[UCFPiPhiGirl]

I knew I wanted Pi Phi even before I knew any of the affiliated sisters. Going through rush I had a different kind of experience. Someone had recorded my grades wrong and it said I had a 2.1 GPA, when in fact I had a 3.5. Most of the houses dropped me b/c no one can really afford a grade risk and I was heartbroken. My Rho Chi (Recruitment Counselor) tried everything. She tried calling all of the houses and letting them know what happened but it was too late. By the time they found out what had happened, I was three days through Recruitment (it's a 5 day process at UCF) and I had become really close to my Rho Chi. She took me around with her for the latter part of the third day and I hung out with her and her friends who were also disaffiliated (either Rho Chis or Recruitment Exec.). It was then I met Ashley. Ashley was so awesome! She was so much fun and she really seemed to care about me, and she had just met me. Right before I signed my withdrawl papers, Ashley was like, "Hey give me your number...you're so cool, we have to hang out after rush!" Being new to everything, and a Freshman I was thrilled! Little did I know that Ashley was doing something "illegal" as far as rush went! After I withdrew from Recruitment, I was allowed to know what sororities all of my friends that I had made were in. My Rho Chi had turned out to be an Alpha Xi and Ashley...she was a Pi Phi.

As Bid Day came, I sat in my room crying as all of my friends were off to see where they had gotten bids from. One of my Best Friends went Zeta, the other went Tri Delta...and I was at home. 7pm rolled around and all of the sudden my phone beeped saying I had 4 messages. My phone had NEVER rung! What a day for my phone to be broken! Hmph! Anyway, I checked the messages and they were from chapters that wanted me, telling me that they heard about my story and they had extra spots. The last message...was from Ashley. Needless to say, I called Pi Phi back. That's where I wanted to be!

As my pledgeship went on, I threw myself into Pi Phi and all it had to offer. I was PC01's Spirit Chair as well as "Pledge of the Year." What's more...Ashley is the reason I have my big sister! You see, Ashley's little sister is now my big sister! Ashley's my Grand Big! I love her so much, she is honestly becoming more like a true sister every day. She has since graduated and become an alumna but she still comes back to visit me all of the time. I can honestly say that if it wasn't for Ash, I would never have found the happiness that I found in Pi Phi. It was her that made me want to be a Pi Phi. It was her that made me want to be involved. It was her that made me want to be a good Big Sister to my two twins. I thank her all the time for everything she gave me and I hope that one day, I'll make that kind of difference for someone on the other side.

And there you have it...that's how I knew I wanted Pi Phi. That's how I knew that the wine and blue was in me!

Corny...I know...but true!

Pi Phi Love and All of Mine,
Min