Rush ZTA 2013

            Going through rush can be intimidating, I completely understand. When I went through last year, I had absolutely no idea what to expect other than a lot of small talk and possibly some chanting.

            Let’s just say recruitment at The University of Texas will blow all of your expectations out of the water. If you’re excited about the surprise of rush and don’t want me to spoil the secrets, you should probably just skip right over this blog post. If you’re anything like me, keep reading for a play-by-play of what to expect.

CONVOCATION

            Convocation is the evening before the first day of recruitment at Hogg Auditorium on campus. Cramming over 1,000 girls going through rush into the room is a bit of a stretch, but it’s surprisingly fun and upbeat.  You get to meet your recruitment counselors, the other girls in your rush group, and you also receive your Open House t-shirts and tote bag to carry your belongings in throughout the week. The realization that recruitment is FINALLY here hits you pretty hard, and the excitement is contagious!

OPEN HOUSE

            The Open House round lasts for two days and you will visit all 13 sorority houses. You will go from house to house with your rush group, and stand in alphabetical order waiting for each party to start. When the recruitment counselor knocks three times, you have to be completely silent. Nothing happens for about three seconds until the house explodes with cheering and girls banging on the walls as the door swings open. The president of the sorority, as well as a few rush team members will step out on the porch and welcome you to their house, and the house will again erupt in chanting. As you walk through the door, you’ll be greeted and picked up by the girl who will be talking to you that day. Every house does it differently, but at Zeta, get ready for some hugs J

Once you complete the second day of open house, you’ll go to the UTC (University Teaching Center) and write down the 10 houses you liked the best! Helpful hint: Make sure to take notes after each house you visit to remember who you talked to and what about when you’re ranking.

PHILANTHROPY

            Philanthropy is another two-day-long round. You’ll receive your schedule early in the morning, and can attend a maximum of 10 parties. Your schedule won’t be the same as everyone in your Open House group, so you’ll be going to each house on your own. If you can, try mapping out your route from house to house ahead of time! Helpful hint: Try your hardest not to miss the bus that goes from DG to Kappa/ Alpha Phi. Trust me, it’s a long run in the summer heat.  Also, avoid University Towers on 24^th and Rio Grande at all costs. It’s filled with bored, freshman boys looking for trouble.

            Each house will have you complete a small craft or participate in an activity that is centered around their philanthropy. Many houses also prepare either a short presentation, skit or dance to illustrate their efforts in raising awareness. This gives you an idea about what each chapter does to give back to their philanthropy, and shows off a bit of their personality as well!

            This is also the first round that the houses are allowed to offer refreshments other than water. You’ll typically receive a refreshing, fruity drink (lots of fancy lemonades and Shirley temples). Make sure to keep hydrated at each house you visit! You do not want to be the girl that passes out from heat exhaustion. These two days are hectic, but the best night is yet to come!

SKIT NIGHT

            Skit night is by far everyone’s favorite night of rush! You really get to see the personality of each chapter in their 20-minute long skits. Each chapter is different, of course, but a few jokes remain the same across the board. Many houses play on the stupidity of fraternity boys, pop culture (Honey BooBoo and Hunger Games, when I went through) and a few self- deprecating jokes. Tonight you should begin to get a feel for where you belong.  You may only visit a maximum of six houses on skit night.

            Now, the decorations on skit night are outrageous! Overnight, each house seems to completely transform. Some houses go with a movie theater theme, some go along with their skit, but let’s just say Zeta’s decorations were by far my favorite! The elaborate costumes will make you feel like you’re in an actual production. The food is probably the best part, though. From popcorn and coke floats to elaborate chocolates and fruity drinks - each chapter brings something different to the table (literally).

            By skit night, I had absolutely no voice and my feet were banged and bruised from breaking in brand new heels. Hint: break in your shoes beforehand...your feet will thank you! Also, bring flip-flops or flats to quickly and comfortably walk from house to house.

