The Jade Times

By Oanhie “Shinsen” Pham, Editor-in-chief

On April 15, 2012, the first Asian-interest sorority was established at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte by 10 young women: Chee Ia Yang, May Vang, Ann Nguyen, Shua Vang, Nou Yang, Pamela Pedersen, Camarin Chargualaf, Lyna Cao, Elaine Phong and Rebekah Dikkers. Their chapter is only a few months old, but they already have many goals they would like to accomplish in their first year! Check out the interview we had with some of the sisters from UNCC.

Why did you choose to bring Delta Phi Lambda to your campus?

Lyna “Déjàvu” Cao: I felt, witnessed, and loved the RESPECT that Delta Phi Lambda emits from its organization. Delta Phi Lambda was what I wanted to be a part of because it made me want to put myself at a higher standard and aspire to be a better role model and leader to others. That was the initial impression I had since I have met sisters, Mama Karma and Papa Emera. Ever since then, I have fallen in love with the sorority and will fly till the day I die with Delta Phi Lambda.

Pamela “Emporium” Pedersen: I heard about the good reputation Delta Phi Lambda had and looking closer, I felt like this sorority is a sorority with inspiring sisters with whom I wanted to bond and also learn to aspire more. I felt like Delta Phi Lambda would be the perfect sorority to bring to UNCC as the first Asian-interest sorority.

Shua “Estreya” Vang: When I first came upon the Delta Phi Lambda website, I didn’t know what to expect and I wasn’t sure what I would see or even read about. What made me choose Delta Phi Lambda was the history of the seven lovely ladies, who expressed their struggles and hardships throughout their journey to make this dream come true happen. I had read through other sorority’s websites earlier that day, but I didn’t really feel like I could relate to them the way Delta Phi Lambda had to me. They showed me that struggles happen in life and you don’t always succeed the first time, but you must keep striving for your dreams no matter how hard the challenge will be — that is why I chose Delta Phi Lambda.

What are some goals your chapter wishes to accomplish during your first year on campus?

Pedersen: We definitely want to get our name out to our campus and hopefully get a lot of positive feedback. We also want to bring the Asian community on campus closer together and inspire students around campus through our value-based programs. Most importantly, we want to recruit new members who are well suited to our sorority and thereby expand our chapter.

What is your favorite memory while being an interest group?

Pedersen: My favorite memory was getting to know the girls more and more and simply just bond with them. A lot of us were freshmen so we didn’t know each other at the beginning of the year but throughout the year we bonded so much. They are all amazing memories.

Cao: My favorite memory of the Organization of Asian Students Inspiring Sisterhood (OASIS) was being recognized for our work even as an interest group. It shows that despite the fact we are not an official sorority, we are achieving great things! It was such a great motivation for OASIS to continue on our journey in finding Everlasting Sisterhood.

Vang: I have to say my favorite memory as an interest group was our ECAASU trip together. This was honestly our first “actual” trip we got to go on together as well as our last time being an interest group. The crazy adventures we spent together that weekend were amazing and the most memorable of all.

What is your fondest memory during your journey to everlasting sisterhood?

Vang: The fondest and one of the many memorable moments in our journey to everlasting sisterhood was the time we all  had to say something meaningful to each one of our line sisters. I have to say, it was seriously nonstop crying for every one of us — even the sisters who were in that room listening to us. I had never cried so much in my life, but I think that was one of the moments that honestly helped bring us closer to each other than we already were before.

What do you look most forward to as a chapter of Delta Phi Lambda?

Cao: I look forward to SHOWING UNCC WHO WE ARE! I want to represent DFL with the utmost respect and standard that makes others have the same impression that DFL left on me when I first met DFL sisters. To me, that serves as a seed to really understand DFL’s sisterhood and inspire others by example.

What is Greek life like at UNCC?

Vang: It’s definitely growing. Since we’re a small school, our Greek life is not as big compared to others. I know many sororities and fraternities do contribute a lot to our school and I am definitely hoping to do the same in the many years to come. I feel like with all the sororities and fraternities no matter if they are NPHC, PHA, Interfraternal, or DGC — they are all family and work really well with one another. They seem very supportive and I’m excited for our future collabs together.

