This past November the chapter elected its officers for 2004. All of the officers are extremely excited about their new positions, and cannot wait to get started next year. The following is a list of all of the sisters holding a new office!

Panhel Public Relations:  RC

Sister Spot Light

~Stacey is always there for me whenever I need a laugh or a hug, she may be little but she gives one great hug!

~Michelle Anstett

I recently began to collect rubber stamps. It is a new hobby of mine. I also enjoy collecting things for my own place. Whether I am ever able to move out on my own is still an issue. My advice to active members: Relish in your college days, the real world can be quite scary. Be proud of your membership in such a lovely organization, and tell the world about it. Sell it in job interviews. When I applied for my job, I mentioned it and one of the interviewers got excited and told me that her daughter is also an Alpha Xi Delta. I think that the AXD bond cemented my job. Imagine that!! Without that bond, I could be out on the street-or hiding out in someone's dorm room! Contact information: email: scross@grics.net

ZBT & AXD Thanksgiving Dinner

The ZBT Thanksgiving exchange was an well orchestrated event. For the occasion, the ZBT boys bought a 23 pound turkey to feed both chapters. Beside the turkey, there were many other dishes prepared by devoted ZBT’s and Alpha Xis. To start off the festivities, the Alpha Xi Deltas went up to ZBT at 6am the morning of the exchange to make sure that the turkey was going to make it into the oven and that the Zebes had a little extra support. Later that night the meal was served in ZBT’s first floor lounge, which had been transformed to hold one huge table that stretched from wall to wall and two smaller tables between the pillars. Glasses of Welch’s grape juice where passed out for the prayer and toast, which was given by Kevin Goss. After the prayer, soup and salad was served in their library. After that was done, the dedicated cooks walked around passing out the wonderfully prepared dishes. The turkey was brought out by Pat Clouse, the president of ZBT, and to everyone’s enjoyment, it was delicious. All of the traditional Thanksgiving trimmings were passed around the table as the sisters and brothers sat intermixed talking to one another. The meal was wonderful; the room was filled with laughter and happy faces, which means the exchange was a huge success! ~Jeniah Chesser ‘06

What is sisterhood?

Trust us, we know all about having a sister. After all, we were sisters nine months before we were even born! However, being a blood relative is very different from being a sister in Alpha Xi Delta. In this respect, the word "sister" takes on two different meanings. Having a sister as a sibling entails having a partner in crime, someone to look up to, someone to teach you how to put on makeup, and someone who will give you advice on boys. Having a sister in our sorority can also be all of these things, but the main difference is that these women all share the same goal: to keep the promise of the symphony alive and to share our love for Alpha Xi Delta. To be more specific, the word "sister" in our sorority is more about a bond rather than a title. So, what really is sisterhood? To us, sisterhood breaks the restrictions in a blood family because you can be a twin or a triplet without even looking alike or even being the same age. Sisterhood is all about starting off as strangers and, with the help of the golden quill, ending up as lifelong sisters. Sisterhood is knowing that this bond will never end. All of this only covers the surface to what sisterhood is really about and those who are a part of Alpha Xi Delta have their own idea of what sisterhood really means.

President: Coming back from a semester abroad, I never imagined getting the exciting opportunity and responsibility of representing the Beta Epsilon chapter of Alpha Xi in the position of president. It has truly taught me that even oceans apart you are never forgotten by your sisters. I am elated to be leading this chapter for the next two semesters. I am also excited to have the opportunity to work with all of our wonderful sisters on the executive committee, as well as getting to know all eleven of our new initiates. One of the chapters priorities for this semester is to build a strong spring new member class through our upcoming COBs. Overall, the upcoming year is going to be a tremendously fun-filled time for the Beta Epsilon chapter. ~Alexis Oddson

Chapter Life Vice President; Hello, my name is Annie Shortridge. I am a sophomore at Monmouth College majoring in vocal performance and religious studies. As 2004 approaches, I am becoming more and more excited to be Alpha Xi Delta’s Chapter Life Vice President. I am thrilled that I was chosen for this position. The executive staff seems to be yet another strong group of woman, and the future of Alpha Xi looks promising. Kat Kobel, new Programs Vice President, left large shoes to fill but I am ready and willing to take on the responsibilities. Many of the new officers and myself have great plans for this chapter and I cannot wait to get them underway!~Annie Shortridge