Ultimately, just be sure to soak it all in! Skit night is a great chance to relax your voice and enjoy the show.

PREFERENCE NIGHT

            Preference night is the most serious night of rush. Both active sorority members and potential new members wear black dresses, so it may be difficult to tell PNMs apart from active members. Each house will be decorated very elegantly, and at many houses you’ll receive a note from a girl you’ve met in the past week. Most sororities present some type of program with testimonials on how their sisterhood has transformed their lives. Beware, lots of girls will be crying...you might even tear up yourself! The best advice I ever got for pref night was to look around at the other PNMs and talk to them while you’re on the porch. Do you get along well with them? Could you see yourselves being friends down the road? These girls could potentially be your sisters starting the very next day!

            Don’t ever forget that as much as you’re trying to impress us, we’re trying to impress you! Each sorority has the same goal of finding the girls that will thrive in their chapter. Be yourself, and you’ll end up exactly where you belong! Prepare yourself for long days and nights, lots of running and lots of small talk. Recruitment is a long week, but the sisterhood that comes as a result will last forever. We’re all so excited to meet you in August! Go Zeta!

Zeta Love,

  Regan Seckel PC '12

The University of Texas Commencement Speaker

Zeta Tau Alpha- University of Texas member Mallory Garcia
was chosen by the Dean of Students Office to be one of the university commencement speakers.
Our grads are going places!

Commencement is the final ceremony of graduation weekend where everyone gathers in front of our beautiful tower one last time. We sing The Eyes of Texas, yell “TEXAS FIGHT” and soak up our last moments before officially becoming Texas Exes. According to some people I have spoken with, it’s one of UT’s best shows of the year… and now I completely agree with them! Looking back on the entire experience, it still seems so unreal but it will forever be one of my favorite memories of the 40 Acres.

When I first received the e-mail invitation a few weeks before graduation, I was in complete shock. Had I really just been nominated to speak at this year’s Commencement ceremony? What would I say to thousands of graduates and family members? Luckily for me, I have some amazing sisters who helped me feel more excited than afraid about this incredible opportunity. I will never forget the look on Kate Onofrey’s face when I told her about my upcoming speech. Nor will I forget the excitement of Ashley Carlisle, who’s also always been one of my biggest supporters. It was through their excitement and the excitement of others that I began to find excitement in myself to overcome the nerves.

My nomination to speak at commencement came from The Office of the Dean of Students. I have worked for their office for the past two years as a Student Assistant in the Student Organization Center and as an Orientation Advisor for New Student Services. My time with DOS has brought me closer to the university and helped make UT feel more like home. I am beyond grateful for all the amazing mentors and professionals I’ve met who work everyday to improve our experience at students while at UT. 

My experience as a commencement speaker was amazing. I spent my final week in Austin getting to know the other 6 incredible student leaders who were speaking as well. Their contributions to both the university and to their own personal education are beyond anything I could have imagined. They each had their own personal story to tell and I felt a little more connected to them after hearing their wise words in preparation for Saturday.

On Thursday, May 16 during our dress rehearsal I was able to calm my nerves by reading my speech out loud for the first time. Although it was helpful, I was reading to a bunch of empty chairs and couldn’t even fathom speaking in front of thousands of people. As Saturday approached I was excited to know that so many of my sisters would be out there listening and supporting me along with my family and friends. The fact that I was wearing this beautiful teal graduation sash, probably helped a little too J

While giving my speech I looked out to find my family and then immediately focused on the beautiful capital building ahead of me. “…..As we leave here today, I challenge all of you, class of 2013, to understand how capable you are of changing the world, one world at a time.” And just like that, it was all finished. I walked back down to meet all my sisters in line for our final procession into the Main Mall for the ceremony.