How is the neophyte life so far?

Vang: Neophyte life? I LOVE IT! It’s a great feeling to know that other sisters acknowledge and care for me the way that they do. I know this feeling will grow as the years go by and I’m excited to be able to bond with every sister more than we have already. Also, I have to say it’s not a bad thing to be a neophyte at the moment because I can wear my letters as much as I want and not feel bad doing it!

What exciting things can we expect from you lovely ladies next semester?

Pedersen:  We will bring fresh ideas and change to our diversified Greek council and our campus as a whole. Expect us to be very involved in Greek life as well as the community around here. We will represent our letters to our campus by showing our virtues every day, every second…

Vang: I know many of the girls in our chapter want to bring a step/stroll team to our campus! I’m excited for it, even though my dancing skills are poor, but I’m willing to try something new — of course if I don’t do so well I’ll probably just sit back and watch.

What are some ways you can help improve the image of the Asian American as a chapter at UNCC?

Pedersen:  We will educate people to see beyond stereotypes and learn to respect Asian Americans more. We have also showed interest in collaborating with the Asian community on our campus to petition to try to get a class about Asian Americans to UNCC. We will definitely try educating others more by living and showing our virtues to break stereotypes people have toward Asian Americans.

Closing thought:

Cao: I want you to know that UNCC Delta Phi Lambda’s Chapter will be doing bigger and better things than what our campus had before and to expect nothing less than success and the love of our Everlasting Sisterhood through our works!

By Stephenie “Remedi” Lai

Happy National Dairy Month!

What is National Dairy Month? June is dedicated to reminding us of the importance of dairy products in our diets, as well as keeping up a good overall health regimen.

Why are dairy products so important to our health? Low fat dairy products (i.e. milk, yogurt, cheese) help control our body fat, reducing obesity. High calcium diets with three servings of dairy products have been shown to reduce obesity by 80 percent. Combined with 8 to 10 servings of vegetables and low sodium intake, dairy products also aid in lowering blood pressure. Additional research shows that calcium may reduce the risk of colon tumors, as well.

On the other hand, dairy products may not be favorable to those who are lactose intolerant. This means that your body is unable to sufficiently digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. This condition is more common among adults, as well as minorities.

Luckily, dairy foods are not the only source of calcium. You can replace dairy products with many other fruits and vegetables to get the same amount of calcium in your diet. Check out this link for a list of high-calcium non-dairy foods: http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/15-non-dairy-foods-high-in-calcium.html.

We want you all to take the month of June to take care of your bodies and your health. Although some people may not be able to celebrate National Dairy Month, there are some great substitutes for dairy . Just for fun, we have included a non-dairy cake recipe so we can all celebrate National Dairy Month together!

Want to learn more about dairy products, health and wellness, and even lactose intolerance? Check out the National Dairy Council.

Non-Dairy Chocolate Cake Recipe (Source: http://www.food.com/recipe/non-dairy-chocolate-cake-45471)

Ingredients:

◦  3 cups flour

◦  2 cups sugar

◦  6 tablespoons cocoa

◦  2 teaspoons baking soda

◦  1 teaspoon salt

◦  2 tablespoons vinegar

◦  3/4 cup canola oil ( almost any kind of cooking oil will do)

◦  2 teaspoons vanilla

◦  2 cups water

Directions:

1. Sift first 5 ingredients together in an ungreased 9×13-inch pan.
2. Make 3 wells and in each hole place the next 3 ingredients.
3. Pour 2 cups of water over top mix with a fork or wire whisk.
4. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes.

Photo credit:  http://www.anglindairy.net/2011/05/dairy-farmers-party.html

By Christine “ECKO” Ho

Let me start by saying — I have recently gotten into a car accident. And it wasn’t my first one.

It was my third — third — time being rear-ended in one year. So do I think I know what to do in a car accident? Uh, chyeah!

