Senior of the Week May 17th - 24th

The AMAZING senior of the week is....

Nicole Vargo!!!

Hometown: Lancaster, CA

Year you joined sorority and pledge class: Fall 2008, Beta Upsilon Pledge
Class

Major: Sociology
Minors: Business Management and Educational Studies

Discuss your favorite position/involvement you have had in Gamma Phi Beta.
        One of my favorite experiences in Gamma Phi was Greek Week 2010. Even
though we did win the entire thing, one of the events was a Cardboard Boat
Building competition. The boat had to be built of just cardboard and duct
tape, and had to be paddled for a total of 15 minutes at the ARC pool.
When I undertook this task, I knew it would take a lot of work, but I drew
up plans and set out to work. It took days of work, and a large amount of
both cardboard and tape. But when the day finally came I was super nervous
because the boat was under a lot of speculation because of its large size
and long build (It was about 7-8 feet long). But let me tell you, all of
my anxiety was for nothing because the boat turned out fantastic and was
by far the best boat of the competition.

What are your post-graduation plans?
        I am currently looking to enter the field of sports management and am
seeking employment with professional sporting agencies across southern
California.

What did you expect out of the sorority when you joined? Were all those
expectations fulfilled?
        I truly had no idea what to expect when I joined Gamma Phi, all I knew
is I wanted to play intramural sports. I can easily say that not only have
I had an absolutely amazing time playing sports with my sisters and
serving as the Sports Chair last year, but that I’ve gained more than I
could ever expect. I always look forward to the sports games and practices
way in advance, and luckily my sisters are just as athletic and
competitive as I am; so we very frequently win! So in that aspect, my
expectations were definitely fulfilled.

Describe something you will take with you from your undergraduate
experience as a Gamma Phi Beta.
        I will take with me fond memories and experiences that have helped shape
me as a strong leader in the working world.

What advice would you give to your younger sisters?
        Don’t be lazy. You really can do it all if you set your mind to it. Of
course there are and always will be priorities, but Gamma Phi experiences
can be a large part of your college life if you let them.

Senior of the Week May 10th - May 17th

The sister of the week is the effervescent

Christine Chou!!!!!! aka “Chou Chou”

Hometown: Fremont, CA

Year you joined sorority and pledge class: Fall 2007 Beta Rho!!

Major: International Studies and Business Management

Discuss your favorite position/involvement you have had in Gamma Phi Beta.

This year’s Crescent Classic – I was the Zeta coach and we won the video game tournament!! It was super intense

What are your post-graduation plans? Travel and hopefully find a career in special event planning or management

What did you expect out of the sorority when you joined? Were all those expectations fulfilled?

I didn’t know what to expect coming into the sorority, but since then I’ve met a diverse crowd of chill girls and now I have over 100+ sisters!

Describe something you will take with you from your undergraduate experience as a Gamma Phi Beta.

The many silly memories I shared with my sisters J

What advice would you give to your younger sisters?

College is short – make the most out of it! Which means, don’t be a granny and go have fun!

Senior of the Week May 3rd - May 10th

The amazing Senior of the Week is...

Christine Cameron!!!

Hometown: La Crescenta, CA

Year you joined sorority and pledge class: Fall 2008, Beta Upsilon J

Major: Film & Media Studies

Discuss your favorite position/involvement you have had in Gamma Phi Beta.

            My favorite involvement in Gamma Phi has been all the sisterhood activities! I love watching all the sports, supporting sisters participating in philanthropies, watching Songfest practice, making trips to Yogurtland, etc. It’s nice to have a group of girls that I can just hang out with and have a good time.

What are your post-graduation plans?

            After graduation I plan on staying in Irvine and finding a job. As a film major I really want to work on productions, and I’d like to start out by working for Disneyland and then perhaps moving on to work for Disney studios. I also have an invitation to work on a production in Florida with a friend of my Dad, who happens to be a producer!

What did you expect out of the sorority when you joined? Were all those expectations fulfilled?

            I did not really know what to expect at first, I had heard about sororities over the summer before UCI from a friend who is a Kappa Alpha Theta at UC San Diego. I listened to her tell me about how she made such awesome friends, and I really wanted that experience as well. I got way more than I expected, I have made lifelong friends and met people that have changed my life. Joining Gamma Phi was the best thing that could happen to me.

