Hi Everyone,
I hope you’re all wonderful and are enjoying the nice weather! I have safely made it to Omaha, NE for the summer. I started my research internship and I absolutely love it so far. I’ll be in Omaha until mid-August and then I’ll head back to AZ to finish my last year of courses in my program. I’ve updated my blog with some pictures and details about everything I’ve been up to for the past few months. Check it out! http://samgustafson.blogspot.com/ I’d love to hear from you!

Samantha Gustafson
Pi Zeta

Loss of a Sister

Long-time Phoenix alum Betty James (Alpha, Miami University, Oxford, OH) passed away on May 23rd. She had been ina care center since suffering a massive stroke in March. As of May 27th, further details were unavailable. 

A Night to Remember

On May 26, the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter for the 23rd year awarded funds to deserving graduating seniors at the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf. The Class of 2010, nine young ladies and four young men, celebrated the end of their high-school years and the beginning of a new adventure as they follow their dreams. Lorna Green (Alpha Beta), treasurer, and Ann Santos (Zeta Chi), president, presented checks to the salutatorian, Gabriella Flores, and valedictorian, Bianca Hamilton, who will attend ASU in the fall. Gabriella is enrolled in pre-med, and Bianca will study kinesiology. Of the 13 grads, 8 are going to college, and the other 5 will attend trade schools or already have jobs. This class is definitely destined for great things!

The Phoenix Day School for the Deaf’s Class of 2010 graduation ceremony had serious moments as well as much celebration.

Sophia Stone (center) leads four of her classmates in beautifully signing the song “I believe I Can Fly.” The graduation ceremony focused on achieving dreams.

Gabriella Flores (left) and Bianca Hamilton were thrilled about sharing the Phoenix DZ Alumnae Chapter/Claudia Hosking Memorial scholarship.

A DZ Wedding... Congratulations Ashley Mullins!

The planning session for the coming year is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 19, at Lorna Green’s. We’d like your input as to where to meet and activities you would like best. If you can’t attend please e-mail your great ideas to Ann Santos so we can try to incorporate them.

Fabulous Find

While doing some window shopping and lunching in Glendale’s historic district this past weekend, I stopped in at the Appletree antique and collectibles store and saw displayed there the two beautiful photos by Phoenix alum Carol Birch (Zeta Beta, University of Wis.-Stout). It’s such a fun shop to browse in, so if you get the chance, be sure to stop in! It’s right across the street from Murphy Park (the old main library). Then, go to Cee Cee’s on the Corner, at 58th & Palmaire, for lunch. It’s definitely a Delta Zeta destination, with table covers of dark green background and pink roses! —Ann Santos

When you love something... Support It!

When you love something, you try to support it. So, if you haven’t already done so, it’s time to send in your dues for the 2010–2011 year!

Some sororities ask $100 or more annually. In comparison, membership in the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter is a real bargain: just $30 for active members, and $20 for sustaining members—those who can’t physically attend meetings. Take advantage of these current rates by sending in your dues, TODAY! Make check payable to Delta Zeta and mail to Lorna Green, treasurer. She excitedly checks her mailbox every day for envelopes for DZ sisters, and Heather Watkins is looking forward to listing you in the alum chapter directory.
Your dues are vital for helping fund our local activities (including numerous interactions with our Pi Zeta sisters at ASU), and we really need—and sincerely thank you for—your support!!!

A Red Carpet Affair

This past Saturday the ladies of the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter celebrated the end of another fabulous year with a luncheon at The Old Spaghetti Factory in downtown Phoenix. The whole event was a dazzling display of movie stars and glittering jewels. Among other things, the ladies discussed some business of Hollywood proportions, dined on famously delicious pasta and installed the ladies starring in the movie that is our upcoming year (aka our new officers). Thank you to everyone who came out. Looking forward to seeing each and everyone of you shining stars in the fall!

Our President, Ann Santos, giving out the evening's awards:"Oscars" and certificates for the past year's officers, committee chairs and other notables.

Just some of the stars of the Phoenix DZ Alumnae Chapter.

Susan Norman installs the 2010-2011 officers as Lorna Green listens attentively.

From Left: Mary Chandler, recording secretary; Karen Lange, corresponding secretary; Lorna Green, treasurer; Ann Santos, president; Mary Pat Pepping, vice president; Pat Wells, LAMP editor. 

In the foreground at right Caren Plummer, Panhellenic alternate; Kaia Osadchuk, Panhellenic delegate. 

Picture Caption Additions Coming Soon! Don't forget you can click on any of the pictures to enlarge it.

News Worthy

Marilyn Collins (Alpha Alpha, Northwestern University) is being installed as Program chair for a Phoenix AAUW chapter. Congrats, Marilyn!

News from a Sister

I will be in Omaha, NE for the summer at an NIH funded research internship at Boys Town National Research Hospital. I’m very excited about the opportunity!

Samantha Gustafson

Pi Zeta DZ alum

News from a Sister

I've just returned from 8 days at beautiful Lake Tahoe, Calif/Nev. It was not the first time I've been there, but it was the first time I've driven the entire round-trip (1700+ miles), so it was satisfying to accomplish this  goal! My husband
is working and couldn't take time off, so a friend went  with me. We had a grand time in the COOL (low 50s day, 30 at night) pines.  

But now I'm back to reality, and it will really hit when I have to get up and go back to work in the morning! Bummer!

Stopping for a photo op as we drove around Lake Tahoe, which is a trip of 72 miles. It was in the low 50s, but the sun was warm enough to put down the top on my VW Bug convertible. At Incline Village, I wanted to submit my wish list early, but no one was home! Oh well, maybe I’m not being good enough this year anyway! But I would have put in a good word for Delta Zeta!!!

The next alum meeting is on Saturday, May 15th, at the Old Spaghetti Factory  at Central and McDowell in Phoenix. If you haven't yet made your reservation  with Mary Pat Pepping, please do so immediately. The cut-off date is  tomorrow, the 10th. E-mail mppepping@cox.net. It's our inaugural "Red Carpet  Luncheon," and will be lots of fun. Be sure to wear your best "bling"! 

Sister Update...

Carol Stallard Birch (Zeta Beta, Univ. of Wis. at Stout) and her husband are  leaving for three weeks in France (lucky them!). Carol is an award-wining  photographer, and she has several photos on display and for sale at the  Appletree antique store in Glendale. It's on Glendale Avenue between 58th  and 59th avenues. So if you're in the area, please stop in and look for them  in the Country & Garden section. Carol has promised to send a photo from  France for our great blog.