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As graduation approaches, here are some words from a few of our parting seniors. Thank you all for an amazing four years! No matter how far life may take you, know that you can always call Delta Zeta home. “I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to surround myself with such strong and empowering sisters the past four years. They've taught me it’s okay to not always have everything figured out, because at the end of the day we have each other to lean on. College is the time when you discover yourself at your worst and at your best, and making those mistakes along the way makes you feel so much stronger when you make it out on the other side. Delta Zeta has helped mold me into the woman that my parents can be proud of, and I feel confident parting from college knowing that I can make it out there on my own. This isn't good bye this is I'll see yah later. Thanks for all the mems.” -Sami Wisecarver PC ‘13, moving to Tampa, FL to work as a Speech Language Pathology Assistant before grad school “A favorite memory is being New Member Educator and getting to lead and mentor over 150 women and love on them and show them the love of DZ. My absolute favorite memories, though, have been with my pledge class. Whether it's a night on the town, sitting together at meals, hanging out during rush workshop, etc. PC '13 is fortunate to be extremely close and it's been a privilege to really grow up with these women and see us develop into young adults. I'll miss seeing them every day more than anything.” -Laura Ritchie PC’13, attending graduate school at The University of Alabama to complete a Masters in Marketing with a specialization in Marketing Analytics “One of the most exciting days of your sorority life is the day you get your little, or in my case littles, because I have four. All of them are unique and have blessed me with the greatest memories and relationships. Thank y'all for being the people I can call at 4 AM and say, "Let's go on an adventure" and not even have you question it. Thank you for being the best friends a girl could ask for.” -Rachel Townley PC ‘13 “My favorite DZ memory would have to be serving as Homecoming Chair junior year. Homecoming has always been one of my favorite parts of the year and being able to be so involved meant so much to me! Although it was a hectic, crazy week I am so glad I had the opportunity to serve the chapter in that way.” -Elizabeth Sodemann PC ‘13, headed to Atlanta to work for Audit Associate at BDO USA, LLP “DZ gives you the opportunity to make lifelong friends, gain leadership experience and gives you a safe place to be yourself and grow. I can't thank this sorority and the people I've met enough. You all have made my college experience better than I could've imagined. My advice to everyone is to stay involved, never take things too seriously and be nice.” -Maris Grantham PC ‘13 “Get involved! DZ has opened up so many doors for me and has taught me a lot about myself from the leadership positions I have held. If you put in effort and are involved, the sorority will mean so much more to you. Homecoming has always been something that I have loved since my freshman year. I got to know so many people that I did not know before and really bonded with my sisters. Since sophomore year, I have held a position on the Homecoming Committee and was even the Homecoming Co-Chair with my best friend this past year.” -Rachael Harrell PC ‘13, moving back to Nashville “My favorite memory is just all of the women that I now get to call my family. These people made the University of Alabama and Delta Zeta my home away from home. Do everything you can to be active within the sorority because you only get out of the sorority what you actually put in. Being active doesn’t necessarily mean having a leadership role (although I highly recommend taking one on), but being active means going to all the greek events and DZ events that occur throughout the semester.” -Claire Petolick PC ‘13, moving to Dallas, TX to work at the accounting firm EY “There isn't just one memory that stands out to me within four years of college. I have been blessed with such amazing friends that are also my lifelong sorority sisters. We have all been through so much together! I would have to say that my last two years here with my roommates, who are also some of my pledge class sisters, have been the best years within college. When you can find people that you can live with and not pull each other’s hair out....that’s true friendship. It creates such a strong bond. I hope everyone finds that in college. The people that you can live with and bond with. It’s going to be the hardest goodbye but it’s going to be a happy one with happy tears.” -Ashlon Harkins PC ‘13, graduating with a BA in Political Science and minors in English and Computer Science Applications and accepted in Law School “Live in the moment and have fun in college while you can! Find a balance between school, friends, and yourself. Classes and grades are important, but they also aren’t everything. Get involved on campus, in organizations other than Delta Zeta. I was involved in Project Health for 7 semesters, which helped me gain plenty of leadership experience and make great friends, too.” -Lizzy Schnicke PC ‘13, moving to Columbus, OH for the Human Nutrition Dietetic Internship Program at The Ohio State University and then becoming a Registered Dietitian “It's hard to choose just one memory that has been my favorite, as I have had so many over these past 4 years. If I am to give advice in any way, I would say enjoy and take advantage of all the opportunities presented by this wonderful sorority. I would do anything to get these 4 years back, but they have been some of the best!” -Carter Julseth PC’13, interning with Gulfstream Aerospace this summer “I’ve lived in the Delta Zeta Castle for three years now and it was hands down the best decision I have made. You will always have someone to watch movies with, closets full of clothes to share and someone to talk to. Your best friends will always be right down the hall. And of course my favorite part, you’ll always have first dibs on the best snacks. You’ll never have the opportunity to live in a house with 40+ of your sorority sisters ever again…it’s literally a once in a lifetime experience.” -Holly Geissel PC’13, continuing nursing school Good luck in all your future endeavors! We love you! 
