Angel UPDATE
FLORIDA EPSILON CHAPTER AT UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
Living Our Values
Gathering in Sisterhood Leads to Meaningful Impact
In Pi Beta Phi, we deeply cherish the values of community and togetherness. From chapter-specific events and traditions to collaboration opportunities with members across North America, there is no replacement for being together with our sisters. After spending the summer months apart and reuniting on campus earlier this fall, there have been an abundance of opportunities to live our values at Florida Epsilon.
Florida Epsilon members cherish the time we spend with one another; being together on campus is always a special time filled with excitement and gratitude. Spirit week and recruitment always start the year off on the right foot. It felt like a reunion with the entire chapter after
being apart for the summer break and was a true bonding experience as we prepared to welcome and incorporate a New Member class into our sisterhood. Living in the chapter house is such a valuable experience that offers a unique energy which can’t be duplicated.
Being together on campus not only allows us to foster genuine connection and Sincere Friendship, but also provides the opportunity for community engagement. As Pi Phis, we embrace our mission to enrich lives through community service. Giving back is at the core of who we are, and Florida Epsilon is dedicated to fulfilling this vision for our sisterhood.
At Florida Epsilon, there are many possibilities to engage with our community in purposeful ways. The fall term is especially meaningful, as the holidays provide the perfect opportunity for gratitude, generosity and giving back. Our chapter is proud of our philanthropy week, where we raise money for Read>Lead>Achieve ® and host a book and school supply drive that allows us to connect directly with a local teacher. We’re also excited to partner with a local non-profit that assists members of the foster care community to provide tutoring and supplies. That personal touch really brings home how we are impacting our local community. Sincere Friendship forms best when we are working towards a goal like Philanthropic Service to Others.
The Fall 2024 term has been truly fulfilling at Florida Epsilon, and as Chapter President, I’m honored to keep witnessing Pi Phi’s commitment to bettering the lives of our sisters and community members. Nothing fills our hearts with more Pi Phi Pride than authentically living the values of our sisterhood.
In Pi Phi, JORDAN SIMONSEN Chapter President
Florida Epsilon celebrating 2024 seniors. From left: AVA DIRENZO, MALLORY WILLIAMS, MORGAN DELAYNEY and ARYANNA PEREZ-ALCOVER.
Executive Council
Chapter President
Jordan Simonsen
Vice President
Operations
Emma Patterson
Vice President
Risk Management
Ava Chesney
Vice President
Member Experience
Lexi Jones
Vice President Finance/Housing
Jessica Hamm
Vice President Community Relations
Suzanna Donaldson
Vice President Inclusion
Skylar Degraw
Vice President Recruitment
Mikayla Hoffman
Alumnae Advisory Committee (AAC)
AAC Chair
Linda Brunger , D.C. Alpha
AAC Operations
Kassi Hall , Virginia Theta
AAC Risk Management
Michelle Bryce , D.C. Alpha
AAC Member Experience
Camryn Staniec , Florida Epsilon
AAC Finance/Housing
Rae Rucker , Tennessee Gamma
AAC Community Relations
Joannie Vincent , Florida Epsilon
AAC Inclusion
Michelle Bryce , D.C. Alpha
AAC Recruitment
Nyki Martin , West Virginia Alpha
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Sisterhood Spotlight
Upper: Florida Epsilons during Fall 2024 recruitment. From left: MATTIE TALANCZUK, AUDREY MILLS and KATIE CURTIN.
Middle, from left: TAURYN VILLACORTABUER, JULIA BERNSTEIN and BRIANNA MILLS during Florida Epsilon’s Spring 2024 retreat.
Lower, from left: PAOLA MONGE and ADDISON MOLENDYKE
Pouring Into Pi Phi
BECKEE PENA EDGE holds a deep-rooted love for Pi Phi sisterhood after all it gave to her as a collegian. Read more about her purposeful career and volunteer life as an Alumnae Club President for the Greater Orlando Area, Florida, Alumnae Club.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF PROFESSIONALLY.
