Sweet Happenings from Your Sweetheart – January 2011
Happy Holidays to the Brothers of ΣΧ!
Hi, my name is Michelle Rodio — your 2011 Sweetheart! I look forward to meeting all of you outstanding men of the Eta Iota Chapter at this year's 40th Birthday Celebration. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday with family and friends and have an even better new year.
This year, I plan to keep the Eta Iota alumni engaged in what the active chapter is doing and introduce you all to the undergraduate men here at ERAU. I hope that by the time Birthday comes around, you'll know who's leading the chapter, how the active chapter is doing, and how your fellow alumni have been since graduation. In each issue of Sweet Happenings from Your Sweetheart, I'll introduce you to the active chapter a few brothers at a time, rekindle you with other alumni, and share highlights on intramurals, Derby Days planning, and other happenings on Ridgewood — the things that made your own undergraduate experience at Embry-Riddle so memorable.
A Little Bit About Me
Once again, my name is Michelle Rodio, and at this past White Rose I was named the 2011 Sigma Chi Sweetheart — I couldn't be happier! In May I graduated with an undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering and am currently working on a graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering (to be completed May 2012). I'm an alumna of Alpha Xi Delta and was last year's Derby Days Queen. In my last two years at ERAU I worked as a co-op for United Space Alliance. As Sweetheart, I plan to help the chapter with recruitment and academics, and be there for all the brothers whenever they need me — helping strengthen the Three Aims in each brother and helping them grow stronger both in the chapter and their brotherhood.
Meet the Consul — Taylor Quackenbush
Taylor Quackenbush, hailing from Athens, Georgia, is really excited about being Consul. Known to brothers as "Ducky," he previously held the Recruitment Chairman and Annotator positions, and was President-Elect of IFC this past semester before declining in order to be Sigma Chi's Consul. In the Gamma Lambda pledge class, he bears the nickname DryHump and the number 748. He's also active on ERAU's Orientation Team as their social chair, and enjoys sailing, SCUBA diving, flying, and lacrosse. He's studying Aerospace Studies, class of 2013.
Meet the Pro Consul — Jason Auger
Also in the Gamma Lambda pledge class is Pro Consul Jason Auger, from Mandeville, Louisiana. With nickname "16:09" and number 751, he enjoys flying, soccer, rugby, and paintball, and attended school in both Taiwan and Qatar. "Auger," as everyone calls him, previously held Historian, House Manager, and Assistant Magister. He's entering his 4th semester studying Aeronautical Science with an ATC minor. During last year's Derby Days, Auger was one of three Sigma Chi brothers chosen by Alpha Xi Delta, alongside Consul Taylor Quackenbush, to coach them during the event.
Meet the Annotator — Jim Baldyga
Jim Baldyga is from Castle Rock, Colorado, studying Aerospace Engineering at ERAU. Also in the Gamma Lambda pledge class, he was the 753rd initiate into Eta Iota with the nickname "Wax Shot." He was inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and enjoys playing guitar, snowboarding, and boating. Set to graduate in 2013, he's also the pool manager.
Meet the Quaestor — Chuck Kwon
Along with Taylor, Jason, and Jim, Chuck was also in the Gamma Lambda pledge class and became the 756th initiate. Before ERAU, Chuck was enlisted in the U.S. Army and worked as a mechanic on the AH-64D Apache Attack Helicopter from August 2001 to March 2009. From Diamond Bar, California, with nickname "First Base," Chuck is a fan of the Lakers and Dodgers, and is studying Aeronautical Science.
"What you do in life by yourself doesn't mean as much as what you accomplish with a group of people. Sigma Chi was one of the greatest things that happened to me. I really appreciate what it has done for me in my lifetime, and I hope I can continue to give something back." — Mike Ditka
Where Are They Now?
Derek Pizzo (Gamma Gamma pledge class, 698th initiate, "Gordon") graduated ERAU in May 2009 with a degree in Air Traffic Control. He received his call from the FAA and will begin ATC training in Oklahoma City on February 23rd, then report to Tallahassee Tower to begin his career. Still living locally with Brother Nick Weiss, Derek stays active with the chapter, helping with recruitment, Greek Week, Derby Days, and I-Period/initiation events.
Nicholas Weiss (Gamma Alpha pledge class, 688th initiate, "Schiezer") graduated with a degree in Aerospace Engineering in May 2009 and is currently a valet at The Shores Resort and Spa in Daytona Beach — looking for engineering work anywhere (hint hint!). Since graduating, Nick has competed in the Disney Half Marathon and is training for the full marathon. He stays very active with the chapter as current Vice President of House Corp, and is now a proud dog-dad to a black lab, Wrigley.
Also pictured catching up: Kyle Fanelli, Taylor Roynon, and Zach McKenna hanging out with Nick and Derek at McKay's; Nick Nelson and Daniel Lee joining Nick Weiss at Disney's Half Marathon; former Sweetheart (2004-2006) Jamie Szczecinski visiting Daytona; and several past Consuls — John Gagne, Perry Lewis, Paul Brandau, Paul Smith, Nick Hoefer, and Brent von Stein — at Paul Smith's wedding.
The Norman Shield Award
At HI's 40th Birthday celebration, I'd like to reward the brother who best lives up to the values of Sigma Chi with the very first Norman Shield Award — considering personal accountability, service to others, willingness to help struggling brothers, meeting financial obligations, and respect for oneself and one's brotherhood.
A Sigma Chi is a man who continues a pursuit of learning for the development of knowledge, wisdom, and character; has diverse temperaments, talents, and convictions; believes in the inherent value of all individuals and treats others with respect and dignity; and acknowledges and accepts responsibility for himself and his actions.
As Academic Chair for my sorority, I'll be working closely with this year's Scholarship Chair to help improve the chapter's GPA — setting up study hours with tutoring from myself and available brothers. Each week, brothers will send their grades (good or bad) to the Scholarship Chair so poor grades can be addressed early and good grades rewarded — with a Smarties candy from me, to keep everyone trying!
The Norman Shield Award recipient will be the brother who best held himself responsible for his grades, attended study hours and/or helped tutor others, asked for help when struggling, attended the most recruitment/philanthropic/social events, paid dues on time, held himself and his brothers accountable, and treated everyone with respect. The award will be judged by me and by a chapter vote. If you're able, please donate to the award fund — send cash or checks to me (ERAU PO Box 147110, 600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114, Attn: The Norman Shield Award) or to Quaestor Chuck Kwon (520 S. Ridgewood Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32114, Attn: The Norman Shield Award). Checks payable to Sigma Chi Fraternity. The winner will be announced at Birthday.
Sigma Chi Shirts
New shirt designs are available — proceeds benefit the Children's Miracle Network. Instead of the yellow "Sigma Chi Pledge" Norman Shield shirts from the Fall 2010 newsletter, get a blue "Sigma Chi Alumnus" shirt (or "Sigma Chi Brother," if there's enough demand). Also available: a unisex Philanthropy shirt, an "I Love my ΣΧ" shirt for the ladies in your life, and a "Sigma Chi's are my favorite Guys" fitted shirt. Prices ranged $14-$20 depending on style; orders were due by March 1st for pickup at the 40th Birthday.
Contact Me
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to reach out any time — sweetheart@etaiota.org. I look forward to meeting all of you at Birthday this year, and introducing you to most (if not all) of the active brothers by the end of March! And if you'd like to be featured in a future "Where are they now?" section, send me your picture and a short bio.
Original document
The full designed newsletter, with photos, is preserved below.