So Many New Gorgeous Gammas!

Hillary Desmarais

Euless, TX

Why she loves Gamma Phi:

My favorite thing about Gamma Phi Beta is that you can be yourself and you get to become close with all your sisters.

Why she chose A&M:

I wanted to stay in Texas and not be too far away from home. The people on campus were friendly and they had a good Architecture school.

Summer 2011:

My favorite thing I did this summer was go to the lake with a big group of my friends and we swam cooked out together

Interesting fact:

I am a first generation aggie. 

Comments from members during recruitment:

Michaella W - "Very sweet!"

Amber R - "So sweet and adorable!"

Ramey Parks

San Jose, CA

Why she loves Gamma Phi:

How we have dedication--there's always so much going on; nevertheless, there is always someone (usually more than one someone) willing to pour their heart into a project within our chapter.

Why she chose A&M:

The friendly energy/spirit on campus is contagious (:

Summer 2011:

I climbed to the top of Half Dome (one of the most climbed mountains in Yosemite National Park in California) with my dad. It was a 12 hour hike...8 hours up, 4 hours back...starting at 7am. It was challenging, and even more challenging to persevere because we both did not have permits to climb past the subdome (they have passes because too many people used to climb at once, and bad injuries started occurring too often). Not knowing whether the hike was "worth it" because we could not even reach the top was a mind game, but I am so happy that I pushed through and reached the TOP!

Interesting fact:

I sometimes use Febreeze as perfume...I know... 

I am addicted to gum....literally.

I lived in Canada from 2002-2004.

Comments from members during recruitment:

Vanessa P - "If I could come back and be active I would want her as my little!"

Jessica G - "Super energetic and has our core values!"

Emily Howell

Frisco, TX

Why she loves Gamma Phi:

I love love love how sweet and genuine all the girls are!

Why she chose A&M:

Both my parents went here, and it was my dream school

Summer 2011:

My friends and I went to Schlitterbahn for a one day road trip!  

Interesting fact:

I'm a political science major! 

Comments from members during recruitment:

Ashley T - "Awesome girl!"

Jana K - "Very sweet and loved our philanthropy!"

More G Phi Babies!

Andrea O'Connor

Waco, TX

Why she loves Gamma Phi:

The amazing girls in it <3

Why she chose A&M:

I fell in love with the traditions and friendly town

Summer 2011:

I went horseback riding and white-water rafting in Colorado--my first time in the mountains!  

Interesting fact:

 I have a slight obsession with song-writing

We can't wait to hear her sing and play guitar!!!

Briana Pascua Salcido

El Paso, TX

Why she loves Gamma Phi:

My favorite thing about Gamma Phi Beta is how welcoming and helpful and warm all the girls have been, it's been really wonderful to come into and I feel like I fit in really well.

Why she chose A&M:

I chose Texas A&M because of how unique it is with all of its traditions and school involvement, plus I just really felt at home the first time I came to visit.

Summer 2011:

For my grandparents 50th Wedding Anniversary this summer, ten of us went on a chartered sail boat out of Rockland, Maine.  We sailed down the coast of Maine for three days. It was a beautiful and one of a kind experience, the culture up there was amazing, and I got to spend a lot of time with my family:) 

Interesting fact:

-I've lived in five countries

-I'm Mexican and fluent in Spanish

-I'm a lefty

-And I'm dating a hockey player (whoop!)

Aye! Aye! Aye!

Tyler Jo Pearce

Katy, TX

Why she loves Gamma Phi:

All the Gamma Phi's in it

Why she chose A&M:

I went to one football game and fell madly in love

Summer 2011:

I went on a Young Life trip called Wilderness in the Colorado Mountains. It was a hiking trip where all you had you carried on your back and you couldn't leave anything behind including trash and wastes. It was and amazing experience and on the last night we had to spend the night individually out in the woods where they left us. During my time alone I had a deer come about 20 yards from me before it realized I was there and froze for a good minuet before it ran away. It was the closest I have ever felt to God and the amazing nature that he has made. 

Interesting fact:

I taught my self to not only french braid my own hair but I can also spell letters in other people's hair. If I get enough heads I can spell words.

We should spell Gamma Phi Beta for an event!!!

Meet some of our New Members!!!

Taylor Chi

Fort Worth, TX

Why she loves Gamma Phi:

Each girl is unique in her own way, but I love them all!

Why she chose A&M:

I chose A&M because of their traditions and super friendly environment.

Summer 2011:

This summer I got to travel to Puerto Rico!

Interesting fact:

I'm half asian and half caucasian!

Comments from members during recruitment:

Tori V. - "Super sweet!"

Kaitlin G. - "Looking for a great group of girls!"

(Think she found 'em!)

