The Arrow Spring 2012 : Page 22

PERSPECTIVE Collegiate News Collegiate Spotlight Growing up in a Phoenix suburb, California Alpha KAITLIN LANG never saw poverty with her own eyes. But during a trip to India, 14-year-old Kaitlin’s perspective changed after she spent 10 days volunteering at an orphanage. When she returned home, Kaitlin assembled her friends and started a nonprofit organization to instill a philanthropic spirit among her school-age peers. “It was the first time I’d seen anything outside of a white picket fence and green grass way of life,” Kaitlin remembers. “Though the children in India were raised differently than me, I saw we’re all very similar and have the same basic needs.” Compassionate Kids Helping Kids was officially founded as a 501(c)(3) by Kaitlin and 10 other elementary and middle school students in January 2008. The organization has one simple goal: caring for the world, one kid at a time. Under Kaitlin’s guidance, the students began meeting each month to learn about children in countries around the world. From watching videos to presentations led by members, the students were excited to get involved. Other meetings were spent making bookmarks for the Phoenix Children’s Hospital or participating in service events, like putting on a water and sport field day at a local children’s shelter. “Since many of our members were younger — fourth, fifth and sixth-grade — Compassionate Kids was their first philanthropy-related experience,” Kaitlin said. “It was great to see them get really enthusiastic about our organization.” Following several successful events, the group discussed finding one project on which to focus their efforts. They California Alpha KAITLIN LANG Compassionate Kids Helping Kids, a nonprofit organization started by California Alpha KAITLIN LANG , holds an annual children’s shoe drive. decided to host an athletic shoe drive; they would collect new or gently used sneakers at their schools and at local Phoenix businesses. The first drive lasted two weeks and collected a couple hundred pairs of shoes, which were then shipped to the orphanage in India where Kaitlin had volunteered. Four years later, Compassionate Kids has collected more than 3,600 pairs of shoes through their annual drives. The shoes are now sent abroad to orphanages in India, Uganda and Mexico City. And each pair of shoes — tagged with a Compassionate Kids sticker and placed in its own box — is shipped for free, via a FedEx ® international sponsorship. Though Kaitlin is currently finishing her sophomore year at Stanford University, she still helps lead the Phoenix-based nonprofit. An executive board, made up of many of the students who helped Kaitlin start Compassionate Kids, and who are now high schoolers, oversee the day-to-day leadership responsibilities. Kaitlin attends meetings when she’s home, including always attending the shoe drive kickoff event. “What keeps me involved is seeing how my friends have become leaders in the past few years,” Kaitlin said. “They’ve developed from elementary school children who didn’t know about leadership into articulate, compassionate individuals.” In the future, Kaitlin hopes to merge her two passions: Compassionate Kids and Pi Phi. She would like to bring awareness to the group, through potential co-sponsorships of a California Alpha philanthropy event or recruiting her Pi Phi sisters to help start a Compassionate Kids chapter at Stanford or at a local Palo Alto, California, school. “There are a lot of amazing organizations out there, but Compassionate Kids is so nice because we’ve become a family,” Kaitlin said. “I never thought in my wildest dreams we could come together and make an impact.” FedEx® is a registered trademark of FedEx Corporation. 22 THE ARROW | SPRING 2012

Collegiate News

