My name is Bonnibelle Trejo! I am from Kingsville, TX and graduated from St. Mary’s in 2015. I work for IDEA Public Schools - Walzem as the Campus Financial Manager and currently attend the University of the Incarnate Word. This spring, I will graduate with a Master’s degree in Business Administration. Post graduation you can find me on a well deserved beach vacation to Hawaii for a couple of weeks. Followed by hustling to win employee of the year for the second year in a row When I’m not hitting the books or working my big girl job, you can find me boxing at CLASS gym with sister Triana Orozco.

My favorite Alpha Phi memory is having heart to heart conversations while roasting marshmallows over a large campfire at sisterhood retreat. That weekend I formed close bonds that I still cherish today. Every year I look forward to our annual Alumni Tea and Baby Bake during Alumni Weekend. I love to meet the new members of Alpha Phi and catch up with sisters from out of town.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
Married, kids, social life, what you like doing for fun, etc. I’ve been married for just about seven years. We do not have any children, but we do have two spoiled dogs. I’m thankful my career affords me the opportunity to travel regularly, so in my free time, I prefer to stay in and veg. For the last few years, rather than travel for vacation, I’ve been focusing on concerts. My current theme is to see the old pros before they stop touring. In the last two years, I’ve seen Paul Simon, Elton John, Bob Seger, Don Henley, Stevie Nicks and Joe Walsh. I was also able to see Tom Petty a couple of months before he passed. Up next is Peter Frampton and The Rolling Stones.

List any recent things that have been happening. 
Outside of a hectic work schedule, I try to run a 5k at least once a month. Recently, they’ve been every weekend. Though the hobby can be exhausting, the relationships built with other members of the running community and the causes each of these runs benefits is worth dragging out of bed on an early weekend morning.

What travel places are currently on your bucket list? My long term goals are to make it to Europe, Asia and Australia. This year, I’m hoping to get back to Hawaii. Thank you, Southwest points!

What is your favorite Alpha Phi memory? I formally joined Alpha Phi last year. My favorite memory is the initiation ceremony. I imagine it’s changed over the years, but I was truly blown away by the entire experience and grateful to have been a part of it.

What event do you look most forward to attending every year? Alpha Phi Red Dress Gala. This event is such a wonderful opportunity to get fancy for a good cause.

Why did you join Alpha Phi years ago, and how does that decision hold true or differ from why you continue to be active today? Though I’m a recent Alpha Phi member, I grew to know many of my sisters over the years through a mutual relationship. These connections are truly the embodiment of what it means to be part of a sisterhood. It was apparent then, when I had the privilege of meeting several ladies, and it’s still true today. I’m excited to continue life’s journey with these wonderful women.

Born in California but raised in the beautiful city of San Antonio.
I have been married to my wonderful husband for almost two years. We have been enjoying traveling around this crazy globe, creating memories, experiencing new cultures.

Had 2 weddings

Recent travels to Miami, Bahamas, Vegas, Mexico.

If not traveling or working, I will be making crafts.

Created my own small business of custom party decor and wedding decorating.

2 fur babies.

Favorite Moment:
When I got my Little. I've never had or knew what it felt like to have a little sister. The moment she realized who her Big was, is a memory I will never forget! I can truly say she has been my little sister.

Favorite Event:
Baby Bake...That chicken on a stick!
Opportunity to see sister classmates, and teachers we haven't seen in years. Catching up.

This fall will be 10 years that I joined.
Main reason was because I'm shy, I wanted to expand, comfort zone, never realized these girls would become part of my family. I never miss an opportunity to spend time with these girls, whether it’s brunch or crazy road trips, the happiness and bond we create is an experience we want to share with all incoming sisters!

A little about myself - military brat born in San Antonio and made my way back to settle down in 1999. I decided to go to STMU for their science program and smaller campus, something I'd been accustomed to going to school on military bases my whole life. I spent 7.5 years in Japan and I loved it. One day I hope to return one day with my husband Jose and our son Isaiah. 

I have a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from STMU and a Master of Science from UTSA. I have spent the last 11 years working in research as a Clinical Research Coordinator and more recently as a Project Manager.

I love to be out and about with my family and friends, watching movies, cheering on our Spurs and just enjoying all that our amazing city has to offer.

I take time for myself at least twice a week to sneak in some cardio and yoga classes.

Other than Japan my dream trip is South Africa. Take me on safari!

