ALABAMA DELTA ZETA - Blog

How I found myself in DZ

7/19/2019

There I was, ripping open the seal of my letter from Alabama, anxiously waiting to see “Congratulations!” at the top of the page. Suddenly, I realized my dreams were coming true. Now I faced the inevitable question for many girls preparing for college, “Are you going to rush?” Honestly, I didn’t know. I knew that Greek life was a huge part of Alabama, like many other schools, but was it for me? I have never seen myself as the “sorority type”, and with no family member being connected to Greek life, I really wasn’t sure what I was in for. Alabama’s Greek life is the largest in the country! After giving it a great deal of thought, I finally decided what the heck? I couldn’t assume it wasn’t for me without at least trying it out?
After months of preparation, it was finally time, and I was ready for my first day of rush. It seemed intimidating and every possible insecurity raced through my mind. What if I wasn’t good enough? Smart enough? Stylish enough? What if I said the wrong things? Having come to Alabama from Northern Virginia, I just wanted a place to feel like home, especially being so far from my home. The moment I stepped into Delta Zeta, I felt an instant sense of comfort. Everyone was so welcoming and kind. It was diverse and unique, yet there was a commonality. I felt the girls I talked to actually wanted me there and wanted to engage in a real conversation with me. It felt like home, which was exactly what I needed- a place to call my own.
Choosing Delta Zeta was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have met so many amazing people that will be my lifelong friends. I really do not know where I would be without such a supportive group of women. It is up to everyone in a chapter to make it a loving and happy place to run “home” to. That’s what Delta Zeta is to me, my home away from home, and I’m so grateful to have this group of ladies to do college life with. Being a “sorority girl” has been an amazing experience. Every woman brings her individual qualities, and together we weave them into a beautiful tapestry. It takes a strong sisterhood to accept every kind of woman for who they are, and DZ has done just that. Looking back now I do not know what my freshman year would have been like without this amazing sisterhood, and I cannot wait to see what the next three years bring!

Brianna Berg
PC ‘18

Finding My Home at DZ

7/12/2019

During the months leading up to my move to Alabama, I had several people ask if I planned to join a sorority. My answer was always a quick no followed by a laugh as I never saw myself as the “sorority type”. Additionally, I was coming from far away where Greek life is not as big. Basically, my idea of a sorority was a bunch of preppy girls trying to outdo each other but I began to see there was a lot more to them than I originally thought.

In January I received an email with information on continuous open bidding, COB, and rather than just deleting the email I decided to fill out the form. Throughout my first semester, I watched friends from my classes who were involved in Greek life be given lots of opportunities. They always had a place to study, information about getting involved in the community, formals, etc. After submitting it, I called my parents to talk it over, explaining it didn’t mean I had to go forward with the process but wanted to see what opportunities were out there. Later in the month I had received emails from several sororities to learn more about them. I had met with members of a couple different sororities before meeting some from Delta Zeta. After the meeting DZ was by far my favorite and I had hoped to hear back from them. Soon after I got a call that I had received a bid and after talking with my parents I accepted.

I then became part of the Spring Pledge Class along with several other girls. When I was first pledging, I had only met a few other girls in my pledge class and hardly any actives. Luckily, over the course of our new member period we received diamond leaders, s/o Meg Moll, who helped us meet other girls in the sorority, especially from that years fall pledge class. Additionally, I had English class with Lauren Lukowicz who introduced me to her friends that were initiated earlier that year. They were a huge part in finding the feeling of sisterhood in DZ as I felt included from the beginning and they would introduce me lots of other actives which made me feel more at home.
After several weeks of weekly meetings, me and twelve other pledges were initiated on March 24th. I was so happy to finally be an active member of my new home. Even better, a few weeks later I got the best big who has helped my love for DZ grow even more.
I’m excited to see what fall recruitment is like as I haven’t gone through it myself but I’m even more excited to meet even more sisters through work and rush week. I can’t wait to be back home in less than a month!!

Kayla MacDonald
PC '19

To the Girl Wondering If She Should Join a Sorority

7/5/2019

Yes, you should.