Collegiate Spotlight Growing up in a Phoenix suburb, California Alpha KAITLIN LANG never saw poverty with her own eyes. But during a trip to India, 14-year-old Kaitlin’s perspective changed after she spent 10 days volunteering at an orphanage. When she returned home, Kaitlin assembled her friends and started a nonprofit organization to instill a philanthropic spirit among her school-age peers. “It was the first time I’d seen anything outside of a white picket fence and green grass way of life,” Kaitlin remembers.“Though the children in India were raised differently than me, I saw we’re all very similar and have the same basic needs.” Compassionate Kids Helping Kids was officially founded as a 501(c)(3) by Kaitlin and 10 other elementary and middle school students in January 2008. The organization has one simple goal: caring for the world, one kid at a time. Under Kaitlin’s guidance, the students began meeting each month to learn about children in countries around the world.From watching videos to presentations led by members, the students were excited to get involved. Other meetings were spent making bookmarks for the Phoenix Children’s Hospital or participating in service events, like putting on a water and sport field day at a local children’s shelter. “Since many of our members were younger — fourth, fifth and sixth-grade — Compassionate Kids was their first philanthropy-related experience,” Kaitlin said. “It was great to see them get really enthusiastic about our organization.” Following several successful events, the group discussed finding one project on which to focus their efforts. They decided to host an athletic shoe drive; they would collect new or gently used sneakers at their schools and at local Phoenix businesses. The first drive lasted two weeks and collected a couple hundred pairs of shoes, which were then shipped to the orphanage in India where Kaitlin had volunteered. Four years later, Compassionate Kids has collected more than 3,600 pairs of shoes through their annual drives. The shoes are now sent abroad to orphanages in India, Uganda and Mexico City. And each pair of shoes — tagged with a Compassionate Kids sticker and placed in its own box — is shipped for free, via a FedEx® international sponsorship. Though Kaitlin is currently finishing her sophomore year at Stanford University, she still helps lead the Phoenix-based nonprofit. An executive board, made up of many of the students who helped Kaitlin start Compassionate Kids, and who are now high schoolers, oversee the day-to-day leadership responsibilities. Kaitlin attends meetings when she’s home, including always attending the shoe drive kickoff event. “What keeps me involved is seeing how my friends have become leaders in the past few years,” Kaitlin said. “They’ve developed from elementary school children who didn’t know about leadership into articulate, compassionate individuals.” In the future, Kaitlin hopes to merge her two passions: Compassionate Kids and Pi Phi. She would like to bring awareness to the group, through potential co-sponsorships of a California Alpha philanthropy event or recruiting her Pi Phi sisters to help start a Compassionate Kids chapter at Stanford or at a local Palo Alto, California, school. “There are a lot of amazing organizations out there, but Compassionate Kids is so nice because we’ve become a family,” Kaitlin said. “I never thought in my wildest dreams we could come together and make an impact.” CALIFORNIA Four California Deltas from the University of California, Los Angeles, spent their winter break volunteering with a medical program in Costa Rica. The women helped set up clinics in two underprivileged communities, helping diagnose and prescribe medicines to villagers.Their dedication to service has inspired their chapter to find new and creative ways to volunteer. From left, ELIZABETH BRANCO, SABRINA DOMICOLI, KAITLIN MCCLURE and KAITLIN O’ROURKE received drawings from their patients. California Gamma LOGAN LACHMAN serves as the University of Southern California’s (USC) Undergraduate Student Government Vice President.During her term, Logan has been an advocate for the Greek community, including helping pass an initiative to repave the roads along the campus’ Greek row.From left, USC President C.L. Max Nikias, Logan and Undergraduate Student Government President Monish Tyagi. CONNECTICUT Members of the Connecticut Gamma Chapter, which colonized this past fall at Quinnipiac University, enjoy the leadership opportunities available through Pi Phi.The chapter’s first Executive Council, pictured, draws upon their skills learned from other student organizations to lead the new chapter. The women recently updated their chapter website and completed spring recruitment. IOWA In January, Iowa Gammas participated in Iowa State University’s Dance Marathon. Pi Phis stayed on their feet for 15 hours and were named the top fundraising sorority for raising more than $17,000. This year’s Dance Marathon co-director Iowa Gamma SZUYIN LEOW followed the leadership of her Pi Phi sisters; several Iowa Gammas helped start