A Very Merry ZTA Holiday

Alex Carter (left) and Emily Ballard (right) show off their holiday facepaint. 

PC '15 cuties pose by the fireplace. 

Ever since I joined Zeta I had heard murmurings of the famed Christmas party. Every year at the end of the fall semester, we come together as a chapter and enjoy each other’s company and the Christmas spirit. Being as Christmas obsessed as I am, I was incredibly excited for this. I walked into the house Monday night before the festivities began to get some last minute studying in and already found the rooms filled with colors of Christmas and poinsettias, in addition to the already erected Christmas tree and strung garland. I could hardly pay attention to my awful online lecture with all the magic unfolding around me as the party began.

Santa even made an appearance! 

One thing I can always brag on Zeta about is the food. A ribeye steak complete with mashed potato balls, green beans, the whole nine yards! I was still studying with Haleigh, Brogan, Rachel, and Laura as we devoured the meal. My lecture went on the back burner pretty quickly, as did everyone else’s academics. Now was a time to enjoy each other’s company. Rachel and I went to the hot chocolate bar (the best surprise of this semester) and I put just about everything I could in it with a heavy emphasis on peppermint. It was delectable on a different level. Soon, another Zeta favorite of mine came into play- face painting. Luckily the table was adjacent to me and I jumped in line. I tried to be creative and got some swirly snowflake magic covering the left side of my face; an instant photo shoot opportunity if we’re being honest. Brogan and Chandler went all out with the Grinch consuming their face.

Leaving the house in the glow of the lights wrapping around our grand columns, I’m reminded for possibly the millionth time that I am home; that these are my people, and this is my place. Everyone could set aside their stress for their upcoming test and bask in the holiday season all together for the last time this semester. And goodness, I will never forget the picture of Chandler in bed with green remnants on her face making Grinch references. It was definitely a night for the books.

Brogan Nielsen (left) and Katherine Shepard (right) hug under the Christmas tree.