Hoot n Holler

Vol. 1 Chi Omega Newsletter for Xi Zeta

New Pledge Class of Xi Zeta Chapter of Chi Omega at UT Martin on Bid Day - 2012

Contents:

Pat Summit - Page 2 Wish Granted - Page 3 New Lodge - Page 3 Owl Trot- Page 4 New Council - Page 4 Fall 2012

Fall 2012 Rush brings in an incredible new pledge class of new members for the Xi Zeta Chapter.
Rush has come and gone from September 6-10. Rush Chair, Jerrie Carrington, took on quite a challenge when this years number of potential members skyrocketed. Over 200 girls went through the rush process this year. Jerrie made it a priority to make the Chi Omega room stand out and look and feel like home for the prospective members. Many alumni came to the rush parties and helped set up, take down, and lend support to the active members. The first night, Philanthropy Night, was wonderful. The tables full of pictures, owls, awards, and more looked great. The tables portrayed Chi Omega and its best attributes to the ladies coming through the rush. Next, Skit Night let the ladies get a taste of what Chi Omega was all about through a series of skits and songs. Last but not least, there was Preference Night. This night was just a few speeches and talking on a more personal level. We tried to make the ladies feel at home. Bid day let the active members and new members find out who got who. After all the initial bid day fun we left to go to an alumnis house for a BBQ. Afterwards, we all went roller-skating late into the night. Rush had once again given

Homecoming 2012: Peace, Love, and Martin

Chi Omega a chance to expand and grow. Looking back on rush 2012, we definitely got an amazing group of ladies. These ladies make us proud and make Chi Omega proud everyday. We look forward to watching and helping them grow as they move on through college and through life. for 2012. The Chi O ladies pulled out in third place against the other sororities in rope pull. In the New Member Lip sync, the new members brought home second place with their great skits. In pyramid, the ladies rocked the Elam Center with an amazing routine and brought home second place. Many alumni came to watch the events and cheer on their fellow Chi Os. Homecoming was loads of fun and was a chance for the alumni to meet the newest members of the Xi Zeta chapter.

This year homecoming was themed as the 60s Peace, Love, and Martin. This year the ladies of Chi Omega put their best foot forward in showing the world just how classy we can be! Ashley Grimes, a senior, was nominated for homecoming queen and made the homecoming court

Megan Burcham, Krista McRorie, Jessica Stone

From the President

Xi Zeta Chapter with Pat Summit during UTM Homecoming 2012

Chi Omegas gathered to show their support for Xi Zeta Sister Pat Summitt during a ceremony honoring her accomplishments.
During homecoming this year, Pat Summit paid a visit to UT Martin and Chi Omega had the greatest pleasure of hosting her during Quad City. Just outside of the University of Tennessee-Martin Elam Center, home of the mens and womens basketball teams, hundreds of spectators, including many Chi Omegas, watched as three bronze statues portraying significant alumnae were unveiled.

Hello alumni and sisters, I hope this letter finds you well. This past July I was honored to attend Chi Omegas National Convention in Phoenix, Arizona. We all learned so much more about the rich history of our sisterhood and truly were able to see the impact Chi Omega as an organization has made throughout the years in helping our philanthropy, Make-a-Wish grant many wishes and help make childrens dreams come true.

Mitchs father, Mitch, and his two sisters

The former womens athletic director, Bettye Giles, the former Tennessee Lady Vols basketball Page 2

She also received the highest award presented to a civilian, the 2012 Presidential Medal of Freedom.

coach, Pat Summitt, and the late former UT-Martin basketball coach, Nadine Gearin, were each honored for all of their influence in womens basketball. Pat Summitt, an initiate of the Xi Zeta Chapter at the University of Tennessee-Martin, went on to win eight NCAA basketball titles, 16 SEC regular season and tournament championships, and 1,098 games, which is the most in NCAA history in men or womens basketball. She also received the highest award presented to a civilian, the 2012 Presidential Medal of Freedom. Pat Summitt only spoke for a few minutes at the statue unveiling; others described her as, A class act, and Forever the same person. We are proud of all of her remarkable accomplishments as a mentor, coach, and Chi Omega Sister.

Coming into the fall semester, our chapter knew we wanted to take a different approach to Formal Recruitment and make it more fun and break away from the old ways. Jerrie Carrington, our recruitment chair worked all summer on reworking our recruitment techniques. When the final party was over everyone had a smile. We had achieved a successful rush. The new members have shown dedication and the love that we all have for Chi O. Throughout the semester we also had many exciting moments including our 5k Owl Trot, granting a wish, homecoming, and countless memorable moments. As the semester came to a close we had slating for our new executive board. I could not be happier with the results. I hope you are as proud as I am to be called a Chi Omega, and that you have a wonderful 2013! Katie Blackburn G.H.

