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Alpha Chi of the Week | Natalie Johnson

3/30/2015

Natalie Johnson
Year: Senior
Major: Graphic Design and Communication
Cullman, AL

What has been your favorite memory in Alpha Chi?

For the past two years, I've worked on decorations during recruitment, which has been so fun. I love doing behind-the-scenes stuff like that, and I loved spending those late nights + long hours with the other decorations girls working to make our chapter room look even better than it normally does. I'm so thankful that I found a way to use my talents and interests to serve our chapter, even if it's tiny things like ironing tablecloths and writing out name tags!

What piece of advice would you give to freshmen or sophomores about the rest of their time in Alpha Chi or at Auburn?

This is more of a general college life advice thing, but don't feel like you have to be involved in a million different groups. If Alpha Chi is the only thing you want to do while at Auburn, that's more than enough. One of my favorite reminders is from the book "Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters," by Courtney Martin: "We are the daughters of feminists who said, 'You can be anything,' and we heard, 'You have to be everything.'" You are not defined by the length of your resumé, and it's better to pour your heart into one thing than spread yourself too thin. I think we sometimes lose sight of that because there are so many incredible organizations on Auburn's campus. So I would say try new things, for sure, but know that you will always be enough, no matter how many organizations or honor societies you're a part of. There's just so much more to life than that.

What has Alpha Chi meant to you?

Alpha Chi has been such a great constant for me these past four years. College is a time of so much change and uncertainty and growth, so having this group of girls since day one that I can always count on and come back to has been invaluable.

What are your plans after college?

I've always loved sports, but am actually the most unathletic person ever. Once I realized that I could get into that industry from the creative side, I was completely sold on graphic design. After I graduate in December, I'd love to do graphic design for a professional sports team, designing their ads, tickets, posters, and things like that. My dream job is being the creative designer for a Major League Baseball team!

Who is someone you look up to in Alpha Chi?

Even though she is younger than me, I definitely look up to my little, Olivia Tofani. I literally look up to her, because she is tall like a beautiful model, but more importantly, she is absolutely the kindest & coolest person I know. She is so selfless, and her ability to make each person she meets feel welcome and important, no matter who or where they are, is such an incredible gift. Everyone that knows Olivia absolutely loves her, and I admire her so, so much.

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Alpha Chi of the Week | Emily Ann Clemons

3/17/2015

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Emily Ann Clemons
Year: Freshman
Major: Public Relations
Hometown: Huntsville, Alabama

What all have you been involved in during your freshman year?

I haven’t gotten as involved as I would have liked to, but I’m a writer for The Odyssey and member of the International Buddy Program. Being a writer for The Odysseyhas been a really cool experience. It’s unique because you can literally write about what ever you want to. You can load up your article with super opinionated reasoning for why something is the way it is, or you can write about a current news topic that’s relevant. It’s really cool to feel like you’ve impacted someone or challenged someone to think differently just because they’re reading what you write!

If you could eat dinner with any famous singer who would it be?

If I could eat dinner with any famous singer it would without a doubt be a dinner date with John Mayer (aka my husband). I’ve always been a huge fan and I went to his concert in Atlanta last year and it most definitely reassured my love for him. He’s beautiful. His voice is beautiful. His lyrics are beautiful. And if we went to dinner I would make him serenade me with ‘Slow Dancing in a Burning Room’.

What is your favorite food?

I have two favorite foods. My mom’s spaghetti is amazing and I could eat it any day of the week. And this is embarrassing but I LOVE cheeseburgers. Just ask Anna Brooke (my roomie) and she’ll tell you that I could eat a cheeseburger any day, any time. S/O to Denny’s for being open late.

What has been your favorite part about life at Auburn so far?

My favorite part about being at Auburn so far has probably been the friends I’ve made and how genuine they are. I’d also say that one of my favorite things is that almost everyone you talk to you can find some kind of connection. It makes it seem like such a small world and gives it that “home-y” feel.

What advice would you give to any upcoming freshman for next fall?

My advice to someone coming to Auburn in the fall would be to try your hardest to have an open mind and a positive perspective. This can relate to recruitment or life in general. Coming to college is overwhelming, even if you’re the most go with the flow person there is. It’s a lot thrown at you at once with Greek life, involvement, school, friends, keeping in touch with loved ones, and just figuring out how to be your own parent. I would say to keep in mind that it’s going to be different, and you’re going to have hard days where you won’t get to crawl into your bed and forget about everything, but that it is going to be okay. Lastly I would tell them that is the time in your life where you learn what it really means to figure out who you are, embrace it.

What has been the hardest part of transitioning to your freshman year from high school?

Stick with me because I know how cliché this sounds, but for me the hardest part of transitioning to college from home has been figuring out who I am and what I truly value. You get to college and you don’t have someone over you giving you a list of rules or do’s and don’ts. Anything you want to get accomplished is on you and it’s been hard for me to realize that if I procrastinate there aren’t many second chances. I’m slowly but surely figuring things out though! It’s also really easy to feel like just another person campus and like no one notices you, but thankfully I’m in the best sorority possible and surrounded by amazing girls who care and lift up everyone! This year definitely wouldn’t have been the same without Alpha Chi.

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Treasures of Tim Tyler Tuesday

3/16/2015

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What do you think of when you hear the words domestic violence? Do you hear heart wrenching, powerful, hurtful, helpless, or traumatic? Those are just a few of the words that one in four women are way too familiar with. One in four women are scared to be living in their homes. One in four women go to sleep each night terrified of what the next day will bring. One in four women constantly live in fear of what to say or do, or how to act. One in four women are affected by domestic violence.