I debated all summer before my freshman year whether or not I should go through recruitment. I didn’t think greek life was for me. I didn’t know much about sororities because none of my family or friends were in any, but I knew the stereotypes: rich, blonde, shallow, only cares about boys and partying. I’ve always taken my academics seriously, I like to be involved in more than one thing, and I like to surround myself with people who are going to push me to be better, not drag me down in the wrong direction. None of what I wanted in college seemed to match what I thought I knew about sororities. So, I didn’t go through formal sorority recruitment.

Once I got to Alabama, I found my way around college: I had my classes under control, I had joined a couple organizations, and I was making friends. A lot of those friends being sorority women. The more I heard them talk about their sororities and their “sisters,” the more I thought about joining one. I was still a bit hesitant, but I decided to fill out a COB form and at least meet with a few of the houses to get a better idea of what it’s all about.

DZ was the first house I heard from. I went in convincing myself it was a bad idea because I just knew a sorority wasn’t for me. Boy, was I wrong. When I walked in the house, I didn’t see all blondes wearing Lulu Lemons and gossiping about boys. Instead, I saw girls of different backgrounds and hair colors studying, eating lunch, and just hanging out. As I talked with Katie Beth (the VP of Membership at the time), she told me not only about the social aspect of being in a sorority, but the academic, philanthropic, and sisterhood.

Since joining DZ, I’ve learned that there is no mold to being a sorority woman. Sororities aren’t just for certain girls, they’re for every girl. No matter what you’re looking for in college or after college, I think a sorority is a great place to start.

DZ has been a place for me to (yes) meet people and have fun, but also a place to help me in my classes and future career choices, to gain leadership experience, and to give back to others in our community and around the world. It wasn’t a place that took away all my time like I thought, instead it just helped me to allocate my time to the right places.

If I could do it again, I’d do it the same

6/29/2019

Before coming to The University of Alabama and going through recruitment, I had heard girls talking about their sorority as their “home”. While I didn’t know exactly what that entailed at the time, I knew I wanted to find that. Through Delta Zeta, I have found a home, but I have also found so much more. They say a house is just four walls, and that it’s what is on the inside of that house that counts. I may be a little biased, but I think we have the most beautiful four walls to create our Delta Zeta house. That being said, I can honestly say it does not compare to the almost 400 girls that make our Delta Zeta house a home. Delta Zeta is filled with some of the most brilliant, driven, diverse, loving, and fun girls I have ever met.

They say you find your bridesmaids in your sorority. The girls that will be standing by you on the biggest and happiest day of your life. But they don’t tell you about what else you’ll find. They don’t tell you about how you’ll find friends who show up with a milkshake after a tough day, or who will text you before a big exam telling you that they believe in you. Through Delta Zeta, I HAVE found my bridesmaids. More importantly, I have found a support system who will be there to celebrate every victory and be ready to fight any battle.

As I think about the past three years in Delta Zeta, I can see how my home away from home as shaped me into the person I have become. Because of the encouragement of Delta Zeta, I have applied for and held numerous leadership positions across campus. Because of Delta Zeta, I have become connected with numerous alumna who want nothing more than to see my sisters and I succeed and are willing to help in any way possible. Because of Delta Zeta, I have grown both socially and professionally.

Winnie the Pooh says it best. “We’ll be friends forever, won’t we, Pooh?” asked Piglet. ‘Even longer,’ Pooh answered.” Because of Delta Zeta I have found my forever friends. If I could turn back the clock, I’d choose Delta Zeta a hundred times over.

xoxo,
Emily Truchon PC '16

Where In The World Are Bama DZ's?

6/21/2019

Meghan Moll
   Sophomore, PC ’18

   Right after school ended, a group of 37 students and I went on a medical outreach trip to the city of Cusco, Peru with the Volunteers Around the World club. The long, over 24-hour journey to get to the Southeast of Peru which is located in the Northwestern part of South America was well worth it for the amazing trip that we all experienced.
   Lucky for me, I was fortunate enough to be able to get a spot on this amazing trip. Not only did we set up medical clinics in the city of Peru, but we also all got individual chances to shadow Peruvian doctors, take vitals like blood pressure, temperature, hemoglobin and blood glucose levels, as well as work in the pharmacy where some of us, such as myself, got to administer shots to some of the patients who needed them.
   Doing these things, especially when you’re in a medical setting, is extremely hard to do in the United States because of the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) laws that we have in place, but in Peru we could experience all of this and more!
   Not only did we have the chance to learn from these medical experiences, but we also were given the chance to learn about the history of Peru and their culture. Some of the really fun and interesting things that a lot of us were able to take part of were:

Also on this trip were a few other Delta Zeta’s that I got to experience this trip with. Here are their stories!

