B/S Camping!

Every other year, the brothers and sisters of Psi and Epsilon Kappa go on a joint camping trip together.  This year’s camping trip was a huge success—and it wasn’t even a camping trip.

After the Brotherhood-Sisterhood Chairs (BS Chairs) of Psi and Epsilon Kappa had spent weeks of detailed planning for a camping trip in Morro Bay, crazy weather hit California in the days just before we were about to go camping.  Torrents of rain poured down, so that freeways were even flooded.  Because these conditions made it unsafe and unpleasant for brothers and sisters to make the trek from Los Angeles to Morro Bay, our BS Chairs had to make a quick change of plans—and instead of camping in the wild, we were graciously hosted at the house of Psi’s BS Chair for two nights and three days.

            

On the first night, after people arrived at the house, Psi and EK watched the Little Mermaid together.  The next day, the chapters played a lot of fun games together, including Psychologist and a game where we had to think of songs that had a certain word in them and sing a new one when called upon until no one had any more song ideas containing that word.  I was really impressed with the great BS Camping Trip and how much our BS Chairs made the event like camping despite the fact that we were not in tents outside.  We went to the park for hours one day, had a picnic lunch, and even roasted Smores on the grill.  Those were the best Smores I ever had!

            

After a fun day of being outside, we all went back to the house, had a delicious dinner called a “Hobopack,” and played many games throughout the night, including charades and Catchphrase.  We also had cobbler made using cake mix—a trick I had never seen before, but it came out great.  Throughout the camping trip, brothers and sisters also made a music video. 

            

The trip was a huge success, and I feel a lot closer to my brothers and sisters after going. 

- Helen Durand, Alpha Mu

Parliamentarian, 2010-2011

Band is a Battlefield

Slowly turning a corner—my heart pounding—I glanced back to make sure I wasn’t being followed. Taking a few more steps forward, I spotted the enemy. He had been hit, and recovered just in time for my attack. With both hands on the gun, I made my first kill. And then all of a sudden I was down. I’d forgotten to watch my back. Colorful lights began flashing right before my eyes. It was over.

This quarter Epsilon Kappa joined with the Psi Chapter of KKPsi to host a LASER TAG fundraiser. As treasurer of EK, I was both excited and nervous. I’d heard great things about this event from actives and bandsmen, but I’d never actually been laser tagging. All I knew about the activity was what I had gathered from watching “How I Met Your Mother”. My hope for the evening was a profitable event that was legendary.

I arrived about 5 minutes before a new game—just enough time to say hello to everyone and get pumped. When I entered the debriefing room I was placed on the red team and grabbed my equipment. The doors opened and people flooded to the battlefield. I was terrible on my first round, but my team got second place! And by the next round, I meant business. I was sneaky and protective of my team’s orb (which other teams would attack). I even ventured off to other orbs and raked in the points! When the round was over, the lights came back up and we left to see who’d taken first place.

Even though I stayed in 27^th place, laser tagging was an awesome experience. Even though we were all very busy surviving 8^th week, that night we took four hours to have fun. I saw people I didn’t normally, learned how to play laser tag, and helped EK and Psi earn some money. I absolutely loved this event and I can’t wait ‘til next quarter!

- Sarah Cox, Alpha Xi

Treasurer, 2010-2011

Roses To...

“Roses To”. It is the favorite part of meeting for many sisters of Epsilon Kappa. It is a time we dedicate to recognize the sisters that have helped us personally, shown true sisterhood, or just shined brilliantly for any reason throughout the week. No matter how stressed out or tired we are from school or life, “Roses To” is always refreshing, full of smiles, laughter, love and appreciation.  So I was very intrigued when Alli, our DOSA, announced that there would be a sisterhood event called “Roses To”!

It was amazing. It truly captured the essence of sisterhood and encompassed everything I love so much about Epsilon Kappa. Winter quarter was a particularly busy and chaotic quarter for us and this bonding event came at just the right time. As a chapter, we have always revered Ritual very sacredly and it was almost untouchable. But we discussed aspects of Ritual that move us and what it means to us and that was very powerful. We also honed our craft skills by making roses out of strips of shiny red fabric using fire and needles. It sounds dangerous and it most certainly was! Many hands were poked for the sake of the sisterhood but thankfully there were no accidental fires! Just the burning love for the bond! I have to admit that it was frustratingly difficult at times and my rose looked more like a ball of scraps than an elegant symbol of beauty. However with the encouragement of my sisters, I tried again and voila! A red rose eventually emerged out of the nearly hopeless mess. It now sits on my desk as a constant reminder of love and patience. As our final activity we passed our rose to the person on the right and we all said one thing that we appreciate about the person holding our work of art, literally “Roses to”. We kept passing the roses all throughout the circle until they made a full rotation back to the owners. It was so great to hear 10 different qualities that we admire about each sister. You always know that you love your sisters but it’s a whole new level of appreciation when you actually think about each person and articulate the influence they have on your life. It brought our close-knit chapter even closer and the love was permeating in every direction.

