The Kappa Gamma Chi newsletter summarizes their fall 2011 semester. They welcomed new sisters, completed over 3,000 hours of community service, and bonded during a retreat weekend near the beach. Upcoming events include their 110th anniversary celebration and Take Back the Night week in the spring semester. The newsletter also highlights an alumni sister living abroad and her aerial performance hobby, as well as saying goodbye to December graduating sisters.
1. Volume 3, Issue 3, December 2011
KAPPA GAMMA CHI
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Fall 2011 Wrap-Up!
Fall 2011 Wrap-Up 1
Semester Recap 2
Alumni Spotlight 2
Shine Your Light 3
December Grads 3
Retreat 4
Happy Holidays 4
Contact Us 5
UPCOMING DATES
January 20th
Winter Org Fair
Max Mutchnick
Taken in the Paramount Theater by Grayson Breen, fellow Phi Alpha Tau brother.
Campus Center
12PM – 3PM The fall 2011 semester has been a whirlwind for the sisterhood. It seems as if
only yesterday, we were at our first business meeting of the semester discussing
February 29th community service initiatives, potential pledges and 110th Anniversary
Red Cross Blood Drive
Multipurpose Room
Celebrations. Now, as most of us have headed home to rest up after a week of
10AM – 3PM hectic finals, it’s nice to look back at what we have accomplished this semester.
First we welcomed eight new sisters who have all shown passion and drive, as
March 25th – April 1st well as professionalism, who will take Kappa by storm in the next few
Take Back the Night
semesters. We also conquered our community service initiatives producing
Stay tuned for details
over 3000 hours (summer and fall) as a sisterhood. Even through our busy
schedules, we still made plenty of time to bond as a sisterhood. Our retreat this
year in Plymouth, MA allowed us to get silly and enjoy a nice relaxing
weekend near the beach, as well as enjoy a hearty meal at Red Robin.
Wherever we went, laughter and silliness ensued, but at the end of day, we truly
enjoyed being in such fine company of amazing young women. We look
forward to next semester with our 110th anniversary, Take Back the Night
week, Alumni Luncheon and continued professional development events. See
you in 2012!
Kappa Gamma Chi Emerson College Boston, MA
Newsletter Contact: Ngawang Choney at Ngawang.Choney90@gmail.com
2. Page 2 December 2011
Semester Recap
Alumni Spotlight: Erika Schwartz Poole
In 2002, after working in the music industry in LA
since college, I decided to make a huge change. I took
6 months off to see the world, and then moved to
London, England. I had always wanted to live abroad
and didn’t get to do the Castle Program while at
Emerson. The first year was really tough, but after
awhile I met some fantastic people and finally landed
a good job. With a resume of marketing, promoting
and running concerts/events for bands, I was
headhunted by a major player in the online poker
world. Since it’s also entertainment, it is incredibly
similar to the music business, and I've been doing it
now for 7 years, getting to travel to Las Vegas,
Russia, Australia, and around Europe for events. It's
hectic, crazy, ever-changing, and definitely never
boring.
In my spare time, I have a rather unusual hobby. I I got married last year to a lovely Brit called Jon, and right
train and perform as an aerialist or aerial acrobat. I do now we are in the midst of another life-changing plan.
static trapeze and aerial silks - if you've seen Cirque We're leaving in Jan 2012 for a year of travelling to South
Du Soleil, that’s what I do. It's great for fitness and America, Africa (and a visit to Harnas!), and Asia. It's the
really fun - so perfect, as I've never been a gym last big exploration and the chance to have the trip of a
bunny. My other passion is wild animals. In 2009 and lifetime before we settle down to have a family. If you are
2010, I volunteered at the Harnas Wildlife Sanctuary interested, you can follow our progress at
in Namibia working hands-on with big cats (lions, www.theintrepidexplorers.com. It's a whole new chapter,
leopards, and cheetahs). It was the most amazing and I can't wait!
experience - getting to know and understand these
amazing creatures are truly mind-blowing. They each All the best and Love In Kappa,
have different personalities and bonding with a young Erika Schwartz Poole
lion just completely changes the way you think. I'd Fall 1994
say it's one the best things I've ever done and highly
recommend it.
