In Rememberance of NIU

With Mu Associate Chapter's Mid West location, we could not help but be affected by the tragic events that have recently occurred at our Founding Mother's home, Northern Illinois University. Like any good Z-Chi, we hold NIU very near and dear and were deeply impacted by these events.



However, with the visions of our Founding Mothers pulsing in our hearts, we wanted to shine a beacon of RADIANCE on our place of birth. In remembrance of the Mommy Chi's, we made the three hour drive down to Illinois to assist Big Brothers and Sisters in Bowling for the Kids' Sake.



In doing so, we were able to raise $100
that benefited this philanthropy and
were able to bring laughter and smiles to a University that has been stricken with tragedy. During our visit, we were able to pay our respects at the numerous memorials around campus.





We also set out on a mission to find our original Crest. Though the building it was once housed in has now been rebuilt, and the Crest has been moved, we did have the opportunity to see the picture of the original, which is displayed among other crests of the Divine Nine.




It was a humbling experience; one that was filled with a mix of emotions. It was heart breaking to see the impact of the recent violence, but it was also exhilarating to be on the very grounds where our Dream was born. We were so thankful for the opportunity to celebrate our Founders in a way that we know they would have appreciated.

World Fest Flag Ceremony

So, I'm from Kenosha County, and I get a lot of folks for tours that are from the area, or from Wisconsin, or from the states, that ask about our student population. If you're like me, and from the county, you might feel that attending Parkside will be just like high school - and you'll know everyone there. You might be thinking, "I've got to get out of here!" You might even think about traveling abroad.

Well, I know I've said it before, but one thing I love about UW-P is that it doesn't feel like the same old-high-school-thang. We have tremendous diversity, part of that being out international student population. (I blame our awesome soccer team!) :) We have students from around the globe and tons of activities centered with an international concept. We have an international house, Parkside International Club (PIC), a study abroad program, and an exchange program with our sister schools in Germany and Italy.

Every spring we have World Fest Week, and the campus is almost completely transformed! Every year we kick it off with a Flag Ceremony, to honor the numerous countries represented in our student population. This year I started off helping with the flag of Germany, with my soror Tracy, but then ended up carrying the American Flag at the front! Some of my sorors carried the the flag of their home country, Mexico.

It was a great week full of education, fun, and tasty food!!!