First: CALL 911. Tell the operator, as best as you can, where you are, and what happened. Chances are, a cop will reach you within a few minutes. You can ask the operator for advice on whether or not to move your car before the cop gets there. They will also ask you if you’ve been hurt — I will tell you, no matter what, you will ache. Maybe not at that moment, but you will later. In the shock of the moment, you will probably be numb and not be feeling anything, so make sure you take into account what damage you may have. If you think you need an ambulance, go ahead and tell them you think you need medical assistance. Or, it is possible the other driver needs medical assistance. WARNING: Ambulances cost a lot. I’m not discouraging you from getting an ambulance if you’re internally bleeding and you’re in extreme pain, but you might not want to call one for a muscle ache in your neck. Gauge your pain yourself and be smart.

Second: If you’re on the highway and there are speeding cars all around you, move your car if possible. Of course, ask the operator first, but I have a police officer friend who says it’s best to move your car. There is a great risk that someone behind you didn’t realize you were in an accident and ram into you, making the potential of injury and death higher. If you can’t move your car, then there’s really nothing you can do. Eventually, traffic around you will slow. This is when I would say move to the third step.

Third: Always keep a camera. In this day and age, everyone has a smart phone. Utilize it. It probably comes with a fancy camera. Now, I’m not saying Instagram it or alter the picture in any way, because that might not be the best thing to do — it could become legal evidence in the future. It’s probably a good idea to keep a disposable camera in your glove compartment as well. I carry my camera around, so I will take multiple pictures of my car, my car in relation to the other car, the damage that was done close up and the damage to the other car. You can usually take all of these pictures before the cop gets there.

Fourth: Try to get the insurance information of the other car and return the favor by offering your information. Keep paper and pen handy in your glove compartment. It’s possible they might refuse to give you the information, in which case you really can’t do anything and just wait for the police to get there. Make sure you have your license and registration ready for the police.

Fifth: When the police officer asks for your statement, tell him/her as succinctly as possible what happened, in the order that it happened. If it helps to write it down or draw it out, go ahead and have everything done before he/she gets there. In my experience, police officers are busy people that do the best with what they have, and have to pass judgment on the spot. If they feel you are in the wrong, then he/she will give you a ticket that you can contest later. However, do not admit guilt. Do not say, “Officer, it was my fault. I rammed into him.” There are circumstances that the police officer will take into account, some of which are weather, road conditions, traffic conditions, etc. If you rear-ended someone, it most likely is your fault. But what if the person in front of you had been changing lanes recklessly and didn’t see you and clipped into you? Therefore, it’s best to omit any mentions of guilt and stick to the facts.

Sixth: I don’t really know the legal aspects after an accident because I’ve gotten a lawyer for all of my accidents. I let her handle all of my legal matters. You can get a lawyer, but if you don’t want to, then you can probably just handle it through your insurance company and the other party’s insurance company. However, they will try to pay you the least amount they can so that they don’t lose money. Make sure you have all your ducks lined up and you list out all the faults and the damages, and the emotional trauma you went through. If you had to miss work because of the accident, then they will also take that into consideration as well. If you don’t have any means of transportation, they will provide a rental for you. Make sure you know your coverage and what you can ask for and what you can’t.

Seventh: If it was your fault, your insurance will probably go up. If it wasn’t your fault, you will wait for a check to come in from the insurance company involved with your accident.

Eighth: Reflect. Why did you get into an accident? Were you not paying attention to the cars ahead of you and that’s why you braked too hard and made the car behind you ram into you? Or were you texting while you were driving (ILLEGAL!)? Or maybe you were staring at a funny billboard and didn’t realize that the next to you was trying to merge in. The best driving is defensive driving — which means you should be prepared for anything that might happen on the road.

There you go — the eight steps to dealing with a car accident. I hope that this won’t have to help anyone I know, because then that will mean you were in a car accident, but I do enjoy good advice for bad situations.

By: May “Mosaic” Advincula, staff writer

In a past September edition of The Jade Times, we introduced you to UGA alumna Christine “Jasmine” Nguyen, also known in the YouTube world as make-up artist “Xteeener.”

Recognized for her helpful makeup video tutorials, chic fashion sense and keen instinct for using makeup to enhance natural beauty, Nguyen provided an update about her recent ventures, which included a trip to Paris to develop an eye shadow for the Sigma Beauty Paris Palette.

