Alpha Delta Pi's Cheers for Charity, TKE Rock 'n Jock, and FIJI's Island Princess. Eta Eta hosted its own philanthropy, UCF Idol, with Beta Theta Pi. The chapter worked with the Princeton Review and held a mock LSAT/MCAT test in which students were placed in a real test setting with a booklet, that was an actual copy of an older test, and were mailed results. Each participant paid $10 and the money was donated to Reading is Fundamental.
For socials, the chapter held a "Tennis and Golf Pros" night with Sigma Nu and Theta Chi, graffiti social with Pi Kapp, Dragon Room with ATO and a go-carting buddy social with ATO and Sigma Nu. It also participated in Greek Week in April. For Homecoming in October, with a Tarzan and Jane theme, the chapter won overall with partners Alpha Epsilon Phi, Delta Tau Delta, Phi Mu Alpha, and Phi Delta Theta.
Fall sisterhood events included lasertag and fun in the arcade at Wonderwork and a "Kappa Kamo" date function at Big Oaks Ranch, complete with a bonfire and hayrides. In the spring the women enjoyed a comedy night at SAKS Comedy Club with ice cream. During I-week members designed tiles at Glaze Under Fire and spent the night with their Kore families. In February, and again in September, the New Member True Blue Sisterhood Retreat was held at place at an alumna's house in which singing songs and crafts were on the agenda.
Spring Bid Day was themed Masquerade, Mardi Gras, and Fall Bid Day was a Las Vegas theme held at the California Pizza Kitchen. There was a formal in the Spring at Wyndom Resort and a semiformal in the Fall. To finish off the semester together, the women enjoyed a holiday party making gingerbread houses, playing games, and providing gifts for underpriviledged children. In the Spring of 2005, Eta Eta achieved a 3.138 GPA, rankin 1st of 18 sororities in the Greek community. In the Fall the chapter placed 3rd (out of 19) with a GPA of 3.056.
Eta Eta participated in many philanthropies in 2006. They included Diabetes race, Delta Upsilon Lipservice, Dance Marathon, Tau Kappa Epsilon Rock 'n Jock, Sigma Phi Epsilon Queen of Hearts, Phi Gamma Delta Island Princess, Phi Delt Dodgeball Tournament, Pi Kappa Phi Sets on the Beach, read to children at Deerwood Elementary for our philanthropy Reading is Fundamental, Trick or Treat on Greek Street, Lambda Chi Alpha Watermelon Bust, Alpha Tau Omega Rock the Wreath, Alpha Delta Pi Cheers for Charity, Sigma Chi Derby Days, and the Multiple Sclerosis Walk. Eta Eta also hosted our own philanthropy, Kappa Unplugged, where pillow cases and books for Don't Skirt the Issue and Reading is Fundamental were collected. A monetary donation was made to the Kappa Foundation. The Eta Eta & Delta Epsilon chapters of Kappa Kappa Gamma hosted a 'Shop For a Cause' fundraising event at the Lilly Pulitzer store in Winter Park. Lilly Pulitzer donated $250 (10% portion of the night's proceeds) to Reading is Fundamental. The chapter also participated in a playground build with the ladies of Chi Omega and the gentlemen of Tau Kappa Epsilon.
For socials, there was the "Banana Republic" social with Kappa Sigma, "Can't Fight the Moonlight" social with Tau Kappa Epsilon, "White House Black Market" social with Phi Delta Theta, date function where we attended a Predators game, comedy social with Tau Kappa Epsilon at the Orlando Improv, date function included lunch at Planet Hollywood and a movie at AMC, "Rock Star" social with Phi Delta Theta, and "Dress to Impress" with Phi Gamma Delta. The chapter was paired with Phi Gamma Delta for the Peter Pan themed Homecoming in November placing first overall!
Spring Bid Day was NFL themed and was held at the Holiday Inn. Spring sisterhood events, included Kore family friendship bracelet making, Kore family nigh watching American Idol, sisterhood social watching Legally Blonde 2 and had Mary Kay makeovers, and a sisterhood social at the movies. Spring initiation was conducted at Florida State University with the chapter spending the night with the Epsilon Zeta chapter. The were initiated 23 sisters in the spring. The spring formal was held in April at Disney's Contemporary and there was also a Blue and Blue Banquet for the graduating sisters.
Fall Bid Day was an "I Dream of Kappa" theme and was held at Disney Quest. Fall sisterhood events were a sisterhood movie night, Etiquette lunch including Ballroom dancing lessons, and a sisterhood social at build-a-bear where making teddy bears. During Initiation Week sisterhood events such as Kappa Kappuccino that included painting coffee cups and Kappa gone Retro which had the women dressing up and tie-dyed t-shirts and pillow cases. Fifty-one sisters were initiated in the fall. A brunch was held at the Holiday Inn with our alumnae invited to join us as Founders Day was celebrated.
Eta Eta participated in several philanthropies in 2007. Among them, Alpha Delta Pi Cheers for Charity, Pi Beta Phi Rock the Arrow, Kappa Delta Shamrock 5k run, Knight-Thon, Alpha Epsilon Phi Bowlanthropy, Kappa Alpha Theta Spring Fling, Tau Kappa Epsilon Rock and Jock, Phi Delta Theta Dodgeball Derby, Phi Gamma Delta Island Princess, Relay for Life, Panhellenic Blood Drive in the spring, Cystic Fibrosis Gala, Kappa Delta Shakedown, Beta Theta Pi BBQ Challenge, Knights Give Back Beach Cleanup, Panhellenic Blood Drive hosted along with the ladies of Pi Beta Phi in the fall, Lambda Chi Watermelon Bust, Beta Theta Pi and Alpha Epsilon Phi UCF Idol, Alpha Tau Omega Rock the Wreath, and Sigma Nu Volley for Christy. Eta Eta also hosted its own philanthropy, The Senior Fall Festival, in which we local senior citizens were invited to play board games, make arts and crafts, and dance. There were also guest performers such as a jazz group and the UCF Shimmy Knights.
Chapter socials included a “Red Hot” social with Phi Gamma Delta, a “Mardi Gras” social with Sigma Nu, a “Stoplight” Greek Week social, an “Angels and Demons” social with Phi Mu Alpha and Phi Delta Theta, a “Cancun” Foam social with Sigma Nu, Alpha Epsilon Pi, and Lambda Sigma Upsilon, a “Wood Stock” social with Phi Delta Theta, a “BET vs. CMT” Homecoming social, and last we had “Day Glow” social with Sigma Chi. During Greek Week in March, with a Camp Anawanna: Salute Your Shorts theme,the chapter won overall with our partners Beta Theta Pi, Delta Phi Lambda, Iota Phi Theta, and Lambda Theta Phi. Homecoming in November, with a Knightmare in Elm Street theme, the chapter won overall with our partners Sigma Nu, Alpha Epsilon Pi, and Lambda Sigma Upsilon.
Spring sisterhood events included a Sisterhood Valentine’s Day Dinner, Sisterhood Retreat at Arabian Nights, Kappa Kooking Night, and the Blue and Blue Senior Banquet. There was also a “Pistol and Pin-Ups 1920s” Formal at Sea World. During fall recruitment the chapter held an Alumni Tea Event. Fall Bid Day was a “Timeless Class With a Whole Lot of Sass” theme held at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. An amazing job was done on Recruitment resulting in 56 ladies accept bids which was greater than quota. Fall sisterhood events, consisted of an Ice Cream Social and a Sisterhood Social at Aloma Cinema Grill. There was aVegas themed Semi Formal at the Eagle Creek Golf Club. In addition to initiating 41 sisters the alumnae were invited to a dinner at the Student Union in the celebration of Founder’s Day.
In the Spring of 2007, Eta Eta achieved a 3.182 GPA, ranking us 3rd in the Greek community. In the Fall we placed 16th with a GPA of 2.877.