Ashley Eggert
   Recent Graduate of 2019, Delta Zeta Alumni

   “I really really liked being given the ability to pretty much act as a doctor on my own and I especially liked how we were able to give injections with the help of Rosa (a Spanish doctor that helped us in the pharmacy). I loved how the people in Peru were so connected to nature and gave offerings to Pachamama (‘The Mother Earth’ - the goddess of the Andes mountain range), but was also intrigued as to the contrast in how they so willingly polluted the Earth by littering and the amount of smog everywhere. I also liked that the doctors gave me the freedom to learn by actually doing things like Dr. Juan taught me how to listen to the abdomen and the lungs and just let me do it all by myself when I was shadowing. I felt like I got so much hands on experience with that and being able to give an injection, that was priceless.”

Halle Jaksa
   Recent Graduate of 2019, Delta Zeta Alumni

   “I think it’s always a great learning and growing experience to go to another country and experience a different culture, especially in the way that we do through Volunteers Around the World. These trips always allow us to not only help and make a difference but also be more than just tourists in the city that we’re in and really see what other cultures are like. I really learned a lot about medicine in Peru and in general, as practice and exposure are both always helpful and great learning experiences. I also learned a lot about the people in Cusco as well and this experience was also great for practicing my Spanish too!
   Overall, we went to Peru to help in the clinics and help the people in the city, but in return we learned a lot and got a ton out of it! It was a lot of fun being with the whole group and being able to explore and work in the clinic all as a team!!!”

Kenzie Hare
   Sophomore, PC ’18

   “My trip to Peru was a once in a lifetime experience. I gained valuable information about medicine, which only made my passion for medicine and working in the medical field grow. While on the trip I learned what it was like to not only work in a clinic setting, but in a completely different part of the world with a whole different culture as well.
   The experience in the clinic was fascinating. I learned first hand how to manually take blood pressure on different types of patients, I was able to test children for anemia and adults for diabetes, and I also had the chance to travel around different parts of Cusco. With this opportunity I learned about the culture in Peru, tried different types of food, and was able to learn how to bargain and use bargaining to shop. I saw Machu Picchu, which was in itself a once in a lifetime experience, as well as Lake Humantay, which was a beautiful piece of nature, but a difficult hike. Overall, the trip was one I will never forget.”

Recruitment what to do's

6/15/2019

Sorority recruitment is only 2 months away, and it has me thinking of my time as a PNM. As a PNM, I found myself thinking of things I wished I’d known to bring to Tuscaloosa. First, don’t underestimate the heat of an Alabama Summer. You will sweat. I never used to sweat a lot, even during sports, and I found myself dripping after house number six on the first day. So, I’m going to make a list of things to bring to recruitment that I wish someone had made for me.
Almost all the PNMs had portable fans. They’re a no-brainer for in between parties and during break times. Oil Blotting wipes, which you can get almost anywhere, are great for keeping your makeup looking fresh all day and keeping the shine away. Matte Powder makeup in a skin color or sheer will help to set your original makeup and keep you from having to redo anything too major during the short breaks. Also the shade of lip gloss or lip stick you put on in the morning should always be with you for after it fades or after meal time. Extra deodorant and waterproof mascara are a good idea for any PNM who isn’t well acclimated to the heat of the Alabama Summer. Breath mints are good to chew between parties if you’re self-conscious about having bad breath. They’re better than gum because you may forget to spit it out, and probably won’t want to be chewing it in a house. It’s important to bring a few pens for jotting down notes in the Greek Chic. I made the mistake of only writing one or two words for the first few parties and quickly learned that it takes more than “blue dress” to differentiate the 17 houses. Having extra pens would be ideal in case one runs out of ink or a friend in your rho chi group doesn’t have one. (Side-note always bring the Greek Chic. I lived by that little book, and did not want to be the PNM always asking to see someone else’s) Plenty of Snacks and a water bottle will keep you full and hydrated between mealtimes. A large, cold water bottle was ideal for any girl who didn’t want to get dizzy or sick in the hottest part of the day. If you’re wearing heals, flip flops are a great idea between parties. I remember when my best friend from my rho chi group, thought we were supposed to be at the same house for a preference party and she ended up having to run down the row with her shoes in her hands to get to her party on time. Fall Primary Recruitment can have a ton of walking and you’ll save yourself a lot of pain and heart ache by taking care of your feet when you can. Lastly, it is important to bring a good attitude. As cheesy as that sounds, I wish I’d known how hard the actives had been working the week and even semester before recruitment week. The houses really get pumped up and excited for the PNM’s, and the least I could do was show the same amount of optimism and excitement when being invited into their houses. I wish I’d known to brag about myself and ask questions when I was curious. Recruitment week is one of the only weeks when you get to see inside all the houses and get to know girls in your own grade before the schoolwork hits. If I could do it all again, I’d share exactly what I have here and tell myself to have fun and be myself because that’s how you find the house that’s the perfect fit for you.

