My visit to the California Beta Chapter was extra special for junior Grace Clark. During the event, she met a Pi Phi who was not only in her mother’s New Member Class, but also one of her mother’s roommates when the two women lived in the Pi Phi house. Grace immediately texted a photo to her mother (a California Gamma from the University of Southern California).

After sending a few texts back and forth, Grace said, “It is good to see my mom so excited because Pi Phi meant so much to her.” She agrees, now she is in the thick of her Pi Phi experience, that she feels the same as her mom. As Vice President of Fraternity Development, Grace was excited to put on her first Cookie Shine for her chapter. “Seeing all the different colors, as well as cookies and candy was amazing!” she said. “Afterward, I called my mom and she knew exactly what I was talking about.”

Family support is important to Grace, especially since she’s away from home. “My family knows I have big goals and I tend to stress out trying to achieve them,” Grace said. “That’s why I’m thankful Pi Phi has helped me academically. I am surrounded by brilliant women! My chapter is a social, academic and extracurricular support group.”

Grace’s excitement came through as she talked about two of California Beta’s philanthropic projects: Arrowbands and Champions are Readers (CAR). ArrowBands is California Beta’s annual philanthropy, held each spring, where the UC Berkeley community participates in a talent show at the iconic Greek Theatre. “To see 1,000 people filling a venue to raise money for the philanthropy and supporting literacy is great!” Grace said.

The chapter participates in C.A.R. at Sankofa Academy at Oakland, California. “The students work hard and are excited to meet people in college,” she said. “I want to get them excited about higher education and instill dreams of getting better and going farther. It doesn’t seem like much, but it is planting the seed about learning and getting excited about it.”