This past weekend I participated in my third recruitment at USF, and second being on the recruiter side. Just two short years ago I was the nervous college freshman looking for a "home away from home". And as cheesy as it is, I have found that and so much more in my greek life experience. As they say, age creates nostalgia, and this week I find myself particularly reminiscent and grateful for
all my sorority has given me. I looked back on my time in DZ and the memories and people I've met and I am just crazy grateful, so here's little list of my absolute favorite things I have gotten from Delta Zeta along with a wholeeeeee lotta memories!
all my sorority has given me. I looked back on my time in DZ and the memories and people I've met and I am just crazy grateful, so here's little list of my absolute favorite things I have gotten from Delta Zeta along with a wholeeeeee lotta memories!
- My home: I say this first and foremost because its the most common thing I hear from girls going through recruitment, and the main thing I was looking for as a lost freshman. Coming to college is scary. It meant leaving everything I knew and being thrust into a new environment alone and not quite sure who I was. I knew I didn't like my school very much. I knew I was grateful for the 3 friends I had made, but was aching to be back with my friends from home whom I hadn't parted with in the last 15 years. So that turned me to looking desperately for a group of people similar to me, which led me right to the doors of Panhellenic recruitment. From where I sit now I am happy to say I have found a home in DZ that has made USF feel like home as well. I am now excited when I get to come back to school, and already know I will miss this time and place when it passes.
- My people: This is probably the one I'm most grateful for. I have found my best friends, my study partners, my family (ily littles and twin), my idols, my mentors, and everyone in between. I am currently a part of a chapter of over 200 girls, all of whom I am happy to also call friends. There have been people whom I've met in Dz who have challenged me, academically, emotionally, and as a person. There are also people who have supported me at my emotional and physical lows and celebrated and happy-cried with me at my highs. These are the people I know I will be friends with for my whole life. We have traveled together, cried and laughed together, and loved each other like real sisters. And this goes for my Theta friends too, Greek life has given me friendships that disregard what organization we're in!
- My growth and leadership: Through all these experiences, I have grown immensely. I have become more of a team player, a preserver of tradition, an inspiree and an inspirer. I have been a big sister and a little sister, a cousin, an aunt, a niece, a grand little, a chapter member, a leader, one who belongs. I have been challenged as a leader to take on assistant roles, then bigger roles. I have learned to work with people I don't agree with and have been made better for it. I have been at my lowest, and at my highest in these last 2 years, and my sisters have stood by me through it all. Thankfully I am happy to say I am truly the best version of myself today because of that.
- My excitement for the future: Delta Zeta gives me a hungry excitement for the future. Just this past Monday I looked at the faces of our 83 new members and saw change and inspiration and the future. It causes me to look for the next thing that will help move us forward, the next challenge that will help move me forward, and to have the confidence to know I will always have people by my side who have my back.
I am so thankful for my choice to join Delta Zeta two years ago and even more to my chapter and friends who have given me the gift of my time here. I am even more excited looking to the next two years together. And as they say, its not 4 years, its for life, so DZ now and ever.
Delta Zeta, Xi Lambda