Describe something you will take with you from your undergraduate experience as a Gamma Phi Beta.

            I will definitely take more confidence with me as I move into my place in the working world. I know I have so many people that will support me no matter what I want to do, and I know they will be there for me when times are hard. It is the strength of my friends that gives me strength and confidence to be myself and succeed.

What advice would you give to your younger sisters?

            My advice would be to go to as many Gamma Phi activities as you can! Lately I have been pretty busy, and I wish I had more time at UCI to stay in the chapter and get more involved! Sounds cliché, but time goes by really really fast and you gotta get it while its there in front of you!

Senior of the Week April 26th- May 3rd

The fabulous Senior of the Week is....

Leah Bautista!!!

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Year you joined sorority and pledge class: Fall 2007, Beta Rho!!!

Major: Business Economics with a Minor in Accounting

Discuss your favorite position/involvement you have had in Gamma Phi Beta. My favorite part about being in Gamma Phi is being a Big Sis. I am proud to be a role model for my Littles and hope to guide them in sharing the same great experiences in this sisterhood that I had.

What are your post-graduation plans? I plan to go to graduate school for an MBA.  Or maybe I will work full-time in the accounting or financial field.

What did you expect out of the sorority when you joined? Were all those expectations fulfilled? I wanted to join a sorority to meet new people and get involved.  Gamma Phi definitely went beyond in fulfilling my expectations of joining a sorority.  I couldn’t have imagined all the opportunities available to me, from social events, to philanthropies, scholarships and even job opportunities.

Describe something you will take with you from your undergraduate experience as a Gamma Phi Beta. I will always remember what it takes to promote the highest type of womanhood and apply it to my future endeavors.  

What advice would you give to your younger sisters? Get involved, whether it is holding a position or even just coming out to events. The best sorority experience comes from the effort you put in to it.  And honestly, being with your sisters shouldn’t take effort because there is a special bond that makes you want to be with your sisters.  I mean, who wouldn’t want to be around such wonderful ladies like us Gamma Phi’s. 

Senior of the Week April 19th-26th

Our lovely senior of the week is....

Kailee Ann Shearer!!!!

Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga

Year you joined sorority and pledge class: Beta Xi (2006)

Major: Biological Sciences

Minor: Cultural Anthropology

Discuss your favorite position/involvement you have had in Gamma Phi Beta.

During my second year in the chapter I was elected as our Administrative Vice President. I remained in this office for two years and truly cherish the time I had as a member of the Executive Council. I was able to gain a better understand of how our chapter is run administratively and was able to work with some of our Gamma Phi Beta International leaders.

What are your post-graduation plans?

As of right now, I plan on attending Pharmacy school in Fall of 2011. I’m going to take a few months off from school, head home and spend as much time as I can with my family because I miss them all so much.

What did you expect out of the sorority when you joined? Were all those expectations fulfilled?

I actually was dragged out to recruitment by my two best friends from high school and had no real intention of joining a sorority. I seriously believed all of the stereotypes we are taught growing up were true and I wanted nothing to do with that image. Basically, after the three of us ended up with bids from Gamma Phi, I began to understand how different and unique our chapter truly was. I was expecting to come into this house where there were over 100 girls who were friendly on the outside but catty and manipulative behind you back. After a week of being in Gamma Phi, all of those previously conceived notions were shattered. Our house was filled with girls who were real and who appreciated who I truly was. I never felt judged or that I had to put on a front to fit in. My sisters truly loved me for who I was and didn’t want to change anything about me.  In the end, I realized how true and genuine our sisterhood really is and am so glad I ended up joining.

Describe something you will take with you from your undergraduate experience as a Gamma Phi Beta.

One of the many things I will take away from my undergraduate experience as a Gamma Phi is the necessity of time management. Being thrown into the rush of college life can be overwhelming, like it was for me my freshman year, but having the sorority helped anchor me, giving me a foundation to build off of. Gamma Phi helped me develop not only life skills, such as interview techniques or the ability to literally strike up a natural conversation with anyone, but also helped me to develop as a woman in regards to emotional maturity and overall character traits.

What advice would you give to your younger sisters?

