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