2023-2024 Beverly Parkes Collegian of the Year Finalists

The Beverly Parkes Collegian of the Year Award is presented to a collegiate member who, in her activities and character, personifies the ideals of Phi Sigma Sigma. The candidate must be in good standing with her collegiate chapter and university, and give evidence of forwarding the three goals of Phi Sigma Sigma: advancement of womanhood, lifelong learning and philanthropic service. She shall have achieved a most exemplary record in the last year of her collegiate work, as a senior.

The following sisters have been named as the 2023-2024 finalists:

• Genevieve Fontana, Zeta Xi Chapter at Canisius University

• Kirsten Harrod, Gamma Iota Chapter at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

• Karlie Healy, Xi Chapter at Temple University

• Bella Merendino, Iota Chi Chapter at James Madison University

• Renee Walters, Theta Chi Chapter at California State University, Sacramento

Genevieve Fontana, Zeta Xi Chapter at Canisius University

Genevieve Fontana has dedicated herself to the Zeta Xi Chapter for the past two years. She joined the chapter in spring 2022 after transferring to Canisius University. From the start, Genevieve embraced the Phi Sigma Sigma values and our three goals: the advancement of womanhood, lifelong learning and philanthropic service. She went on to serve as community impact chairman, aiming to unite the chapter and drive positive changes within our campus and city. Her work was guided by three principles: caring for people and their well-being, appreciating other cultures, and finding ways to protect our planet.

As community impact chairman Genevieve collaborated with campus offices to organize several impactful events. She partnered with the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to hold a two-part anti-racism training, which highlighted the beauty of different cultures and taught ways to respect one another. She also worked with The New Buffalo Institute on campus to establish the Zeta Xi Chapter’s school partnership and connect with organizations in Buffalo that would benefit from the chapter’s support. To raise funds for the chapter’s partner school, Genevieve organized a Cultural Bazaar, an amazing event that not only raised funds with artwork from students at the partner school but also brought local business owners to campus, supporting diverse vendors in Buffalo. Finally, Genevieve worked with the Student Life team to reduce waste on campus, promoting recycling, reusing and reducing clothing waste by opening a thrift shop on campus. Sisters donated to, worked at and enjoyed using the thrift shop as a valuable campus resource.

Outside of Phi Sigma Sigma, Genevieve excels academically and remains committed to her community. She held several leadership roles, including Undergraduate Student Association Sustainability Chair, Laudato Sí Student Representative and DiGamma Honor Society Secretary. In these roles, she became an impressive role model to other women in the chapter.

Genevieve’s legacy as community impact chairman, along with her other leadership roles on campus, made her a trailblazer, creating lasting change that will be felt for years to come.

Kirsten Harrod, Gamma Iota Chapter at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Kirsten Harrod is the epitome of a dedicated Phi Sigma Sigma member. Her commitment to the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) community and chapter has never wavered. During her time in chapter, she lived in the chapter house for two years, and served as assistant house manager, bursar and archon. Kirsten is always the first person to step in and help, even when it does not pertain to her position. Kirsten played an integral role in ensuring the legacy of Phi Sigma Sigma as she supported the chapter’s MRC with continuous recruitment efforts in her final year as a collegian. Kirsten underwent surgery in January of her senior year and she persevered to finish her term as archon strong, ensuring a smooth transition for the new executive board. She was diligent about her recovery and was able to participate with Phi Sigma Sigma's Dancing with the Greeks representative during WPI's Greek Week.

Kirsten was able to complete both her bachelor's degree in industrial engineering and her master's degree in management in her four years at WPI, while staying incredibly involved on campus. She is a member of Alpha Pi Mu (Industrial Engineering Honor Society), Fitness Club treasurer, a campus tour guide, a community advisor for first year students and a front desk assistant in the WPI campus center. She completed an internship at Merck as an operational excellence intern in the global supply chain management group where she learned how to apply continuous improvement techniques and implement change management in the workplace. She also completed a project management internship with Consigli Construction Co., Inc.

Kirsten is inclusive, a natural leader, bright, approachable and inspiring. She leads with humility and grace, and always with a smile. Kirsten is a role model that chapter members have looked up to over the last four years.