I may have overused the word “love” in this article but it is the foundation of our bond and there is no word that can replace it with the same depth or power. “Roses to” was that love at its finest. So, Roses to Epsilon Kappa!   

- Becca Toda, Alpha Nu

Reaching Out and Touching Lives

Leading up to this late night event, the Sisters of Epsilon Kappa had been going through a considerable amount of stress and emotional turmoil. It was a time when we all needed a chance to remember how connected we all are in the bond of our Sisterhood. Alli called for this mystery event so that we could mend our bonds. The event took place on the roof of a building in Westwood, overlooking the dark night lit by the city lights. Underneath the gazebo were piles of pillows and blankets, lit by white string lights. On one side of us stood 5 lit candles representing our Qualities, and on the other stood 8 lit candles for our Essential Factors, For the beginning of the night, we sat around, close to each other to stay warm, with blankets and in comfort of each other.  In our intimate setting, we unleashed our worries and embraced our Sisterhood. After a few minutes of getting cozy- Alli turned on the Enya music. This is when we all reached- out and touched the Sisters who have touched our lives. We all sat in a circle with our eyes closed and a few at a time stood up outside of the circle. These Sisters were asked, “Touch someone who has been a good Sister to you.” With eyes closed, all you could do was focus on that hand touching your shoulder as the words hung in the air. These words represented the things that I have done as a Sister and the taps on my shoulder represented the people I have affected.

“touch someone who makes you smile”

“…someone who has more potential than they think”

“…someone who makes you laugh”

“…someone who you have cried with”

“…someone who knows all your secrets”

“…someone who you want to get to know better”

“…someone you love”

We all took turns sitting and standing. When Alli read aloud the directions, the most rewarding part was getting the opportunity to run around the circle and touch those Sisters. I couldn’t make it around the circle in time to tap the shoulders of all of the Sisters who have affected my life in that night. Even if we had gone on all night, I would not have had enough time to explain to each Sister why and how I have been touched by that individual. I realized in that moment, that these men and women have changed my life in the experiences that we have shared with each other. This event was a great way for us to each, anonymously, be acknowledged by the Sisters that we have affected, reminding each of us how important our role is to Epsilon Kappa, and how deeply we have strengthened these bonds on a personal level. We also had the opportunity to realize how each Sister has affected us individually. I am so thankful that my Sisters have reached-out and touched my life. 

- Ashley McFadden, Alpha Mu

Western District Vice President of Membership, 2011-2012

Epsilon Kappa Secretary, 2010-2011

District Leadership Conference 2011

District Leadership Conferences is my favorite District event. Maybe because it marks the beginning of the “District season.” Maybe because it was the first District event I ever attended. Maybe because the focus of the whole event is learning how to make better leaders. Whichever the reason, there is no doubt in my mind that DLC ’11 changed my life.

It was a wonderful weekend, full of learning how to better lead as a Sister and creating friendships with Brothers and Sisters alike. Epsilon Kappa came out of DLC stronger than we had been when we entered. We found support in our District Officers and Counselor, in our Sisters and Brothers across the District, and in each other. From staying up until five in the morning, to crying during "The Affirmation," to helping everyone get home safely in spite of car troubles, Epsilon Kappa got stronger this weekend.

The workshops offered at this particular DLC were excellent. There was a workshop on balancing life within the sorority or fraternity with the rest of our lives, a crucial skill I’m still working on. Helen Cordova and Jess Schlosser (both from PsiEK!) ran this workshop and it was done so well! They gave us scenarios to discuss in groups and come up with solutions for them. There was also a communications workshop that focused on how to communicate most appropriately with different people based on the situation ran by Chelsea Cohen and Dan Schweichler. Both WD Presidents hosted a workshop about the Six E’s of Servant Leadership; Envision, Enlist, Embody, Empower, Evaluate and Encourage. All of these workshops were run in such a way that each person was able to take exactly what they needed from them and give it directly back to their Chapter. The Governor and Counselor’s workshop was about Leaving a Legacy, something we all hope to achieve, a way to help the Chapter even after we leave it behind.

