For the Fall 2012 issue of The Eleusis, we’d like to know: What’s your best piece of leadership advice? Please reply in no more than 75 words to: TheEleusis@ChiOmega.com. Include your first, maiden, and married names, chapter, and initiation year. Deadline: July 15.
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Pearls of Wisdom
Great Ideas for Chi Omegas from Chi Omegas
We asked Chi Omegas to share how they make where they
live feel like home. We are pleased to share their answers
with you in another offering of Pearls of Wisdom, great ideas for Chi Omegas from Chi Omegas.
Summer Forrest Jessee,
Zeta/U of Colorado
My husband and I love to
travel and live in different
places, including almost
six months in Southeast
Asia with our two young
children. For us, home is
wherever we are. It’s not
about material things or
about owning a home. We
focus on creating unique
and memorable experiences
for us and our children,
and on surrounding
ourselves with quality
people and a good dose of
nature.
Karen Smith Dower,
Kappa Zeta/Texas Tech U
When I moved into my
home 27 years ago, I
called the local collegiate
chapter to find out about
the nearest alumnae
group. I have many dear
friends from that one call.
Home is always what you
choose to make it. Mine is
full of owls.
Emily Horne,
Lambda Delta/Kent State U
Wherever my puppy is
feels like home.
Stacy Hammer, Eta Delta/U of Florida
I have a lovely home that I enjoy decorating both inside
and out. But what makes my house feel like home is hosting
Bible study with ladies who are like family. Ever since
moving thousands of miles from the sorority house and
my Sisters, I’ve learned the best way to feel at home is to
surround yourself with good friends who remind you of
your Chi Omega Sisters.
Sarah Goldman, Eta Lambda/American U
It was very hard for me to move away from my college
home in Washington, D.C., and my Eta Lambda Sisters.
Since graduation, I’ve hung my framed Chi Omega Symphony
on the wall to remind me of my Sisters, who make
me feel at home and demonstrate the virtues that every
woman should embody.
Alison Trimmer, Pi Gamma/U of New Mexico
My little Sister made me a wood-burned Chi Omega crest
and it hangs in my house. The move to Chicago from Albuquerque
was (and still is) hard, but I look at that beautiful
piece and I remember that home really is where the
heart is. I can take my Sister’s love with me wherever I go!
Hilary Graham, Theta Theta/U of South Florida
My grandpa loved squirrels. He even had a pair of plastic
squirrels in his office. After he passed away, I put them in
my room. A lot of my friends find them weird, but every
time I see them I think of my grandpa and I feel at home.
Alicia Manseau, Omicron Kappa/U of California–Davis
As a new member in Chi Omega, my big sis gave me a
framed copy of the Chi Omega Symphony. I’ve moved and
traveled frequently since college, but you can always find
that framed Symphony some place in my home. Its words
are just timeless.
Justine Meehan, Pi Gamma/U of New Mexico
I just purchased my first house and every day I’ve been
trying to make it feel more like home. I enjoy enlarging
pictures of friends, especially my Chi Omega Sisters, and
family and put them all around the house. I also like decorating
with little knickknacks that remind me of special
people in my life and fun events, such as a stuffed animal
mascot from a college basketball game.
Justine Santana Chelette,
Lambda Beta/U of Rhode Island
When I was a collegiate Sister, my room at the sorority
house was always filled with pictures of family and my
Sisters. Now that I’m an alumna and also a military wife,
I find that pictures are still the number one thing that tell
me I’m home. Even though the address constantly changes,
I’m surrounded by the same pictures of people I love,
both family and Sisters who became my family during the
four years I spent in Chi Omega. These pictures bring me
comfort, good memories, and a sense of home no matter
how far away I am.
Emily Fry, Chi Mu/Bucknell U
I graduated from college last May and am now living in
Spain, where I teach English. I couldn’t ship too many
things from home, but I made sure to bring over plenty
of pictures of me with my Sisters. It was definitely hard
moving to a foreign country right after graduation and
leaving behind my family and friends. But as soon as I put
up the pictures, my apartment felt like home and America
doesn’t feel that far away anymore!
Debra Dimon Davis, Xi/Northwestern U
As a high school language teacher, I spend part of each
summer taking classes abroad. Even the dullest dorm
room feels more like home with my favorite photos of
friends and family. I also buy fresh flowers for my room
every few days. Small trinkets, handcrafts, fabrics or laces
I buy as gifts serve as decor and at the same time remind
me of those eagerly waiting for my return!
Lorie Rowland, Rho Delta/U of Texas–El Paso
I live in Chicago now, but if I ever want to feel warm and
cozy I cook enchiladas or tortilla soup. It reminds me of
being back home in El Paso, Texas, where I was a part of
the Rho Delta Chapter, and my wonderful Sisters.
Logan Brittany Vender, Alpha Alpha/U of North Texas
My mom’s homemade tacos and tortilla soup is definitely
home to me. She even freezes it for me and brings it with
her when she comes to see me!
Rachel Ehrhardt, Iota Beta/U of Massachusetts
My hometown was 10 hours away from my university. Every
month, my mom would send me care packages so I
could always prepare for the holidays at the house and to
make me feel at home.
Codi Reed, Alpha Alpha/U of North Texas
Since moving to Washington state from Texas two years
ago, I feel more at home whenever the sun comes out!
Jenni Coleman Cumbaa, Phi Delta/Mississippi State U
The following quote by Billy Graham hangs in my kitchen
to remind me what home and family should be. I have
tried to make it true of our home. “The family should be
a closely knit group. The home should be a self-contained
shelter of security; a kind of school where life’s lessons
are taught; and a kind
of church where God is
honored; a place where
wholesome recreation
and simple pleasures are
enjoyed."
Becky Gomez McWhorter,
Psi Gamma/Mercer U
My husband is a collegiate
football coach and,
through the years, we’ve
been at ten different colleges/
universities. I have
found the best thing to
feel at home is to have a
great attitude and use it to
inspire others.
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