The Z-Factor

This past weekend for Zeta Tau Alpha Mom’s Weekend, we had a real treat. Our mothers not only got to see their favorite daughters, but also some of UT's most talented students! Saturday afternoon at the Student Activity Center, a few hundred people gathered to watch the Z Factor talent show. All of the money that was raised by sponsorships and ticket sales went towards our philanthropy; it was a super fun way to raise a lot of money for Breast Cancer Education and Awareness. 

At the Z Factor, students and parents alike enjoyed delicious MooJos cookies while watching the performances. There were fourteen different acts ranging from singing duets, to slam poetry, to raps about everyone's favorite local chicken restaurant. “I Love Pluckers” was quite a hit among the students. The judges, Mama G, Connor Lammert of UT Basketball, and Sierra Hanks of UT Track & Field, did an excellent job of keeping the crowd entertained with their commentary in-between acts. So did our wonderful hosts, senior Zetas Tara Mery and Rachel Robillard. 

Though everyone had unique and amazing talents, there could only be one winner. Third place was awarded to Jessica Liftman & Blake Leuder for their amazing duet performance of “Blank Space/Style” and “Lay Me Down”. Second place went to the “Fruitbasket” members, Alexander Nguyen, Micheal Hentrich, Tyler Camp, Grant Wiles, Victor Resendez, and Tom Valente, for their performance of “Baby Come Back”. And finally, the first place prize was awarded to Trevor Seybold and Chris Ryan for their three song melody, which included a little bit of Uptown Funk and Friends in Low Places to make all the girls swoon. There was an amazing amount of talent at the Z Factor. Thank you to all of the participants, sponsors, and the audience for supporting our philanthropy! I can't wait to see what talent is in store for next year's event.

ZLAM!

 PC’ 14 Jules Maxwell

The Year of the Pom

Any student at The University of Texas would agree that we go to the best school in the entire world. Last year I thought I had the best freshman experience, and didn’t “want the year to end, because it can’t get any better than this”. However, if I had known what the next year would hold for me, I wouldn’t have spoken so soon. I had a very unique experience, that being that I was a proud member of the Texas Pom Squad.

For those who do not know what Texas Pom is, you would probably recognize us at any football game as “the girls in the chaps” with “the biggest teased hair you’ve ever seen”. Also, you could spot us on the basketball court wearing sparkly, sequin crop tops and white pom poms. Ring a bell? Pom is an incredibly prestigious team within the Texas Spirit Program, and although we are dancers, our primary job is to be Texas’ biggest fan. We cheer on the Longhorns wh

ether we win or lose, (hopefully we win), and keep a smile glued to our faces the entire time! While it was exciting cheering on the Horns in the stands my freshman year, it was so rewarding being able to support them either on the DKR football field or in the Frank Erwin Center as an honored member of Texas Pom.

Many people have asked me “so how do I get into the Spirit Program?”. Well here’s the short answer: A LOT of hard work. Coming in as a freshman, I tried out for Pom and unfortunately did not make the team. Of course I was upset, but I was even more motivated and driven to come back and make the team the next year. I kept up with regular workouts and dance classes, making sure to come better prepared for tryouts at the end of the year. Once again, I yelled the Fight Song, shimmied through a Jazz routine, “got thug” during a Hip Hop combination, and kept it together during the technique portion. I was very fortunate to be invited back to the final round of tryouts. After two days of physical and emotional stress, my last evaluation to my surprise was not dancing, but an interview. There, sitting by myself in front of the coaches and my future captain (not to mention the rest of the team sitting behind me watching my every move), I answered a variety of questions—some were random, some were about myself, and some were scenario. Needless to say it was an interesting, yet fun interview! But the hardest part was yet to come. After my interview, I waited FOUR DAYS until I finally received a phone call and email notifying me that I was one of the fourteen rookies that made the team! As I’m sure everyone from my rookie class did, I called my mom crying hysterically from the excitement.

