​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

             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.