Happy Birthday, Kappa Alpha Theta

Happy Birthday to the classiest, kindest, and most studious group of women on campus, Kappa Alpha

Theta! Since Jan. 27, 1870 women of Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity have become leaders and role

models all over the United States as well as in Canada. Theta currently has more than 135 chapters

at colleges and a total initiated membership of more than 230,000! These upstanding ladies wear the

letters with pride and demonstrate to the world what Theta means to all of us lucky enough to be

members. Personally, I have only been officially a member of Theta for a little over a week, but I can

already say I feel incredibly blessed. Theta stands for scholarship, leadership, service, and so many other

virtues I hold near and dear to my heart. The members of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, both on Wake’s

campus and nationwide are some of the most impressive women I have ever met. I know being a part

of Theta will provide me with lifelong friends, just as it has been doing for women since 1870. So happy

birthday, Kappa Alpha Theta, may you forever fly high!

Finding My Way Home

When people told me about Wake Forest they said "that school is so beautiful" that "you must be really smart to get in" and that "it's really, really preppy." No one really told me how out scared I would feel, no one said that you may feel out of place, that people are cut-throat competitive, and that the place is nothing like home. When I thought about Wake Forest before I knew what the school would be like, I was so excited and I kept saying I just wanted to get out of my town, but move-in day something felt strange. I kept telling myself I should keep positive, things will turn up, but this school was nothing like my high school. I felt like if I weren't trying to get straight A's, becoming the president of my own club, or running a marathon on top of my 17 credit hours and extracurriculars, then I just wasn't working hard enough. All I wanted was to go home. I wanted to be surrounded by people who loved me. I thought I wanted to transfer. 

Even though I practically left my house the last day of winter break in tears, I still came back. I decided to go through the week of hell, also know as sorority recruitment week, and I thought to myself that if I still didn't like it then I would just leave the school, no big deal. 

There's this stigma that sororities are for the girly girls, the ones that only own Lilly Pulitzer and Lulu Lemon in their closet, and LOVE glitter. It's funny... When I was talking to a girl in theta she said "I am not really the sorority type of girl... In fact I really don't like the idea of them at all." I was shocked, but each girl I met from theta showed me that being yourself was actually okay for once. There was no "mold" that the Wake Forest Bubble had created for us, and if there were a "stereotype" it would be how none of us are the same product of society. I did not believe I would change my mind about this school, not that it is a bad place at all, the academics are challenging and I love it, but I am the sweatpants, hair pulled back, breaking a sweat at the gym kind of girl, and I was afraid I didn't fit in. But these girls are my home. They are silly, friendly, loving, and wonderful, and they are the original purpose of a sorority- to provide a safe haven for women when they need it. 

ONE YEAR AGO TODAY

Allow me to indulge for a moment and say: Happy Birthday to us! It has been a year since this lovely group of women assembled together on campus, brought together by our lovely ELCs to help a diverse and wonderful group of young women to reestablish the Zeta Omicron chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta at Wake Forest University. And look at us now.

        We have flourished and have definitely sent positive vibes all across this campus. The way I see it, our chapter has grown in so many ways and I am so happy to have watched this evolution. In case you haven’t noticed (and because I am just so proud of the lovely women I can call sisters) I’m going to recap just a few of the highlights for me over the past year . . .

        First of all, we pulled off several amazing philanthropy events, CASA Royale last spring, Tie-a-Thon this fall, and have put together another outstanding CASA Royale this spring. Secondly, we’ve not only survived, but thrived during recruitment week, with quirky and endearing components to each day’s event, and the best part of that week is what it brought us—our wonderful, lovely, and newly initiated new members! Finally, I just want to point out the significance of our presence on campus.

This may not seem that important, but as a big believer in the ripple effect and the wonder in small things, I would like to say that this holds so much more meaning than I think anyone could convey. I hear great things about our sisters from people on campus all the time and I don’t know how many times I’ve heard “I love Thetas!” by people who have seen or directly experienced what we’ve brought to this campus. And in case you were wondering, this is what we’ve brought to campus: we are a diverse group of lovely young women who respect and love each other and we each have something important to contribute to this campus. Furthermore, as the always lovely Sam Larsen put it, we are a group of individuals who refuse to be defined by a sorority, but rather, who define a sorority by the standards we believe it should have and we have taken this sorority to soaring heights (probably because we’re flying high on those kites, man). 

One year ago today, I had no idea that the group of women I met at Kappa Alpha Theta would be some of the most dedicated, creative, and fun people I have ever met and I can honestly say that I am so happy, even honored, to have a place among them all. This sisterhood has accomplished so many great things already, I know we’re on a roller coaster that’s only going up, so enjoy the ride my lovelies!

TLAM

1 year later

I’m constantly being asked, why I decided to join Kappa Alpha Theta and charter an organization on campus. I could easily say that it was so that I could define my sorority and not let myself be defined by my sorority, I could say that it was to follow in my Grandfather’s footsteps (he charted a fraternity at Miami University of Ohio), or I could say that it was to leave a lasting impact on the university that gave me so many opportunities. Looking back, when I decided to join Theta it wasn't because any of these reasons but rather to simply be a part of the Greek community on campus. As much as it pains me to admit this, this statement was true a year ago. After going through recruitment and having to think about why I joined Theta and how I could communicate the reasons to a PNM in hopes of inspiring them to join our (AWESOME!) organization, I realized my reasons for staying in Theta are different from my reasons for joining Theta. The sisterhood and sense of community I have found in theta rings true to what everyone says about sororities, my sisters are there for me through thick and thin and inspire me to be the best version of myself that I can be (however cliché that sounds, it is 100% true). I stayed a Theta because it gave me a place to succeed, and also provided me with a group of girls who believe in me and truly think that I can and will be successful. Theta gave me the courage to try new things; joining this organization was like taking a step into the unknown, no one had any idea of what the future of this organization. After receiving a not so great grade, I question my place at this university academically, after a disagreement with my roommate, I question my behavior, after a pit sit, I question what goes into the food on this campus. Not once as being a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, have I ever questioned my place in this organization or whether it was the right fit for me. I am forever indebted to Kappa Alpha Theta for giving me lifelong friendships, providing me with the skills necessary to succeed on campus and also at my future job, giving me the courage to try new things, and most importantly motivating me to be the best version of myself that I can be.