In 2008, Eta Eta participated in several philanthropies. They included GI Theta Chi, Sigma Nu’s Battle of the Greek Gods, Tau Kappa Epsilon’s Rock and Jock, Pi Beta Phi’s Rock the Arrow, Alpha Epsilon Phi’s Bowlanthropy, Phi Delta Theta Dodgeball Tournament, Phi Gamma Delta's Island Princess, Sigma Chi’s Derby Days, Kappa Delta Shakedown, Alpha Tau Omega’s Rock the Wreath, Beta Theta Pi BBQ Challenge, Lamda Chi's Watermelon Bust, Theta Chi Helping Hands 5K Run, Panhellenic Blood Drive, Cystic Fibrosis Walk, and Relay for Life. Eta Eta also hosted it's own philanthropy, Kappa Kook-off, in which books were donated by participating fraternities and sororities for RIF along with a food tasting and eating competition with other games as well.
Eta Eta socials had a “Guys wear ties, Girls wear pearls” social with Theta Chi at Saks Comedy Club, a “Comfort is Key” social with Tau Kappa Epsilon at Fort Christmas Park, a "Mafia" Social with Sigma Chi for Greek Week, a “When I Grow Up…” Social with Sigma Nu at Firkin & Kegler, a “Stop Light” Social with Delta Tau Delta and Phi Gamma Delta at Bliss, a “Pin-Up Girls and Military Men” Social with Lambda Chi Alpha at Roll Bar, and finally, a “School Spirit” social with Tau Kappa Epsilon and Zeta Beta Tau at the UCF Arena and South Side BBQ. During Greek Week in March we had a Greekstop: Zelda Theme with Sigma Chi as our partners and placed 3rd overall.
Homecoming was held in November with the chapter participating in a Service Event, Volleyball Game, Movie Knight, Comedy Knight, Skit Knight, Concert Knight, Spirit Splash, Parade, Football Game, and Awards Ceremony. Two socials were held with the partner fraternity, Theta Chi: Buddy Social at Aloma Cinema Grill and "Hogs and Hunnies"Social at Lazy Gator Bar. Eta Eta and Theta Chi won 3rd place overall involving the theme A Knight's Quest: Robin Hood.
Eta Eta's Spring sisterhood events included a "Pep Rally", followed by Spring Recruitment where events took place at a Bonfire, a UCF Basketball Game, and a Preference Night Dinner. Spring Recruitment resulted with 22 accepted bids and Bid Day at Wonder Works. A new member Retreat was held in February along with a Game Night Kore Event.
Spring was a very busy time for the chapter. Some of the activities included Initiation and a Line Dancing Kore Event, A Knight Under the Stars Formal at Kennedy Space Center, Senior Banquet, and Kappa Reading Days at Little River Elementary School.
Fall Recruitment involved an amazing Spirit Week with an etiquette event and an Alumnae Tea. Wild About Kappa, Sweet Home Kappa Gamma, and Kappa & Co. were our themed days for recruitment with a Bid Day themed “Welcome to the Club” located at Firkin & Kegler where 60 wonderful ladies accepted bids. During the Fall semester, the women visited a new cupcake parlor called Sweet as a Kore Event and during I-Week held sisterhood events including a Kappa Dive-in Movie at a local YMCA pool, a note writing day to sisters who impacted you, and an arts and crafts event where we painted and decorated wooden fleur-de-lis. After an 80s Prom (Semi-Formal) at the Plantation House and Pan Pride Week including a Progressive dinner with Delta Delta Delta, there was a family weekend including a night of bowling followed by a tailgate before a football game.
Eta Eta celebrated its sixth birthday with a "6 Year Old Birthday Party" themed Founder's Day at the Oveido Women's Center. Many of the newly initaited sisters attended a Junior Panhellenic BBQ in November in order to meet ladies in other Greek organizations. The chapter was busy with other activities such as UCF's Trick or Treat on Greek Street, the Beautification Project at Pineloch Elementary School where murals were painted with inspiring messages for the students to read as well as the chapter creating gardens of plant and flowers.
Eta Eta was named Chapter of the Year for 2008 among all Greek Organizations. The chapter was proud to have sisters selected as Junior Panhellenic Secretary, Panhellenic P resident, and Head Rho Gamma for Formal Recruitment.
The University of Central Florida continues growing each year. Statistics show that we are the 5th largest in the nation based on total enrollment. The school shows much diversity, which is reflected in Eta Eta Chapter.
In the Spring of 2008, Eta Eta achieved a 3.176 GPA, ranking 5th in the Greek community and 3rd overall in Fall with a GPA of 3.138.
In 2009, Eta Eta participated in several philanthropies. Among them were Alpha Delta Pi Cheers for Charity, Kappa Delta Shakedown, Knight-Thon, Alpha Epsilon Phi Bowlanthropy, Chi Omega's Wish Race, GI Theta Chi, Delta Upsilon's Darling, Delta Tau Delta's Miss Greek, Sigma Pi and Chi Omega's Yards for Youth, Kappa Sigma's 5K Marathon, Cinderella's Closet with Alpha Xi Delta, Phi Gamma Delta Island Princess, Relay for Life with Theta Chi, Panhellenic Blood Drive in the spring with Zeta Tau Alpha, Cystic Fibrosis Walk, Delta Upsilon's 5K Marathon, Trick or Treat on Greek Street with Sigma Nu and Tau Kappa Epsilon, Lambda Chi's Watermelon Bust, Kappa Alpha Theta's Kicks for Casa, and Alpha Xi Delta and Delta Upsilon's Dodgebrawl. Eta Eta also hosted its philanthropy, The 2nd Annual Kappa Kook-Off, where other Fraternities and Sororities were invited to create their own dishes to be judged, and participate in relay races.
Socials for Eta Eta included "The Letter R" social with Sigma Nu and Sigma Pi, a "Meet and Greet" Social with Zeta Beta Tau and Delta Tau Delta, a “Color Green” Greek Week social with Alpha Xi Delta and Phi Delta Theta, a "Skating Through the Decades" social with Zeta Beta Tau and Alpha Epsilon Phi, a "Guys in Ties, Girls in Pearls" social with Theta Chi, a "Disney" Homecoming social with Sigma Nu and Tau Kappa Epsilon, a "Flippy Flop" social with Delta Tau Delta, and last we had "Grab-a-Greek" social our various dates. The chapter also hosted a "Tacky Tourist" Date Function at Old Town, Sapphire Ball at Epcot, and a "Famous Couples Throughout History" Semi Formal at the Winter Park Civic Center. Greek Week in March, paired the chapter with Phi Delta Theta and Alpha XI Delta and include such activities as Greek Games, Greek Sing, Extravaganza, and a Gala. At the Gala, Eta Eta won the "Most Improved Academically" award.
Homecoming was held in November with a "Knightro's Circus" theme with the chapter placing first for the philanthropy and third place overall with our partners Sigma Nu and Tau Kappa Epsilon. Sisterhood events included a Sisterhood Scrapbook Night, Sisterhood Pottery Night, an overnight Sisterhood Retreat, a Mother-Daughter Chocolate Making event, Kappa lunch every Wednesday, a Family Weekend for Homecoming including Mini Golf and a Football Tailgate, a Sisterhood "ICE" event at Gaylord Plams in Orlando, and a Senior Banquet.
During fall recruitment the chapter held an Alumnae Tea Event. Fall Bid Day was a “Glitz, Glamour, and Golden Keys ” theme and was held at Universal Studios. The women did an amazing job with Recruitment which resulted in 59 new members. During I-Week there were sisterhood events such as a Sisterhood Event at Rebounderz and a Kappa Lunch. Fifty-three sisters were initiated on Founders Day. We also held a dinner where we invited our alumnae to join us in the celebration of Founders Day. In November, representatives from the chapter attended the Something of Value Seminar that was held by the University.