I was extremely honored to be one of the seven students chosen to represent the graduating class of 2013. UT has changed my life, which is no surprise because here at the University of Texas at Austin, 

“What Starts Here Changes The World” 

Zeta Love Forever,

Mallory Garcia PC '09

Senior Farewell

The fact that I’m a Zeta alumnus is unfathomable! PC09 was officially welcomed into the alumni world at our senior dinner on April 29th, and we graduated from UT on May 18th. These are epic moments which I never thought would actually happen to me. As a baby faced, chocolate milk loving kid at heart, I never accepted the fact that I would eventually have to leave this university utopia. After living at the Zeta house the past two years, I took a grown up step by signing an apartment lease in Dallas this week, all while dragging my feet. 

The senior dinner took place on the last Monday of the school year. Everyone was overwhelmed with projects and tests, but we made the event a priority. Our pledge class has always been particularly close, so this was a special occasion we looked forward to celebrating. We had a delicious entrée per usual, followed by a scrumptious dessert. Next, the last few senior grams were read. These letters are written by the parents of seniors as their final sendoff. I had the pleasure of reading Emma Weiss’s letter. She has been one of my best friends since the summer after freshman year, and was one of my roommates in the Zeta house this past year. Not only is she a brilliant, pre-med/business major, but she’s also one of the most caring, hilarious people you'll ever meet. I’m not much of a crier, but the thought of leaving her actually made me shed a few tears while reading her sweet letter.

Finally, the alumni led us in an oath as we committed to joining them in the alumni world. As I gazed around the room, I saw the bright beautiful faces of all the people I’m so proud to call my sisters. Women who are going to teach our future generations (Anna, Jordan, Kelli, Mallory, and Megan), our future business/technology leaders (Alex, Bailey, Bonnie, Chelsea, Gabi, Hollie, Kate, Katie, Kim, and Stacey), those who will redefine the future of medicine (Allison, Elena, Elizabeth, Emma, Heather, Jessica, Kayla, and Melissa), our future lawyers (Amanda, Ashley, Emily and Leah), our future leaders in politics (Audrey, Hilary, and Madi), and women like Anna and Erika who will eventually have their own book or TV show. I could go on forever, but blog posts are supposed to be brief from what I'm told. I am incredibly proud to enter the alumni world with these lovely ladies by my side. The memories have just begun. I have no doubt that we will all remain close friends until we’re on our rocking chairs reminiscing on how we truly did change the world….

Zeta Love Forever,

Bekah Thayer PC '09

Sigma Chi Derby Days 2013

It’s that time of year again! As spring semester comes to a close, it doesn’t mean that the fun has to end. From April 22^nd to the 27^th, the Zetas put on their game faces and participated in some friendly competition during Sigma Chi’s 3^rd Annual Derby Days.

Derby Days is a philanthropy event put on by many Sigma Chi chapters across the country to raise money for the specific chapter’s charity of choice. The event originated at the University of California – Berkeley (Alma mater of our very own university president Bill Powers) and it soon spread to other campuses. This year, there were many events laid out for 13 Panhellenic sororities to participate in to work towards the ultimate goal of being Derby Days champions.

To kick off the competition, each sorority was given a wooden board to paint on a design that incorporated the theme of Derby Days while also promoting the Paul Wall charity concert that was being put on at the end of the week. Even though we got off to a late start, the Zetas were still able to pull off an eye-catching board that featured Paul Wall wearing a crown and representing Zeta and Sigma Chi across his knuckles. Competition was tough but we pulled through and we were awarded 3^rd place for our board. That didn’t get the girls down because by the time Saturday rolled around Paul Wall had caught a glimpse of the board and requested it to be on stage with him while he performed! Go Zetas and special shout out to Sam McClendon and Alex Flowers the awesome artists who designed and worked hard on the board!