Check out this exclusive Q&A with this fellow sister and YouTube star:

TJT: What are Sigma Brushes? How did you get involved?
Xteeener: “Sigma Beauty is an online beauty product company that initially started out with and has become very well-known for their high quality and more affordable makeup brushes. Through time, they began developing and producing other beauty products, such as eye shadow palettes. They approached me to do collaborative videos with them, which I upload once a month onto my channel. Next thing I knew, I was invited to go to Paris and partake in the Paris Project.”

TJT: Can you describe for us the structure of the Paris program?
Xteeener: “I, along, with six other YouTube beauty gurus, the owners of Sigma Beauty and their photographer went to Paris for less than a week to experience the city and visit many of the well-known monuments/landmarks there. We were each assigned to one of the landmarks and gained inspiration from them to help create and develop our eye shadows. Our inspired eye shadows were then going to form a larger, all-encompassing makeup palette, which includes eight eye shadows, two blushes, one highlight and two brushes. We all took part in developing the palette as a whole.”

TJT: What was your first impression of Paris when you arrived?
Xteeener: “When we actually started heading into the city I was of course blown away by the beautiful architecture.”

TJT: Where did you find your inspiration for your eye shadow?
Xteeener: “I was assigned to the Notre Dame Cathedral and had my individual photoshoot there.

TJT:  If you could describe your eye shadow in three words, what would they be?
Xteeener: “Shimmering, unique, mysterious.”

TJT:  What was the most rewarding part of the experience?
Xteeener: “Having the opportunity to go to Paris and experience it with other beauty and fashion aficionados was very rewarding in itself. I of course loved being able to create my own eye shadow as well.”

TJT: What was the most challenging part of the experience?
Xteeener: “Actually creating the eye shadows and blush/highlight shades was more challenging than one would think. We had to really sit down and swatch and analyze, reproduce shades and repeat until we were satisfied with the final product.”

TJT:  What advice would you give to other people if they are interested in becoming a make-up artist?
Xteeener: “I would say definitely get out there and practice, whether on test shoots with photographers and models, or freelancing for and assisting other make-up artists. Practice on friends and family and people of all different skin tones and ethnicities. Just like with anything else, you learn and gain so much more when placed in challenging and new situations.”

TJT: What’s up next for you? Any upcoming ventures/collaborations?
Xteeener: “I am currently talking to several networks within YouTube and may join one soon.”

To check out the entire Paris Palette, click here!

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By Stephenie “Remedi” Lai, Staff Writer

The Colony Chapter of the University at Albany was established on March 31, 2012 by eight dedicated female leaders: Sydney Kronrad, Tracy Wang, Carmen Lai, Shirley Wong, Jen Le, Fizza Zaman, Deidre Pinkerton and Diana Lee. The interest group, named O.P.A.L. (Only Proven and Loyal), began a in the spring of 2011 in the hopes of chartering the first northeast chapter of Delta Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. Want to get to know these charters better? Check out our interview below.

1. What was the greatest challenge you found while chartering?

The greatest challenge that we all found while chartering was trying to schedule time with eight other girls. Time management was a huge deal for us.

2. Describe the Greek scene on your campus. Is the amount of multicultural Greek organizations lacking? Is there a diversified or multicultural Greek council?
We have eight other multicultural organizations on our campus. Our Council is called the “Multicultural Greek and Fraternal Council.” We already have two other APIA sororities on campus.

3. What was running through your mind when you received news of your bid?

We were extremely excited when we received the call. It was unbelievable, but we knew that all of our hard work as an interest group was finally going to be recognized. We couldn’t wait to begin the next step.

4. How has your group grown and learned from going from an Interest Group to a Colony Chapter?

From the beginning as an IG, it was tough because we lacked organization, and we weren’t really clear with what was required of us as an IG. Especially finding girls who are interested and committed. Through the process and right now as a colony chapter, we have grown a lot as a group and as a chapter. We have gotten much stronger and have better communication among each other. We also learned to compromise and listen to each other’s ideas.

