By CANDACE MIERS

Contributing Editor

Nine women became leaders Jan. 19.

The new 2005 Panhellenic officers were sworn into office at a quiet, small yet elegant ceremony at the Panhellenic Lodge, also known as the Women's Center on Sorority Lane.

"I am looking forward to this upcoming year building Panhellenic and breaking down the stereotypes of the Greek system," McKinna Dartez, the 2005 president and a junior professional aviation major, said.

Panhellenic is a unified organization that encourages and promotes Greek life.

The Installation ceremony began with Joy Keith, the 2004 first vice president and a senior bio-medical engineering major, reciting the Panhellenic Creed.

Next to speak was Nicole Chico, the 2004 president and a pre-professional speech-language pathology major. She spoke of the old officers and recognized them as they each stood.

Standing next was Dartez. She was installed into the president's position.

After a small speech, Dartez inducted each 2005 officer into office.

The new officers include Emily Allison, first vice president and a junior marketing major; Mallory Zangla, second vice president and a sophomore business management and entrepreneurship major; Jessica Reed, secretary and a senior civil engineering major; Jesse Shadowens, treasurer and a sophomore business management and entrepreneurship major; Amanda James, assistant recruitment and a junior journalism major; and Katie Stephenson, scholarship/public relations and a junior English major.

Other 2005 officers include Whitney Robinson, social director and an elementary education major and Carli Harris, standards/parliamentarian and a sophomore interior design major.

As each new Panhellenic officer stated their "I do's," they received a light pink long-stemmed rose from Chico.

Pink was not the only color in the Lodge that night -- so was white.

Pearly white smiles were on each officer's face.

Dartez said she is thrilled about upcoming events.

"I am very much excited about the [Southeastern Panhellenic] conference coming up at the end of March," Dartez said.

Next on the agenda for the installation ceremony was every officer, old and new, reciting the Panhellenic Creed after Dartez.

After the creed reciting, it was business as usual.