In the Spring of 2009, Eta Eta achieved a 3.136 GPA, which ranked the chapter 10th in the Greek community. In the Fall the chapter placed 7th with a GPA of 3.117.
In 2010, Eta Eta participated in several philanthropies that included Alpha Delta Pi’s Cheers for Charity, Kappa Delta Shakedown, Knight-Thon, Alpha Epsilon Phi’s Bowlanthropy, G.I. Theta Chi, Alpha Tau Omega’s Rock the Wreath, Pi Beta Phi's Speed Read competition, Cinderella's Closet with Alpha Delta Pi, Relay for Life with Sigma Pi and Phi Delta Theta, a Panhellenic Blood Drive in the spring, Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides Walk, Trick or Treat on Greek Street with Theta Chi, Theta Chi and Alpha Epsilon Phi’s Greek Park After Dark, Lambda Chi's Watermelon Bust, Kappa Alpha Theta's Kicks for CASA, Delta Upsilon and Alpha Xi Delta’s Dodgebrawl, and Reading is Key at the Florida Hospital. The chapter also hosted its philanthropy, the third Annual Kappa Kook-Off. In addition to that philanthropy, the chapter hosted its first annual car show, Cars, Keys, and Fleur de lis. The Fraternities, Sororities, and various other organizations on and off campus were invited to enter their cars to be judged. This event benefited the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Eta Eta was busy with socials this year with the “Trends Gone Bad” social with Zeta Beta Tau and Sigma Pi, a “Sports Guys and Trophy Wives” social with Alpha Tau Omega, a “Miami Vice” social with Delta Upsilon, an “Army Guys and Military Wives” social with Zeta Beta Tau and Sigma Nu, a “Baywatch” social with Beta Theta Pi and Delta Tau Delta, a “Rescue Me” social with Theta Chi, a “Superstars and Movie Stars” homecoming social with Phi Gamma Delta and Delta Lambda Phi, and a “Superhero” and “Barbie and Ken” Greek week social with Lambda Chi Alpha. The chapter hosted “Vegas” Date Function at Howl at the Moon, “Black and White Affair”, Grab-a-Greek Function, Sapphire Ball at Heaven, and a Masquerade Ball at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort. Greek Week was in March where the chapter was paired with Lambda Chi Alpha, and participated in Greek Games, Villian Hunt, Block Party, Greek Feud, and Greek Gala. Homecoming in October had a “Hercules” theme where Eta Eta came in 2nd place for cans and box tops and third place overall with partners Phi Gamma Delta and Delta Lambda Phi.
The chapter’s sisterhood events included a “Chonga Fiesta” themed Potluck, a “Valentine’s Day” Movie Night, a “Army” theme laser tag event at Hard Knocks, an overnight Retreat at Disney, Wet-N-Wild, Kappa lunch every Wednesday, Family Weekend for Homecoming including a football tailgate, a Father-Daughter Day at SAK Comedy Club, J. Crew Shopping Night, weekly Sisterhood Studies, and Senior Banquet.
The members did an amazing job with Spirit Week and Recruitment in the fall. Fall Bid Day was a “Kappa Life is Sweet Being a Double Kay Gee” theme and was held on a dinner cruise. Fifty five new members were initiated.
The chapter held a brunch at the Albin Polasek Museum & Gardens with alumnae invited to join in the celebration of Founders Day. Also during the fall, the chapter participated in National Hazing Prevention Week, Panhellenic Pride Week, a Job Finding Webinar, and a Resume Building Webinar.
The University of Central Florida continued to grow. Statistics show it to be the second largest university in the nation. The University not only grew in size, but in athletics as well. In December, the Knights football team won its first ever bowl game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. The school shows much diversity, reflected in the chapter.
In the spring of 2010, Eta Eta received a 3.114 GPA, ranking us ninth in the Greek community. In the fall the chapter placed 10th with a GPA of 3.042.
Highlights of 2011-2019
2011
In 2011, Eta Eta participated in several philanthropies. Among them were Alpha Delta Pi’s Cheers for Charity, Kappa Delta Shakedown, Knight-Thon, Alpha Epsilon Phi’s Bowlanthropy, Sigma Pi’s Ace competition, G.I. Theta Chi, Pi Beta Phi's Speed Read competition, Pi Beta Phi’s arrow bowl, Cinderella's Closet, Relay for Life with Sigma Pi and Zeta Beta Tau, Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides Walk, Trick or Treat on Greek Street with Phi Gamma Delta and Phi Mu Alpha, Theta Chi and Alpha Epsilon Phi’s Greek Park After Dark, Lambda Chi's Watermelon Bust, Delta Upsilon and Alpha Xi Delta’s Dodgebrawl, and Reading is Key at the Florida Hospital. Eta Eta also hosted its own philanthropy, the 4th Annual Kappa Kook-Off, in which we invited other Fraternities and Sororities to create their own dishes to be judged, and participate in a variety of races centered on the “Margaritaville” theme.
For Socials, Eta Eta had a “Pirate” social with Delta Upsilon, a “Green Monkeys” bowling social with Sigma Pi and Zeta Beta Tau, and an “Army” social using air soft guns with Kappa Sigma. There was also a "Vegas" themed semi-formal. For Greek Week in March, we were paired with Sigma Pi and Zeta Beta Tau, and participated in Greek Games, Greek Extravaganza, the Block Party, and the Greek Stroll For a Cause. For Homecoming in October, with a “Men in Black” theme, Eta Eta came in 3rd place at skit night, 2nd place best dance, 1st place in the banner competition, 1st place in can collection, 2nd place in the float build, and 2rd place overall with our partners Phi Gamma Delta and Phi Mu Alpha.
Eta Eta’s sisterhood events included Ice at the Gaylord Palms, camping at camp Warren Willis Kappa lunch every Wednesday, a Family Weekend for Homecoming including a football tailgate and laser tag at Hard Knocks, a Mother-Daughter Day at Buca Di Beppo, a J. Crew Shopping Night, weekly Sisterhood Studies, and a Senior Banquet. Eta Eta did an amazing job with Spirit Week and Recruitment this fall, and during this time we held an Alumnae Tea Event. Our Fall Bid Day was a “Go Kappa/Went Kappa” theme and was held at Ceviche followed by a comedy show. In spring, we initiated 9 sisters, and events such as Kappa Kup Kakes at Sweet, Miss UCF pageant, a UCF basketball game, IM games, and Kappa Lunch. In fall, we initiated 56 sisters, and during I-Week we held a variety of sisterhood events such as a Sisterhood Movie Night watching “What’s Your Number”, a Sisterhood event roller-skating “80s” themed, Kappa Kup Kakes, and a Kappa Lunch. Also during the fall our Chapter participated in National Hazing Prevention Week, and Panhellenic Pride Week.
Campus: The University of Central Florida is growing each year. Statistics show that we are the second largest university in the nation. We have a 55% percent female population. We are not only growing in size, but we are growing in athletics as well. This past year the University of Central Florida joined the BIG EAST. The school shows much diversity, which is reflected in our very own Eta Eta Chapter.
In the Spring of 2011, Eta Eta received a 3.203 GPA and, in the Fall we placed 11th with a GPA of 2.985. III. Chapter Challenges: (Describe them and how the chapter met and overcame them.) In 2011, Eta Eta set a goal to hold more sisterhood activities during the year to get more sisters involved with bonding events. We also aim to attend more intramural sports games to help support those players. Lastly, we aimed for a goal of a GPA of at least 3.15, and to bring back academic incentives.
2012
Eta Eta anticipated ground breaking for a new chapter house in April 2012. The chapter planned to have formal recruitment in the house in the fall of 2013.
