It's Hip to be a ZTA

This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to be one of the select few members from the Gamma Phi chapter to attend the 65^th Annual Texas Zeta Day in Austin. Texas Zeta Day is always a fun and grand affair for collegiate and alumna members alike. This year’s theme was “It’s Hip to be a ZTA” and during the course of the day, we attended workshops, social hours, listened to a keynote speaker, and enjoyed an evening of dinner and awards all to promote sisterhood and alumnae support.

As a Zeta senior, this year was my second year to attend and sadly my last time as a collegiate member of Zeta Tau Alpha. *wipes tears* Although I look forward to continuing my attendance as an alumni member, I relished every moment of the weekend and especially the closing dinner. Dinner and awards has always been my favorite part of Zeta Day! During the three-hour dinner, we mingle with sisters, award collegiate and alumni chapters who have excelled within the past year, and recognize member excellence. My favorite part of the whole dinner is the awarding of the Order of the Shield, which is a White Violet pinning ceremony for women who have served as members for 50 years. This is such a touching and memorable experience for everyone who attends Zeta Day. It is amazing to see a long line of women who have tirelessly served the Fraternity and truly love Zeta just as much now as the day they joined. Earning a White Violet Pin is something I, along with many others, strive to achieve one day.

After the Order of the Shield ceremony, it is time for collegiate seniors come to the stage to be apart of the Zeta Spans a Lifetime ceremony that recognizes collegiate seniors. After admiring all the seniors last year, it was my turn to go in front of all of my Texas ZTA sisters and it was one of the most surreal moments in my life. It seems like just yesterday I accepted my bid and here I was being celebrated as a senior member of our sisterhood and being handed an alumni packet. Of all the things I have learned as a ZTA it is to cherish every moment you have in your chapter because it goes by in the blink of an eye. So younger members, new members, future members, and everyone else out there: make every moment count!  

On top of all the already amazing and memorable moments I had from this year’s Zeta Day, I got to meet (and throw the crown) with our National President, Carolyn Hof Carpenter. I definitely had a fan girl moment because it is not everyday you get to meet and talk with such a distinguished woman. As the national president who oversees each of the 167 active chapters, she somehow knew who we were as Gamma Phi chapter representatives and chatted with us like we had met 10 years ago, not 10 minutes. Meeting Mrs. Carpenter was thrilling and a reminder of the bond we all share as sisters at a national level.

The 65^th Annual Texas Zeta Day will forever be one of my most treasured days as a Zeta Tau Alpha. Even though this is my last Zeta Day as I collegiate, it certainly will not be my last. After graduation, I look forward to being an active alumnae member and one day maybe even a chapter advisor. And after years of continued dedication to the Fraternity who made me the woman I am today, I look forward to attending the 111^th Texas Zeta Day, where I will receive my White Violet pin.

Zeta Love and Always Mine,

Jamie Wagoner, Fall ‘12

We Live the Creed

Each member in our chapter has an explanation of what the creed means to them, and for me it represents what our chapter was founded on. As Initiation is upon us, this week we all take time to remember why were here, what binds us together, and why we stay. The events during initiation week truly help you reflect on yourself and the chapter as a whole. For me, witnessing and being a part of each initiation provides a special day each semester to listen to the humble beginnings of our founding, our secrets, and the values that bond us together in sisterhood. It reminds me of all the beautiful things that Zeta has to offer and that this chapter is more than just a Fraternity, it is a place to call home.

This line of the creed specifically reminds me of the aspects of this chapter that made me want to be a ZTA. It reminds us to always act in a way that is true to the values and ideals which we were founded on and which are revealed to our new members during Initiation. While we go through the motions of our busy days as students, it emphasizes the importance of staying positive and ensuring our actions reflect our pure intentions in everyday situations.

Zeta has helped mold me into the person I knew I could be. My sisters have made me a stronger, more outgoing person within the chapter and in my personal life. I think that when our founders decided to start this amazing organization they didn’t realize what it would turn into and without Zeta I know I wouldn’t be where I am today mentally and spiritually. I’m so thankful those nine ladies got together and started something that would last a lifetime and that I get to be a part of this special service which turns our new members into sisters, today and forever.  

Lauren Shaw, Secretary

We Live the Creed

When I read this line of the creed I like to break it down into sections. To start, for me, being steadfast means to be committed and loyal to every aspect of Zeta. It means that no matter the circumstances, I am determined to be the best Zeta that I can be for myself, for my sisters, and for our fraternity nationally. I know that being a part of Zeta is a gift and no matter what kind of day I am having I strive to be as committed to my chapter as my chapter is to me, especially as a leader within the chapter.

For the second part, I think being strong means more than just being strong in a physical sense. It's about pushing through your week moments and striving to do your best at all times with the help of your sisters. Being a part of Zeta means being part of something that makes you better every day and having a support system help you stay strong when it is most difficult.

And lastly, I think that being clean of heart and mind means being positive and pure in both your thoughts and actions. As sisters we have an obligation to be real with each other. One of the things that made me want to be a Zeta was how genuine each of the girls are and the effortless conversation. If we are not cognizant of how we act within our chapter, on campus, and in the real world, we can’t be genuine in our actions and intentions.

All together, this line of the creed reminds me to be true to these things when I am representing Zeta and also in my day-to-day life. As I grow as a person and a member of this chapter, I look to our creed for the guidance and values that are the foundation of a true Zeta lady and the kind of woman I strive to be.

Halley King, VP3

Alumni Brunch

Today we held our first alumni event of the semester, which turned out great! We invited the alumni for brunch at our house to get to know them better and to show that we appreciate all their support. We had Panera catered, played some games, and then each alumna shared a little bit of their ZTA history, experiences, and why they joined and stay in the alumni group. It was inspiring to hear that Zeta really is for more than just our college years and to see how much they still support each other after going out in to the real world. 

Brunch today was a great way to help our members get to know some more of our Denton Alumni and spend time together laughing and talking. For me, staying involved with the alumni is so important because they helped Zeta become what it is today. Weather they are alumni of our chapter or a Zeta chapter from another school, they have been in our shoes and we can learn so many things from them. Over this next year as the Alumni Relations chairman I hope to strengthen the bond between the alumni and the Gamma Phi Chapter. I cannot wait until our next alumni event so that we can get to know each other even better!

Chloe Gervasi, Alumni Relations Chairman

Big & Little We'll Always Be

Last Friday, I got my call: I got a little!

Big/Little week is something I have been looking forward to since I joined Zeta, first as a Little myself and now as a Big! From picking up a new member at the door on bid day to my first Strawberry date, these past few weeks have been a crazy whirlwind of excitement. There have been sleepless nights of getting baskets together and perfecting them to make sure that my Little feels loved but spoiling my Little has been so much fun!

I was lucky that my little and I grew very close during her first few weeks in our chapter and before Big/Little week. It was so hard to not talk to her all week and to not throw my arms around her and yell "I'm your big!" but the surprise at the end of the week was worth every second of it. There is no better feeling than when your little sees that you are her big sister and is overwhelmed with happiness. 

 All the time and effort put into this week has been well worth it and getting to call her my little for the rest of my time as a collegiate and for all the years after. I remember the joy I felt at my Big/Little reveal upon finally knowing who my Big was and since that day my big has become someone I depend on, trust, and love with all my heart. I can’t wait to develop my relationship with Gabby even more and become closer friends, sisters, and big/little. I cannot wait to continue family traditions with the sweet and beautiful sister I now get to call my Little! She is the most perfect little sister a girl could ask for and I can’t wait until next year when she gets to take a little of her own. 

Emily Doran, PC Fall '15