The best advice I can give to younger sisters is that you get out of the sorority what you put in. Don’t just go through the motions of being an active member by only attending meeting and the required events; reach out and seriously get involved. Some of the best times I can remember throughout my four years here definitely involve me and my sisters with random late night coffee or ice cream runs, random beach hang outs, participating together in volunteer work and just chilling with each other after meetings or events. Truly cherish those times, they’ll be gone before you realize.

Senior of the Week April 12th-19th

The wonderful Senior of the Week is...

Anne Ryan!!!!

Hometown: Redding, Ca (Northern California) and Billings, Mt

Year you joined sorority and pledge class: Fall 2007, Beta Rho

Major: Criminology, Law and Society

Discuss your favorite position/involvement you have had in Gamma Phi Beta.

            My favorite position/involvement in Gamma Phi was helping with the Fall 2009 pledge class as assistant new member educator. I enjoyed getting to know the pledge class, and loved getting to share all of the information that I have learned throughout my time in Gamma Phi with our incoming girls. This experience helped me relieve some of my favorite memories from the beginning of my time in the chapter, and helped me share my love and passion for Gamma Phi Beta.

What are your post-graduation plans?

            I plan on attending law school, and then working either in the juvenile justice system, or as a judge in the district courts.

What did you expect out of the sorority when you joined? Were all those expectations fulfilled?

            I expected to make friends and participate in several activities, but I had no idea the quality of friendships that I would be able to form. I expected to form friendships that were similar to the ones I had made through extra-curriculars in high school, but I was surprised to be able to form such strong connections so quickly. The girls in Gamma Phi have surpassed my expectations, and have truly earned their label as my sisters. I have found a second home in Gamma Phi, and could never have expected the experience to affect me the way that it has.

Describe something you will take with you from your undergraduate experience as a Gamma Phi Beta.

            The friendships that I have made throughout my time in Gamma Phi will come with me throughout the rest of my life. Not only have I been able to help my community, participate in sports and build professional skills that will be beneficial to me as time continues, but I have done so alongside my sisters. We have been able to bond in a truly unique way, and have developed a connection that is unlike any other. My sisters have been there with me through my highs and my lows, and I am confident that they will continue to be there for me as time continues.

What advice would you give to your younger sisters?

            I would advise younger girls to take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to them throughout their time in the chapter. Take the time to get to know your sisters -whether that means participating in a philanthropy, helping during recruitment, or having a random coffee date- take advantage of it. The more involved you are able to become, the more powerful experience you will have. You may be surprised by the things you are able to learn about each other, the sisterhood and about yourself. 

SENIOR of the Week April 5th-12th

Spring quarter is devoted to honoring our Seniors who have put so much into our chapter since the will be graduating and living their legacies behind. In honor of this tradition, instead of just picking a sister of the week, we're going to pick a Senior of the Week. The first lovely senior to be chosen is...

Czarina Colada!!!

Hometown:

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Year you joined sorority and pledge class:

Fall 2007; Beta Rho :)

Major:

Biological Science with a Minor in Sociology

Discuss your favorite position/involvement you have had in Gamma Phi Beta.

Definitely being Public Relations Vice President!! It really allowed me to be creative and I got to be involved with many components of the chapter like socials, philanthropy and sports. It was a lot of work, but always rewarding to know that I help relay all of our achievements throughout our community!

What are your post-graduation plans?

I am currently in the process of applying for internships in the medical field. Within the following year I plan to apply for grad schools.

What did you expect out of the sorority when you joined? Were all those expectations fulfilled?

I came to Gamma Phi Beta expecting the find great sisters and  great college experience. I can truly say that I got that and more!

Describe something you will take with you from your undergraduate experience as a Gamma Phi Beta.

Gamma Phi Beta has really transformed me into the woman that I am today. I have gained “life skills” that will help me as I transition into my post-graduate life. I have also made amazing friends and memories that will stay with me long after I leave UCI.

What advice would you give to your younger sisters?

My advice would be to take advantage of any opportunities that come up! Whether that means holding a position or simply participating in a philanthropy, really make the effort to get involved. It helps you get to know your sisters better and those will be the times that you make your best memories in Gamma Phi Beta. I remember making the flower arrangements for recruitment, and regardless of how late it was we all had a great time hanging out with each other!