Convention Awards: Honorable Mention: Standards Award 2010-2012 Honorable Mention: Excellence in Chapter Management Award 2010-2012
In 2012, Eta Eta participated in several philanthropies within the community. Among them were Delta Zeta's Turtle Tug, Alpha Delta Pi's Cheers for Charity, Sigma Pi's ACE project and SPIKE, Kappa Delta Shakedown, Pi Beta Phi's Arrow Bowl, Trick or Treat on Greek Street, Delta Upsilon and Alpha Xi Delta's Dodgebrawl, Knight-Thon, and Alpha Epsilon Phi's Bowlanthropy. Eta Eta also hosted its own philanthropy events including Kappa Kickball, a kickball tournament supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, as well as our 5th annual Kappa Kookoff with a theme of "Around the World in 80 Plates." At Kappa Kookoff all of the participating sororities and fraternities cooked different ethnic dishes from around the world that were judged by a panel of sisters to determine a winner.
Eta Eta had fun on many socials including a Toga theme with Zeta Beta Tau and Delta Sigma Phi, a Nautical or Nice theme with Delta Tau Delta, an America theme with Beta Theta Pi and FIJI, an 80s theme with Sigma Nu and Phi Mu Alpha and a "Dynamic Duo's" Kappa Krush party. Eta Eta also enjoyed a beautiful formal at Seaworld with a classy Sapphire Ball theme, as well as a Roaring 20's themed Semi-Formal at the Orange County Regional History Center. For Greek Week we paired with Sigma Chi and participated in the exciting Greek Games. Eta Eta paired with Tau Kappa Epsilon, Sigma Nu and Phi Mu Alpha for Homecoming, winning 1st place Overall, 1st place Can Collection, 1st place Fountain Guard Painting, 1st place Service Day and 2nd place Skit.
Eta Eta participated in Spring recruitment, Bid Day was held at Arabian Nights with a UCF theme. We initiated 5 sisters with Delta Kappa Chapter in Miami. In the Fall we participated in formal recruitment and held our annual Alumnae tea. Our Bid Day theme was "There's No Place like Kappa", the event started off at BB King's restaurant and after we played games at Dave and Busters. Our new members enjoyed events like Kappa Speed Dating, a Kappa Krafting night, and an 80's themed New Member Retreat.
Very soon after Eta Eta initiated 43 new sisters. This fall we celebrated our 10th anniversary as a chapter, our Founder's Day celebration took place at Tuskawilla Country Club with a "Toast to Ten Years" theme. In the spring, Eta Eta bonded over dinner at the Hard Rock Café, then saw the talented Blue Man Group at Universal Studios, we had a daddy-daughter bowling extravaganza at Firkin and Keglers, weekly sisterhood studies and lunch in the Student Union. During the Fall our sisters enjoyed splashing around at Orlando's Wet 'N Wild, we got to see our families at Family Weekend football tailgate and a dinner at NBA City, we got chilly at the RDV Ice Skating rink, and got sporty playing IM sports.
During the Summer many sisters attended Kappa Kappa Gamma's Biannual Convention in Jacksonville, Florida. Eta Eta received honorable mention for Chapter Management and Standards, and received a shout out for having almost 40 sisters in attendance.
UCF's Greek Community is rapidly expanding. In Fall of 2011 we welcomed Delta Zeta on campus and this fall we received news of Gamma Phi Beta and Pi Kappa Phi's colonization. With a community of more than 3000 undergraduate students it is exciting to welcome these new chapters and see what they can bring to the University of Central Florida. Eta Eta chapter is working hard to keep our GPA above the All Sorority Average.
2013
In 2013, Eta Eta paired up with the Cystic Fibrosis foundation of Florida to host a walk on UCF’s campus. Eta Eta also hosted the first annual Kappa Karnival. At Kappa Karnival all of the participating sororities and fraternities created different carnival booths, and children from the community participated at each booth. Eta Eta also participated in Trick on Treat on Greek Street, Kappa Delta’s Shakedown, Zeta Beta Tau’s Get on The Ball and Zeta Tau Alpha’s Lip-sync competition, as well as UCF’s own Knighthon. Eta Eta is working to increase UCF Greek involvement in the CF walk.
Eta Eta had fun on many socials including a “Hard Hats and Snapbacks” theme with Sigma Pi, a “Duck Calls and Overall’s” themed homecoming social with our homecoming partners Delta Sigma Phi, and a “Don’t wanna grow up” social with Zeta Beta Tau. Eta Eta also enjoyed semi-formal at the Brevard County Zoo. Eta Eta paired with Pi Kappa Phi and Delta Sigma Phi for homecoming, winning 2nd place overall, most cans collected, and 3rd place in Skit Night.
Eta Eta participated in spring recruitment; bid day was held at Wonder Works, where each sister wore her jersey. We initiated 16 sisters. In the fall Eta Eta moved into a brand new house on campus. We participated in formal recruitment out of our own house for the first time and also held our annual Alumnae tea. Our bid day was held at Old Town with a “New Bid’s on the Block/80’s theme.”
Our new members enjoyed many events at our house including a movie night, and a craft night. Very soon after Eta Eta initiated 51 new members. In the spring we went to the Orlando Science Center for a sisterhood sleepover, and had dinner at Planet Hollywood in Downtown Disney. Eta Eta got to participate in many reading days in elementary schools throughout the Orlando area. We also got to see Cirque du Soleil at Downtown Disney. Our mothers got to join us making chocolate at Ferris and Fosters. Sisters participated in many IM sports including soccer, flag football and volleyball. We also held weekly sisterhood studies at the house and around campus to try and boost our chapter GPA.
UCF’s Greek community continues to expand. The spring brought the colonization of Pi Kappa Phi, and the fall brought Gamma Phi Beta. Eta Eta officially moved into our new house on campus in August of 2013. Chi Omega also moved into their house. Eta Eta continues to work to bring our GPA above the All Sorority Average.
Highlights of 2015
The Fall Semester of 2015 brought a new year for Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Eta Eta chapter at the University of Central Florida to thrive and reach new potentials. Kappa women represented our chapter eloquently through formal recruitment both affiliated and unaffiliated.
Our Chapter was highlighted throughout the Panhellenic community through numerous representations. Michelle Weber, Payton Grandquest, Emma Anderson, Delaney Ridgway, Jennifer Bayes, Lexie Bell, Grace Bennett, Eve Niles, Madison Skonie, Cailin Cooney, Rachel Additon, Emily Reed, and Sam Holsten are sisters who chose to disaffiliate and shine light on our chapter through the roles of Rho Gammas and Panhellenic Executive Board. Eta Eta welcomed new faces during formal recruitment which started the morning of August 17th and came to an end with Bid Day on August 22, 2015. We celebrated our new members, Chi Class, with a golden theme of ‘Take me Home Where My Dreams are Made of Gold’. Our chapter enjoyed an early dinner together at Margaritaville followed by an entertaining night enjoying the Blue Man Group’s performance at Universal Studios.
On September 10th we hosted Sundae Funday at our house where we served the Greek community ice cream with a choice of toppings. Followed by Kickin’ it with Kappa held on the 12th. Kickin’ it with Kappa is a kickball tournament where different fraternities and sororities had the opportunity to compete against one another. Our tournament and Sundae Funday event support Reading is Fundamental (RIF), which helps the community grow and support our younger generations. Alpha Tau Omega and Zeta Tau Alpha placed first in the kickball tournament and Theta Chi and Delta Zeta placed first overall.
Family Weekend kicked off on September 19th with a family barbecue, buffet style, where food and company were enjoyed. Families heart and stomachs were full as they wrapped up their meals and headed over to enjoy the football game against Furman.
We ended the September calendar with a Kappa Lunch on the 23rd where our house chair Kaitlin Yutzy arranged for Chick-fil-A catering. And finally our Grab-A-Date where we all dressed as tacky tourists and geared up to go to Wonder Works. Our chapter and our dates spent the night doing interactive games, and pushing our comfort zones on the ropes course and roller coaster simulators.
