We are starting the new year off right, with Bianca Spinelli as this week’s Greek of the Week. As a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma, Bianca balances a challenging course load, friends and family, while still managing to keep a level head.
Bianca is one of the few women in the Engineering program, and regardless of circumstances she is still successful. For those of you who aren’t at all familiar with the engineering program here at VCU, it is intense and usually male-dominated. None of this deters Bianca.
Bianca is a perfect example of the diverse women you will find in Greek Life at VCU!
Age: 19
Hometown: Springfield, Va.
Major: Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Math
Relationship Status: Single
Year: Junior
Sorority: Sigma Sigma Sigma
Jewel: Pearl
Symbol: Sailboat
Colors: Royal Purple and White
Favorites:
Color: Cotton Candy Blue
Food: Ice Cream and Candy – I’m pretty sure I always have candy with me!
Article of clothing: Shoes
Celebrity: Zac Efron, hands down!
Book: Ella Enchanted
Season: Summer
What is your favorite thing about Sigma Sigma Sigma?
Probably our bond; it is really unique to us. One of our mottos is faithful until death, and I think that we really exemplify that to the core.
Has there ever been a specific time when your sisters have been there for you?
Most recently, my grandpa passed away. It was around the time of recruitment so I was disaffiliated because I was on the CPC side. I don’t know what I would have done without my big and my best friend there for me.
**Side note: during the time of recruitment, members disaffiliate from their sorority so that they don’t influence any of the women going through recruitment as to which organization they should join.
Are you involved in any organizations outside of sigma?
I am in the SWE — it’s a women’s engineering club. We attend meetings and they have speakers all the time.
So do you want to be an engineer? Is that what you are working towards?
Yeah, I think that is what I want to do for a period of time, but when I retire I would like to be a teacher. College is so expensive that I want a well paying job.
Someone who inspires you?
I would have to say my Big, Megan Russo. She is someone who taught me to be so real about things. She never makes excuses for things. She is like a superhero.
What is your dream job?
What do you do for fun?
When I have free time, which isn’t very often, I hang out with my roommates or my sisters.
Do you have a job?
I don’t work while I am in school, but on break I do. Every break I work at Bonefish Grill.
Pet peeves?
I don’t really have many pet peeves. I’m a pretty accepting person.
How do you balance it all being an engineering major and being in a sorority?
That’s a good question. I think I work better when I have more to do.
How often do you have to study because I heard it’s intense?
There is always something that you need to be studying. I don’t think I ever have a time when I’m done. There is always something that I should be doing because a lot of it is a do it on your own type of thing so you have to stay on yourself. I would say easy five hours everyday at some point.
Common misconception about sororities in general ?
There are so many I feel like! Probably that we are snobby and that everyone is rich. I personally pay for everything on my own.
What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
Probably that I am one of seven kids. There are five girls and two boys in my family. I come from a big catholic Italian family!
Do you have a favorite class at VCU or one you would recommend to Freshman or transfer students?
I absolutely HATE history, but my freshman year I took a history class with Andrew my best friend, and it was so much fun! I think it was because of the teacher, but it was called “Art of Historical Detection.” I usually HATE history, but it was actually a really fun class!