5. How has your campus reacted to you bringing Delta Phi Lambda to UAlbany?
The reaction from campus about bringing Delta Phi Lambda to UAlbany was interesting. Many people were interested in the group and who was in it. The biggest reaction from campus was right after our reveal. We are the first APIA sorority on campus to ever do a reveal. From other fraternities and sororities, they were really impressed that we did personal greetings and [added] an extra vibe to it. They felt very appreciative.

6. How does your chapter plan to help spread the name of DPhiL through the Northeast?

We would definitely like to go to other schools and meet more people and other interest groups to further grow, but also show who we are and stand for.

7. Why did you choose to charter Delta Phi Lambda on your campus?

We chose Delta Phi Lambda to be chartered on our campus because I value its seven virtues and its mission statement. The first time I looked at the website, I just found it very interesting and had a good vibe from it. I even watched the videos of reveals and strolls, and I feel like it is very different from what we already have on our campus. And I like the fact that the sorority lists out its seven virtues and how they are. It has chapters in [the] Southeast and Midwest; I feel like it will be great to have a chapter in the Northeast and [expand] Delta Phi Lambda even more.

8. What are the next few things your chapter hopes to accomplish within the first few months of being revealed on campus?

We hope to build bridges with the Greek organizations and non-Greek organizations. As [a] chapter, we want Delta Phi Lambda to show that we can bring unison [to] other organizations. It doesn’t have to be only about Greek organizations or even Asian organizations. Working together as a group is a definite step. Another huge step that the chapter would like to take is getting Delta Phi Lambda’s name a little louder on campus. Let interested undergrad ladies know that we’re here. Show them what we’re all about. And internally, we’re creating and setting a firm foundation and goals for the UAlbany campus now, next semester and years to come.

By Kristine “Sumitra” Aguilan, Staff Writer

On May 19, 2012, Midwest chapters, along with our first Northeast chapter, hosted the Silver Carpet Affair Midwest Formals, honoring our newest members to our great sisterhood of Delta Phi Lambda. This was one of the first formals, previously known as Installs, to be planned and hosted as a region, and not by any particular chapter – another fact that made this event especially important is the introduction of one of the newest chapters,  State University of New York at Albany. Although there were some stressors along the way, the turn out, the support, and the event made it a great success.

The Delta Phi Lambda neophytes of the 2011-2012 school year.

One of the newest members, Maya “Seraphi” Williams of Illinois State University, crossed into the sorority during the fall semester of 2011. Determined to get into the sisterhood spirit, she volunteered to become a co-coordinator representing her chapter as well as the chapter’s Philanthropy Chair and Panhellenic delegate.

When asked about her thoughts on how the Silver Carpet Affair turned out, Williams said: “Well, overall I loved it, even though the beginning was a little stressful – I organized registration with Tiffany ["Equarii"] Tran and designed the T-Shirts for the sisters.  I admit it was intimidating to register so many different faces, being new myself.”

So many sisters in attendance that not all of them could fit in this photo – what a successful event!

Several organizations also attended to show their support to our sisterhood, such as Chi Sigma Tau (CST), alpha Kappa Delta Phi (KDPhi), and Kappa Pi Beta (KPiB), to name a few.

“My brothers and I had a great time tonight – we are honored to have been able to share it with amazing women and we wish [Delta Phi Lambda] nothing but the best in the continued expansion,” , said Mike “Nos” Wong, recent alumnus of Northern Illinois University’s KPiB chapter.

With the neophytes and one of our newest chapters present, the Midwest Formals Committee did a wonderful job presenting our sisterhood’s love and support to them and to the community at-large – the world can see that we are growing strong and cannot be stopped.

By May “Mosaic” Advincula, Staff Writer

Greek life often has its misperceptions, whether it comes from assumptions made by Greeks about other fellow organizations, or individuals who are not Greek-affiliated. This month, we asked chapters to provide insight about the environment on their campuses as well as give input as to their relationships with Greek and non-Greek organizations alike to gain some understanding as to the types of settings they encounter on a day-to-day basis.

