FreeRice

Like many of our sisters, you may also be in the process of studying for graduate studies entrance exams (i.e. GREs, LSATs, etc.). And if you happen to be like me, you unabashedly avoid studying for the verbal section. It is often suggested that in order to increase one’s vocabulary, one should read, read, and read some more. This suggestion is not always appealing as time constraints may not allow you to read enough, you don’t enjoy reading, or you simply feel that you do enough reading studying for your classes. So while taking a Kaplan GRE preparatory course (this was the only way that I could foresee myself actually studying for the verbal section), my instructor introduced us to a website that would act as a study aide.

www.FreeRice.com

FreeRice is dedicated to fighting hunger by providing rice to those in need. The organization has created a vocabulary game where the user simply clicks on one of four word choices that is most similar to the given word. For each correct answer, FreeRice donates 20 grains of rice. While playing the vocabulary game, you may notice various company banners or advertisements on the bottom of the vocabulary screen. It is these sponsors that are financially enabling FreeRice to donate the grains of rice. All funds and donations are submitted directly to the United Nations World Food Program which works with over 3,000 other organizations in over 75 countries. To learn more about the UN World Food Program, please visit www.wfp.org.

While studying may not always be appealing, FreeRice provides a means to study that may at least appeal to your humanitarian side. Whether you need to study for a vocabulary test or you are just bored, visit www.FreeRice.com and play their vocabulary game and aide in the fight against world hunger.

Additional websites worth visiting:

To learn more about the hunger crisis and what else you can do to make a difference, visit www.FriendsOfWFP.org.

To simply become more knowledgeable about world hunger, visit www.Poverty.com.

By: Anna L., Founder

Here comes the bride...

On June 29, 2008 my college roommate of three years and fellow founding sister Kathy Wen took a stroll down the aisle and became a married woman to husband Benjamin Chen. The wedding ceremony was held at the First Congregational Church of Palo Alto in Palo Alto, California. There family and friends of both the bride and groom celebrated their union and the beginning of this next chapter in their lives.

Needless to say Kathy was beautiful and glowing as she came down the aisle with her father in arm. The ceremony was intimate and meaningful as the couple gave their vows and pledged their commitment to each other in front of their loved ones.

The reception was held at Ming's a nearby Chinese restaurant where guests were treated to a scrumptious multi-course meal. Touching speeches were made by Kathy's dad, Ben's mom, maid of honor Sandy Wen (and kathy's older sis!), and Ben's best man Zach Jonasson. Guests enjoyed a special treat when Kathy sang for her new husband (the rest of us got to enjoy it too!). Everyone young and old danced the night away in celebration of this special occasion.

CONGRATULATIONS KATHY!

By Nikkie C, Founder

Installs 2008

The sisters of Chi Sigma Alpha National Sorority, Inc. would like to congratulate our newly installed sisters of the Alpha Chapter at the University of Washington, in Seattle.

On Saturday, May 31st of 2008, the Alpha Chapter formally installed the sisters of their Kappa Class and Lambda Class. We wish you the best on your future endeavors within the sorority and look forward to your amazing achievements as a sister of Chi Sigma Alpha.

Please join us in extending our most heartfelt congratulations to our newest sisters (in alphabetical order):

Kappa Class of the Alpha Chapter: Jennifer Kim, Ellise Uyema, Mayleen Vuong, Betty Yan, and Gina Yim.

Lambda Class of the Alpha Chpater: Lauren Akamine, Jesamine Fernandez, Jolana Gollero, and Sonia Yu.

Welcome to the sisterhood!

By Anna L., Founder

Training Day Preview

Saturday, June 21, 2008
9 a.m.-5 p.m. PT
Seattle, WA

Chi Sigma Alpha hosted its first all-sister "Training Day" to bring together alumni, actives, associates for a packed day of fun interactive workshops, networking and planning. We kicked off the communications series of our newly developed leadership training courses.

Agenda
9-10 Registration & complimentary breakfast
10-12 Public Speaking Workshops
12-1 Networking Lunch
1-2:30 P-K workshops
2:30-3 Special Presentation
3-4 Town Hall Meeting

If you are a sister of Chi Sigma Alpha and would like like workshop materials from Training Day, please email chisigmaalpha@gmail.com

Please stay tuned for coverage of the event!

By Eva L., Founder

Music 4 Life Benefit Show Recap

The Alpha Chapter of Chi Sigma Alpha at the University of Washington, hosted its fourth annual Music 4 Life benefit show at the Museum of History and Industry's McEachern Auditorium on April 25, 2008. Over 200 people attended the event hosted by Chi Sigma Alpha's very own Latana Thaviseth and Jasmin Lafradez, along with David Fung. A highlight of the event included a performance by the ChiSig dance team, performing an eight minute long routine choreographed by Monique Perkins (Alpha Chapter, Zeta Class). Check out the dance on YouTube!




From donations from members of the local community and fundraising done by the sisters throughout the year, 100% of the proceeds were donated to the chapter's local and national philanthropies: the Make A Wish Foundation and the Experimental Education Unit at the University of Washington. Learn more about Chi Sigma Alpha's philanthropic efforts here!


The Music 4 Life benefit show has been held yearly as the Alpha Chapter's main fundraiser for their local and national philanthropies. Months of organizing, seeking donations, and fundraising for the show make each year's efforts worthwhile. The sisters collectively seek support from their local community, advertising and holding talent auditions several weeks prior to the event. Olivia Sengsi (Alpha Chapter, Theta Class), who helped coordinate the event, states "It is a great opportunity for local artists to promote themselves as well as participate in a great cause." Artists, who volunteered their time for the show, included rappers, singers, the UW Lambda Phi Epsilon step team, and dancers.


The sisters of Chi Sigma Alpha at UW were thrilled with the overwhelming amount of enthusiasm and support at the event, which saw greater attendance and donations from the previous year's benefit show held on the UW campus. The fifth annual Music 4 Life benefit show will be held during late spring 2009. Contact chisigs@u.washington.edu if you are interested in donating to, performing at, or attending next year's fifth annual event.

By Hyon-he G., Alpha Chapter, Gamma Class

Today is the day! Our official website launch!

Today we are announcing the launch of the official national website for Chi Sigma Alpha sorority. As you may know, we are a relatively new organization, founded in 2002. We've always consider ourselves similar to an emerging start-up, in which our truest established tradition is to create. We strive for better communication, relationships and involvement and are unafraid to take risks for something worth achieving.

Chi Sigma Alpha sorority is based in Seattle, WA at the University of Washington. We are comprised of a diverse personalities, backgrounds and interests, which continues to draw in dynamic, smart and compassionate young women. In the coming weeks, you'll see this site grow in reflection of our organization today as strong, beautiful and inviting. We welcome you - sisters and community alike - to browse through our pages, share your comments and visit us at our upcoming events.

Why does it matter? We are all part of a community-at-large. Whether within the sorority, into our academic environment or out to our cities and streets, we all contribute to one another's world. The goal of our website is to share with you our history, contributions, upcoming news & events, expansion process, rush and answers to any questions you may have. Through our blog and site, we hope to engage with you with honest dialogue.

For those who are interested in expansion, please give us your name so we can contact you; you will also want to visit our expansion page. If your interested in rushing Chi Sigma Alpha, please visit Rush at our local website for more information.Thanks for checking us out. Tell your friends and come back often. There will be lots more to see very soon!

By Eva L., Founder