In honor of the new chapter’s installation, the Pi Beta Phi foundation donated hundreds of books to South Kilbourne Elementary School. 

When I got an email about visiting the school to read to the kids, I immediately signed up. There were only 20 spots and I was so grateful that I did not have an exam during that time. Not sure what to expect, I woke up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at seven o’clock in the morning to carpool with a group of girls in Pi Beta Phi that I had never met before. 

I quickly bonded with them and made new friendships with my sisters. When we got to the school, they split us up into three groups; one group of girls would read in the music room to the “upperclassman” (4th and 5th graders), and the other two groups would go from classroom to classroom, reading to the lower grades (pre-k through 3rd grade). 

I was with the group that read to the lower grades, and the whole experience was so amazing. It was great seeing the kids' faces light up when we came to visit them and their genuine happiness as we handed out free books and pencils. Every class was so well behaved and my heart quickly grew to love the children I just met as they hugged my sisters and myself for just reading to them. 

That experience shows how big of an impact a story and a smile can give. It showed me how important Pi Beta Phi’s philanthropy is and I found myself smiling with pride as I saw how my sisters are already making a difference in the community. Not only did this help the students, it de-stressed us Pi Phis as well, as it was the perfect pick me up as my sisters and I were in the middle of final exams. I look to next semester with so much excitement and anticipation because I know what we experienced that day was just a taste of what is to come at Pi Beta Phi.