Chapter representatives from the University of Georgia Alpha Chapter, University of Cincinnati Beta Chapter and University of West Florida Colony Chapter took some time to reflect on the current environments at their respective campuses.

Overall sentiment of the Greek-life environment for these chapters was positive. Chapter representative, Amanda “Elegance” McNally, an undergraduate at the University of West Florida, noted, “There are people that view Greeks negatively, but usually it’s positive or just neutral. As for as DPhiL goes, all the feedback I’ve heard has been positive.”

Chapter representative Jaleesa “Aspire” Reed provided additional thoughts for the University of Georgia: “UGA has a very active Greek-life. There literally is an organization for everyone, whether it be more culturally focused or focused solely on service.”

Out of the three chapters, all expressed positive remarks in regards to relationships with other Greeks on campus. For UC, they mostly interact with NPHC organizations, but also receive support from other Greeks, according to alumna Hanna Sue “Katana” Lavallee. At UWF, McNally stated, “there are no negative relationships with any Greeks on campus. We try to be nice to everyone and they’re nice to us.” The same goes for sisters at the University of Georgia as well. Reed stated, “I think we have a great relationship with Greeks on our campus. During our Philanthropy Week, two members from the IFC came out to support us. Our past and present Internal [vice presidents] have done a great job of improving our relationship with Greeks outside of our council.”

Any negative sentiment encountered by any organization can inhibit the ability to function. However, for the three chapters that provided insight, this has not presented a huge issue. For UWF in particular, not having much recognition on campus has not discouraged sisters; but rather, motivated them to be more social with their fellow Greeks. Any hostility the UGA and UC chapters encountered occurred when becoming established on their campuses.

Since then, for UGA, whenever there are situations encountered with other campus organizations, Reed said, “We schedule a meeting between a couple of representatives from each [organization] and talk it out. Afterwards, we try to mend our relationship by supporting their events and having mixers.”

Another point of contention for many Greek organizations is the negative perceptions from those who are not Greek-affiliated, as there are many generalizations made about Greek life. In terms of chapters’ relationships with non-Greek student organizations, for UWF, there was some personal hostility that the chapter experienced from fellow students. However, it has not been a situation that has required University administrators to get involved. For the University of Cincinnati, Lavallee noted that the UC sisters were “very active with Asian clubs on campus because we are the only multicultural Greek organization.”

University of Georgia sisters have recently made efforts to reach out to non-Greek organizations, according to Reed. “This is definitely an area that we’re working on, but we’ve made some progress so far,” Reed added.

In reflection of the current state of their chapters and how perceptions about our sorority have changed, McNally provided the following thoughts, “Since establishment, we have become more known. We have made our way… [and] we managed to gain positive relationships with our Greek Affairs Coordinator, who tries to include us as much as possible [as well as] other Greeks on campus.”

For UGA, Reed said, “DPhiL is very much an organization that everyone knows on this campus and I think that’s due to our work. We’re one of the largest chapters in our council, which means we have a lot of sisters to spread around and show support and it shows … we stand on almost 14 years of history and work from the sisters before us. They have definitely blazed a path and given us a legacy to not only uphold, but to live up to. On our 13th anniversary, a member of another organization congratulated us and said that UGA was lucky to have the Alpha Chapter of DPhiL on their campus. I think that speaks volumes about my chapter’s presence on this campus, especially since there is another Asian interest sorority here.”

Has your chapter or sisters from your chapter encounter hostility at your campus? If so, how did your chapter deal with the situation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Full name (First name “sorority nickname” Last name): Xuan “Zest” Pham

Chapter, class and number: Loyola University in Chicago, Charter Class “Faithful Five” #06

Current occupation and location: Graduate student, pursuing [a] Masters in Medical Science at Mississippi College [located in] Clinton, MS; looking to get into dental school after.

What did you study at your alma mater and how has life been outside of college?

[I received] a BS in Molecular Genetics at Loyola University (LUC). Life after my undergraduate experience at LUC has been very sporadic, many ups and downs in both personal and career aspects of my life, but they serve more or less as constant, humbling reminders to myself to appreciate what I have, the hard lessons in life I’ve had to endure and not give up on the things and people that I hold very near and dear to my heart.