On October 1st, Kappa participated in Zeta’s annual philanthropy event Zeta Lip Sync. We worked hard and performed an excellent routine while being supported by the rest of our chapter members. Shortly after we participated in Phi Hoops placing first overall! We ended our exciting week celebrating Kappa Kappa Gamma’s founders day with a Sunday brunch at Ceviche Tapas restaurant.
Initiation Week took place on October 12th. We started off the week with events full of sisterhood. During the week we had a night for family dinner, a Movie on the Lawn where we watched Hocus Pocus and indulged on snacks, and later in the week we all put on our game faces and played laser tag at Hard Knocks. Ending with our chapter initiating 54 new members on October 17, 2015. We also had a new member from Florida State University’s chapter join us for initiation with her big.
Following I-Week was UCF’s annual Homecoming week. On Monday UCF hosted Comedy Knight featuring Damon Wayans Jr. and Jimmy Tatro. Tuesday was Concert Knight with performers Big Sean and Dan + Shay. Along with other events throughout the week such as Kids Carnival, Skit Knight, and Movie Knight. Ending the festive week with Spirit Splash, a campus wide pep rally, where students parade into the campus’s reflection pond and get ready for the big football game against Houston. Spirit Splash was awarded Best Campus Tradition in 2011 by the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA). Our sisters won third place at Skit Knight and enjoyed participating in the week long events. Two of our sisters Rachel Additon, and Hannah Starner were on Homecoming Executive Board and helped plan and execute a fun filled week. Before Halloween weekend, we had a Halloween party at the house where we watched scary movies and munched on a lot of candy! This week was also Panhellenic Pride week. Our sisters participated in numerous events and even won 1st place overall. We hosted a book drive with our Monmouth Duo, Pi Beta Phi! It was a great activity to do together.
On November 4th we hosted the weekly Panhellenic meeting at our house, welcoming all twelve Panhellenic chapters. After, had another Kappa Dinner catered by Little Greek. The next day Kappa participated in KD shakedown coming in 3rd place with our routine. Friday, we had our Sisterhood Retreat at the Orlando Science Center! The night was filled with fun games, laughter, and sisterly bonding. We also participated in Alpha Xi Delta’s Dodgebrawl event where we placed 2nd and in Gamma Phi Beta’s Moonball event placing 1st. We ended the month with Semiformal and Pack to Attack Hunger.
Semiformal took place downtown at The Ballroom on Church Street on November 12th. We enjoyed an elegant evening full of horderves and dancing. Ending the semester with Pack to Attack Hunger. Last year we raised $2,500 and this year we were challenged by Panhellenic to raise $3,000. Exceeding our expectations, we raised over $3,000 and ended up being the 4th highest in Panhellenic donations. We were represented by Haley Mills, Payton Grandquest, Laura Ballesteros, and Bia De Faria on Pack To Attack’s Executive Board and had over 40 girls lend helping hands to package meals. On November 20th, a few of our sisters went to an Elementary School in the area for our Reading is Key event where we donated books to the children.
Eta Eta Chapter has had a successful Fall semester and we continue to meet benchmarks as the semester is coming to an end. As a chapter we aim to reach new goals and keep our minds open to new opportunities.
UCF’s Panhellenic community is progressively expanding. As a Greek Community we have been actively working on growing our philanthropy events and reaching out to wider audiences for support. As a whole IFC and Panhellenic communities have joined hands and have been doing better at supporting each others events. Attendance for philanthropy events has risen and numbers raised for organizations campus wide have too risen. Eta Eta chapter diligently worked to remove our chapter off of the Academic Focus Plan and have kept our chapter GPA above the All Sorority Average.
Chapter Philanthropy:
What organization(s) has your chapter historically/traditionally raised money for, or donated hours to, in your community?
Eta Eta Chapter annually raises money for Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), Kappa Kappa Gamma’s National Philanthropy. In the Spring as a chapter we raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Why did your chapter choose this organization(s) to support?
We support Reading Is Fundamental because we are sisters of this organization and support our National Philanthropic traditions. As a chapter we believe in motivating and inspiring children to read and providing books to families and children who need them the most. This gives children the opportunity to follow their dreams and achieve their full potential. We want to provide them this opportunity they may not have had otherwise. We support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in honor of our sister, Alison Callum, who passed away from Cystic Fibrosis in 2003. This past year we raised over $50,000 to help families pay for medical treatments and also to fund research to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.
Highlights of 2016
These past Spring and Fall Semesters of 2016 have brought along many great experiences to the Eta Eta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. This new year has given the Eta Eta chapter many opportunities to thrive and grow in the Greek community and to become an even greater sisterhood.
To start off the year, Eta Eta came back to school ready for what was to come. We had our first sisterhood event on February 19th, “Kappa’s It.” We decked out in matching Kappa shirts, took endless photos in the photo booth, ate tons of yummy treats, covered the house in confetti, and created endless memories. That same week, we also had 14 members of our chapter selected to be Rho Gammas for the upcoming Fall 2016 recruitment, one member on the Panhellenic Recruitment Team, and one member on the Panhellenic Executive Board. To close out the month, we had an amazing Father/Daughter day planned by our public relations chair, Kate Cowart. We spent the night relaxing and enjoying each others company at the Orlando Solar Bears Ice Hockey game with our dads.
In March before spring break, We enjoyed having our old LC, Alyssa, back for a visit the week before spring break and catching up with her.
On March 19th, we gathered our bathing suits and sunscreen and headed to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon for a fun day full of water rides and sisterhood. Even though the weather was cold and rainy, we all stayed positive and made the most of it. To end out the month, we had our first grab-a-date event, Kappa Kochella, held at Dave and Busters, where we spent the night playing arcade games and collecting endless tickets for prizes.
April was an eventful and successful month for the Eta Eta chapter. On April 2nd, we had over 50 sisters participate in UCF’s Dance Marathon, Knight-thon. As a team we all stood for 20 hours and raised over $20,000 for local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Our feet were certainly sore, but our hearts were extremely full. That same weekend, we had four of our sisters attend SEPC, where they attended various workshops about leading with purpose. They got to meet fellow Panhellenic women and Kappas from the south eastern part of the United States.
April 4-8, was Greek Week and we were paired with Sigma Pi. Gabby Bell, one of our sisters who is the VP of Administration for Greek Council, planned the Greek Week. Kappa and Sigma Pi had a huge turn out for participation throughout the week and during the various philanthropy events, such as decorating hats for children with cancer, and bagging toiletries and writing letters to soldiers.
That next weekend, the 9th, we helped organize the Cystic Fibrosis 5k on UCF’s campus. We spent the afternoon cheering on participants, lending helping hands, and bringing awareness to an organization that is very close to Eta Eta’s heart. That night we all headed to the Kappa Kastle for PJ Potluck put on by our House Chair Liz Foley. We had tons of yummy food, karaoke, and surprise sumo suits. On April 13th we cheered in Alpha Delta Pi’s annual Cheers for Charity. We may not have placed but we certainly did our chapter proud. On the 16th we spent the day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! We went on rides, met Disney characters, and had a blast bringing out our inner child. To close out such a great month, we danced the night away at the Heaven Event center for our annual Formal on the 23rd. We ate delicious food, danced to great music, got henna tattoos, and sang our traditional Oh Pat song to our graduating seniors. The next day, we headed to the Heathro Country Club and heard our final goodbyes from our seniors. We laughed at their stories, cried as they reminisced about their favorite memories, and learned that Kappa just isn’t four years, it’s for life.
The Spring semester for Eta Eta was one that we will all never forget. We created endless memories and exceeded all of our goals. We left for the summer ready for everything that the fall semester was going to bring. Over the summer, we had eight active sisters and an alumna attend Kappa Kappa Gamma’s biannual convention in San Diego, California, representing our chapter beautifully and having an amazing time learning about Kappa's history and bonding with sisters young and old.
