Most kids only switch schools a couple of times and are able to stay with their friends from Pre-K until graduation. They find their people, form their group, and the rest is history. I was a little different. My parents enrolled my sister and I in private school from the get-go, but we never really found the right fit. So, my parents had us transfer every couple of years. Since I never stayed anywhere for very long, my friends changed frequently. At the end of my sophomore year, I decided I wanted to graduate from public school and that that would be my last time transferring.
My entire life had consisted of teeny, tiny schools. I’m talking 30 to 50 people. The largest private school I went to had a little over 100 students from pre-k through the 12th grade. You can imagine my surprise when I walked into a public high school of almost 2,000 people. I felt lost, alone and scared. But I knew that was what I wanted and I was determined to make it work. I found my way around, got involved in yearbook, and tried to make connections, but it was very slow moving. I sat alone at lunch for the first couple of months. I didn’t talk to anyone, I didn’t go out, and I didn’t get involved with sports. Then, when I finally found my people, we were all graduating. It was such a letdown. Don’t get me wrong – I really enjoyed high school, but it was lonely. I never had a real group of friends until my senior year. I started running track, got really involved in volunteer work, somehow made it on homecoming court, was voted “Most Dependable”, and even received a Principal’s Award. Things were finally the way I had imagined them right before I had to leave. Again.
At first, I wanted to be close and wanted to stay with my friends. I was going to go to a community college, transfer to a university the next year, and study nursing. I thought I had it all figured out… then life happened. My friends all moved away, so I did too. I somehow ended up at a little university in Hickory where I landed a scholarship to run track. I hated Lenoir-Rhyne, as most freshmen do. I tried to become involved on campus during the Fall semester, but there just didn’t seem to be anything for me. I met some of my closest friends already and knew I didn’t want to leave, but was afraid I would have to. Then one night in January, everything changed.
My best-friend (soon-to-be big) dragged me out of my cozy little room into the frigid cold, and drove me to her sorority house. I had never met these women but they knew my name as soon as I walked through the door. At first, I thought they were a bunch of freaks. No part of me had ever wanted to join a sorority. It had never even been a thought. I literally rolled up in leggings and a giant sweatshirt for crying out loud. I went for the cupcakes (and to appease my best friend). By the end of the night, to my surprise, I was on the phone with my parents crying because I had finally found my people. I accepted my bid (obviously), recieved my big (she’s the bomb), and never looked back. Lenoir-Rhyne and Gamma Chi had become my home.
Since joining Kappa Delta, I’ve been through a lot. I’ve gone through break ups, been on bad standing, been in leadership positions, planned philanthropy events, switched my major (and added another one), gone to conferences, and have even suffered the loss of a sister. It has not always been bright and sunny, but it has been real. How do I know these are my people? How do I know I’ve found my home? Because no matter how dark things have been, one of them has always been there to pick me up and I’ve always been there for them as well. We’ve rebuilt our chapter together and have never given up on one another, even during the worst of times. I know these are my people because they don’t just give up when things aren’t perfect; they accept that life sucks sometimes and keep pushing forward. They’re true, wise, honest, loving, and noble.
No part of me believed I would find my people in Greek life, but it happened and here I am. Kappa Delta has brought out the very best in me, encouraging me to get involved on campus, make an impact in the community, and leave a lasting impression on our chapter. I’ve welcomed new members home, said tearful goodbyes to seniors, gone to a funeral, and helped rebuild council. Not one time have I questioned the sisterhood we share. For three years, I’ve been a part of something bigger than myself and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It took 18 years, but I finally found where I belong. My sisters are my people and they always be, no matter what. I couldn’t be more thankful for that. AOT forever.