the event in 1998. From left, TAMARA DUNHAM, SZUYIN LEOW and AMY PEYTON. MAINE Maine Alpha MARLENE THONGSAVATH serves others through the University of Maine Black Bear Mentoring Program. The University established the program to enrich the lives of children from disadvantaged households. Marlene loves being a mentor, because she can be a positive role model for children in her community. MINNESOTA Many Minnesota Alphas hold prominent leadership roles within the Greek community at the University of Minnesota. Last year, Pi Phis represented half of the campus’ Panhellenic Council. The women also made up one-quarter of the recruitment counselors. From left, ANGIE BEAUCHAMP, KATHERINE LAES, CAITLIN DAVISSON and EMILY SHOWERS helped guide and mentor Potential New Members during recruitment. MISSISSIPPI This past fall, the Mississippi Alpha Chapter at the University of Southern Mississippi collected and donated more than 1,000 children’s books to four local elementary schools. The books were collected during the chapter’s first dance-a-thon philanthropy event. From left, CANDACE LEWIS, ZOIE ARNOLD and CHELSEA BARNETT distributed the books to each school and were honored to promote literacy within their community. NORTH CAROLINA Members of the North Carolina Beta Chapter are student leaders across Duke University’s campus, from academic societies to sports captains to community service enthusiasts. North Carolina Beta ELLEN MOELLER serves as president of The Girls Club, which connects Duke women with Durham, North Carolina, middle schools girls to teach them the importance of education, healthy lifestyle choices and self-respect.Ellen is pictured with her mentee. NEW YORK New York Alpha COLLEEN BIDWELL witnesses personal and intellectual growth daily at Syracuse University.Colleen works as Assistant Feature Editor for the Syracuse student newspaper, The Daily Orange. Her Pi Phi sisters support her passion, which include long nights editing, and inspire Colleen’s work through their participation in campus philanthropies and fundraisers. OHIO Several Ohio Alphas from Ohio University attended a special ceremony honoring one of the chapter’s distinguished alumna. The collegians were proud to help honor PATRICIA CONNOR STUDY with The Women in Philanthropy of Ohio University Leona Hughes Inspiration Award, given for lifelong dedication to service. From left, Ohio Alphas CASSIE RAGLAND, KAITLIN MCCANN, PATRICIA CONNOR STUDY and ANNIE RAYBURN. OHIO Members of the Ohio Zeta Chapter at Miami University worked together to recognize how the chapter best operates and share its visions for the future. The chapter’s Executive Council, pictured, bonded during officer training through exercises, games and interactive activities. The women were inspired by their training and are excited to make a difference in their chapter, their campus and in their community. TENNESSEE Tennessee Deltas are leaders within their chapter, but also give their time to other University of Memphis organizations, including the University’s philanthropy, “Up ‘Til Dawn.” Throughout the year, Pi Phis participate in car washes, dinners, silent auctions and a Grand Finale event to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. From left, LIZ HARMEIER, AMANDA COLTER, HALIE STEPHENS and NATALIE THURMOND. TEXAS Several Texas Gammas are involved in President’s Select, a prestigious group of student ambassadors at Texas Tech University. The women help foster relationships with special guests and university alumni.From back left, KAYLA PIERS, KAITLYN VINSON, LANEY CHRISTIAN, MINDY WILSON and BRITTANY JOHNSON.From front left, CHLO INMAN and KELSEY EUBANKS. UTAH Utah Alphas and best friends AMY WEGESSER (left) and KELLY FRAPPIER (right) share many things in common, including both winning the University of Utah’s Outstanding Greek Woman of the Year award.The women maintain high grades, have served on Utah Alpha’s Executive Council and are active volunteers in the Salt Lake City community, including positions with the Primary Children’s Medical Center. VIRGINIA From left, Virginia Deltas RACHAEL ROUND, SARAH WELCH, MELISSA WOOD and MARIAH PABST attended a leadership institute sponsored by Old Dominion University. The women were nominated by their chapter to attend the event, which brought Greek leaders together to discuss challenges and successes and plan for the future.

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