Cybil Armbruster

Pearland, TX

Why she loves Gamma Phi:

The philanthropy and how the girls are so down to earth

Why she chose A&M:

The school Spirit

Summer 2011:

I went to Schilterbahn, and floated the river with my family and best friends:)

Interesting fact:

I am very talkative normally you cant get me to be quiet.

Comments from members during recruitment:

Devin M. - "Love."

Erin A. - "Nice, sweet, and loves working with kids!"

Heather Mokerski

Sugar Land, TX

Why she loves Gamma Phi:

The sisterhood and friendships.

Why she chose A&M:

I LOVED the traditions!

Summer 2011:

I went to South Dakota to see family

Interesting fact:

I am 4'11" and I am OBSESSED with pitbulls!

Comments from members during recruitment:

Hannah - "Cutest thing ever!"

Kayla G - "Darling."

Cybil, Danielle, Taylor, and Heather.

Three of our lovely new members with our new member educator Danielle

Recruitment Review

WELCOME GAMMA PHI BETA FALL PLEDGE CLASS 2011!

We love our new g phi babies!!!

It took a week full of sisterhood to get the lovely ladies we now have!

Here's a little recap of recruitment 2011

Day 1: Sisterhood Day

We wore black shirts, jeans, and everyone loved our pink sparkly TOMS!

 Grace, Ashlyn, and Jana

Shelby, Katie, Jana, and Cheyenne

Day 2: Philanthropy Day

We wore white long sleeve polos, navy shorts, and wedges

Ashlyn, Christina (Panhellenic), Grace, and Shelby

Hillary, Cara, and Daniela

Day 2: Skit Day!

We wore black dress with red accessories

Some of our GAGA for GAMMA skit dancers

Nicole, Kaitlin, Courtney, and Ashlyn

Michaella and Brooke

Day 4: Preference Night

We wore matching Alfred Angelo dresses

Elise, Lindsey, Kayla, Amy, Teal, and Haylea

BID DAY!!!!

Gamma Phis only Fly First Class

 The Crescent

 Waiting anxiously for our new members to arrive!

A huge thanks to all the alumni that came out and helped, especially Karen Kline, Barbara Hurt-Simmons, Jordan Lyons our CLC, and Lindsay Dawson our chapter advisor!

Seven Countries in Nine Weeks

By Marselle Kovarsky

Over two months ago, I said goodbye to my parents and America when I boarded my plane for the Bahamas. I was pretty excited, and a bit nervous, for my adventures that awaited me. I was going to visit seven countries over the next nine weeks and earn nine school credits, a pretty sweet deal! I didn’t know any of the other 800 students aboard the MV Explorer, but I was ready to make new friends. Ironically enough, my roommate Ginny is a Gamma Phi Beta at Loyola New Orleans, so we instantly hit it off. It took ten days to sailacross the Atlantic Ocean, and living at sea was a pretty easy transition. The cabins are decent sized dorm rooms with private bathrooms, and maid service comes every day. The food is edible, but by day 59 I’'m sick and tired of potatoes, pasta, and bread (I can’t wait for some chips and queso from Fuego!)

Our first port stop was Barcelona, Spain. Being an Architectural History minor, I was super excited to see all thewonderful works of Gaudi. I visited the Casa Mila, La Sagrada Familia, and the Picasso Museum. Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia was overwhelming; it was by far the largest and most spectacular church I had ever seen. At night I enjoyed walking around with my new friends exploring the main street, Las Ramblas, and experiencing the fast-paced lifestyle. I even tried my first olive, tomato, and glass of wine (all Spanish must-have’s). Spain was a great first stop since it wasn’t too much of a culture shock; it eased us Americans in to the European culture.

Naples, Italy was the next port we docked at. Margarita pizza from Naples is hands down the best pizza in the world. The city was pretty crowded and dirty so I’'m glad I was only in the city for one night. For five days, I went on a “field trip” to Florence, Pisa, Assisi, and Rome. Florence was a great city with a lot of rich architecture and Roman Catholic culture. I was able to see the Duermo and Michelangelo’'s David, which is so much bigger than I expected! I spent a few hours in Pisa taking the typical touristy pictures with the leaning tower, but there isn’t much else to do in that city. Assisi was by far my favorite place in Italy; this small hill town is the epitome of the Tuscany countryside. Rome was the most crowded city I have ever been in… there are 5 million people living there plus 1 million tourists. I threw two coins into the Trevi Fountain, went inside the Pantheon, saw “aTm” carved in the walls of the Coliseum, and walked through the Roman Forum. The next day in Rome I visited the Vatican where I experienced the Sistine Chapel (which is smaller than I expected) and the marvelous St. Peter’s basilica. St. Peter’s basilica is the largest church in the world and it is one of the most memorable places I’'ve seen during my travels. The last day I learned to make pasta and tiramisu in a local Tuscan winery. Overall, Italy was a beautiful country with wonderful food; I will definitely be going back. I had little knowledge of our next port Dubrovnik, Croatia, but this port became a wonderful beach vacation filled with kayaking, swimming, and cliff diving! For the day I also drove to Montenegro, which is the most picturesque country where the mountains fall straight into the clear blue water and the orange tiled houses are nestled into the valleys.