To Those Closer Ones...

3/8/2019

In my last few years of high school, I wasn’t exactly sure if I really wanted to participate in Greek life. I always said that it was overrated and I wasn’t the type of girl to join a sorority. It wasn’t until my senior year that I truly took an interest in the idea of being Greek. The majority of my friends, including all three of my roommates, were planning on rushing at their various universities. So in order to avoid FOMO and complete jealousy, I decided to give it a try. I didn’t have many expectations, as I wasn’t convinced that I would just love the experience.
            As I made the final decision to at least go through recruitment I began to get all of my applications, recommendations, and outfits planned out and finished. While worrying about the small details, I had been reached out to by a Delta Zeta named Kasey Sams. At the time she was an upcoming Junior that had just so happened to attend the same high school as me; we also had a few mutual friends. Multiple times she texted or called me before the “no contact period” to extend her hand for advice or help in any way. She let me know how important Delta Zeta was to her and how she was looking forward to seeing me at the university in the next year. Little did I know, Kasey Sams was going to have a huge impact on my college life.
            When recruitment week started, I felt nothing but stress and worry. I constantly wondered, “Who is going to love me? Who is going to drop me? What do I need to say to make these girls think I am perfect?” As the week went on, I experienced a few heartbreaks by houses that I loved but didn’t get called back to; and I experienced a few wins by houses that loved me as much as I loved them. Delta Zeta was a constant throughout the entire process. It was always a house that I completely enjoyed and one that I was getting invited back to every day. I was ecstatic because I knew how much it meant to Kasey Sams, and I couldn’t want more. For the last round of rush week, Preference Night, Kasey was the Delta Zeta lady that picked me up at the door. When I saw her, I felt nothing but joy and comfort. I knew that we were about to have an amazing conversation. By the end of the night, I knew that I loved Delta Zeta and that if that was the house I ended up in, I was going to be in a good place.
            Sure enough, when I opened my card up on Bid Day, Delta Zeta was the house written down. I ran to Delta Zeta right into Kasey Sams’ arms. From that day forward, Kasey took me in, introducing me to all of her friends, inviting me to all of their hangouts, and making me feel nothing but completely included and wanted. Throughout my freshman year, her group became my group, and I was taken in by a few Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors. I enjoyed being able to be friends with older girls who not only gave me insight on college, but loved me despite being younger than them.
            Still to this day, that group of older girls are my very best friends. We do everything together from lunch at the house, to coffee dates, to going to date parties. Life is nothing but fun with them. We have been through thick and thin, laughter and tears, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I am incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to join Greek life, and that I made the decision to stay in it because I was given the best girls in the world. Every year is bittersweet as we lose a few to graduation and adult life, but our friendships will never fade. That I am very confident in. Thank you, my girls- you know who you are. I love y’all so much. Here’s to a lifetime of love and sisterhood!

Keep on burning,
Savannah Brasher - PC '17

"Delta Zeta Pushes Me Beyond Academics..."