Favorite Alpha Phi memory was the first year we took Homecoming Queen. Nobody thought we could do it but we were determined to work together and show the school what we were made of. We all made phone calls, store runs and even a trip to Austin to pick up donations.

I love attending Baby Bake.

I decided to join Alpha Phi because of the wonderful group of ladies I met time and time again. We were not a cookie cutter sorority, we were a group of strong and intelligent women who loved to have fun. 

We enjoyed the time we spent together dorm hopping, Lifetime movie watching, laughing for hours in the cafe and dancing the nights away. 

Even though my sisters aren't right next door anymore we make the time to meet up and be there for special moments because the love is still there and it always will be. 

Although I was born in San Antonio (on Lackland Air Force Base), I left when I was 9 months old and

didn’t return for 35 years. I grew up predominantly in Iowa and pledged Alpha Phi at Iowa State

University (Zeta Delta) in 1983. I just felt at home there. I lived in the chapter house all four years and

really loved it! I was elected Chapter President my junior year even though I had never held an

appointed or elected position (I tend to go big or go home).

My favorite memories of Alpha Phi were the “work weeks” prior to formal recruitment. It was great

reconnecting with all 120 sisters after summer break. Although the prep for formal recruitment was

exhausting, we were doing it together, so it made it fun. We also just enjoyed hanging out at the house,

eating A LOT of popcorn and just talking. We didn’t have cellphones or social media back then, so we

just talked and really got to know each other.

After graduating with my Marketing degree, I ended up taking at 30-year break from Alpha Phi to focus on my career and family. I moved to Chicago and worked for AT&T. It was there that I met my husband of 25 years, Jeff. All three of my bridesmaids were Alpha Phis, including my maid-of-honor and biological sister, Amy. Jeff and I worked in Chicago for years before being transferred to San Antonio in 2000. I decided to leave AT&T when I was traveling as much as I was home. I just couldn’t balance being a good mom to two young boys and an Executive Director at AT&T. It was a hard to walk away from my career, but it ended up being exactly what our family needed. 

Our two sons, Adam and Nick, are now 22 and 24 years old. Adam recently graduated from UT Austin and works in Austin. Nick graduated from UTSA, is

married to Anna and lives in San Antonio. Our third child was our fur baby, Bear, who we loved dearly. We recently had to put him to sleep just shy of his 13th birthday.

I reconnected with Alpha Phi after I received an invitation to an Iowa State Alpha Phi reunion in 2017. I saw some old friends and they were advisors at different campuses across the country. That’s when I clicked on a box on AlphaPhi.org stating I’d be willing to volunteer. Within about two weeks, I was the Chapter Advisor at St. Mary’s University. 

Just like in college, I tend to go big or go home. A lot has changed with Alpha Phi over three decades, but the bond we have as sisters never seems to change. I’ve met a lot of incredible Alpha Phi volunteers, alums and collegians in the last two years. Getting involved with collegiate women has been challenging at times, but very rewarding. I highly recommend getting reacquainted with Alpha Phi if you can work it back into your life.

“Embrace uncertainty. Some of the most beautiful chapters in our lives won’t have titles until much later.” – Bob Goff

San Antonio has always been the place I call home, but lately, my imagination has me craving to experience more of the world around me. My day job is in IT project management, my weekend job is doctoral student, my volunteer job is alumnae president, my part-time job is working local promotions….but, my dream job is definitely still brewing in my heart…I haven’t quite figured out what I want to be when I grow up because I have such a hard time picking just one thing to love and chase! One thing is certain, though, in that I’m closer to finding it than I’ve ever been.

I’ve learned (through trial and error, of course) to let go of some of my innate need to control every detail and to appreciate how embracing uncertainty (with faith, of course) has always helped guide my path forward. I attribute that first step of joining Alpha Phi to planting that seed. As a commuter freshman, I was miserable at college and intimidated by my own shadow. Braving the uncertainty of sorority recruitment was definitely on my DO NOT ATTEMPT list, but I assure you that from that one decision, I have been exponentially blessed beyond measure with sisterhood bonds, life lessons, and irreplaceable, priceless memories.

I have the honor of having more sisters than I can count. I get to be a “tia” to some of the most amazing littles and I know that on any given day, I will - at best, hang out with at least one sister, but at worst, read through tears of laughter of probably about 157 group messages!

In a past life, I really enjoyed embroidery and hope I can get back to it soon. I started doing small sewing projects with my grandma this summer and hope to continue to develop that skill while spending quality time with her. I also enjoy leisure reading and definitely don’t make enough time for it, but it’s a work in progress. Lately, one of my favorite things to do is to embrace uncertainty in the kitchen – trying out new recipes and learning to be creative with healthier options. One day, I hope I’ll be able to start some sort of blog, but now just isn’t the right time.