As an Alpha Chi Omega, it is with so much pride that we support Domestic Violence awareness as our philanthropy. Each semester we put on what is called “Tim Tyler Tuesday” where people buy tickets and then come to see Tim Tyler perform songs on the piano that we all love to sing along to. Because of the incredible support of Auburn students, Abby Ripoli, our dedicated VP Philanthropy, and the commitment of the Epsilon Zeta chapter of Alpha Chi, we raised $7,173 this past Tuesday. That is DOUBLE the amount we raised last semester!!! It was truly amazing to see all of the hard work pay off in such a big way.

The proceeds will be given to the DVIC of Opelika to help women who have run away from their abusive situation with nothing but the clothes on their backs. It’s hard for us to imagine what these women go through. When they finally escape their horrible situation, they don’t own anything anymore; they are completely starting over. They need clothes, shoes, medicine, and new identification: a new life. I couldn’t imagine a better place for $7,137 to go towards than a new beginning for a strong, independent woman.

Our VP Philanthropy, Abby Ripoli, has been a great leader throughout this semester, pushing us to raise as much money as possible and to create an event that we can be proud of as a chapter. When asked what the most rewarding part of this semester’s Tim Tyler Tuesday was, here’s what she said: “The biggest reward of everything that went into Tim Tyler Tuesday was, first, the reaction of the girls who put so much work into the event. Secondly, the most rewarding part was the reaction of the chapter when we were able to share the amazing amount of money we raised! It was so rewarding to see it emphasized to the chapter that our fundraising events and the money we raise really does have the potential to greatly impact the lives of the women of the Domestic Violence Intervention Center of Opelika.”

I’m proud to be an Alpha Chi Omega, not just because of the incredible philanthropy that we support, but because as real, strong women, we empower other women to be able to do that, too.

Written by Emily Ann Clemons, Freshman

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Alpha Chi of the Week | Kathleen O'Hara

3/2/2015

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Kathleen O'Hara
Year: Senior
Major: BFA Musical Theatre
Hometown: Decatur, AL

When did you first get into theatre?

I did my first show when I was 5 because my mother recognized at a VERY early age that I have no athletic ability whatsoever. My first show was The Sound of Music. I played Gretl (the youngest Von Trapp child). It premiered on my 6th birthday so I thought it was just one big birthday party. But the most memorable thing of my stage debut was little Gretl letting her little bladder go all over the stage during an actual show.. I guess that’s my version of stage fright. (It’s happened twice..)

What has been your favorite character to play out of all the shows you have been in?

Last summer I got to take on Elle Woods in Legally Blonde the Musical. I am not an Elle Woods type. I’m a sometimes a little edgy, always very sassy BRUNETTE so I knew it was gonna be a challenge but it was something that I worked very hard for. It also turned out to be a role that changed my life. Sometimes characters do that to you. They come around at crucial points in life and they know exactly what to do get you through the hard times. Elle Woods honestly picked me up out of a life ditch and changed my outlook on how I was living and how I should treat people. Crazy what a "Gemini with a double Capricorn moon" BLONDE can do to you!

What is your favorite part of acting?

What draw me to being on the stage at first was the idea of becoming a character and I think that’s what has kept me around too. I love the idea of being cast in a role and using the weeks you have building up to show dates to not only build a production, but also to build a character. I get to research and create and delve into this other human/creature/etc. background and life story and figure out what is real and significant to them. That’s the fun part to me!

What has been your favorite memory in Alpha Chi?

All I can say is… SBXIV! If you get a chance to go on a big spring break trip with your pledge class, DO IT!

If you could give this year's freshmen pledge class one piece of advise for their next three and a half years at Auburn and in Alpha Chi, what would it be?

One of the best qualities that Alpha Chi has is how encouraging they are. Alpha Chi has supported me over the past four years with my crazy theatre schedule, with every single show I have been in, and with every dramatic endeavor I choose to take on. I knew I wanted to do the sorority life when I came to Auburn but I also knew I wanted to do theatre. It’s hard to juggle both but Alpha Chi was the one that was always encouraging me to go out and do more theatre. So my advice would be to go out in Auburn and find things you want to do and DO IT! Try the theater, become a barista, play a sport, reach out to the community. Use the time you have here to try out any and every hobby and passion you have because Alpha Chi is the best support system you’ll ever have.

What are your plans after graduation?

Ha.. Wow. I hate this question. It seems like that’s the only thing people ask you when you reach your senior year of college. I don’t know what I’m doing as soon as I walk the plank in May. Sometimes I freak out about the mystery ahead but overall I’m okay with it because something will come along, someone will reply to my job application, someone will cast me in a show. It will all work out exactly how it’s suppose to and I believe that because of something I was told in an Alpha Chi Bible study freshman year. "If God put a passion for something in your heart, then He put there for a reason." God put my love of theatre and of the arts so deep in my heart that I know without a doubt this is what I’m suppose to be doing for the rest of my life. I don’t know where I’m going or where I’m living come May, but I’m not scared one bit! I’M EXCITED!

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Alpha Chi of the Week | Natalie Johnson

Alpha Chi of the Week | Emily Ann Clemons

Treasures of Tim Tyler Tuesday

Alpha Chi of the Week | Kathleen O'Hara

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