It was an abnormally warm February day in Hillsdale, Michigan. It was so warm that we enjoyed ice cream in front of the Michigan Alpha Chapter house in the middle of February! As we shared sisterhood stories and prepared to take photos, I observed the chapter’s respect for Michigan Alpha Hana Bernhardson. She says it’s because she has the loudest voice. But I think it is because her sisters see her passion for Pi Phi and what this organization truly means to Hana.

Hana is number four of six kids in the Bernhardson family; she is also the fourth to attend Hillsdale College. Hana always knew about the school because her siblings came here, but she was unsure of attending in hopes of creating her own path in college. As it turns out, Hana quickly realized she could create her own college experience while attending the same school as her siblings.

Hana watched hers sisters, Michigan Alphas Lois and Leah Bernhardson, grow into women of integrity through their involvement in Pi Phi, so Hana decided that joining a women’s organization could be an option for her too. When Hana came to Pi Phi for recruitment, Leah was emotional and broke down crying. Leah told her younger sister to pick the sorority that was best for her, but to make sure it was someplace Hana could leave her legacy.. Through the process, Hana realized that Pi Phi was in fact, the best fit for her.

Lois drove twelve hours from Nebraska in order to surprise Hana at her initiation; it was a very special occasion that made them all emotional. Hana was pinned with a legacy badge, the one passed down through the sisters. This same badge was pinned to Leah on her wedding day, where Hana and Lois served as bridesmaids. The sisters hope that one day in the future the same badge will be passed down to their daughters and granddaughters.

Pi Phi is a big part of their entire family — her dad has a few “Pi Phi” ties to wear for events and mom is an expert on what Hana needs for Pi Phi because of her previous experiences with the two older daughters. “Pi Phi has deepened our relationships,” said Hana. “We were sisters before Pi Phi … now we’re sisters two times over.”