2/21/2019

By: Shelby Scott PC '15

Coming to The University of Alabama as an out of state freshman in 2015, I wanted so badly to find a group of people that I could connect with immediately in a community I was utterly unfamiliar with.  I have always been the kind of girl who cares deeply about her academic success, and this trait was not going to change for me once I began college either.  There is a huge stereotype placed on sorority women regarding their academic performance, and I’m here to tell you for a fact that that couldn’t be further from the truth.

I came to The University of Alabama as a pre-nursing major, with high hopes of making my way into the competitive nursing program.  I knew this feat was not going to be simple, but through continuous support of my sisters, hard work, and academic programming that Delta Zeta put in place for me during this time, my dreams became a reality.  Not only did Delta Zeta provide me with study partners, access to tutors, and quiet places in the house to review my school work, it also provided me a mentorship with a sister in the nursing program to offer me practical advice about the process of applying for acceptance into the nursing school.  I was accepted into upper division nursing classes in March of 2016, at the end of my sophomore year.  My sisters congratulated me, and supported me, as many of them knew the countless sleepless nights I had studying and quizzing myself in hopes for a couple more points on the next mornings test.

After I was accepted into my program, I thought the hardest part of my journey was passed. Boy, was I wrong.  My schedule grew busier, my classes got harder, and I felt like I had very little free time.  However, I’m seldom the girl to back down from a challenge.  I ran, and was elected to serve as the chaplain for Delta Zeta for two years.  I grew even more active in my sorority, and even closer to my sisters although my schedule had considerably less free time.  My closest group of sisters and I often want to spend time with each other, as we realize we don’t have many more nights together before our impending graduation.  Due to their unyielding support for me and my crazy schedule, many of our nights are spent in the common area of the sorority house with a movie on and our notebooks in front of us while we study together.  The most important word of that last sentence is “together”.  My friends could be doing anything else, but they continue to motivate me to be the best version of myself I can be, and offer support or a helping hand when necessary.  I couldn’t be more thankful for this group of girls, they have changed my life, and offered me steadfast love and friendship when I needed it most.

I get asked all the time how I balance by social life, and my rigorous school demands.  People ask how I can possibly have time to make good grades, while also being heavily involved in Delta Zeta.  The answer to that is easy; Delta Zeta has provided me with a wonderful support system of sisters who are like minded to me, and fervent in their academic endeavors.  Delta Zeta has also been my biggest cheerleader, and my safest home when things don’t seem to play in my favor.  I’m truly comfortable here; I am allowed to be unapologetically me.  If I said college has been easy, that would be a lie.  However, the support of my sisters has made it all worthwhile, and helped me succeed even when it seemed impossible.  I am so thankful that Delta Zeta has taught me real world skills, and offered me the support system that I truly needed during my academic years and beyond.

Chasing Dreams

1/18/2019

By: Shelby Serad, PC 16

After I tell someone what my dream career is, their reaction is usually “you are not the typical sorority girl I know.” Growing up my dream job when I was young was to be an astronaut for NASA. When I got a little older, I wanted to be a pediatric oncologist. When I got to college, I realized that while Apollo 13 is my favorite movie and as much as I loved science in high school, my dream job just wasn’t going to happen.

I am a junior at the University of Alabama (ROLL TIDE!!) studying American Studies, Criminal Justice, and Cyber Criminology. Last fall semester and this semester (YAY!!!), I interned with the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit. The unit is housed out of the Tuscaloosa Country Sheriff’s Office with officers from Tuscaloosa Police Department, Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, University of Alabama Police Department, and Northport Police Department. The men and women that I have worked alongside the past four months, and will continue to do so in the future, have changed my life. They have pushed me outside my comfort zone, challenged me, and have given me the best academic and educational experience possible. The officers have allowed me to gain a real-world perspective that many college students my age don’t have. I have created memories and had many laughs while seeing them make a difference in my new home, Tuscaloosa. Next, to my dad and mom, they have become the first people I ask for advice from and a support system that I can rely on.

