Phoenix Class: Fall 2014 Major: Architecture (Landscape Architecture) Graduation Year: 2019 Big Sister: Maggie Dyslin Little Sisters: Meredith Ludlum ASA Positions: Sunshine Chair, Ritual Chair Interests & Activities: I am very interested in art history and art making - drawings, collage making, sculpture, and photography. I work at Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill as an urban designer Why I Joined: On my first day moving to college, right as my dad left, a few girls in ASA I already knew invited me out. Their kindness was incredible and made me feel so at home immediately. I wanted to be like them. Why I Stayed: I feel this really strong bond to everyone. I don't necessarily have to be present all the time, but I know it's there. It an amazing feeling to know I have these women in my life. Phoenix Class: Fall 2014 Major: Biomedical Engineering Graduation Year: 2019 Big Sister: Venika Jarvis Little Sisters: Elizabeth Herrera ASA Positions: PR Chair, Ritual Chair Interests & Activities: I love traveling, hiking, exploring, and running. My favorite past time is finding small coffee shops and cafes around the different neighborhoods of Chicago. Why I Joined: I joined ASA to meet amazing women who have similar goals and ideals as I do. This was a great way to meet women from different backgrounds and a great way to make various connections. I knew from the beginning that these ladies are driven for academics and want to be the best they can be, and I knew that they could help me grow in that way. Why I Stayed: I know if I have any troubles that my sisters will always have my back. Being in Alpha Sigma Alpha helped me grow and taught me valuable life lessons that I can apply in my future. Phoenix Class: Fall 2016 Major: Mechanical Engineering major, Entrepreneurship minor Graduation Year: 2021 (co-term) Big Sister: Sydney McNamar Little Sisters: Jasmine Baste ASA Positions: Editor/Historian Interests & Activities: Internship at WaterSaver Faucet Company, Society of Women Engineers, Metro Chicago Hillel, Hiking, traveling Why I Joined: I joined ASA to have a strong community of women at Illinois Tech! Why I Stayed: I stayed at ASA for the lifelong sisters I have made and all the fun memories we share! Phoenix Class: Fall 2017 Major: Computer Science Graduation Year: 2020 Big Sister: Maddie Lane ASA Positions: Editor/Historian, Social Media Chair Interests & Activities: I love dogs, chocolate, Yoga, and succulents. I work at the Illinois Tech Bookstore, as well as Lifeguarding at Keating Sports Center. I am involved in Order of Omega, Camras Scholars, and Women in Science Project. Why I Joined: I joined ASA because I was seeking a female support group. Why I Stayed: The friends I have made, and a home away from home. Phoenix Class: Fall 2015 Major: Architectural Engineering Graduation Year: 2019 Big Sister: Bianca Panczak Little Sisters: Brianna Galvan, Devdhi Kasana, Mary Leversen ASA Positions: Editor/Historian, VP Public Relations & Recruitment, VP Programming & Ritual, Resident Advisor Interests & Activities: Work at Schuler Shook, American Society of Civil Engineers, X-Chromotones A Cappella, Study Abroad in Ireland, photography, hiking, traveling Why I Joined: Really enjoyed the company of the sorority and everyone was so friendly Why I Stayed: Support system Phoenix Class: Fall 2015 Major: Architectural Engineering Graduation Year: 2019 Big Sister: Sijia Woo ASA Positions: Choresmaster Interests & Activities: KSA, KCA Why I Joined: I loved the welcoming environment and could meet many other sisters Why I Stayed: ASA became another home for me in the college life Phoenix Class: Fall 2017 Major: Computer Engineering Graduation Year: 2021 Big Sister: Milagro O'Grady Interests & Activities: SWE, Greek Council, bowling, MMA, basketball, Pokemon, photography, and eating Why I Joined: My roommate Jasmine was joining and I came along to rush week. I ended up joining because of how welcoming all the sisters are. Why I Stayed: IIT can be overwhelming sometimes in terms of classes and finding friends, especially female friends. ASA gave me a home to go to whenever I was having problems or just a safe space. I have ASA and my sisters to thank for helping me through my first year of college. Phoenix Class: Fall 2015 Major: Information Technology and Management (Major) and Entrepreneurship (Minor) Graduation Year: 2019 Big Sister: Salma El Moadadi