Talking about embracing uncertainty, I just came back from my first international trip! I spent 9 glorious days in Costa Rica. I cranked out my broken Spanish, I tried local cuisine, I trusted my sea legs in the beautiful Pacific Ocean, and then…I braved hanging bridges in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, took a night hike in the rainforest, zip-lined above the trees, swung like Tarzan over a mountain cliff, and flew like Superman while looking down at all the beauty nature had to share with me that day! Those of my sisters who met me back when I first joined KNOW that all those things would have been a HARD NO on my list, but oh how beautiful the outcome was to just live with a little courage in the WHAT IFs! On the bucket list are: sail up the coast of Greece, visit the Galapagos Islands, immerse myself in wildlife in Africa, and look on in amazement from an Alaskan Cruise; but, for the short term, I’ll take some local sights in as I get ready to head to Las Vegas and then to New Mexico (to visit an Alpha Phi sister).

I often find myself thinking really hard when I’m asked about my “favorite” Alpha Phi memory because I have so many! But, if I really had to pick one – it would be the night Mari and I were offered our bids to join Alpha Phi. We both went with heavy feet to that mini-golf event, but when we came back to our room that night, we couldn’t contain the excitement that bubbled up from that uncertainty of whether we’d make the cut to join the fun and fabulous ladies of Alpha Phi. When that knock came and we were both offered our bids, that was the moment that I have to call my favorite because it was from there that everything else Bordeaux and Silver was born.

My favorite event of the year has become Red Dress Gala. It is one of the few times where there is a seamless bridge between the collegiate sisters and the alumnae sisters. It is in those moments that we recognize that we are all part of something greater – in our history, in our sisterhood, and in our philanthropy. Of course, I also think we clean up nice and look pretty stunning when we get all gussied up for the event!

When I think back about why I joined Alpha Phi, I have to say that it was to be a part of something greater than myself that was made up of women who I could mutually support and love as family. Today, that is truer than ever! I cannot imagine my life without my sisters. In our social engagements, our chapter events, our impromptu lunch dates, picking up shattered pieces, resume reviewing, traveling to weddings, hugging during mourning, cheering for achievements, and everything in between – you will find that no matter the years between us, the chapters we came from, the paths we have taken or forge now, when you get us together – there is genuine love for one another.

Embrace the uncertainty. You never know what chapter you are writing to look back on later in life and smile. Even now, amazing new chapters continue to emerge from that small leap of faith back in 2002. 

AOE,

Ness <3

I was born in San Antonio, but I grew up in a small town in Georgia. Peaches and sweet tea! When my dad retired from the Army we moved back to SA and I’ve been here ever since!

I joined Alpha Phi in the fall of 2002 at Iota Beta at St. Mary’s University here in San Antonio. I served in several director positions and I had the most fun during our philanthropy and fundraising events. My favorite events have been the brunches. Sometimes there's only a few of us, but we have the best time! Nothing like brunch, mimosas, and Alpha Phi!

I love traveling and reading. You won’t catch me without some kind of book and I’m always happy to discuss books and make recommendations whenever asked. 

~Liz

The 210 is all I know and am so proud to still call San Antonio my home. My mom used to teach across the street from St.Mary’s University and as a child I remember picking my mom up from work and every time we passed, she would make me wave, “ Say bye to your school, mija.”

I went on to attend and graduate from St. Mary’s in 2005 with a BA in Criminal Justice. Although, I’m not in my field I do work for a bureau. From 9-5 I help create a safe and trusting market place at the Better Business Bureau serving the heart of Texas. On the weekends I work events for the San Antonio Current newspaper, making sure you are never bored in SA!

I have also accepted the nomination to run for River Walk Royalty 2020. In about 1 week I will hold one of four positions as an ambassador for the San Antonio River Walk, attending community events and appearing in 10 parades. With your donations I could win the highest position, River Walk Queen. Please, visit https://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/about/royalty to support me. All of the proceeds raised help preserve, protect, and promote the River Walk.

When I first began at St. Mary’s I was a transfer in commuter and I was so scared to walk into the caf’ (cafeteria), where all the cool people hung out, so I used to eat in my car alone. I knew I wanted to be a part of something, but what? I met the ladies of Alpha Phi along with other organizations and even though there were only 13 of them, they had a sense of pride that I didn’t see in the other organizations. I was the last one to get my bid, a nervous wreck that whole week, but finally the phone call came and my life changed forever. Still til’ this day, these are the women that support me, make me laugh in group chats, and continue to change my life everyday. I don’t know who I would be if that bid had not come that November 13th in 2007.

