Seeking opinions on lettered alumna gift...

[ihearttrisigma]

Originally Posted by thetygerlily

<Continuing Hijack> Nope, it isn't mandated by all groups. It isn't required for Kappa, although of course it is encouraged! My friend is a Pi Phi- she may have used her mother's badge for initiation etc. I'm not sure whether any NPC orgs require purchasing a badge (others can chime in), but for Kappa at least it's very trend-based, chapter by chapter. Some chapters tend not to buy them, some tend to buy one particular type... many in my pledge class purchased sapphire & pearl badges with chapter letter guards, but several before us bought plain gold keys with no guard. Chapters may say that it's required because they don't know better or just because that's how it's always been done in the chapter... kind of like how some women are told they have to list every chapter they pref, regardless of whether they'd accept a bid. Or that we (in my Kappa chapter) were told that you could only wear your key with fancy clothes and it had to be over your heart- yet a Leadership Consultant cleared that one up quickly for us by (purposefully) wearing her badge on a sweatshirt on the right side. So it may be more tradition-based than an actual requirement. </Continuing Hijack>

Interesting Stuff! Thanks

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by ihearttrisigma

Interesting Stuff! Thanks

Very much so, I never even thought to ask whether we HAD to order one in order to be initiated, that's a really good question. I would assume so. I know that we have a couple of lower priced options for those for whom money is an issue.

[FSUZeta]

ztas' must purchase a badge-it is up to their discretion which badge they choose. it must be worn over the heart, and should not be worn with casual clothing.

baci, i love your idea. and a hoodie sounds perfect for your friend, since she attends her childrens sporting events. i don't know how a hoodie with three letters would work, if it is a full zipper. has anyone ever seen one like that? was the middle letter just split in 2 by the zipper?

i have a beloved sweatshirt that i purchased several zeta days ago. it is the typical grey sweat material and has dark blue lettering. zeta tau alpha is written in a flattened semi circle in approx. 2 in. screenprinted letters, centered under that is a 5 pointed crown, centered under that is "alumna" and under that in smaller letters is "having more fun since 1898". too cute! i liked that fact that it said alumna.

[SthrnZeta]

Yes, FSUZeta is right, Zetas MUST purchase a badge. I didn't know other orgs didn't require it!

I recently bought a set of letters and had "alumna" stitched underneath them in cursive. I'm proud to wear letters, even though I still look young and could probably pass for a collegian. I agree that a polo or sweater with embroidered letters and/or crest would be nice if she's an older alumna. With ZTA, you also have the option of getting a pink ribbon embroidered with the letters or it but you could do any of her org's symbols with the letters over it and I'm sure it would look great!