Students Prepare to Cycle for Hope
 (As appeared in the 2/28/2012 Edition of the StudentPrintz)
This summer, four members of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Southern Mississippi will participate in Journey of Hope, a cross-country cycling trip that raises money to benefit disability awareness.
Journey of Hope is sponsored by Push America, an organization owned and operated by Pi Kappa Phi that primarily focuses on raising awareness about people with disabilities. Johnathan Faler, Kalen Kenney, Justin Moreira and Robby Smith will represent the Theta Alpha chapter of Pi Kappa Phi when they make the 4,000-mile bike ride from the West Coast to Washington, D.C. They will be assigned to cycle one of three routes: north route, trans route, or south route. Cyclists will depart from Seattle, Wash.; Oakland, Calif. or Pasadena, Calif. in early June and arrive in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 5.
"This is the 25th anniversary of Journey of Hope," Smith, a sophomore marketing major and cycler in the journey, said. "This year, the Theta Alpha chapter of Pi Kappa Phi at Southern Miss has four men participating, a record breaking amount." Throughout the journey, the cyclists will stop in various cities around the country and participate in friendship visits in which they will interact with disabled community members.
"We will wake up every day as soon as the sun comes up," Faler, a sophomore international business major, said. "At night when we stop, we will conduct a friendship visit where all of us will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with people with disabilities."
The cyclists will participate in many activities during these visits, such as puppet shows, bowling, dances and wheelchair baseball.
Kenney, a sophomore international business major, said he is excited about the friendship visits.
"We're trying to break down the barriers," he said. "It's not about the cycling, it's about what you do when you get off the bike."
This year, Journey of Hope is aiming to earn $600,000. Each cyclist must raise $5,500 to participate. This means that the four men from Southern Miss must raise $22,000 total before next Thursday.
"The point of raising money is so that Push America can distribute grants across the whole nation to every local community where we stop, Moreira, a junior microbiology major, said. "The goal is for the nation to become more handicapped friendly."
All four participants have raised over $12,000 so far but need to raise $10,000 more in a little more than a week. They have created several incentives to raise money, including bussing tables at a church-sponsored fish fry, sending out hand written letters and e-mails and doing interviews for local news and radio stations. Moreira and his band, Waypoint, held a CD release party in December 2011, and all proceeds went to his cycling budget. Moreira was also featured on Southern Miss's branch of hercampus.com as a "campus cutie."
The men also collaborated with sororities on campus to create "Sororities for Hope." The top two fund-raising chapters that donate to Journey for Hope will be allowed to sticker their Greek letters onto the bikes and helmets of the participants.
Faler, Kenney, Moreira and Smith will know which route they will commit to by April 1.
"We want Journey of Hope to be more well known," Moreira said.
For those interested in donating, see the shaded box for contact and donation information.
To donate, please visit the Push America page of this website: http://pikappalum.com/push-fundraising.html
Alumni Initiate Wins Governors Race
 Congratulations to Governor Elect Phil Bryant (Theta Alpha #176) on his win in the Mississippi Gubenatorial Race. We wish him well.
Also congratulations to Toby Barker on his re-election for State Representative, as well as Chance Curry for Lamar County Constable.
Special recognition and thanks go to Ashley Edwards for his service with Governor Barbour over the past decade and Mick Bullock, a key Director with Phil Bryant's staff.
See the article writen by the National Fraternity here.
(photo from the Clarion Ledger)
Brother Art Fabra (Theta Alpha #172) Passes to Chapter Eternal
 Arthur Fabra, father of Vince Fabra and an alumni initiate, passed away this past Sunday. The following is the obituary published in the Times Picayune.
"Arthur O. Fabra, Jr. was welcomed into the arms of our loving Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, January 15, 2012 at the age of 52. Beloved husband of Davida Maise Fabra. Loving father of Rachel and Vincent Fabra. Cherished son of Kathy Hoffpauir Fabra and the late Arthur O. Fabra, Sr. Admired brother of Melinda Martin (Anthony), Tammy Deffes (Darren), and Rickey Fabra (Peggy). Treasured uncle of Damien Callais, Jennifer and Rickey Fabra, Jr., and Ryan and Olivia Deffes. Caring stepfather of Chance, Kyle, and Faith Wooton. Dearly loved by a host of in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives, and many dear friends. Arthur was a man among men and his word was his bond. Arthur, with his beautiful smile, was one of the last of his kind. Everyone who knew Arthur respected and loved him. Arthur was the Director of Certification with the New Orleans Pipe Trades Training Department and a 30-year member of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union No. 60. Friends and family are invited to attend funeral services at ST. BERNARD MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 701 W. Virtue Street, Chalmette, LA on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 1:30 PM. Interment will follow in St. Bernard Memorial Gardens. Visitation from 11:30 AM until 1:30 PM on Saturday. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials should be made to the University of Southern Mississippi Foundation and mailed to: 118 College Drive #5210, Hattiesburg, MS 39406. Please note that the gift is made in memory of Arthur Fabra, Jr. on the memo line of your check. To view and sign the Family Guestbook, please visit www.stbernardmemorial.com."
Published in The Times-Picayune from January 18 to January 20, 2012
The Pi Kappa Phi Burial Ritual was performed with reverence by brothers in attendance. Please remember Vince and the Fabra's in your thoughts and prayers. We wish them only a quick mourning but forever fond & happy memories with Art.
The Theta Alpha Alumni Chapter was established in 2005 as an organization designed to reconnect Theta Alpha alumni members and allow graduating members to continue their affiliation with the local and national chapters of Pi Kappa Phi. The purpose of the Theta Alpha Alumni Chapter is to promote and exemplify the ideals and goals of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity set forth in its Ritual, Constitution, and Supreme Laws.
A Special Message about the Active Chapter from Mark Timmes CEO of Pi Kappa Phi
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