Has there been any exciting news in your life?

I guess I’m just excited to have started my graduate program! I’m doing well and the program is challenging (my nerdy brain); although I do have to say, I’m not pulling as many over-nighters as much I did when I was in undergraduate. I guess that’s a plus in terms of study habits improving, right?!

Do you still keep in touch with sister(s) even after college is done?

Yes I do! [However], I’m a busy bee with graduate school. I always do try to say hello to some of my sisters and ask how they’re doing with things in their life. I’m so far away from them, so it’s just harder to keep in touch. I strive to try to make it annual thing where I come back and spend time with my old/new girls at chapter. I love meeting the old/new girls and seeing how everyone is doing.

How do you feel the Sisterhood has benefited you in life so far?

I think ‘our sisterhood’ has helped me realize and appreciate my time while I was active. Whether it had something to do with teamwork, respect or discipline, these were constant themes I’ve noticed that seem to replay [themselves] in terms of my transition towards ‘post-life after undergraduate,’ so to speak.  Sometimes you may not see them at first, but they’re there through and through. As you progress throughout life, you slowly come to appreciate the values and virtues our sorority upholds.

What is your favorite memory with Delta Phi Lambda?

I don’t think I have just ‘one favorite memory’ with the sorority. I think reflecting back, I’d like to think my favorite memories are all the times, both good and bad, that I’ve been through with my line sisters. Sometimes, when I reflect, I have to chuckle because it’s kind of funny, [thinking on] some of the silly things we did back then. Not every line is going to be perfect. Not every chapter is picture-perfect as well. But the [train of] thought is to be able get pass one’s indifference and moves towards ‘improvement and/or some level of forgiveness,’ because at the end of the day, if you care for each other, as though you were ‘real sisters,’ if you can put the pride aside and act on true sincerity, I assure you things will turn out for the best!

Closing statement/sisterly advice to pass on your wisdom to future generations:

To my young ladies starting out with the sorority: your time with the sorority as a sister really goes as far as you’re willing to take it. Don’t let small misfits deter you from enjoying your time in the sorority. Be open to forgiving and reminding yourself that we’re all a part of a dynamic sorority where we’re all different. Hiccups are bound to happen, but remain open that you want to work something out and I assure you, things will pan out eventually! Meet as MANY sisters as you can from different chapters, as some of them JUST may be that someone you find yourself leaning on when you need their love and support later in life.
Finally, I’d like to close with a note on appreciation. I think we’ve experienced at some point when someone expressed appreciation towards us. It makes the effort that we’ve put into something so much more worthwhile. With that being said, I’d like to remind some of us to take the time out to express appreciation to sisters, near or far, and just thank them for whatever they’ve done. Just the small thank you, just makes everything much more worthwhile and gives us the drive and passion to continue to want to contribute to our sorority so we can grow together. Of course, that means I have to say thank you to all sisters that volunteer their time overseeing the sorority. Without them, our sorority would have not grown as much in the last 10 years! So a special thank you to all you lovely ladies! Especially [to] “ The Jade Times” staff, I actually enjoy and always look forward to reading our newsletters! Thank you to Ms. Kristine Kippie “Sumitra” Aguilan for even thinking of me for this issue’s Alumnae Highlights.

GVSU lights up the stage at WMU

From left to right, staggered: Christine “Evoke” Vo, Lien “Estella” Dang, Quyen “Kelanni” Ho, Kelly “Emerald” Nguyen, Megan “Charisma” Fish, and Xee “Marvel” Yang

Recently, President Megan “Charisma” Fish and the lovely ladies of the GVSU chapter participated in Western Michigan University’s very first MultiGreek Council Showcase. “It was fun, but there wasn’t a very large turn out,” Fish said. “It was their very [first] MGC Showcase so they invited other schools to come because they don’t have that many [organizations].”

Though Fish believes that the Asian and Asian-American population in the western Michigan area is small, she hopes to continue establishing relationships with other organizations and spreading “our unique Asian heritage.” Judging from this image, these women literally “let our light shine forth!” Go GVSU!

