From left to right: Jenny Concepciόn Hansen (Beta Pi-USC), Zunilda Cossio (Alpha Lambda- Alumna Initiate), Emma Present (Iota Sigma-Carnegie Mellon), Kelsey Scott Kirrene (Iota Sigma-Carnegie Mellon), Paige Wahrenburg Lapen (Omicron-Missouri), Grace Farwell- Granger (Beta Pi-USC), Ola Samules Bateman (Beta Psi-San Jose State), Alison Lauderbach Ferris (Beta Psi-San Jose State) and Denise Strickland Wandel (Beta Pi-USC).
When Alpha Phis Come Together, Good Things Happen When alumnae and collegians team up, magic follows — just ask Ashland Area Alumnae Chapter and Epsilon Alpha-Ashland . In early April, members from both groups came together to spread joy by assembling 72 birthday boxes for local, underserved children. Each box included cake ingredients, balloons, stickers and more — all donated by members — to help a child a feel celebrated on their special day. The boxes were distributed to Lucas Food Bank, Associated Charities of Ashland and Safe Haven of Ashland, benefiting families in the Mansfield City Schools. Now in its fourth year, this joint service project continues to prove that when Alpha Phis unite, the results are anything but ordinary. “After the assembly process, there’s always food and conversation,” says Jan Schaeffer, president of the Ashland Area Alumnae Chapter. “It’s a chance for collegians to get a glimpse of life after college and for alumnae to see how the college experience has evolved.” Members of the Ashland Area Alumnae Chapter and Epsilon Alpha-Ashland show off their donated celebration kits.
Below: A beautifully styled tablescape from the Palos Verdes gathering. *Both photos by Jordana Sheara Photography
Dinner With 10 Sisters Recap This past spring, Alpha Phis from across North America gathered for Dinner With 10 Sisters, an evening of connection, storytelling and shared sisterhood. Let’s take a quick trip across a couple regions, beginning on the West Coast. International Executive Board Member Jenny Concepciόn Hansen (Beta Pi-USC) hosted a dinner at her home in suburban Los Angeles. Jenny, who loves meeting new sisters, saw this as a meaningful opportunity to connect with Alpha Phis in her area. She sent out invitations and welcomed nine sisters to her home, including her mother, an alumnae initiate. “It was so special having my mom as one of the guests,” Jenny says. “She’s a huge part of my volunteer journey, and I wouldn’t be able to devote the time I do to Alpha Phi without her support.” The casual evening featured dinner and heartfelt introductions. Each sister shared her name, initiating chapter and answered an icebreaker question: Why were you interested in joining the dinner? It was a fun and memorable night that left everyone feeling a strong sense of connection. “There were commonalities amongst us all, even though we had different experiences and were collegiate members at different times,” Jenny says. In St. Louis, Amy Jordan (Omicron-Missouri) hosted Alpha Phi sisters for an intimite dinner at local Italian favorite Napoli Kirkwood. “I wanted to host a dinner party to meet new sisters, reconnect with familiar faces, celebrate our shared memories and strengthen the lifelong bonds Alpha Phi has given us,” Amy says. Eight sisters attended, many of whom already knew each other — except for one alumna, Christina Clary Wilson-Smith (Delta Chi-William Woods) , who was crowned Ms. Missouri Senior America in 2023. “Christy had her crown and sash,” Amy says. “So, of course, I had to get a picture!” Sisters spanned generations at Amy’s event, but they all found connection and forged memories that will surely last a lifetime, or at least until the next St. Louis dinner!
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