I am the CEO and owner of Behavior Matters, founded in 2010. Behavior Matters provides therapy to children with autism through the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). I have five clinics in three states. I decided to become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) after my son was diagnosed with autism and I saw the incredible progress he made in ABA therapy. Shortly after becoming boardcertified, our family moved to Alaska. At the time, there was no one in Alaska in private practice. I saw the need for in-state services, so I took a leap of faith and opened Behavior Matters. Now that my son is an adult, I see the gap in services and affordable housing for adults with autism. My dream is to open a tiny home community in C entral Florida where adults with autism can become homeowners.
WHAT MADE YOU INITIALLY WANT TO VOLUNTEER FOR PI PHI?
I believe volunteering is good for the soul. It allows me to give back and pour into an organization that has poured so much into me. As a collegian, I had a severely disabled father at home. Being in Pi Phi gave me the escape I needed while also building the best support system I could have.
HOW HAVE YOUR LEADERSHIP ROLES AS AN ALUMNA SHAPED YOU?
Serving as an officer for alumnae clubs has been the most enjoyable for me, I love connecting with people. I get to socialize with sisters, attend events and support the mission of Pi Beta Phi. I am very grateful for the women who serve as officers with me. The years in college are just a tiny amount of time in comparison to the number of years you are an alumna, and I want every Pi Phi to stay involved in some way.
WHAT ARE THE MOST CHALLENGING AND REWARDING PARTS OF SERVING PI PHI?
A challenge as an alumnae club officer is to express how rewarding it is to sisters of all ages. I am grateful for local alumnae clubs; they have been both a professional and personal outlet.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PI PHI MEMORY?
On my very first Founders’ Day, I was given the Dart Girl award—the sister with the most spirit. To this day, I still have that certificate. Words of affirmation is my love language, it meant so much to me that my sisters felt that way about me.
WHY DO YOU THINK STAYING ENGAGED WITH OUR SISTERHOOD IS SO IMPORTANT?
Staying involved keeps Pi Beta Phi strong. Paying dues, volunteering and serving is a way to give back to the Fraternity that first gave to me.
I can’t say enough how much I loved my member class. Over the years, I have built stronger bonds with them—so much more than I thought possible.
I believe volunteering is good for the soul. It allows me to give back and pour into an organization that has poured so much into me. “
Upper: Beckee and her husband, Jarrett.
Pi Phi PRESS
BetaBase is Here!
Pi Beta Phi’s cutting-edge member portal and database management system, BetaBase, is live! Within BetaBase, you can easily manage and update your personal information and communication preferences to stay connected with your Pi Phi sisters, locate and connect with sisters across the globe, access your personal donor history and make contributions online, and complete, submit and track RIFs—streamlining the recruitment process.
Didn’t receive your email invitation? Create your account now.
Facility Update
The Fraternity Housing Corporation (FHC) managed a full roof replacement and upgraded the HVAC system over Summer 2024. The Alumnae Advisory Committee also coordinated the installation of a custom storage shed on the property.
Empowering the Next Generation of Pi Phis
Your $45 international alumnae dues power the programs that define the Pi Phi member experience, from leadership events to personal development opportunities and the volunteer and staff support that helps chapters grow. You can shape the future of our sisterhood by paying your annual alumnae dues at pibetaphi.org/dues
Save the Date for Convention 2025
Join us in Louisville, Kentucky on June 19-21, 2025, for a celebration of sisterhood, heritage and Pi Phi Pride! Held each biennium, convention honors our history, celebrates the present and ensures we are prepared for a bright future. Registration will open in early 2025.
1154 Town & Country Commons Drive
Town & Country, Missouri 63017 Connect with your C hapter
ucf.pibetaphi.org
The Florida Epsilon Chapter is supported by FHC. Learn more about FHC and the services offered, including this newsletter, by visiting pibetaphi.org/housing or contacting at fhc@pibetaphi.org .