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 Dear Delta Zeta, What do an avid pop-punk fan, heavy eyeliner and an “I hate all things pink and girly” attitude have in common? Those three things describe High School Laura - a girl who was the absolute opposite of a typical “sorority girl.” I’m not going to sugarcoat anything - sorority recruitment can be hard. No - not can be. It is hard. Especially if you didn’t know the difference between the Greek alphabet and the normal alphabet, ignored Spring Tea invites, never read anything about recruitment on the Internet (this was probably a blessing) AND you’re from Alabama. If it wasn’t for my mom who avidly attended meetings, gathered recommendation letters, forced me to go shopping for dresses and strongly encouraged me to go through recruitment, I probably wouldn’t have gone through recruitment at all. But, wow. Thank you, mom. Thank you to anyone who encouraged me to go through recruitment, texted me advice during the week and to the numerous amazing women who have founded sororities over the past century - you’re the women we owe this all to. Sitting in the Delta Zeta courtyard now and looking back over the past four years, I owe absolutely every part of my fantastic college experience to being a “sorority girl” and more specifically to you, Delta Zeta. The friendships, connections and experiences I’ve gained through Delta Zeta are invaluable. I’ve strengthened friendships I’ve had since I was five years old and have developed lifelong friendships even in my last semester of college. The laughs, tears and even the occasional eyerolls I’ve shared with the women in this chapter are all related to memories I’ll never forget. Knowing I won’t be surrounded by my sisters and best friends come three weeks from now is a hard pill to swallow. As a senior, the saying “You never know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone” is about to be a real thing. Throughout my four years in Delta Zeta I’ve held nine leadership positions in the chapter, all allowing me to make impactful decisions for almost 400 women. I’ve seen the good, bad and the ugly that comes with being in high leadership positions. I learned how to plan a retreat to Six Flags for 200 women (which includes 161 terrified new members), proper email etiquette, how to fend off boys at open house parties, run a committee, lead a meeting, work on team with extremely different personalities, approach situations with an unbiased perspective and more. Notice how almost everything I just mentioned is something I can apply to my career when working in the real world and, Delta Zeta, it all came from you. I still hate pink, but a lot of things have changed since High School Laura. I have grown into a confident woman with solidified morals and values, goals and aspirations, and standards on the type of person I want to be and type of people I want to surround myself with. And Delta Zeta, I owe that all to you. Thank you. In the Flame, Laura Ritchie   Dear Delta Zeta, Thank you. Those are the only two words in the entire English language that can even remotely portray how appreciative I am of you. As a senior who is graduating in less than a month, I am overcome everyday with emotional memories of the past four years. You do not know what you have done for me. As potential new members without a sorority to call home, you come to the University unsure of yourself and self-conscience of your future. I was no different. We spend a week going through recruitment, which as someone who has seen the PNM, active member, and Sigma Rho Chi side of that process, it is no walk in the park for anyone. But when I opened my envelope on bid day, I was overcome with emotions that I don’t think I had ever felt before. I had gotten Delta Zeta and had been given the opportunity to represent this beautiful chapter. For that opportunity, thank you Delta Zeta. This was the sorority that my great grandmother, grandmother, and mother had all been a part of. My mom was a graceful Delta Zeta here at Alabama who had always held her head high no matter life circumstance. When I was younger she surrounded me with her sorority sisters that feel more like Aunts and mothers than “family friends.” One even became my godmother and she means so much to me. When my mother died, those women carried me through life like that was their only priority. They loved and took care of me in a time where I was falling apart and without them I don’t know who I would be. So, for fostering such great women before me, thank you Delta Zeta. When I was a freshman I was still immature but thought, I knew all. I find that now is the time where I consider myself a woman because that’s what Delta Zeta has done for me. When I was a freshman, someone told me “You will get out of your sorority what you put into it.” And so, I did. I started with Alpha board positions like Sunshine Chair and Mail chair and eventually made my way to becoming a Sigma Rho Chi and Delta Zeta’s Parliamentarian. Though while I was in that position, I was probably too harsh at times, but I learned so much. I had never been prouder to represent my organization. I was blessed enough to get to serve as Chaplain with another sister for a semester as well and that was a blessing in its own. These positions and what I learned through them helped me to become the woman I am now. They played an important role in that aspect and I will always be grateful to the Executive members and Alumni who supported me through that. So, for the opportunities you have afforded me, thank you Delta Zeta. Delta Zeta you have given me so much pride and confidence through allowing me to share sisterhood with my mom’s best friends, and through giving me opportunities to grow in leadership. But you have been best to me through giving me friendships. I cannot comprehend what I have done to deserve these friendships. To meeting a sister on the first night of new member retreat who’s wedding I will be in this summer or providing me with a stubborn best friend who never gives up on me and supports me always. Delta Zeta you turned a beautiful friendship into an even more beautiful sisterhood with my little. You gave me a group of friends that stem from New York to Louisiana and in between. You have made me proud to be a woman who shares her opinions and speaks the truth while also being grateful and kind to those around me. No, you have not made me perfect but it is in that imperfection that I have found who I am. And for showing me that, I am forever in awe and blessed. You will forever be a part of me. So, dear Delta Zeta, thank you. In the Flame, Savannah St. Clair, PC ’13,  |
Welcome!Official blog of the Alpha Gamma Chapter of Delta Zeta at the University of Alabama. Archives
July 2019
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