Sweet Happenings from Your Sweetheart – Issue Ten (Final)

December 30, 2011 · Michelle Rodio

Happy Holidays from Eta Iota!

Since the last issue, Eta Iota celebrated Thanksgiving together at the house (for brothers who couldn't go home) and decorated for Christmas — rooftop lights, Sigma Chi decorations, and a chapter room tree — capped by the annual White Elephant Christmas party and gift exchange on December 8th. The night started with a dinner from Alpha Xi Delta, who won Penny Wars (and the dinner-cooking honors) for the second year running.

Diva Derby Days Results

This year's 4th Annual Derby Days, organized by Jeramiah Poff, ran November 6-10 with Alpha Xi Delta, Sigma Sigma Sigma, and Theta Phi Alpha competing around a "Divas" theme. At the Coaches Auction, Alpha Xi Delta won Brothers Andres Villalobos and Pedro Pinero, Tri Sigma won Taylor Quackenbush and David Cruz, and Theta Phi Alpha won Jim Baldyga and Jason Auger. Events included a Banner BBQ, a "make the brothers laugh" campus chase, an underwater obstacle course, "Slick Sig" (coaches oiled up and chased), and the finale Diva Dance.

Total raised: just over $3,500. Tri Sigma won the Banner BBQ and Slick Sig; Alpha Xi Delta won the laughing contest and underwater obstacle, and edged out the Diva Dance too — taking the overall win for the 2nd time since Derby Days began in 2007, raising $2,500 of the $3,500 total themselves. Half the total went to Wounded Warriors, Children's Miracle Network, and the Huntsman Cancer Society; the rest split by sorority placement. Johanna Petrocelli of Sigma Sigma Sigma was named Derby Queen for her exceptional fundraising effort.

Eta Iota Initiates 15 New Brothers — Now Over 800 Winged Sigs!

On Saturday, November 19th, Eta Iota initiated 15 new brothers of the Gamma Omicron pledge class, guided by Magister Trevor Simms, pushing the chapter past 800 total initiated brothers: Devin Huff (#792), Ramy Ghaly (#793), Mike Woodward (#794), Conner Trotter (#795), Trevor Johnson (#796), Blake Ditlow (#797), Alejandro Baza (#798), Zach Bettis (#799), Liam Riden (#800), Paul Renart (#801), Adam Frazier (#802), Joe Sarli (#803), Kirk Haun (#804), Frank Nosek (#805), and Carlos Giraldo (#806).

New initiate Kirk Haun was pinned by his own older brother, 2001 alumnus Chris Haun — a special moment for the family. Also present: Central Florida Grand Praetor PJ Stephens, former Chapter Advisor Roger Moody, new Chapter Advisor Derek Pizzo, ERAU Faculty Advisor Joe Gablin, Birthday Chair James Ahrens, and recent grads Ryan Rush and Arash Sabet-Rasekh.

Christmas Gifts for the Brothers

For the second year running, every brother received a personalized ornament, stocking decoration, and mini candy-filled stocking — this year extended to everyone initiated over the past year, plus a decorated photo frame for each as a personal memento.

News from New Chapter Advisor Derek Pizzo

Eta Iota has a new Chapter Advisor: Derek Pizzo, a 2009 ERAU grad who previously served the chapter as Quaestor, Consul, and House Corp Trustee, and most recently sat on Florida State's Chapter Advisory Board. He succeeds Brian Lojko, who resigned. In his introductory letter, Derek wrote: "I am both honored and humbled to be the next Chapter Advisor to Eta Iota... During my term I will emphasize the 'advisor' in Chapter Advisor." His first priority: establishing a Chapter Advisory Board (now required for Peterson Award eligibility), with Chuck Bonini, Nick Hugo, and Sean Stefanak already volunteered — Chuck working directly with the Magister/pledge program, Nick paired with the Recruitment Chair, and Sean with the Quaestor. Derek is still looking for volunteers.

Eta Iota Alumni Making a Difference

Brad Vomacka (2005 alumnus, HI House Corp Trustee) shared an update: he and Jason "Wej" Morang (2006 alumnus), both in the Manchester, NH area, became founding members of a new Sigma Chi Colony at the University of New Hampshire after a push from DC-based brother Josh Hartman — now in their 3rd semester of colonization, growing each term, on pace for a Spring 2013 installation. Fellow Eta Iota brother Scott Bacon (2006 alumnus) is also involved, balancing it with his Army Reserve schedule.

2012 Sweetheart Crowned — Meet Mariah Law

On December 8th at White Elephant, Eta Iota crowned its 2012 Sweetheart: Mariah Colleen Law, 19, of North Salem, New York — class of 2014, studying Space Physics with an Astronomy minor. She's a Resident Advisor, active on the Orientation Team, a Sigma Sigma Sigma sister, an Honors Program member, and on the Crew Team. She enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and the outdoors, and told me she's "ready to begin to make a mark in the hearts of Brothers, the Chapter, and hopefully the whole Fraternity."

My Final Farewell

It's officially my last newsletter, and I can't help but reflect on this incredible past year and how grateful I am to have represented Eta Iota as your Sweetheart. This past year has forever changed my life. It was wonderful meeting everyone at the 40th Birthday and learning about all the brothers who've been initiated over the years — thank you for sharing your stories with me. I look forward to coming back in future years with my soon-to-be husband and Eta Iota's Chapter Advisor, Derek Pizzo, to see how the chapter has grown.

I've made great friends this past year, many of whom have become family. Being part of the Eta Iota family will forever leave an impact on my heart. Thank you all for what I've experienced this past year — I hope we'll meet again.