Tuesday, June 25, 2013

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 14 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 24th 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
Recruitment Team



Sunday, June 9, 2013

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