 

Loyola is walking the walk, stepping the step

With their winning certificate, from left to right: Tina Le, Tiffany Yi, Huyen Le, Marcella Perez, Ploy Paungsombat, Jasmine Moy, Vanyen Pham

Loyola University’s chapter hit it big by earning 3^rd place in the second annual MultiGreek Council hosted Triple S Show. The triple “S” stands for stepping, strolling and saluting. Hosted at Loyola University on March 29, different Greek organizations performed for the championship in three rounds with three teams each[EL1] . With Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at 2^nd place and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. at 1^st place, it is quite an honor for LUC chapter to take 3^rd in their very first attempt at The Triple S Show. Tina “Pixel” Le, a neophyte for Loyola’s recent Xi Class, said: “It was an awesome experience that united MGC, PanHel (PanHellenic) and IFC Greek life together. The program allowed different Multicultural Greek fraternities and sorority to showcase what they’re really about.”

The teams that participated are:

• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
• Alpha Psi Lambda National, Inc.
• Delta Phi Lambda National Sorority, Inc.
• Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.
• Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc.
• Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
• Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Name: Michelle “Rnemosyne” Armstrong
Chapter, class and number: Georgia Tech, Theta Class, “Sedulous Six” #28
Major: Applied Language and Intercultural Studies

Describe yourself.

I’m 19 years old, and I am from the state of Georgia.  I have an interest in anything random, and I love to have a good time.  Although a good time to me consists of eating and sleeping.  I am vegan. I enjoy watching basketball games on TV and listening to new music.  I also have a really strong interest in languages.  There’s a lot more, but I’d rather show you than to say it all here!

What’s your favorite hobby that you find yourself doing often?

I am still in the process of finding THAT hobby, but I’ve meddled in a few things this year. Here recently, I’ve been interested in sewing. I took a class once a week on campus, and I had so much fun. The teacher was really cool, and my class was full of really amazing people. I can’t wait to start some sewing projects over the summer!

What is your dream job and why?

I don’t really have a dream job, but I do know that I want it to involve working with people, whether it’s through a classroom, interviewing others, or anything else. I want to be able to use language to connect people of different backgrounds and cultures. I am a strong believer that we are all the same once we find a way to connect with one another. I hope my future career consists of connecting people in this way.

What inspires you to succeed?

Just knowing that the world is so vast inspires me. There is so much to see out there and do, and I know that one day I’ll be able to do all of these things. That’s what truly gets me up in the morning. Life is too quick to be angry all the time, so I try to live by this philosophy and do something meaningful each and every day. I can’t wait to experience the world in a way that makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something!

Advice for a successful semester as a student and active sister of DFL:

I believe the key to success is balance, and the sorority definitely helps with that.  It teaches you to prioritize and manage your time better. It also helps with a lot of things related to being a successful student. There’s our virtue of academic excellence that constantly pushes you to keep your grades up. There’s the social aspect that helps you branch out and meet new people. And there’s so much more. If you just remember that you always have sisters supporting you, you’ll always do well!

What positions in the sorority are you most interested in pursuing and why?

I’ve only been Sisterhood and Assistant Recruitment Chair in the past, and this upcoming semester, I’ll be Alumnae Chair. I already know that Recruitment Chair is in my future, but I’d like to pursue some other positions as well. Nothing specific, but I just want to try out a lot of chairs and become a very versatile and useful sister to the chapter. I guess only time will tell which chairs I decide to hold.

Are there any funny moments with sisters?

Every time I’m with sisters there’s bound to be a funny moment. I can’t even remember a specific one because there are so many, and I feel like that’s the way it should be. I like that all of my times with sisters just run together because it makes me feel like I’m doing this sorority thing right. I want to always be able to have a good time with sisters, no matter what point I’m at in life.

Closing thought:

I just believe that joining Delta Phi Lambda was one of the best choices I could’ve made in life.  Sure it can be stressful sometimes, but a lot of beautiful things have come from joining as well. I can’t wait to see what the future of our sorority will be because I know that we are growing each and every day. We have a lot of amazing sisters, and I can’t to wait to meet as many as I can!