The Fall 2016 semester was the beginning of a new school year for Eta Eta. Before classes started, we spent two weeks preparing to recruit the best new member class yet. We were all reunited on Monday, August 8th to begin our annual Spirit Week. We spent those days learning the ins and outs of recruitment, step clapping, singing, and creating new bonds with sisters. That Saturday, August, 13th, Beth Young put on our Alumnae Tea event. Many Eta Eta alumnae came by for refreshments and gave advice to active sisters about the upcoming recruitment. The next Monday, the 15th, started off Formal Recruitment, and ended on the 20th, when we welcomed 60 new members and our 14 Rho Gammas home. Our new members, Psi class, and the rest of the chapter hopped on busses and headed to Disney Springs where we had a delicious dinner at the House of Blues and ended the night with an exciting show at Cirque de Soleil.
September was a month full of family and fun. On September 17th, Kappa opened its doors and welcomed the families of our sisters for UCF’s Family Weekend. We had yummy barbeque catered to the house and then headed over to the stadium to watch our Knights play Maryland. Just a few weeks later, we had a big surprise in store for our new members. On October 2nd, they were welcomed into their new Kappa families on Big-Little Reveal. We had covered every door in the house with personalized decorated banners and watched as our new members ran into the arms of their excited bigs.
The following week was UCF’s annual homecoming week. We laughed at Comedy Knight, Danced on Concert Knight, and ended the week with the best college tradition in the nation, Spirit Splash. Our sister, Hannah Starner, served on the Homecoming Executive Board and helped make this Homecoming week one to remember. Our homecoming liason, Stephanie Sharf, took charge and helped make this week so successful. Kappa was partnered with Alpah Epsilon Pi and Sigma Alpha Epsilon for the week, and we then proudly took home first place for participating in homecoming events all week.
October was also the month we had our Inspiration week planned by our marshal, Amy Willsey. We had a delicious house dinner of tacos catered by the parents of sister Karen Enamarado, spent time with our Kappa families, and bounced on trampolines until we couldn’t anymore at Rebounderz. We ended the week with 58 newly initiated sisters on October 22nd.
That following Thursday we participated in Zeta Tau Alpha's annual Zeta Lip Sync benefiting breast cancer education and awareness. Our sisters worked extremely hard and put on a flawless performance for the Greek Community. To end out the month, we took a trip to the Central Florida Zoo, a sisterhood event put on by our VP of Standards, Colette Lowndes. We spent the day looking at animals and playing endless sisterhood games. We also had our annual Founders Day brunch on the 30th to celebrate the 146th year of the founding of Kappa Kappa Gamma, organized by our education chair, Andrea DiMayo. We enjoyed a lovely brunch and reflected on the six founders that started the organization we all call home.
The month of November was one to remember. To start off the month, we participated in Pack to Attack, packaging meals for families in the Orlando area. The following week we had our annual Semi-formal on the 10th at Mangos Tropical Café, put on our by our Event Chair, Ingrid Onoriod. We ate delicious Spanish food and enjoyed an energetic show put on by some of their dancers. Our Fall philanthropy event, Kickin’ it with Kappa, took place on November 13th. We headed over to UCF IM fields and cheered on many members of the Greek community as their organizations participated in games of Kickball and donated books to Reading is Fundamental. RIF raises money and collects books to donate to local schools for children that might not have books to read. Pi Beta Phi took first place for the sororities, while Sigma Pi took home first place for the fraternities. This semester also was very successful for our IM teams. Paola Ramos, our IM sports chair, led us to many victories. We remained undefeated in flag football and took home first place in Alpha Epsilon Phi’s Phi Hoops, Delta Zeta’s Hike for Hearing Flag Football tournament, and Gamma Phi Beta’s Moon Ball event!
To end out the semester, we had a house dinner put on by our house chair Liz Foley, and heard senior wills, organized on by our Education chair, Andrea Dimayo. We filled our bellies with breakfast food catered from Too Jay’s, decorated Christmas ornaments, exchanged cookies, and listened as our graduating seniors said their goodbyes. Finally, December 1st we had our last event as a chapter, a grab-a-date at Dave and Busters.
Eta Eta has had an amazing year. The most prestigious accomplishment of our chapter was when we were awarded 1st in academics out of all of the UCF sororities. This was a first in chapter history, and it was all due to the hard work of our sisters. 2016 brought many wonderful opportunities to our sisterhood and helped us surpass our goals as a chapter. We have grown so much as a chapter and can’t wait to see what new opportunities and experiences this new year has to offer.
Highlights of 2017
The Eta Eta chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma has thrived as an organization throughout the year of 2017. The year has brought along many learning and growth experiences for the chapter as a whole. To kick start the new year, the women of Eta Eta entered the Spring semester by getting involved with the Greek community. The weekend of January 30th, Brittany Melson and Rachel Geril attended the Greek Leadership Challenge in Cocoa Beach, FL and learned more about the 4 different Greek councils on campus and how we can work together to improve relations. The following month on the 15th at the Panhellenic meeting hosted by Kappa Alpha Theta, seven members were selected to be Rho Gammas for the upcoming fall semester and help hundreds of young women find their homes within the Greek community. To close out the month, on February 25th, we grabbed our bathing suits and sunnies and made our way to Cabana Bay for our retro sisterhood retreat, hosted by our Vice President of Standards, Paola Pineda. We had fun in the sun all day, and then laughed the night away playing some of our favorite games, including human Hungry Hungry Hippos!
On March 4th, right before spring break, the chapter enjoyed an amazing Mother/Daughter day sprinkled with gorgeous sunflowers, hosted by our public relations chair, Brittany Barnes, at The Porch. We brunched all morning and left with cute polaroids featuring our very own moms. Once we returned from our mini vacation, we started getting ready for our brand new spring philanthropy event, planned by our very own philanthropy chair, Tara Elardo. Kappa’s Key to Wingin’ It was a huge success, bringing in nearly $2,000 for our chapter philanthropy, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. We walked away from our event with more awareness than ever before about CF, all thanks to the incredible representative from the Foundation who taught us endless fun facts and applicable demonstrations. Even our LC, Ingrid, got to join in on the fun, as she hung out with us at our event and got to see all of Eta Eta’s hard work pay off. To close out the month, we enjoyed our first grab-a-date of the semester at Boardwalk Bowl, where we teamed up and bowled to our hearts desire.
April was a very busy, yet successful month for the chapter. On the 1st of the month, our Knight Thon team, led by the trio of Hannah Starner, Gabby Bell, and Jennie Baker, made their way to the CFE arena to dance the next 20 hours away FTK. The night was full of hypnosis, Zumba, incredible miracle children’s stories, and plenty of emotions. Fundraising all year and dancing our hearts out allowed UCF to meet, and far exceed, our goal, with Kappa donating nearly $18,000 benefitting the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. That same weekend, a few of our officers, Andrea DiMayo, Paola Pineda, Tori Louth-Ciaccio, Hannah Hoffman, and Katherine Briatico attended the Kappa Leadership Conference in Denver, Colorado. They represented the chapter well, and brought back loads of information as to how to improve our Kappa Kappa Gamma chapter as a whole. To top it all off, SEPC was also held that weekend, where Tillie Schuman, Peyton Edwards, and Emily Diez represented Eta Eta among the community of Panhellenic women, where they attended various workshops about leading with a purpose.
April 3rd-8th, was Greek Week and we were paired with Pi Kappa Phi and NPHC. Our chairs, Ingrid Onoriode and Stephanie Sharf, lead the chapter throughout the week. Kappa and our partners had an amazing time competing in all of the events and collecting cans for the Harvest Food Bank. That same Saturday, we headed out to the Lake Nona Country Club to celebrate our graduating seniors at senior wills, hosted by Colette Lowndes. We ate lots of food, listened to funny memories, and remembered that Kappa isn’t four years, it’s for life. To close out such a wonderful month, on April 20th, we danced the night away at the Omni Orlando Resort for our annual Formal event. We pigged out at the chicken wing and pasta bar, took tons of silly photo booth pictures, and sang our traditional Oh Pat song to our seniors. It was truly a night to remember.