Membership Vice President: Let me just say how excited I am about being the new Membership Vice President! I have a ton of new ideas for recruitment and I am really looking forward to the spring's COB's and next fall's Formal Recruitment! So far, my plans are mainly to bring in some new ideas/strategies to make recruitment fun and successful for Alpha Xi Delta! The plan for the spring semester is to have one or two rounds of COB's right away with activities ranging from movie nights, to snowman making contests, to ice-breaking/team building activities, and to other theme nights. I know that if I can get all my sisters as excited about recruitment as I am, it can't help but rub off on the potential new members. I am really looking forward to working with all of my sisters during spring recruitment and I can't wait to welcome new sisters into our sisterhood!~Jodi Luif

Recording Secretary: I am very excited to be this chapter's new recording secretary. I know that this job will require lots of writing and taking notes, but I feel that I am more than ready for whatever is thrown out during a meeting or event. Some ideas that I have are to send out lots of emails and reminders to people to look for sign up sheets since attendance is very important at some events. I plan on calculating the points up very quickly so people have a chance to make up the points if neededI think that I will be very organized and thorough with my job, and hopefully that will reflect in this chapter as a whole!~Cheryl Luif

Panhel Delegate: I am very excited for my new position. I am looking forward to be working with members of the other sororities and helping enhance our relationship with both Greeks and students on campus. Greek week is going to be spectacular and hopefully, we’ll come out as champions again this year! ~ RC

Public Relations: First things first, I am extremely excited to be in charge of Public Relations. This newsletter has been my first endeavor in this position and I cannot wait to start working on the website! I have been in conversation with Jodi making plans on our publicity approach for the up coming COBs in January. We will be having a "Fall In Love With Alpha Xi" theme with snowflakes EVERYWHERE! A few of my goals for this year is to build the chapter’s relationship with our alumni, and to blow campus away with awesome AXD publicity for our events such as Faculty Night Out, Our Easter Egg Hunt, and of course COBs!~Lisa Bondi

Programs Vice President: Programs is excited to be starting a new semester!! With the new committee we have going into the spring semester, there are lots of ideas going around! As always we are looking forward to the spring round of COB's so we can get started on New Member Orientation, our NMOC Kari Keimig, has lots of new ideas in store for this spring as well as continuing on traditions from the past. Programs is also looking to improve the chapters overall GPA for the spring semester. With our new academic achievement chair, Stacey Heinrich, we hope to make studying a fun event for the chapter. Philanthropy is also something programs wants to work on a great deal. Abbey Hardin, our new philanthropy chair, will be working to come up with bigger and better ideas to benefit Choose Children while getting the Monmouth College community involved as well. These are only a few of our plans though! We hope that this semester will prove to be one of the best yet! ~Kat Koelbl

Financial VP: I am so excited to be the new Financial VP for Alpha Xi! I never thought that I would get a position on Exec. as a second semester freshman. I plan to make sure that all of the reports are turned in at least a week ahead of time each month, and I hope to establish an incentive program for those sisters who have paid in full for the semester, as well as the year. I hope to do a great job this year!! ~Michelle Anstett

Website Info: The Chapter website is in the process of being completely updated!!! Check it out at: http://department.monm.edu/alphaxidelta/

This fall was another fabulous recruitment period for Alpha Xi. Not only did we initiate 11 new members, we initiated THE BEST 11 new members on campus. As the New Member Orientation Chair, or the Pledge Master - as I have been fondly nicknamed, I had the unique opportunity to watch these girls grow into Alpha Xi Delta. Each and every one of them has amazing talents to share with the sorority and I have already experienced the love that they already have for Alpha Xi. Many new members have become very active in the sorority and everyone’s enthusiasm is tremendous. I know that they will be assets to our recruitment in the spring. This fall as NMOC was wonderful. The girls made it a truly enjoyable experience. As I move to my new position as Chapter Life Vice President I know I will miss the opportunities I had to meet with the girls each week and really get to know them, but Kari Keimig is going to be an excellent replacement. I have great expectations for the wonderful 11 girls we initiated this semester and am anxiously awaiting the girls who have yet to join! ~Annie Shortridge~

Getting to Know Our New Initiates

Michelle Anstett: I'm a freshman English and Communication/Theater Arts double major from Peoria, IL. I am very involved in the Chamber Choir, theater program, and speech and debate teams here on campus, as well as Alpha Xi. I plan to go on to get my Doctorate in British literature and become a college professor. Back at home, I participate in several community theater shows per year, as well as being a former member of the TazWood Dance Company. Alpha Xi is one of the best things that has happened to me because it has shown me that I really can be friends with a bunch of girls without a fight every day.