Our next stop caused a bit of concern; Athens, Greece, has been experiencing riots and the government is going through a lot of economic problems. My only interaction with this unrest was the taxi riot that shutdown traffic for a whole entire day! The first day I visited the Acropolis and my architectural side was so happy to see the famous Parthenon! I spent the remaining days island hopping, visiting Hydra, Aegina, and Mykonos. These islands had the stereotypical blue and white houses that characterize Greece. On the islands, I enjoyed another beach vacation riding donkeys and playing on jet skies. I even tried my first mussel!

Varna, Bulgaria was a last minute addition to our itinerary once Egypt was removed due to the political unrest there. I was bummed about not being able to go to Egypt and the pyramids, but Varna turned out to be my second favorite port! Like Croatia and Greece, Bulgaria was a beech vacation; every night I laid on the beach and had a nice relaxing time with my friends. One day I even went to a local salt lake and mud bath where I covered my body in black “healing” mud!

Istanbul, Turkey was my favorite port! Minarets tooe over the dense skyline, and my first mosque experience was great. I had to cover my head with a scarf and remove my shoes before entering, and the blue tiles inside made beautiful geometric patterns on the walls. I visited the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and multiple palaces. I was a smart shopper in the Grand Bazaar and walked away with great souvenirs! I also experienced a Turkish bath, which is better than any spa treatment you can get in the States! I even had lunch on the Asian continent one day. Istanbul was my favorite because there was so much to do and the culture was so different from the Western world.

My last port was Casablanca, Morocco, and, yes, I went to Rick’s Café! The first day I stayed in port and visited the Hassan II mosque, which is the second largest mosque in the world with a minaret larger than the Washington monument! I spent the remainder of my days in Marrakech where I rode a camel, played with a monkey, bought Aladdin pants at the bazaar, and got plenty of henna!

Now it takes eight days to cross the Atlantic and arrive back in Boston. I think I’'m in for a culture shock when everyone around me speaks English! While at sea, we are finishing up our classes, taking finals, and writing papers. Heading home is very bitter sweet: I’m excited to get back to my friends and family, but I will also miss traveling the world! I can’t wait for when I return again to these countries though!

Famous Gammas in showbiz

There are some pretty talented Gamma Phi's out there in the world! Here are a few in the entertainment business!

Kristin Chenoweth (Oklahoma City)

Recently featured on GLEE, this Gamma Phi is an actress, singer and 1999 Tony Award winner for Best Featured Actress in a Musical ("You're a Good Man Charlie Brown"); 2009 Emmy winner for Best Supporting Actress ("Pushing Daisies")

Alexandra "Alex" Wystrach Flanagan (Arizona)

Sports journalist for the NFL Network, sideline reporter for Notre Dame home football games; former sideline reporter for ESPN 

Paige Galt (University of Georgia)

Mrs. Georgia 2005, Miss International Pageant Contestant 2005

Demetra George (Oklahoma City)

Resident soprano for Nevada Opera Theatre, awarded an honorary Doctorate of Music from Oklahoma City University, Grammy nominee, Oklahoma City University Performance Hall of Honor Inductee, Miss Oklahoma, 1972 (Formerly Deborah Giannopoulos Mustafoglu) 

Bailey Hanks (Coastal Carolina)

Broadway actress, Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde: The Musical"

Cloris Leachman(Northwestern)

Actress (Raising Hope, Great Gam Gam in Beerfest, Spanglish, Granny in the Beverly Hill Billies, Young Frankenstein), author; Oscar and Emmy Award winner; most recently on Dancing with the Stars

Heather McDonald (Southern California)

Comedian on "Chelsea Lately," actress, author 

Kelli O'Hara (Oklahoma City)

 Broadway actress, two- time Tony nominee 

("The Pajama Game," "South Pacific," "The Light in the Piazza")

Mary Beth Peil (Northwestern)
Opera singer, actress on "Dawson's Creek," 1985 Tony Award nominee for "The King and I," and currently co-starring on "The Good Wife" 

Sarah Richardson (Western Ontario)

Star of the HGTV design shows: "Room Service," "Design Inc.," "Sarah's House" and "Sarah's Cottage

Who will be next g phi to make it big?!?