The events continued in the week with a picture taking contest where points were awarded to those with the best overall picture, most Sigma Chi’s in a picture, most girls in a picture, craziest photo, and any picture that really stood out. Zeta pulled off that last one by scoring a picture with The University of Texas’s president, Bill Powers! Wednesday’s event got the competitive juices flowing for many girls when the task was to steal as many hats possible from the Sigma Chi’s. Our girls pulled through again receiving third place in the event. The first round of volleyball was also on Wednesday and our players shined and proved their skills, letting us move on to the Friday tournament.

Thursday night brought on the brother auction. The Derby daddies, other brothers, and some special guests including UT basketball player going to the NBA, Myck Kabongo, were auctioned off to the various sororities, which gained the girls points along with it being the night that raised the most money during the whole week. The boys put on their best moves while strutting down the catwalk while the crowd hooped and hollered for all the guys. On Friday, the Zetas wrapped up volleyball by winning their first sets but playing back-to-back games tired us out. There was no time to nap though, because it was formal night! As the next morning rolled along, even with our fun formal the night before, the Zetas still showed up to play on the decathlon day. From the obstacle course to the Tahoe pull, the girls did not back down and fought until the very end. The day wrapped up with Paul Wall performing and the crowd going crazy to “Grillz” and enjoying the end of all the fun events.

Although we came in 10^th place, we still had a great time and cannot wait to participate again next year. In the end Sigma Chi raised over $30,000 throughout the whole week, which was a huge jump from last year’s raised funds of $12,000. The money is split where $15,000 goes to Sigma Chi’s national philanthropy, The Huntsman Cancer Institute and the remaining get’s divided amongst the winning sororities. Derby Days is a fun-filled week that raises money for a good cause while getting so many people involved. Thanks Sigma Chi for including us and we can’t wait to bring our A-game next year! 

Color Run

This past weekend my big, Lauren Fugitt, and I decided to do the color run. It had always been something that we have wanted to do but now we finally got the chance. We drove to the Austin Rodeo grounds and were in awe at how many people were there. Tons of people drove in from cities all around and everyone was so energetic and lively even at 8:00 in the morning! The atmosphere was so fun and we were so excited for the run to begin! We picked up our shirts and bibs and lined up in the huge crowd at the starting line. The buzzer went off and it was time to run! The fun thing about this race is that it is not very serious and everyone does it just to have fun but also it raises money for cancer. It was a 5K but it did not feel long at all because at every kilometer or so you would run through different tunnels where people covered you in color and it was always exciting to see what color was next. The race was tons of fun but after there was a DJ playing music and a huge crowd where everyone threw their colors and danced. Lauren and I had so much fun and hope to start going every year. We want to make it a tradition where we take our littles.

ZL, Aubrey Crenshaw PC'12

                                                              

Texas Cheer White Squad Rookie of the Year

Ever since I can remember, cheerleading has been a huge passion and influence in my life. Instead of going to parties and my own senior prom, I was going to cheer practice and competitions. And naturally, once I had been accepted into the University of Texas I began to prepare to try out for cheer at one of the best colleges in the state. After the nerve racking try out process it was to my surprise that I made the squad! I was on the all-girl team, White Squad, and couldn’t even being to control my excitement. I’m pretty sure after I found out I made the team, my mom bought everything she could get her hands on that was burnt orange or cheer related… once a cheer mom, always a cheer mom. At the beginning of the year when we first started cheer practice I didn’t quite realize what I was in for. Not only was I going to school and being a new member of a sorority, I was also balancing cheer practice three times a week. I was often sore from workouts and exhausted by the time it came around to studying, but none of that really mattered to me… I was getting to cheer at THE University of Texas, and that was pretty cool. On White Squad, I began my year as an alternate team member and didn’t really expect to get moved up or make it on the field to cheer at the football games. I just enjoyed being around my friends as well as keeping up with my cheerleading. To my complete and utter disbelief, when my coach was announcing the girls who would be cheering the first football game… my name was on the list! I seriously thought I was going to explode with excitement. I could not believe I would be cheering on DKR Field in front of thousands of people for the first football game of the season. That first game was probably the best and most exciting moment of my life.