Elizbeth Kainer. I am Freshman double major in psychology and elementary education with a concentration in history. I’m from Chicago, where I attended Resurrection High School. My Mom is my role model. I use to play soccer for Monmouth. I joined Alpha Xi Delta and its been the best time of my life!

Rebecca Johanning: I am from a little town called Rochelle. It is in Illinois about thirty minutes away from Northern Illinois University. I live at home with my mom, dad, and brother. I have one dog and a fish. I plan to major in elementary education with a concentration in English. I plan to minor in psychology. I would like to be a middle school teacher someday. I am a mentor to a fourth grader named Tiffany. Liz Martin: I am a freshman majoring in elementary education with a concentration in science. I play basketball. I attend Monmouth with my stepsister Audrey. At home I have 2 other sisters. I love being an Alpha Xi because the girls have the greatest personalities. They are the greatest group of girls that are always there for me.

Rachel Edwards: I am18 years old and I live with my parents in Oquawka, Illinois. I commute to school. I am undecided in my major, but I’m very interested in both music and Spanish, however I am having a lot of fun during my first experience of college life.

Julie Cahill - I am a junior elementary education major. I cannot wait to get out into my own classroom full of kindergartners or 1st graders!! I am 22 years old. When I am not at school I live with my parents, Jim and Gail, and my sisters Jennifer (18) and Jaclyn (13) in Oneida, IL or I stay with my best friend Catrina's family in Monmouth. My family and friends are wonderful. They are always there when I need them, even if it is a 3 AM phone call with a crisis such as needing 20 sets of crayons for a teaching a lesson the next morning! When I am at school and not in class I can often be found waitressing at Sirloin Stockade. Because of my job, I am not able to spend as much time with my dear Alpha Xi Delta sisters as I would like but when I am there I have a blast. My sisters are the best. I am so glad I joined. It is the best decision I could have made. I never realized how amazing the ladies of Alpha Xi Delta were until I became one. I realized that each and every one of them is "REAL". They are there for me when I need them with support, advice, and, best of all, with exactly what I don't want to hear, if that is what I need. We are sisters, we hold each other accountable, we watch out for each other and we try our best to make sure each of us is reaching her potential. The friendships I have made are such a blessing. As for my hopes, dreams, and aspirations... I hope that many more girls will be able to have the wonderful experiences I am having through being an Alpha Xi Delta. I dream of being a teacher, a wife, a mother, and a friend. I aspire to be the best at each of those things that I possibly can be!! I know that through the experiences I have with Alpha Xi Delta and the Choose Children programs, I will only become a better person and get closer to my dreams!!

Terri John: When I'm not at school I live at home with my mom, her boyfriend, 2 dogs, 2 cats, 1 rabbit, and one very old goldfish. I haven't decided my major yet, and have no clue what I want to do with my life. I absolutely love AXD because my sisters are absolutely lovable and wonderful, and it's just a lot of fun.

Abbey Hardin: I am from Girard, IL with my family-Dad (Doug), mom (Barb), sister (Lindsey) My major is History and my hope is to be the Curator of Musee D'orsay or the Louvre

 Hilary Binks: I love my new home at Monmouth College. It has already begun to make me a new person. I am currently studying to be a teacher but what to do with that I have no idea. Being a member of Alpha Xi Delta has defiantly been one of the best choices I have ever made. I can't wait till next semester so I can jump right in and become a more serious member. I just want to thank all my sisters who have helped me through the process of becoming an Alpha Xi.

Jennifer Sayles: Pop quiz kids, which one am I?!... well obviously I'm Jen since that's what it says right above this little paragraph where I talk about nothing but MYSELF!!!!! My name is Jen Sayles and I am a SENIOR from McHenry, Illinois. I am a History and Elementary Education double major and I hope to do my student teaching in the fall of 2004 through the Urban Studies program in Chicago. I love A-l-p-h-a X-i D-e-l-t-a so much. The girls are absolutely amazing and I'm so happy that I can call them my sisters. I have been an only child my whole life, so it's interesting (to say the least), to have 46 girls of the most amazing sisters to call my own. To say the least, Alpha Xi has rocked my world like no one can! I love you girls!!! ~

Erika Kruchten : I am a Freshman Biology major, and I am from Tinley Park, IL. I love Alpha Xi Delta Because it gave me sisters who are always there for me and help me make very hard decisions, and they are always supportive.

Where have all the Alumnae gone?

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