Katie Blackburn

Chi Omega has always been proud to call Make-a-Wish our philanthropy since our partnership began in 2001. Since our partnership began Chi Omega has raised over $8 million and donated over

We are proud to announce that a wish has come true thanks to the Chi Omega sisters and Make-a-Wish.
500,000 hours of community service to help grant wishes. Each semester we strive to grant a wish through the organization. This fall 2012 semester our Make-a-Wish chair, Jordan John-

son, worked closely with Makea-Wish in order for us to grant 13 year old Mitch Hills wish to go on a Disney World Cruise. On December 1, the chapter gathered at the First Presbyterian Church in Trenton, TN to host an enhancement party for Mitch and his family and friends. There was a bouncy house obstacle course for all to race each other (and a few of the Chi O sisters raced as well), food, carnival games, and more for the family to enjoy together. Mitch received lots of goodies and gifts including a new suitcase for his trip along with cameras and autograph books for all of the Disney characters to sign. He will be leaving for his Disney cruise on December 22 and will spend Christmas with his family on the seas with Disney!

The new Chi Omega House will begin construction next fall semester along with other sorority housing thanks to the alumni.
For as long as Chi Omega has been at UT Martin, sorority houses have never part of the picture until recently. The Alumni have been hard at work to bring a house to campus for all of the members to enjoy and host their rush parties, weekly meetings, sisterhoods, and to create a safe environment for the whole chapter. Land has been purchased for the sorority houses after much debate and soon building will commence. The construction is scheduled to begin in the fall semester of 2013 of the Chi Omega Lodge along with the construction of Alpha Delta Pi and Alpha Omicron Pi. The $50,000 down payment has been secured and the lodge is on track now thanks to the efforts of the amazing alumni of Chi Omega. Each sorority has agreed to not exceed a maximum of $500,000 on their respective houses during and after construction. We are so proud of our alumnis hard work and dedication to bringing a Chi Omega Lodge for the Ut Martin Xi Zeta chapter. Layouts have been released for the houses by the contractors. Everyone is extremely excited to see the lodge come to life and be able to have a place to call our own so we do not have to keep using the UC for everything and taking up the UC rooms.

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3rd Annual Owl Trot, hosted by Chi Omega, raised over $2,000 for Make-a-Wish.
On November 10th the Xi Zeta chapter hosted their 3rd annual Owl Trot 5k run/walk. The head of the Owl Trot, Mallory Robinson, led the members of Xi Zeta to hosting another successful 5k attracting over 200 runners and raising over $2,000 for Make-a-Wish. The race started at 9 a.m. at The Sideline in Martin, TN and wound its way through the city to end at The Sideline. The runners and walkers were directed through the city by members of Chi Omega stationed through out the course of the run. The members encouraged the runners to keep going for the finish line where refreshments waited for them. First place winners were awarded for the men and women in age groups of 10-14, 15-17, 18-20, 21-25, 26-30, 31-35, 36-40, and 40 and up. The Owl Trot has become a great fundraiser for Make-a-Wish and the members of Chi Omega love hosting the race. The 5k bring runners from as far away as Memphis, TN and bringing in awareness and donations for children who have wishes!

Xi Zeta sisters ready for the Owl Trot!

We are proud to introduce the new governing council for the Xi Zeta Chapter 2012-2013 school year.
President: Mallory Robinson Vice President: Chelsea Boyd Secretary: Catherine Cole Treasurer: Anneliese Alexander New Member Educator: Katelyn Arnold New Member Assistant: Elizabeth Finley Personnel: Shelby Hendren
Chi Omega - Xi Zeta Chapter P.O. Box 99 University Center Martin, TN 38238

Make-a-Wish Foundation Officer: Krista McRorie

Panhellenic Delegate: Alli McClure The UT Martin Panhellenic Council has voted in their new officers for 2012-2013. We are proud to announce that two of Chi Omegas were voted into the council. We are proud to introduce the new Panhellenic President, Secily Scott and Vice President Recruitment Chair, Camille Collins! Page 4
U.S. Postage Paid Martin, TN Permit No. 00

Rush Chair: Jessica Stone Rush Assistant: Carrie Turner Rush Information Officer: Rebecca Stokes