Future Trojan feels fraternal connection


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When Andrea Edoria was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm at age 3, she spent six months at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.

Fifteen years later, Edoria, who has fully recovered, is a spokesperson for CHLA — and a future Trojan.

Good cause · Shiny Toy Guns performed a concert on Friday as part of Sigma Chi’s Derby Days. Proceeds were donated to CHLA. - Photo courtesy of Sigma Chi

Through her work with CHLA, Edoria connected with her dream school, USC. Specifically, she connected with the Sigma Chi fraternity, which raised more than $50,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network at CHLA last year during its annual Derby Days philanthropy. Derby Days, which consists of a series of activities and a concert, typically raises more money than most other fraternity philanthropies combined. Admission to the concert typically costs $20 to $25 and the fraternity also collects funds from corporate sponsors.

According to Lisa Coleman, assistant director of the Children’s Miracle Network at CHLA, most of the money goes toward meeting the needs of families with ill children — families like Edoria’s.

Edoria met members of Sigma Chi for the first time last year, when she was invited to a barbecue. She was asked to speak at Derby Days to recount her experiences as a young child battling illness at CHLA. She has since been in constant contact with members of the fraternity.

“I’ve met these [Sigma Chi] boys on different occasions, and they’re really good guys at heart,” Edoria said. “They’re really supporting a good cause.”

For Edoria, who just recently committed to USC, working with Sigma Chi is just the beginning of her relationship with USC.

“It’s like a dream come true,” she said.

Edoria will be studying journalism at the Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism. She said she is very excited to become a Trojan and is grateful for the support she has received from members of Sigma Chi.

“Since I was about 7 or 8 years old, I have always wanted to write. When I came across USC, I knew that was where I wanted to go,” she said.

Though she officially becomes a Trojan in the fall, Edoria said she already feels like part of the Trojan family thanks to her relationship with Sigma Chi.

“I definitely feel welcome,” she said.

Although new restrictions from the Interfraternity Council forced Sigma Chi to limit the length of Derby Days this year, Stephen Lindgren, a member of Sigma Chi and one of the chairs of Derby Days, said the fraternity still had high hopes for the amount of money they could raise.

“We’re hoping to match last year’s donations,” Lindgren said. “We feel a deep connection to Children’s Hospital and to Andrea.”