It is amazing how much growth can happen in one weekend. I saw firsthand how much and individual can grow, and when many individuals grow the growth they can inspire in a larger group; I am so proud to be a Sister from Epsilon Kappa.

- Rachel Goldman, Alpha Mu

President, 2010-2011

State Days!

Psi and Epsilon Kappa hosted the 2010 California State Days this year from February 11^th to 13^th.  Sisters and Brothers from all across California came down for the grand event…and even a few exotic types from beyond the state lines!  My personal role in all this madness was Team Leader of Team Burgundy!  Now, before you judge me, let us be clear that I was originally set to lead the Gold Team to victory, but a change in bandana coloring steered my fate another way.  Still, my posse made the best of things and we quickly changed our name to the topical “Yazz Flutes.”  After quickly settling on the Anchorman theme, we instantly bonded and were constantly motivated to do Ron Burgundy proud. 

Before the team activities began that Saturday, however, we all gathered together Friday night in the LATC Clubhouse for some board games and initial meeting and greeting.  There were multiple tables of intense Combat UNO, a circle of people playing Ninja, and I was among the crowd attempting to cure the world from Pandemic!  Everyone then got sorted into their proper houses (aka a Psi Brother or EK Sister’s apartment) for a good night’s rest before the team competition the next day.

Saturday morning started with a glorious breakfast feast of cereal and fruit on Kerckhoff patio.  We then gathered inside the Ballroom for a splendid introduction and welcome from Ashley McFadden of Epsilon Kappa and Derek Lee of Psi, the heads of State Days planning.  We were all counted off and divided into team colors and kicked off the team bonding with team poster decorating and team name brainstorming.  The real competition began with each team leader being handed a “balloon baby” of their respective team color.  This “baby” was to be cared for during the remainder of the day and continued to provide added amusement and challenge to each task that came before us.

Once the teams became relatively familiar with themselves, we all headed outside for some outdoor activities (and Yazz Flute victories) before breaking for lunch.  A good portion of the gang also received tickets to the Men’s Basketball game vs. Oregon State (a Bruin victory!) during the lunch break, while the rest of us gathered for a viewing party in the apartments.  We later rejoined in the Kerckhoff Ballroom for more competition, including a trivia contest and a multi-leveled version of musical chairs.  The team competition ended with each team going up to perform their team chant, explain their poster, and present their balloon baby.  An awards ceremony followed, and sadly (and shockingly!), by the end of the day, the Yazz Flutes finished third, defeated only by The Midnight Pi Ninjas [pictured] and The Blue Starfish Navy. 

 

The night finished off with an optional “Carpe Noctem” activity, similar to a scavenger hunt across the UCLA campus.  On Sunday, groups of people took the bus down to Santa Monica for some classic Southern California beach time and shopping.  With State Days at a close, our visitors returned back to their respective homes with memories to last a lifetime! 


- Krystina Johnson, Alpha Mu
Vice President, 2010-2011

First Degree!

Epsilon Kappa had First Degree on Monday, January 17, 2011.  First Degree is always very exciting, because it’s fun seeing the new candidates take their first step in the candidate process.  It’s especially fun when you have a little sister.  This year, though, was a special Degree for Epsilon Kappa.  I have been in EK since I was a freshman, and I am now a senior.  All three candidate classes that I have seen before this year’s, from my candidate class Alpha Mu through the class Alpha Xi, have been about 8 or 9 people.  This year, however, we have an astounding 18 candidates!  We have more candidates than sisters, so several sisters even have multiple little sisters!  Seeing at Degree how there is such a great future for our chapter with all of these wonderful candidates was awesome and made that night really special.

            

After First Degree, all of the sisters and alumni who attended Degree went to a restaurant called Italian Express in Westwood with their littles.  This was great too, because we had the restaurant reserved for us since we were such an enormous party.  This helped us get to know each other better and really showed how bonded we all are.

I am so excited for our new candidate class Alpha Omicron and I can’t wait to see their progress through the upcoming candidate process.

- Helen Durand, Alpha Mu

Parliamentarian, 2010-2011

Welcome!

Hello, Sisters! Welcome to the new and improved Lyre! This new blog format was chosen for both its convenience and its immediacy. Now, you won't have to wait for the end of each quarter to read about the happenings of Epsilon Kappa; I will update the blog with articles as they're submitted!

I'm very excited to test out this new medium, so please subscribe, comment, and let me know what you think!

MLITB,

Marlee Newman
Secretary of History and Alumni, 2010-2011