‘Tis the season for Spring recruitment. This will be my first personal experience being on the recruiting end of the process rather than the PNM side. Doing various workshops and preparing for the events has really given me the opportunity to reflect upon my experience with Greek life.
I always knew that I wanted to be part of Greek life. It always seemed so glorious and I was so enthralled by the superficial aspects of it. I had no idea what profound meaning I was going to find in a sorority.
Going through recruitment was really scary at first. I had my roommate, Taylor, going through recruitment with me which made the process so much easier. At the time, I honestly thought I knew the organization that I was destined to be in. That sorority that I had the prepossessed idea I would join, is actually not where I found my home. Yet, I trusted the system, and gave the sorority I didn't know I would love so much a chance.
Ultimately, last Spring, I joined Kappa Delta. I really wasn't anticipating the huge impact this organization would have on my life. There are several significant pieces of my life that I would not have #ifnotforKD. Not only did I meet my roommates I am living with next year but I made friendships that I will hold onto for a lifetime. It is so comforting to be surrounded by a group of girls that constantly lifts you up and encourages you to be the best version of yourself. Walking around campus or into a classroom I can almost always guarantee I will see one of my sisters, and I always know I can talk to them and feel comfortable with them.
Through my college journey, with the incredible support of my best friends and sisters, I was able to gain the ability to truly find myself. In Kappa Delta, one key value that we strive to instill in our sisters, our peers, and those surrounding us is confidence. It was such an appropriate stroke of faith that confidence is the exact characteristic that I was able to fake so well in surface conversations but never truly possessed.
A year ago, I never thought I would have had the strength to remove people from my life that don't lift me up and appreciate every bit of my existence. Never would I have thought I wouldn't settle until I found people that would help me to achieve my dreams and aspirations. My sisters are always there for me to motivate me with their own successes and words of encouragement.
I would have never dreamt about singing in front of a group of people. I was able to with my sister Aubrey’s hand in mine as we conquered our fears together.
In middle school and even high school, I was always that person who struggled to pick a position on the paper. I could always make an argument for both sides. While it is occasionally a good thing to examine life from the gray area, I needed be able to defend a situation solely from the black or white realm as well. I never would have thought that I would have the confidence to share articles that expressed my feelings and opinions. After just briefly beginning to touch this territory, it makes me want to continue to share more of my beliefs and show people how I perceive the world.
I was also a person who was mortified to stand in front of a room and speak to people. My first presentation in Communication 101 freshman year, I thought I was going to faint and my hands shook so badly. This year I had a presentation in a biology seminar that was the longest one I've had to give to date and I was thrilled by the process and looked forward to presenting my knowledge. I even get to be a group leader for new members this coming semester.
All of these things have helped me to develop my career path. I no longer fear public speaking; I actually thrive on the rush that it gives me. Being in law seminar pushed me to use my communication skills with existing lawyers and law professors that could help me with my own journey. I always had a handle on classwork and the passion about writing, reading and research that it takes to be a lawyer. That's the piece that I was able to articulate to my prelaw advisor last year. This year, I get to add speaking and persuasion to those passions.
Lastly, on a superficial level, I didn't think I would ever be someone comfortable enough in my own skin to go to class without makeup on and baring my natural appearance. Occasionally striping down that facade that we always portray through makeup, hair and clothing is such an powerful gesture. We are strong incredibly capable creatures that have so much more to offer than what is perceived at the surface level.
It is unbelievable what a person can gain from a sisterhood. I am so happy and feel so blessed that I was able to find my home in Kappa Delta. My advice for any PNM going through recruitment is to find the organization that you have the most genuine connection with and where you can be yourself. Be sure to surround yourself with women that share your values and will encourage your journey to success. Find the women that constantly make you happy and smile and make your worst days better. For me, these are all things that I would not have #ifnotforKD.
