FEATURE STORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 4, 2019
News Media Contact
Sarah Hunter
828-279-4053
huntersm2@appstate.edu
Sorority Woman Elected as First Sustainability Chair in Organization
Boone, N.C. — Steffey Guigou attends every event her sorority hosts with compost and
recycling bins in hand. She began her journey at Appalachian State University working with the
Office of Sustainability. Now, as a junior, Guigou represents the Sigma Gamma chapter of Alpha
Omicron Pi (AOII) as sustainability chair. She became the first sorority woman in Greek life at
Appalachian State University to advocate for sustainability by holding a position in her
organization. Guigou majors in sustainable development; however, her sustainable efforts stretch
far beyond the classroom.
Once the position was created last spring, Guigou immediately began implementing more
sustainable techniques. Not only does her background in sustainability qualify her for the
position, but her work and motivation to create a zero-waste environment allows her to
collaborate with other officers within the sorority to ensure minimum waste at events. Recently,
AOII celebrated 10 years on campus. A 10th installation event served as a great opportunity to
combine both celebration with sustainability.
“I brought a compost and recycling bin for the 10th installation. All the compostable materials
and extra food waste were put into the compost bin, and I took that to the compost facility right
after. The recycling I put in the Office of Sustainability’s recycling bins behind their office,”
Guigou said.
Guigou believes more discussions surrounding our impact on the environment should occur. At
weekly chapter meetings, she suggests a sustainable tip of the week. She also encourages sisters
to get involved in sustainable events, such as the pollinator garden she started in collaboration
with the Office of Sustainability this semester at Appalachian Panhellenic Hall.
“This is one of the first big steps that AOII has made. It is important to have this chair in the
sorority because our impacts on the earth are harmful and we must start working to combat
this. —more—
Just having a chair that is focused on sustainability is the first step that we need to bring
awareness on how important these issues are so that we can attack these issues in the future
through having the chair,” Guigou said.
In the upcoming weeks, Guigou passes the position on to another member of AOII. Guigou takes
pride in AOII knowing they pioneered the way for the first sustainability chair incorporated into
Greek Life at Appalachian State. She is grateful for the time she had to teach her sisters about
how to better care for the earth.
“My favorite part of sustainability chair is having another opportunity to talk about sustainability
with my sisters who might not normally get to talk about sustainability,” Guigou said.
In the future, Guigou hopes for the chapter to grow even more sustainable through initiatives
with the purchasing of supplies, planning of events, and reusing of materials.
About AOII
Founded in 2009, Alpha Omicron Pi’s Sigma Gamma chapter at Appalachian State University
emphasizes the values of character, dignity, scholarship and college loyalty. As a Greek
organization, Sigma Gamma currently has 120 active members and are one of 143 collegiate
chapters worldwide. Members work to improve Appalachian’s community through philanthropy
and sisterhood by serving the community through volunteer work and fundraisers for the High
Country Caregiver Foundation and the Arthritis Foundation.
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