Just imagine thousands and thousands of screaming Texas fans, being five feet away from the players, and looking up and seeing my friends and sisters waving down at me, it was incredible! After that game, I cheered every single home football game that season, I was incredibly lucky and blessed to have gotten the opportunity. That first year as a rookie on White Squad taught me a lot. I began the year as a main base, and then rotated to side basing. I had never based in my life so it was quite the challenge to grasp the technique and not be absolutely terrified to toss a girl ten feet in the air and then somehow manage to catch her. About half way through the year I was put in the position of a flyer in our two man stunts and also began to fill in the position of a back spot… you could say by the end of the year I knew every position pretty well. After a long year of football games, basketball games, volleyball games, as well as cheerleading appearances, we closed the year with our annual cheer banquet. Each year, there is one new member from each team who is awarded the “Rookie of the Year” award. Naturally, I never imagined I would get that award until all of a sudden our coach was calling my name and asking me to come up and receive my award. I was so surprised, happy, and not to mention honored to receive the “Rookie of the Year” award and it was so awesome to have my hard work and passion noted by my captains, team, and coach. Being a part of the Texas Spirit Program is one of the best things that could have happened to me and this year has been a whirlwind of new friends, new experiences, a lot of sweat and some tears, even more hairspray and fake eyelashes, and some pretty amazing memories. It was such an accomplishment to end this season with the Rookie of the Year award and I cannot wait to see where my time in this program will lead me and what else is in store for me as a Texas Cheerleader. 

ZL,

Morgan Willett 

PC'12

ZTA Crown Cook Off

This past Thursday, April 18^th, all our work towards creating the greatest Crown Cook Off yet was put to the test. It has taken months of planning and organization from reserving the location of the event in front of Gregory Gym to painting big wooden signs publicizing the event. But that wasn’t all, we had to send out donation requests, go to tutorials focused on tent set-up, put up flyers around campus, create voting ballots, and sell tickets. All of these tasks ensuring the best turnout could not have been completed without the help of the Crown Cook Off committee. Their help made our goal of hosting the best Crown Cook Off yet attainable. Unfortunately, the terrible rain attempted to, but certainly did not spoil our annual salsa competition. Despite the weather however, Zeta still managed to capture the fun and excitement Crown Cook Off brings to many people by requiring all 18 teams to bring their unique salsas to the Zeta house for judging. We didn’t mind this one bit considering there was more salsa and chips for us! Throughout the day, zetas at the house conveniently tried and voted on their favorite salsas. We had originally planned on the Qdoba general manager, student body vice president Michael Ugeo Williams, and assistant dean of students for sorority and fraternity life Liz Medina to be the official judges but due to the unexpected weather and our location change, they were unable to give their input. After a lot of eaten chips and creative salsas tasted, we had the winners. Thanks to many donations provided by local Austin restaurants and stores, we created prize baskets for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place, and a crowd favorite. The crowd favorite went to the Salsa Senior-itas. Third place went to Flaming Chips and second to Spicy Hot Mamas. First place went to the salsa made by the Spice Boys! It was a great day in spite of the crumby weather but lets not forget the reason we throw this annual event. All proceeds raised from Crown Cook Off are donated to our philanthropy, breast cancer education and awareness. We want to raise as much money as possible to donate to research organizations so that one day we can find a cure for this disease. Our goal through this event is to ultimately make a difference and make a difference we did. We raised around $12,000 for our philanthropy and we could not be more thrilled. At the end of the day, despite any unexpected challenges and obstacles, the Kappa Chapter zetas still manage to make a big donation to the philanthropy we are all so passionate about while enjoying some delicious salsas at the same time.   

ZLAM,

Michelle Hecht, Philanthropy Chair

Sydney Braasch, Assistant Service

Chiara Geremia, Assistant Service