Sunshinegirls encouragesisters for a select group of women in social clubs, encouraging other members was their sole job, although it manifested itself in a variety of ways. “Being a sunshine girl is a good way to get involved in the club,” senior Katie Cozzens of Kappa Gamma Epsilon said. “[It] promotes good morale and friendship among individual club members.” Women’s social clubs each had some type of encouragement office, usually designated as sunshine girls. For Shantih, this office was orange crusher, and amongst the Iota Chi members, awesome blossom. GATA had a sunshine queen, and Pi Theta Phi simply called theirs the encouragement office. No matter what title they had, these women all shared the same, important job: to encourage other members. They kept up with birthdays, made snacks for club meetings and sent candy in the mail. Sunshine girls were as traditional or creative as they wanted to be. Sophomore Mallory Thompson, a sunshine girl for Chi Omega Pi in spring 2007, said she sent “corny pickup line” valentines to members. She also got together with other sunshine girls and baked cookies for club meetings. “It was a real opportunity for me to get to know the other girls in the club,” Thompson said. Sunshine girls practiced other types of encouragement, like decorating doors for members’ birthdays, making crafts, organizing events and keeping the club informed about members’ birthdays. All members felt the outpouring of encouragement. “It’s nice to know that someone was thinking about you enough to take the time to write you a note,” said senior Samantha Stratton, a Zeta Rho sunshine girl. “I think the sunshine girls help keep everyone united by making every girl feel special and important,” Stratton said. “The club wouldn’t be what it is without every girl [knowing] it.” Junior Rebecca Hatfield, vice president of Ko Jo Kai, appreciated her club’s sunshine girls’ efforts as well. “I think anyone can agree that getting something in the mail always brightens your day and helps you to know that someone cares about you,” Hatfield said. [Jennifer Miller] Chi Omega Pi sunshine girls sophomores Beth Carter and Melissa Fabry with junior Stephanie Ward assemble door magnets for new club members in Ward’s Shores room Oct. 14. “We mail out Bible verses to encourage our club sisters spiritually,” Ward said. “Plus, it’s always nice to get something sweet in the mail.” [Jonathan Lindsay] Sophomores Frank Bolling and Kyle Passmore, senior Nora Brown and junior Mike Barnes huddle outside the Benson AuditoriumOct. 8 with fellow Beta Omega Chi club members and queens for a weekly prayer lead by sophomore spiritual life director Brock Gandy. “Our club stands for ‘Built On Christ’, and prayer really sets the stage for our week,” Gandy said. [Kristin Kelley] Sophomore Paul Habegger leads themen of TNT inworship onOct. 7 at their annual “Stag” retreat, heldatCamp Tahkodah.Members and queensattendedthefunction“stag,”orwithoutdates,andcommuned foraSundaymorningdevotionalandtheLord’sSupper. [CourtesyofChrisGuillo] ray of light [ ] [spiritual life] 245
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