While my internship is wonderful, and the investigators are even better, Delta Zeta has given me a home to chase my dreams. My sisters have shown me nothing but support, pushed me to be the best version of myself, encouraged me when I had doubts (or others doubted me), and allowed me to grow into the person I am today.

My dream job is to work in a homicide and narcotics unit. I am proud to say that when I graduate in May 2020, I will be working to make my dream a reality. One day I will be captain of my own unit and leading a team to achieve our goals and better the community.

My sisters in Delta Zeta have given me an environment to pursue my dreams and keep me on track towards my goals. They have shown me the value of making the community a better place. In our creed, it states “crusade for justice, seek the truth and defend it always.” I am excited to pursue a career that investigates the truth and stands up and defends justice. Thank you, Delta Zeta, for teaching me that life lesson. Thank you to the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Task Force for showing me that I can make a career out of helping the community and stand up for what is right. Thank you to my sisters for having my back and letting me who I truly am.

One of my favorite qualities about Delta Zeta is no one has to fit in. My sisters prove to me every day that our sorority is not about fitting in or being the “typical sorority girl,” it is about finding a home, a support system, and family. When you find your home, there is no need to fit in or change yourself because you have already found a sisterhood that will accept and love who you are. I have found my sisterhood, family, and home at 900 Magnolia Drive.

To my best friends, executive family, advisors, future bridesmaids, and my mentors in law enforcement thank you for letting me live my best life possible.

Always remember… Be you, Be More, Be Delta Zeta!

Much love,
Shelby Serad
PC’16

Finding My Other Half

1/13/2019

By: Sam Hughes, PC '17

I remember the first months of freshman year, sitting in my dorm room on the phone with my mom, answering all of her questions about what I did that day, how my classes were, what I was eating for dinner, what my plans were for the day. By the end of the conversation on some days, I could feel that question coming that truly, as a young college student acclimating to life, scares you. The “how are you” that isn’t searching for the simple and easy “good.” It’s the one that desires the true answer, whether that’s positive and happy or negative and hard. And at the beginning of freshman year, I think a lot of people struggle to get to the point of being able to honestly answer that question with an enthusiastic response of how much you’re loving life. My biggest struggle while transitioning to college life, was feeling like Alabama was where my heart was; I constantly told my mom that I was looking for something or someone to make that connection for me.
            A few short weeks into the school year, during homecoming week, I decided to go to the DZ house before one of my classes. Since it was early, not a lot of people were there. I sat down in the living room, and after a few quiet minutes, another girl walked in and sat down in the room with me. She happened to be someone I had just met the day before, so we started chit-chatting to avoid awkwardness. Through the conversation, we realized so many little random things we had in common, and started bonding over finally finding someone to relate to us on things. After that day, my best friend Tori and I never went a day without each other.
            From sitting in the car listening to new music, to trying local restaurants, going to every Delta Zeta event together, and finding ways to make the other laugh on our bad days, freshman year brought us so close. As cheesy as it is, we cried saying bye to each other for the summer. I’m from Cincinnati and Tori is from Pittsburgh, so we would be able to see each other over those three months, but we both knew that life gets busy and making time for a four-hour weekend trip can be difficult. One morning I woke up to about 20 text messages from Tori freaking out for me to call her whenever I could. I was a little anxious, but also knew she could be a little ~dramatic~ so I didn’t let myself get too scared. Tori told me that her parents said I could come on vacation with her in the middle of July, so of course I said yes! Our trip to the Outer Banks was one of my favorite vacations ever, and it gave us so many more memories, proving to me that our friendship was more than just two people keeping each other company at school. Even over this winter break, I decided to spend the New Year with Tori.
            All my friendships are equally important to me. I have a core group of friends at school that I have found through DZ; however, I think there are certain people in life that you just connect with. It’s almost impossible to put into words how two people complement each other so well. I am beyond blessed to have one of these people in my life also be my best friend.
            This past year, I’ve begun to realize just how special friendships in college are. Delta Zeta has brought me so many best friends, that I honestly did not know if I would find to replace my high school ones. But, most importantly, I truly believe I have found the person to make this place a home for me. Without Delta Zeta, Tori and I probably would not have connected. This is such a special connection to me, and no matter where our lives take us over the course of the years, I know I have a sister to always lean on.