We had so much fun participating in other philanthropies, as well as raising money for our very own. We far exceeded our goals, all the while creating endless memories. We left for our summer vacation eagerly awaiting all that was to come in the Fall semester.
The Fall 2017 semester got started in the best way possible. We all got to come back to UCF two weeks early to hang out with all of our sisters and prepare to recruit the best new member class ever. The big reunion after the long summer took place on August 7th, but was short lived because we quickly had to learn the ins and outs of everything recruitment related by our wonderful membership chairman, Hannah Hoffman. Spirit week was spent step clapping our hearts out, screaming door chants, and having quite the “house party”. We put all of our training into practice when we hit the ground running for our first day of recruitment on the 14th. Formal recruitment came to a close on the 19th, where we welcomed home the 56 new members of Omega class, as well as our well-missed Rho Gammas. We carried on our bid day festivities at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where we spent the evening roaming the park and watching the various light shows.
Eta Eta started off the new school year strong by meeting at the house on the 28th for a planner party, hosted by the vice president of academics, Alex Shapiro. We highlighted and marked up our calendars with all of the fun events to come that semester, but making sure to pencil in time for all of our studying and homework. Unfortunately, our schedules got a little skewed when Hurricane Irma made an unwanted visit, and kept us away from school and Kappa for a couple weeks. During this time, sisters checked up on sisters, offered up their homes, and took care of one another, truly exemplifying what it means to be a Kappa woman.
The chapter made it back safe and sound on September 17th, just in time for big/little reveal. The bigs decorated and hid in boxes, patiently waiting for the very moment when their little would run into their arms. Soon after the littles got their bigs, we all enjoyed a wonderful Inspiration week, starting October 1st, planned by our marshal, Lauren Jacobs. During the week we bonded with our sisters, and got the chance to channel our inner 80’s girls and skate the night away at Semoran Skateway. The week ended with our beautiful initiation ceremony, and 54 newly initiated sisters on October 7th. The following week, we celebrated our Founder’s Day, hosted by our education chairman, Colette Lowndes, at the house as we dressed up in our trendiest fall clothing, and pied our favorite council members in the face. The very next day, our Panhellenic Delegate, Tillie Schuman, planned a new event, Owloween with our neighbors, Chi Omega. We got to spend time getting to know our fellow Panhellenic sisters, all the while getting to decorate pumpkins and eat sweet treats.
To finish out the month of October, we participated in Kappa Delta’s annual KD Shakedown benefitting the Girl Scouts of America. Our sisters worked so hard, and it truly showed on stage with the amazing performance they delivered.
The first week of November proved to be a busy one. Early in the morning on the 4th, we participated in Pack-to-Attack, packaging meals for families in the greater Orlando area, then immediately made our way over to our Sisterhood event on memory mall. We teamed up and played various Disney channel-esque games and races, and made so many fun memories. On the 7th, we hosted our annual Kickin’ It with Kappa, newly transformed into a soccer tournament by our philanthropy chairman, Emily Diez. The event raised nearly $3,000 for our philanthropy, Reading is Fundamental, and we got loads of books to donate to the children!
On November 16th, right before we left for Thanksgiving break, we all got our glam on for our annual semi-formal, hosted by our event chairman, Ali Rollins. We danced the night away at the breath-taking Orchid Garden, and closed the night out by Oh Patting our graduating seniors.
To close out the semester, the Eta Eta chapter hosted our first ever Golden Key Celebration to commemorate the 15 years that our chapter has been on UCF’s campus. It was a truly amazing event, as all of our sisters, families, and Kappa alumni joined us at the Orlando Science Center, and we raised over $10,000 for the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. We spent the night bidding on raffle items, eating delicious catered food, and breaking it down on the dance floor. The highlight of our night was meeting our Fraternity President, Beth Black, and listening to a wonderful speech given by our District Director, Barb Goettelman. They are the women that we aspire to be, and we are so grateful that they could attend our event.
The Eta Eta chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma had an incredible year. We are so proud of all of our accomplishments academically, and in the Greek community. We have grown as a chapter and a sisterhood within the year of 2017. Many new opportunities have been presented to us and we have taken advantage of them to the fullest, and can’t wait to see what the new council, led by Tillie Schumann, will bring us in the year of 2018.
Highlights of 2018
2018 was an amazing year for the sisters of the Eta Eta chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. We began the New Year with a planner party hosted by our AE chair Kyla Johns where we were able to see each other after the winter break and prepare for the spring semester. Next, we celebrated being a kappa with our Kappa’s It event by singing karaoke, putting on giant sumo suits, and taking lots and lots of glitter pictures. For Valentines Day we celebrated with our gal pals at the house by eating sweet treats at our pan love event. To end the month of February we packed our bathing suits and sunscreen for a weekend getaway at Daytona Beach for our sisterhood retreat. We spent the day lounging outside by the beach and pool enjoying the sunshine and spent the night acting in skits and playing bonding games with all of our sisters.
On March 3rd Kenzi Gangwish our PR chair planned a fun night with our favorite kappa dads for father daughter day where we cheered on the Orlando Magic vs. the Memphis Grizzlies. Later that month we had a cozy pan grab a date at the Kappa Kastle. We put on our favorite pair of PJ’s, watched Disney movies, and had a gelato truck come to the house. The grab a date’s continued with another at Wonderworks where we wore on our best Hawaiian shirts and tried the high ropes course and interactive games. At the end of March we put on legwarmers, scrunchies, and neon leotards for an 80s fitness themed grab a date at the bowling alley.
To kick off the month of April we hosted our second annual Key to Wingin’ It Philanthropy event at the house benefitting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. We cheered on the different fraternities and sororities as they competed to eat as many wings as they could. On April 7th kappa was FTK and participate in UCFs annual Knight-Thon 20 hour dance marathon. We spent the night in the CFE arena dancing, listening to miracle stories, getting hypnotized, and raising money for a great cause. Overall, we raised $33,000 benefitting the Children’s Miracle Network.
We continued to be philanthropic by participating in Alpha Delta Pi’s Cheers for Charity competition. Seniors Andrea Dimayo, Talia Meizinger, and Sammy Brown teamed up as captains and lead us to victory where made a comeback and placed 2nd in the competition. We got dressed in Kappa Klassy for our formal, which was planned by Ingrid Onoriode. We spent the night dancing under twinkling lights, getting our palms read by Madam Morgana, and Oh Patting our seniors on their final formal. It was a night for the books. On April 22nd we said goodbye to our seniors during a country club brunch for senior wills. We were able to look back on the senior’s favorite college memories and reminisce on all they loved about kappa. To wrap up the month and the semester Paula Ramos our House Chair hosted a much needed house breakfast during finals where we could fuel up on some Maple Street biscuits before going back to study.
Over the summer, big things were still happening for kappa. Tillie Schumann, Katherine Briatico, Madi Wiesen, and Brittany Barnes attended the national Kappa Kappa Gamma Convention in Denver, Colorado where they represented Eta Eta chapter. Our chapter won the ritual award, Panhellenic award, and was among the top 5 for most outstanding chapter. This showed how much our chapter has grown and will continue to grow in the future. Our study lounge was also revamped thanks to house board and our renovation committee. They transformed the room into not only a functional study space, but a beautiful area that represents Kappa.
