Phall Philanthropy Phun: Pi Phi in Paradise 2011

Pi Phi sisters preparing for the event!

With Pi Phi in Paradise's return to the SLC Ballroom this year came a revamping of the theme of our annual philanthropy event.  VP Philanthropy Christi Weinhuff's idea to update the event's tropical feel of previous years to a more abstract view of "paradise" was executed perfectly, complete with vintage posters, a wine and silver blue-themed candy bar, mini GiGi's cupcakes, and heavenly strawberry smoothies.

Delicious white chocolate-dipped pretzel sticks hand-prepared by sisters

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the event's (in)famous entertainment tradition - the fraternity dance competition - judged by our celebrity guest judges, current TN Beta Pi Phi president Abby Gravenhorst, VUPD Officer Don Dennis, VSG Vice President Maryclaire Maynard, and a member of our own AAC.  The boys' obviously lengthly preparation for the event paid off - their performances almost measured up to that of the Pi Phi dancers, led by choreographer Kate Hockemeyer.

Congratulations to Sigma Chi, winners of the fraternity dance competition!

As always, the money raised from ticket sales for Pi Phi in Paradise will be donated to the Bill Wilkerson Center, the on-campus trauma rehabilitation center located at the Vanderbilt Medical Center.  VP Philanthropy Christi Weinhuff deserves a big thank you and a ton of PPL for organizing another incredible event for such a great cause!

Christmas Village: A Joyous Time Had by All

Alexandra Scavone, Paris Nelson, Rian Rabinowitz, and Haley Singelton were lucky enough to meet Santa Claus during a break from volunteering

These past few weeks have been an exciting and busy time for TN Beta Pi Phi!  Chapter members kicked off the holiday season by volunteering at the annual Christmas Village Shopping Event in Nashville.  Sisters were happy to get the chance to spend some time with alumnae while working together to support a great cause.  In between selling tickets and helping out the vendors, we enjoyed browsing through holiday trinkets hand-crafted by Nashville locals and sampling homemade apple cider and delicious baked goods.  This event was the perfect way to unwind from the stresses of school and get into the holiday spirit with our sisters!

Another Sensational Beaux and Arrows Semi-Formal

Pi Phi juniors Katy McGee, Kelsey Gallo, Emily Schloss, and Lisa Ganz dressed up for Beaux and Arrows

This past Saturday following an exciting Panhellenic Preview Day, Pi Phi sisters joined up again for the annual Beaux and Arrow Semi-Formal.  Sisters and dates dressed up and dined together before hopping on buses to a secret venue.  We were surprised and thrilled upon our arrival at The Ruby, an up-and-coming event space perfect for a night to remember.  Amazing entertainment was provided by a DJ who kept the dance floor crowded all night.  To top it all off, sisters enjoyed delicious mini cupcakes while chatting with friends on The Ruby's outdoor terrace.  It was a huge success thanks to our VP Event Planning, Stefanie Seigerman!

New Baby Angels

Tennessee Beta would like to welcome our new pledge class to Pi Phi! Trust me, current members couldn't be happier with this great group of girls. We now have 52 new faces in our house from all over the world, California to the UK.  We can't wait to see what they'll bring to Pi Phi.

Thank you to all of our members and especially the Recruitment Team, who worked so hard to get an awesome pledge class!  

Pledge Class 2011 decked out in all their new gear

The Recruitment Team: Erin Steigerwald, Alex Abington, Anne Hopkins, Emily Rosenthal, and Erica Krieger

New Member Alyssa Birbach and her Beta Buddy, Stefanie Seigerman 

Sarah Perlman and her Beta Buddy/new member, Sarah Capelouto

New members Haley Singleton, Carey Davis and Alexis Jacobson, with next year's Recruitment Chair, Katy McGee

Our Newest Members:

Carla Altaras, Ariel Altman, Leia Andrew, Amanda Ayers, Alyssa Birbach, Laetizia Bizzari, Sarah Capelouto, Emma Colonna, Katie Dalldorf, Carey Davis, Emily Frost, Ellie Gravenhorst, Julie Hagan, Madi Holtzman, Alexis Jacobson, Emily Jones, Sommers Kline, Anna Kluger, Maddie Larson, Jenna Lesser, Lauren Lichtenberg, Amy Lin, Annie Lindsley, Kate Lintel, Alex Lovely, Lauren Martin, Hannah McCloskey, Lulu Mejer, Paris Nelson, Kate Norton, Anna O’Neal, Cecily Parker, Sage Pickren, Olivia Pucci, Rian Rabinowitz, Alia Reid, Lauren Reiser, Alex Rogers, Melinda Roy, Hannah Rutcofsky, Alex Scavone, Amy Scheuer, Jessica Siegel, Georgina Sillem, Haley Singleton, Miranda Smith, Gretchen Spanel, Olivia Steinberg, Olivia Van Iderstine, Kristin Vargas, and Christina Zeppos

The End of Fall Semester

Tomorrow is the last day of finals, and for many of our sisters that means it is their last day at Vanderbilt this school year. We have many great girls who will be exploring new places next semester - France, Australia, Argentina, Israel. The list goes on.  While we will miss them so much, we know that they will all have amazing experiences.

Tennessee Beta Pledge Class 2009 - Our Current Juniors

To our Juniors going abroad - Vanderbilt won't be the same without you girls! Have an amazing time, keep in touch, and remember that Pi Phi will be waiting for you to come back next fall.  We can't wait to hear all of your stories.  We already miss you! xoxo

Pi Phi Love at the Annual Beaux and Arrows Semi-Formal

The Pi Phi house girls snap a photo at senior dinner. 

This past Saturday, Pi Phi Sisters donned dresses after a long Panhellenic Preview Day to attend the annual Beaux and Arrow Semi-Formal. The event was held The Standard, a townhouse built in the 1840's that has been converted into a restaurant/lounge. The senior class had a senior dinner at Sunset grill to honor their last Pi Phi semi-formal together. Senior Liz Ammarell put together a slide show that tracked the senior pledge class from freshman year up until now. It was a great event to end the fall semester!

Pi Phi in Paradise is a Success!

Pi Phi sisters pose before performing a dance to a "Dynamite" and "Magic" medley.

Despite gray skies on Oct. 13, people flocked to Pi Phi in Paradise to watch fraternities compete in dance contests, trivia and tug of war, to raise money for one of Pi Phi's local philanthropies, The Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center. Pi Phi in Paradise is Vanderbilt Pi Phi's annual fall philanthropy.

Pi Phi is the only sorority on campus to have an on campus philanthropy. The Bill Wilkseron Center is a trauma rehabilitation center located at the Vanderbilt Medical Center. 

The money raised from the event will be donated the center. Guests at Pi Phi in Paradise enjoyed Taco Mamacitas, virgin margaritas, and plenty of entertainment. Thirteen Vanderbilt Fraternities competed for the title of Mr. Paradise through a series of challenges beginning with a dance off, continuing with a pudding eating competition and trivia, and ending with a tug of war. Three judges, Kristin Shorter of Greek Life, Vanderbilt Police Officer Don Dennis and Pi Phi President Erin Steigerwald, determined the winner. Pi Phi sisters also performed a dance and following the fraternity competition a Vanderbilt student band, the El Dorados, performed. 

Pike brothers perform their dance during the fraternity competition for Mr. Paradise.