I don’t have any children, but I am the cool and annoying aunt to my sorority sisters’ kids. This is why Alpha Phi family picnic is the event I most look forward to every year. We all get to swim, catch up in a relaxed environment and eat BBQ.

Over the years many younger Alpha Phis have come to me for help. I suppose it’s my openness and crazy personality that make them feel comfortable. I have lived with 6 Alphi Phi sisters in the course of my life. Right after a fellow sister graduated one year she came to stay with me and shared her favorite A-Phi memory that touched my Boudreaux heart. It has now become my favorite A-Phi memory.

My favorite Alpha Phi memory was when a collegiate by the name of Nora, who I barely knew, said that I was her Alpha Phi Memory. She had just joined and when she heard the story of me eating alone in my car and finding my place amongst the forget-me-not sisters, she knew she had made the right decision for her home away from home.

My other Alpha Phi Memory, yes I have 2, was when my biological sister chose Alpha Phi at Texas Tech. You tell them what you should say, “Choose the sorority that you feel fits you best,” but deep down inside you want her to choose Alpha Phi. I was driving on the highway when I got the call from my sister Mia, she said, “Guess what I just did?” I stayed quiet. “ I just signed my bid for Alpha Phi!!!” I was so excited I had to pull over and yelled at the top of my lungs! I’ll never forget that day, and neither will she, because about 10 minutes later, she got 50 texts from her new sisters in San Antonio.

Today, I still eat alone in my car sometimes, but the difference is because I have to, rushing somewhere or running errands. But I never have to eat alone again if I don’t want to because there’s always a sister just a text message away.

I joined Alpha Phi as a sophomore on a whim. I was a commuter student, working part time off campus, at St. Mary's University, here in San Antonio. As a computer science major, I hadn't met many women, and I rarely walked around campus beyond the Math building. Tired of subway, one day, I decided to grab a to-go lunch from the cafeteria when I noticed a flyer for formal recruitment. Not a traditional student or even a traditional girly girl, I thought "what the heck!" My life hasn't been the same since.

Honestly, as somewhat of a self-declared introvert, I loved the social outlet Alpha Phi has given me, and I'm not at all surprised by the life long friendships I've made. Alpha Phi has always been made up of genuine women, and I believe in the friendships formed in the springtime of my youth.

Holiday social is one of my favorite events but any gathering is special.

My husband and I are celebrating 12 years of marriage and 16 years of love. We have 2 beautiful little girls. We look forward to traveling to places with tall trees and trouble free trails after the pandemic.

Born and raised in San Antonio, Tx, I began attending St. Mary's University in 2002 and joined Alpha Phi in 2003 (Xi Class). I became an Alumna in 2005 when I transitioned into nursing school.

I graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing in December 2008 from the University of the Incarnate Word, obtained my RN license a few months later and have been working in the nursing field ever since.

I began my career as a Neonatal ICU nurse but in 2014 transitioned to the world of public health and began working for Molina Healthcare. Currently, I manage one of their Medicare plans for the entire state of Texas.

When I'm not working; you can almost always find me with my Hubby, Pablo, and our two boys, Javier (6) and Josue (2). I'm obsessed with makeup and skincare, love to read (urban/paranormal romance mostly ), dabble in oil painting and have been trying to develop a green thumb by planting a vegetable garden and starting a succulent collection. Hopefully, this spring/summer we will finally finish our coop and add chickens to our little urban homestead!! I'm super excited!!

Picking one Alpha Phi memory as my favorite, is difficult. However, one memory that stands out by far is the last sisterhood retreat I attended. We had a glorious bonfire out by a lake where we all sat around exchanging stories and laughing, sometimes the best sisterhood bonding is what happens naturally and that retreat is by far my favorite. Just thinking about it brings a huge smile to my face.

I was lucky to be introduced to Alpha Phi by a High School friend who felt I would "fit", and she was absolutely right. Alphi Phi felt and still feels natural, like a constant home away from home built of a bunch of steadfast sisters.

These women have been there for so many major milestones of my life, that it is impossible to not consider them family. Every year I look forward to Baby Bake and Alumnae Tea to catch up and reminisce; hopefully we can all gather again soon under the trees of Pecan Grove.