Karlie Healy, Xi Chapter at Temple University

Karlie Healy exemplifies the ideals and virtues of Phi Sigma Sigma, and her contributions to the chapter have been nothing short of outstanding. Karlie’s dedication to Phi Sigma Sigma was evident throughout her leadership roles. As formal chair, she ensured that contracts were executed properly, and all risk policies and standards were followed. Her attention to detail and commitment to upholding the highest standards set a strong foundation for the chapter’s future events, activities and chairmen.

Karlie’s leadership skills were further demonstrated when she served as vice archon. She was instrumental in motivating and guiding the executive council, fostering a collaborative environment where each member could thrive and put their own flair into the position. Karlie’s approach to leadership was one of support and empowerment; she led by example and inspired her peers to excel in their roles. Her efforts in assisting with officer transitions and providing additional support to newly elected officers was crucial.

Beyond her leadership roles, Karlie’s influence extended to her peers. She is a true friend to everyone in the chapter, always ready to offer encouragement and support. Her ability to foster a sense of community and commitment among her fellow seniors was extraordinary. Karlie encouraged her senior friends to remain active in the chapter and participate in recruitment, leading to a highly engaged and dedicated senior class. The increased senior participation in chapter events and philanthropy activities this year is a testament to Karlie’s impact. Karlie also took the initiative to plan the senior dinner, ensuring that each graduating member that remained active received a proper sendoff. Her efforts to honor and celebrate her peers reflect her sincerity, love and dedication to Phi Sigma Sigma.

Karlie’s radiant character, determination, and unwavering commitment to the chapter have left a mark on the Xi Chapter of Phi Sigma Sigma at Temple University. Her legacy of leadership, friendship and dedication will inspire future generations of sisters.

Bella Merendino, Iota Chi Chapter at James Madison University

Bella Merendino served as vice archon of the Iota Chi Chapter at James Madison University. In this role, she lived the ideals of Phi Sigma Sigma through her leadership of the chapter. Bella was a first-time chapter leader as vice archon and quickly reached out for input and advice on how executive council and the vice archon position had run in the past, ways to make improvements and ways that she could contribute to developing future leaders of the chapter. Bella met with advisors and executive board members to develop more effective executive board meetings, executive council meetings and events that would encourage chapter participation.

Bella was an engaged and enthusiastic member of the executive board. She established a standing time and date for the executive board meetings and worked to develop a format ensuring all executive board members were engaged and participating. She worked hard to ensure collaboration among the members of the executive board and that their weekly meetings kept all officers on target and working towards their goals.

Bella mentored younger members of the executive council to ensure they had the resources and knowledge to plan successful events, and all members were encouraged to support each other’s events. Bella made herself available to the executive council members, and she ensured she attended their events to further show her support.

Bella grew as a member and leader of her chapter in her final year as a collegiate member. She provided guidance to younger members, assisted her fellow officers, and through her leadership she helped to establish processes for effective chapter operations that will be carried on by her successors. Bella is a wonderful example of a sister living Phi Sigma Sigma values and ideals in her daily life and promoting the growth and development of her chapter.

Renee Walters, Theta Chi Chapter at California State University, Sacramento

Renee Walters served for a year and a half as the chapter’s service and volunteering chairman and has been a member of the chapter’s nominating committee, several times, as well as a member of the standards board. She prepared ahead of time, read all materials, and provided thoughtful perspectives while maintaining confidentiality. Through these positions, she pushed her fellow sisters to be change-makers on and off campus. She got sisters involved in the Breast Cancer Walk, Alzheimer’s Walk, Thanksgiving food distributions, Valentine grams to a senior home and more. Sisters now volunteer weekly in the Build-a-Bear den at the Shriner’s Children's Hospital and have a working relationship with their volunteer department.

Renee was also incredibly involved in the Panhellenic community. She was a recruitment counselor, and served terms as the vice president of recruitment, vice president of programming and vice president of philanthropy for the Panhellenic executive board. Through these roles, she implemented innovative ideas like tabling during Admitted Students Weekend and bringing in a DEI speaker to speak to all sororities on campus before recruitment. Outside of Phi Sigma Sigma, Renee is a residential advisor, and has an internship with the American Association of University Women. Renee spent a semester abroad where she still made Phi Sigma Sigma a priority, communicating with sisters and thinking about the sisterhood. Renee is resilient, hardworking, reliable and kind and will truly leave an impact on her chapter and university.