ASA Positions: Social Media Chair Interests & Activities: Alternative Spring Break, Work at OTS Administration as a Receptionist and Telecom Operator, Yelp Elite '17 and '18, sponsoring a child from India. Why I Joined: I didn't know anything about sorority, I was dragged in by someone I met few hours ago during orientation. I am a natural at socializing so I instantly got to know a lot of sisters and what ASA was during rush week. I loved where I was and I thought it would be a great way to bond and make friendships. Why I Stayed: Whatever I do in life, I tend to give my all until I know if it's good for me or not. I had couple bumps through my journey as a college student and also, being so involved in something I wasn't well aware of but I thought of the sisters who made me feel happy and made good memories with therefore I decided to push myself and decided to stay in the house (used to commute). I do not regret anything, I learned a lot from the sisters and I am excited to learn and make more memories with them. Alpha love! Phoenix Class: Fall 2015 Major: Aerospace Engineering, Minor: Psychology Graduation Year: 2020 Big Sister: Alejandra Rodriguez ASA Positions: House Chores Manager Interests & Activities: Work at Financial Aid Why I Joined: To have a sense of community on campus and to have a home-away-from-home. Why I Stayed: To build close friendships with my sisters. Phoenix Class: Fall 2017 Major: Aerospace Engineering Graduation Year: 2021 Big Sister: Ava Obenaus ASA Positions: Social Chair Interests & Activities: Library student assistant, softball Why I Joined: To meet and bond with amazing women and to have a home away from home. Why I Stayed: The sisters are absolutely amazing, and have helped me become a better person in countless ways. ASA has taught me to truly be a woman of poise and purpose. Phoenix Class: Fall 2017 Major: Civil Engineering Graduation Year: 2021 Big Sister: Jodi Curtin ASA Positions: Public Relations Chair Interests & Activities: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Why I Joined: I needed a support system in college and I enjoyed ASA when I stayed with Yesenia during preview weekend. Why I Stayed: I grew close to the girls I met and found a home away from home Phoenix Class: Fall 2015 Major: Business Administration Specializing in Finance, Masters in Public Administration Graduation Year: 2020 Big Sister: Dulce Escutia ASA Positions: Social Chair, VP Mem Ed, President Interests & Activities: Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, sports in general, Order of Omega, Acapella, Greek Council Why I Joined: My sister was already a member and the girls were very welcoming. I had a good time every time i came over and just found a place where I fit in. Why I Stayed: Friendships that resulted in Sisterhood. As a business major we aren't very included on campus, its hard to make friends outside of the same 20 people you see in everyone of your classes, getting involved in Greek life helped me meet a lot of people. Phoenix Class: Fall 2016 Major: Computer Science with a Minor in Applied Mathematics Graduation Year: 2020 Big Sister: Victoria Smith Little Sisters: Chandrika Haldar ASA Positions: Finance Chair, Treasurer Interests & Activities: Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Girl Scouts Why I Joined: The girls showed me that I could get a lot of positive college experiences out of it. Why I Stayed: ASA became my home away from home making me always feel welcomed! Phoenix Class: Spring 2016 Major: BS Architectural Engineering, ME Structural Engineering, Minor Engineering Graphics Graduation Year: 2020 Big Sister: Grace Wischmeyer Little Sisters: Emma Prager ASA Positions: Scholarship Chair, Secretary Interests & Activities: Undergraduate Admissions, American Society of Civil Engineers, Women's Swimming, Camras Scholars, X-Chromotones Why I Joined: I joined ASA because I went to an all-girls high school and had a bit of a culture shock when I came to a school with such a large disparity in the male to female ratio. I really missed having lots of other women as friends and hoped to find that in ASA. Why I Stayed: I stayed in ASA because of the relationships I made and the sense of belonging I found. I know that in ASA my sisters will always have my back. Phoenix Class: Fall 2015 Major: Biology and Chemistry double-major Graduation Year: 2019 Big Sister: Briana Villagrana Little