I Just Wanna Wear Those Fourteen Pearls: Greek is Greek Link-Up

I'm excited to share a little of my experience with my sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, for this Greek is Greek Link-Up with Carolina Fireflies!!

Alpha Gamma Delta Armorial Bearings

I am beyond lucky to be a sister of such an amazing organization.  I had a little different Greek experience than most people- I joined via informal recruitment (continuous open bidding) during the fall of my junior year in college.  I was pretty involved in student affairs during my undergraduate years and I knew that joining a sorority was something I wanted to do- I just never had the appropriate timing with formal recruitment my first two years in college. Alpha Gam was colonized the previous spring and I always saw the fliers and emails for the informational sessions but I was extremely sick that semester so that left very little time for any other organization/involvement.  I decided that I wanted to join Alpha Gam in the fall and immediately sought out their Informal Recruitment Chair to see if they had any upcoming events since there wasn't anything specific on their website.  I remember my very first AGD event was dessert meet and greet at their sorority house.  I was so nervous driving into Oak Lane (the Greek Community at Virginia Tech) and once I got there and signed in, I met so many great women! Conversations weren't awkward or uncomfortable and I felt like I just clicked with so many of these women. At my next event, a bowling get together at Squires Student Center, as soon as I walked in, 2 sisters recognized me from the previous event (HEY JACKIE & AUDREY) and they immediately called out for me to bowl with them in their lane! It wasn't soon after this that I had an email (or phone call?) to my residence hall room asking if I was studying in my room or the library that night (um, I RARELY went to the library in college, let's be real).  Before I knew it, I had a knock on my door and 4 sisters were there to give me a bid to join Alpha Gamma Delta! I was so happy and they gave me my bid gifts (assortment of AGD items and a beautiful AGD lettered fleece blanket that I still use and love) and I was literally speechless! Later that night, my best friend April (who lived one floor below my room in Payne Hall) who is also a Kappa Kappa Gamma sister took me to get fabric to make my first sets of sorority letters and later on in the semester she and I got matching AGD and KKG hokie themed letters! (Panhellenic LOVE! I have so many girlfriends who are Kappas so no matter where I am, if I see a Kappa or an AGD, I feel an instant connection!).

I know I'm going to regret putting this picture up since I look terrible but this shows the level of love between my best friend April and I with our 'matching' letters! She was probably the one person who was most excited for me to Go Greek!

my big and grandbig after my pre-initiation ceremonies

From my initiation- Beta class of the Theta Chi chapter

I met some amazing women that I now have lifelong ties with and no matter where I am in life, they will always be there for me no matter how far we grow apart.  We all have this amazing bond of Alpha Gamma Delta and I'm so proud to call them my sisters!

Gam Week 2007- sisters in a snowy Lane Stadium

Preference Night- Formal Recruitment 2007

Alpha Angel Family Tree- after Preference Round Formal Recruitment 2007

Philanthropy Round- Formal Recruitment 2008

Theta Chi Chapter Fall 2007

Oooh I just wanna wear those Fourteen Pearls! Isn't our badge beautiful!

Some graduating sisters- May 2008

My cap representing two VERY important life decisions I made through age 22

Lisa from Sorority Life to Army Wife and I during her senior year formal recruitment! I went back in 2010 to help the chapter out!

my rosevine! I believe this was International Reunion Day 2010!

throw what you know!
Hokie Alpha Gams at Disney Princess HM 2013! 

I have to admit, my collegiate years in Alpha Gamma Delta weren't always so ideal and albeit short, but I truly hold close to my heart our Purpose and all that Alpha Gamma Delta believes.  Everyday I strive to live by our purpose, whether its "to possess high ideals and to attain somewhat unto them" or "to develop and prize health and vigor of body" or "to hold truth inviable, sincerity essential, kindness invaluable." Literally, each statement of our purpose has a special meaning to me and I try to live my life by those guiding principals.  

As an alumna, I immediately became involved with the Gamma Eta chapter as Scholarship Advisor for four years.  I learned a great deal about how different chapters operate and of course leadership and cultivating sisterhood with my fellow advisors.  We had some rough times during my years advising but the chapter and advisor team ultimately grew and learned from those experiences to make AGD at High Point University one of the most thriving chapters. 

I definitely enjoyed my collegian years as an Alpha Gamma Delta sister but I love my experience as an alumna so much because I able to use my experience, knowledge, and leadership (and especially as an attorney!) to guide younger sisters through their college years.  I am definitely lucky beyond words to be a member of such a strong sisterhood!

Where you a member of a Greek organization in college? Which Greek organization did you join?