When I
came to college, I had no clue about Greek life except what I saw in movies
like House Bunny and Legally Blonde. (I’m easily more of a Sydney White type of
girl.) When fall recruitment happened, I laughed every day at my suitemate (who
I didn’t really know) as she freaked out about outfits while running down the
hall in heels trying to get to her group in time.
My two
other roommates and I, in an effort to be friendly, surprised her at her bid
day and my first thought was “Yikes, I have never seen so much glitter and
white converse in my whole life.” I looked around and fell victim to the most
common stereotype of Greek life - thinking how ridiculous it was that these
girls paid so much money just for friends. (Spoiler alert: that’s not how it
works.)
So how did I become a Zeta?
Long
story short, I was recognized by and old high school friend at bid day who was
in Greek life. As we talked reminisced about high school and she told me about
her Greek experience, she reminded me of how much I need a strong support
system and fun plans on the weekends.
When I
was offered a bid, it felt so ludicrous that I could belong to a sorority that
I didn’t even talk to my parents about it. I never though of myself as “that
kind of girl.” But in the end they wooed me with frozen yogurt. I got a chance
to hang out with my high school friend and two of her sisters for a fro-yo date
and fell in love with them and with the sisterhood ZTA has to offer.
Feeling
completely new and clueless after accepting my bid, I was introduced to my
overwhelmingly large pledge class and it was nerve-wracking. I didn’t know what
I had gotten myself into.
What did I get myself into?
1.
Spirit/Tradition: There are innumerable traditions we have as a chapter,
in Greek life, and as UNT students but the one that stands out the most for me
is Homecoming. Usually, all the Greek life chapters are paired into teams who
compete in various competitions during Homecoming including creating floats for
the parade. Yes, most schools do this but last year (my first year) ZTA
challenged the status quo. Instead of spending countless hours and dollars
towards building a float for a 30 minute parade, Team 8 (Zeta Tau Alpha, Pi
Kappa Alpha, and Delta Sigma Phi) put that money and time towards rebuilding a
local park. I have never been more proud to be a part of something. So many
hours and so much manpower went towards such an amazing project that will last
so much longer and bring so much more happiness than a parade float. Together
our chapters put in over 800 hours of community service and I think that is
amazing.
2.
Philanthropy: I wear pink because I not only feel great in it, but it supports
a great cause - ZTA’s philanthropy: Breast Cancer Education and Awareness. I’m
proud to wear pink. During our Pink-Out game, (a football game where we
encourage everyone to wear pink to bring awareness to breast cancer), we teamed
up with UNT athletics to create a human ribbon on the field at halftime. It was
AWESOME. I was in color guard all four years of high school and being on the
Mean Green field brought back so many memories. I was so proud to be on the
field with all my sisters in our pink shirts. (I was actually so excited that I
missed the group picture because I called my dad to tell him how cool I was.)
3.
Growth: Though I am a newer member, I can hear the older members talk about the
place our chapter used to be in. We’ve never been unsuccessful but the amount
we have grown over the last few years is tremendous. In fact, our chapter has
now received the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation Crown Chapter award for two
consecutive years now. (We just found out last month, and we are SO excited!)
Reading our president’s blog post about her experience at ZTA Convention with
two other leaders accepting that award for us and feeling the excitement as our
chapter congratulated each other made my heart so happy. We have worked so hard
and being recognized for it means the world.
4.
Commitment: Zeta is forever. This is one of those things you’ll hear everyone
say: “it’s not four years, its for life” blah blah blah. But listen - we have
an amazing alum group. They are so involved with our chapter and it’s
incredible to know that even after you graduate, you’re still just as much of a
Zeta as you were on Initiation Day (which is the BEST DAY EVER). Not only do
you have strong alumni connections, we have advisors that go above and beyond
for us every day. Knowing everything they do is strictly on a volunteer basis
proves to me that this “Zeta world” means so much more than your four years as
a collegiate.
What’s the moral of the story?
At UNT
I’m 6 hours from home and everything I knew in high school. Let’s be honest,
it’s a scary time. Exciting, but scary. For me Greek life wasn’t something I
knew I wanted in my life until I was being invited in with sisterhood and ice
cream. I NEVER thought I would be in a sorority but I am so glad I’m here
because I have loved every minute of it.
Sophia
Jackson, PC Fall’ 15