Sisters: Maddie Lane, Keara Rigg, Arabella Taylor ASA Positions: Scholarship Chair, Resident Advisor, Standards, Scholarship, and Alumnae Committees Interests & Activities: Swam for three years, Undergraduate Admission (Assistant Admission Counselor), Women in Science Project (founder/Prez), IIT Acapella (director- TechTonics), American Chemical Society (treasurer). Have worked at the Brookfield Zoo in Environmental Quality, at PAWS-Chicago in Animal Care, and currently at Vet Specialty Center as an Assistant Vet Tech Why I Joined: Was enticed by the sense of community, and needed female friends outside of the swim team. Didn't really understand what I was getting into. Why I Stayed: At times, it can be tough, but some of the friendships I've made in this organization are simply invaluable. Being here has also taught me patience, kindness, and communication, and I'd be a much more awkward and lonely person without having taken part. "Sisterhood is the essence of all the wisdom of the ages, distilled into a single word. You cannot see sisterhood, neither can you hear it nor taste it. But you can feel it a hundred times a day." –Anonymous
Sisterhood is not just “letters” and “good times.” It is a feeling that will never leave you. It is a responsibility and a duty not only to yourself, but to your fellow sisters. Sisterhood is an eternal love. With a sister, you can speak without words and cry without reason. The closeness of our sisterhood is like having a comfortable hand to hold. The connection is strong and steadfast. Our sisterhood is unselfish, and through it we form strong bonds and enrich each other’s lives. The bond of sisterhood cannot be broken by time, distance, or conflict. It lives on through love and loyalty. And even when things are hard, like a Phoenix we will rise to the occasion and stand up for each other. This is the sisterhood of Alpha Sigma Alpha. I came to IIT in the Fall of 2009, and within two weeks of being on campus, I joined the Zeta Phi chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha. Over the past four years, ASA has been there for me; I couldn't imagine my life without ASA.
My sisters have supported me as I joined organizations around campus and took on more and more responsibility. My sisters challenged me to become a more responsible student, a better friend, and a more empathetic sister. When everything was going right, my sisters were there to celebrate; when it felt like the world was crashing down, my sisters were there to comfort me and help me through. When I had no more motivation to study for my exams, my sisters were there to motivate and encourage me. When I think back to who I was just four short years ago, I thank ASA for growing me as a leader, student, and, most of all, a sister. In ASA, I have found a family that shares my values, aspires to grow in every aspect of life, cares for the world around them, and lives each day to its ultimate good. by Katie Peters They’re the ones who’ll treat you like family,
They’re the ones who’ll tell you anything, They’re the ones who’ll give you a hug when you’re feeling blue, They’re the ones who’ll buy you ice cream when you just need sugar; But hey, it’s okay-they’re your sisters. They’re the ones who you’ll cry about boy trouble to, They’re the ones who’ll beat him up for you, They’re the ones who you’ll giggle with about the new boy, They’re the ones who will fill up your wedding party; But hey, it’s okay-they’re your sisters. They’re the ones who will drive cross-country with you to get home, They’re the ones who will sing along to Disney the entire way, They’re the ones who will walk you back to your dorm at 2 am because you don’t have to walk alone, They’re the ones who will drive you to the airport at 4 am just for that flight home; But hey, it’s okay-they’re your sisters. They’re the ones who will help you study for that big test, They’re the ones who will take you out for dinner when you ace it, They’re the ones who will stay up all night explaining that one homework problem They’re the ones who will review your papers until they’re perfect; But hey, it’s okay-they’re your sisters. You’ll cry when they graduate, You’ll cheer when they get their first job, You’ll run across campus when you see them to give them a hug, just because they’re so darn cute, You’ll be there for them when they need a shoulder to cry on; But hey, it’s okay-you’re their sister. |