Hi there everyone! Many of you may know my mom- as she has been active here this past year and has been by biggest cheerleader thru my recruitment journey! She has been on me to share my thoughts and my story and journey that was recruitment. As you can probably already tell you know the ending but it was an odd and unique beginning.
Coming from a small town and having no one in our family ever join a sorority I suppose I had a different view of what this was like. I had always wanted to attend Ole Miss and from the first visit I was in love and knew this was a place I could make my home. I had never intended to rush even up till first day of school. I had wanted to and joined a christian sorority which I felt would be a better fit and also give me a chance to meet other like minded girls. It was not until around a month or so into school that I was coming out of the union and noticed a table for one of the sororities which was colonizing- I thought it was interesting and the girls I spoke to were so sweet that I decided to give it a try. The process was difficult for me as there were some miscommunications along the way, and it ended up that I was not offered a bid. I won't lie I was so disappointed because I truly wished to be a part of something very special. I felt so bad that I somehow let my mom down as she was so encouraging to me. But in the end things just didn't work out.
I had some friends that I had met and made that were in several other sororities and I was asked to come to a COB event later that fall. But still being hurt and disappointed I just didn't feel the time was right and I needed more time to figure out if this was something I wanted to pursue.
After winter break....several more of my friends were encouraging me to attend several COB events and after thinking more about it and speaking with my mom- decided it couldn't hurt just to see what they were all about. I was immediately taken in with the sisterhood and just how friendly and welcoming they all were. I got to meet more girls in a much more relaxed atmosphere. Later I also met the recruitment chair and the more I learned about them and their philanthropy- which by way is near and dear to my heart, the more I grew to love them. After the series of events was over, I was invited to join their sisterhood and become a new member. I was so happy that there was never any question that this was place I belonged and that truly wanted me. I never once felt like I was competing for anything. It was like meeting a new family and one I knew I could grow with and that would present me opportunities to better myself as a person.
I joined the sisterhood and am a proud new happy member of.....
Kappa Alpha Theta
That was spring of this year....I just went through Ole Miss Recruitment as an active and boy was it a ton of work- many many long hours put in and I have learned so much about the process and just how-- its really not a personal thing when someone gets dropped. I learned there is so very much more that goes into it and it has given me a deeper appreciation for just how tough the process can be. Just in the short time I have been in Theta, I have gained so much. I am much more self confident knowing I can put myself out there and be satisfied with whatever happens. I grew to love one PNM this past week and she and I connected on such a deep and personal level that by end of rush it was like we were already sisters! I was so happy and cried tears of joy as she came home running into my arms!! I am so hoping she can be my little that I have already started putting things aside for her.
In conclusion....my journey to Theta, I am quite sure, is not the norm! I had quite a unique way but I don't think it could have worked out any better. I am now living with the 3 sisters who first introduced me to Theta and they will forever be my family!!! I would say to any of the girls stick with the process even if there is pain along the way. It doesn't matter how you find your home as long as you find it and are happy with the results and work hard to make it the best sisterhood it can be. I will always be grateful to my mom who was my biggest supporter, encourager and cheerleader. I am looking to get more involved and more active this year and hopefully look to more leadership opportunities next year.