Before school started both the 7 rho gammas and eta eta chapter were hard at work preparing for recruitment during spirit week. And after 2 weeks of hard work it was worth it when on bid day the future members of Eta Eta and the returning rho gammas ran down the red carpet leading home. Nicole Cantore the new member chair put on an amazing bid day with Lights, Camera, Kappa where the new members were able to enjoy a popcorn and candy bar and spent the rest of the day at Hollywood Studios screaming on Tower of Terror and Rockin’ Rollercoaster. Later that night we had the VIP treatment with a dessert party at the Fantasmic show.
To get to know the new members we had a planner party, speed dating, game night, and a dinner and movie night spent singing along to Mamma Mia. On September 15th the new members had a sleepover for their retreat at the Kappa house. The night was spent playing bonding games, having an ice cream bar, and staying up late laughing with new friends. At the end of September everyone decked out in black and gold to represent the undefeated knights for parents weekend. Kappas were able to show off the house to family and eat Sonny’s BBQ.
Education chair Kristin Collison started a new member and senior Q & A called Dear Kappa Days where older kappa’s were able to reflect on their experiences and give tips and advice to the future members. We had our first grab a date of the semester at Rebounderz where we dressed all American and bounced the night away on trampolines. Later that month Becca Zerbo represented Eta Eta chapter at leadership academy in Ohio where she attended workshops and learned new skills that she was able to share with our chapter.
We then participated in Zeta Lip Sync where Brittany Barnes and Kenzi Gangwish choreographed alpha alpha class in their fight night dance. A few days later was big little reveal where the new members were surprised with their big sister holding a matching puzzle piece. On October 13th we celebrated Founders day at Tuscawilla Country club and had brunch with other kappa alumni where we reflected on the 6 founding women who made this incredible chapter possible. Next was I Week which was put on by our Marshal Becca Kirsch to prepare for initiation. Every day included a special hash-tag where sisters could post their favorite memories and we also rented out a theater to watch and cry to A Star is Born. Then on October 20th 51 new members became forever sisters during initiation. A few days later Kappa hosted its first annual Kappa Con Queso thanks to our philanthropy chair Denise Cukierman, which benefitted Reading is Fundamental. With unlimited chips and queso and a surprise appearance from Knightro the night was a complete success To wrap up the end the month we had a K K Jean themed grab a date at drive shack. We channeled our inner Tiger Woods and ate so many churros.
To start off the month of November we had Kamp Kappa our sisterhood retreat at the house created by our Standards chair Katherine Briatico. We spent the night making bracelets, sugar scrubs, and s’mores. Next we had a social with Tau Kappa Epsilon and got creative dressing as anything with the first letter of your name. Finally we wrapped up the end of the semester with our Bright Lights Big City semi formal in downtown Orlando. We danced the night away and sang our traditional Oh Pat to the graduating seniors.
Overall Eta Eta chapter had a big year filled with success, memories, and laughter.
Highlights of the 2020s
We began the semester with our new Leadership coming together to create goals as a chapter and learning all of our roles as leaders. We kicked off Syllabus Week with a planner party hosted by our Academic Excellence Director, Sarah Goddell. At the end of the month, we had our first house dinner, hosted by our Facility Director, Megann Linardos. Throughout February, we hosted a Partial Proceeds, had another House Dinner, and had our first Kappa Krush party, hosted by our Event Director, Madison Evard. At the end of the month, we had our Sisterhood Retreat, hosted by our Member Engagement Director, Cameo Dyer. We spent the day at Orange Lake Resort where we played arcade games and lounged in the lazy river! We then spent the night at the hotel where we played games and had some sisterhood bonding.Our plans suddenly changed when UCF announced that we would move to remote instruction beginning March 16th due to the Coronavirus. Despite this challenge, it didn’t stop members of Eta Eta from communicating and making the best out of the situation. Our Director of PR, Julia Amorim and our VP of External Affairs, Courtney Garrison had the idea of starting a #KappaQuarantine page where sisters submitted Tik Tok dances and fun challenges to earn points to win a prize in the Fall. In order to prepare for Recruitment, Jenn Flatin, our Primary Recruitment Director and Shannon Jones, our VP of Membership were hard at work planning out songs and dress colors! Jenn also hosted some virtual Recruitment Workshops to teach first time recruiters how Formal Recruitment works! Also, our House Director, Megann Linardos, found a way to connect us all for one final “house dinner” by delivering each of us a pizza to our homes while we quarantined. We also said farewell to our graduating seniors by hosting a Senior Wills Zoom call where the seniors reminisced on their time in Kappa.When we returned from summer break, we immediately got into Recruitment mode. Recruitment was completely virtual at UCF, so this was something new for all of us. We hosted a virtual spirit week where we worked on our values, conversations, and how to navigate Zoom and come up with new ideas to make our Recruitment run smoothly. Our Recruitment Team also invited Josh Peck to join one of our Zoom calls to boost morale and give some words of encouragement. Recruitment week definitely had its ups and downs, including the power going out in one of the on-campus housings, which delayed our Day 1 for some hours. Despite the challenges, Eta Eta welcomed Alpha Delta pledge class and celebrated by hosting a socially distanced Kappa Candyland Bid Day where our New Members met their Bid Day buddy and got some photos outside of the house. The next week, we continued by participating in COB and welcomed some more new members to Alpha Delta class. We then hosted Formal Pledging via Zoom for the New Members where they received their New Member Pin. September began with some new member meetings where the New Members learned about Kappa’s history and many different aspects about our chapter. They also hung out at a Virtual New Member Retreat where they bonded and played games with each other. At the end of the month, we had a virtual Minnie Stewart Van Visit where some of our members learned about Kappa history and some of the artifacts that are still around today. October was a busy month for Eta Eta. We began by having a Virtual Founders Day celebration where we learned facts about Kappa’s history and played a fun Kahoot game that reviewed some fun facts about Kappa. Inspiration Period began with Big/Little Reveal and the Return of the New Member Pin. Throughout the week, we played Kahoot games, Among Us Party, and even a canvas painting party via Zoom. Our big event of the week was The Masked Kappa. Chapter members submitted videos of themselves singing and dressed up like a character and we all guessed who we thought it was. It was a ton of fun! The week ended with our beautiful Initiation, hosted by our Ritual and History Director, Nicole Leonard. With it being completely virtual, our members and newly initiated members were able to truly listen to the beautiful words of our ritual and understand the meaning behind Kappa. We ended out the semester with our Philanthropy Event, hosted by our Philanthropy Director, Sam Bostelman. We delivered Thanksgiving meals to people around the community and raised money to go towards our philanthropies. We hosted another virtual Senior Wills for our Fall seniors. We then installed our 2021 Leadership Board and began preparing them for their incoming term.
Eta Eta supports our Fraternity tradition of supporting Reading is Fundamental, while also seeing the impact of this foundation and how it supports children around our area. Our members truly enjoy getting into schools in the area and being able to read to them and build connections with them. We also support the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation because of our bond as a sisterhood and wanting to help sisters in need. We also continue our Eta Eta tradition of supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to honor our sister, Allison Callum, who passed away from CF in 2003.
Eta Eta added a DEI committee this semester to help educate and spread awareness about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in both our chapter and our community. This committee hosted many programming events throughout the semester including teaching the chapter some Sign Language, Black History Month awareness, and honoring National Disability Day. They hosted a few Zoom movie nights where we watched “Love, Simon” and “The Hate U Give” to bring awareness to the LGBTQ+ community. We also had a presentation about Cultural Appropriation around Halloween time and a presentation about Hispanic Heritage Month.
We celebrated our Sesquicentennial Celebration by appreciating our past and how it impacts our future as a Fraternity. Throughout the semester, we did a Minerva Moment at every chapter meeting which showed an artifact from our past, we reviewed our ritual, or a fun Kappa fact. We also celebrated our Founders Day by playing fun games that discussed Kappa’s history and also found out which founder each of us were most like. We also all received a Kappa coat-of-arms sweatshirt to show our love for Kappa.