Kappa Gamma Chi Emerson College Boston, MA
Newsletter Contact: Ngawang Choney at Ngawang.Choney90@gmail.com
3. December 2011 Page 3
Take Back the Night Fall Teaser: Shine Your Light Walk
Our Take Back the Night (TBN) fall teaser,
Shine Your Light Walk, took place on November
14th with over 60 participants. Through the walk
around the Boston Common and t-shirt sales
promoting the event the week prior, we raised
awareness against domestic violence, partner abuse
and sexual assault, and proceeds of $500 for
Kappa’s annual Take Back the Night weeklong
series of events for next semester. The sisterhood
was grateful for all the participants who supported
this important case, as well as moved by those who
read monologues, poems and shared their own
stories. The event gained a lot of recognition from
the Emerson community, which we hope will inspire
more co-sponsorships and supporters for the spring
event. We are appreciative of our lovely TBN Co-
Chairs, Landry Allbright and Wynn Harrison, who
planned an amazing event. We can’t wait to see what
they have up their sleeves for next semester. Stay
tuned for important updates in the following months
for our annual Take Back the Night event.
Goodbye December Graduates!
As we end the fall 2011 semester, we must say goodbye to a few of our senior Kappas. Melissa Boss,
Marrin Goodall, Ariel Knoebel, Valerie Molina and Melinda Warren are all December graduates. We are so
proud of our sisters for finishing their Emerson journey a semester early, but we are sad that they must
embark on their journey without us. However we know that these ladies will be doing great things in the
years ahead of them. With that, we are happy to see them take over the world!
“My sisters have been my backbone and I can't express just how lucky I am to say that I have been a part of an
amazing organization that empowers leaders and fosters growth every day.” – Valerie Molina
“Kappa made this transformation complete when I entered the organization fairly late in my college career by
offering me an important structure of support and encouragement that gave me the tools and courage I needed to
follow my passions and make them reality.” – Ariel Knoebel, Invisible Children Roadie
“The undying support and inspiration from my sisters has been unbelievable. I will miss everyone dearly, but I know
the bonds of sisterhood will last forever: Once a Kappa Always a Kappa.” – Melissa Boss
“I owe an incredible amount of gratitude to each of my sisters and Emerson College for preparing me for this next
stage of life.” – Melinda Warren, future Teach for America Corps Member
Kappa Gamma Chi Emerson College Boston, MA
Newsletter Contact: Ngawang Choney at Ngawang.Choney90@gmail.com
“A collection of talented and ambitious women, Kappa Gamma Chi pushed me to become a more poised and
prepared young professional.” – Marrin Goodall
4. December 2011 Page 4
Kappa Retreat
Our Kappa Retreat this semester took place at a
lovely beach house in Plymouth, MA. We feasted on
fine cooking and Red Robin, watched a Ryan Gosling
movie and enjoyed quality sister bonding time together.
It was the perfect weekend getaway during the middle
of the semester. Also, having the beach down the street
wasn’t too shabby either!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
&
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Kappa Gamma Chi Emerson College Boston, MA
Newsletter Contact: Ngawang Choney at Ngawang.Choney90@gmail.com
5. Page 5 December 2011
Contact Us
Web Site: www.KappaGammaChi.com
KappaGammaChi@Gmail.com
www.Facebook.com/KappaGammaChi
www.Twitter.com/KappaGammaChi
KappaGammaChi.Tumblr.com
E-Board and Active Sisters
Executive Board Active Sisters
Nicole Abascal Dylan Manderlink
Kate Hefler Landry Allbright Elizabeth Mantey
Dominique Banas Megan Mitchell
President Melissa Boss Valerie Molina
Dominique Banas Lane Brenner Kathleen Montero
Shanae Burch Alexandria Moorman
Vice President Alexis Carpinello Meghan Mueller
Sarah Cascante Najah Muhammad
Landry Allbright Ngawang Choney Christina Muniz
Treasurer Lauren Cortizo Tamara Omazic
Monica de Pinto Ribeiro Hancke Jamie Pekunece
Emily Enters Katie Prisco-Buxbaum
Gemma Simko Laura Franzini Lauren Schmidt
Corresponding Secretary Sonya Glaessner Gemma Simko
Andrea Gordillo Sophia Solomon
Elizabeth Mantey Wynn Harrison Lizzie Swerdlin
Recording Secretary Kate Hefler Melinda Warren
Faith Howes Mari Watson
Jane Kang Heather Wise
Ariel Knoebel Michelle Zelman
Erin Kelly
Kappa Gamma Chi Emerson College Boston, MA
Newsletter Contact: Ngawang Choney at Ngawang.Choney90@gmail.com