Before making the team, I had only considered the distinguished uniforms and the game-day experience. With other obligations outside of practice, Texas Pom proved itself to be an incredible time commitment. I have come to realize that although the experience was not what I originally expected it to be, in regards to the long hours of practice and amount of recognition within the program, it has fostered cherished skills that will last a lifetime. I have learned if you are not fifteen minutes early, you are late. I have had to sacrifice personal time and have been put in high pressure situations, all of which apply to the expectations of any hard working young woman. In a program as respected as this Spirit Program is, there were bound to be plenty of ups and downs, but what made the year worthwhile were the incredible girls I spent it with, two of which are my Zeta sisters (shout out to Carrie Matus & Asia Marion). Not only did we spend the year bonding as Pommies, but we also bonded as sisters. It was such a rewarding feeling knowing that we could lift each other up every day (literally), encouraging each other to work hard and keep pushing toward our goals. Although we could not be at the Zeta house for all chapter meetings, ceremonies, and events, we certainly did not forget what the word “sisterhood” truly means.

Carrie, Asia and I were able to accomplish a lot in one year, and although we will not be joining the team in the upcoming season, we will never forget the opportunities we were granted, the hours we spent doing what we love, and most importantly, the lasting friendships we made. I cannot wait to see what God has planned for the three of us, and I am so excited to have more time to spend with my Zeta sisters. Thank you to the University of Texas Spirit Program for leaving me with cherished memories and an incredible year to look back on for the rest of my life.

Carrie & Asia—I’ll see you both at Zeta!

ZLAM <3

Margana Wood

PC’13 

We Got it from Our Mamas

I can say with confidence that the one thing every girl misses the most throughout college isn’t even a thing – it’s her mom. As second semester comes to a close, tests and papers and projects and the desperate scrounging for those last possible few points are all in full swing. By this point, bank accounts are at an all time low and stress levels are at an all time high, and Zeta Mom’s Weekend could not have arrived at a better time.

This year for Zeta’s annual Mom’s Weekend, the schedule was packed full of mother daughter activities, including a Saturday morning brunch, Z Factor, and a shopping spree at the Domain on Sunday. Zeta moms came from all over the state and even country to spend the weekend catching up on some much-needed girl time with their daughters. Friday night, moms and daughters took Austin by storm, whether it was by belting out their favorite jam Karaoke-style at Chinatown Downtown, getting their inner Picasso on at Painting with a Twist, or relaxing lakeside by Lake LBJ. The fun continued Saturday morning at the Mom’s Weekend Brunch, held at the beautiful Austin Country Club. Everyone put on their springiest sundress and wedges and enjoyed the company of other mother daughter duos as they socialized over iced tea and quiche. Nothing but laughter and hugs filled the room as moms and daughters took silly pictures in the photo booth and listened as girls spoke about what they love most about their sweet moms.

            The next event on Saturday’s agenda was Zeta’s biggest philanthropy fundraiser of the year – Z Factor. The X Factor–esque talent show was packed full as mother daughter pairs flooded in to enjoy fourteen diverse acts of talent from UT students themselves. The audience ooh-ed and ahh-ed and laughed until their bellies hurt the entire length of the show, all the while supporting Breast Cancer Education and Awareness through donations and ticket sales. After Z Factor, we all went our separate ways to get rest for the shopping spree and killer sales that awaited us at the Domain the next morning. We couldn’t have asked for more beautiful weather as Mom’s Weekend came to a close. The skies were clear and the temperature warm as moms and daughters splurged at the outdoor mall. Special sales held only for Zetas and their moms were present at many stores, including Madewell, Bevello, J. Crew, and BCBG, to name a few.

            With full closets, full bellies, and even fuller hearts, we savored our last few moments with our moms before hugging them goodbye once again. Personally, I could not have asked for a better weekend spent with my mom. A step back from my busy schedule and whirlwind of schoolwork allowed me to de-stress as I spent a quality weekend with one of the people that I love most. The company of the one person I know will love me unconditionally and cheer me up when I need it most was the perfect medicine for the craziness that is second semester, and I can guarantee that my sorority sisters can say the same about their weekends spent with their moms too.

ZLAM,

Kelly Bauman, PC ‘14

Zetas get Formal

Friday, April 10 was not my usual day. Not only was it my 19th birthday, but it was Zeta's Crown Formal, the day we had all been looking forward to since the beginning of the spring semester. After sitting in countless meetings and listening to our socials talk about all of the amazing plans that they had for the big day, I could not have been any more excited for it to actually arrive. Leading up to formal my time, along with many of my sisters, was spent searching for the perfect dress. A long dress, as this event was going to be unlike any other. When the socials announced at chapter that the attire was extra fancy and that we would get to wear extravagant long dresses, my excitement reached its highest point.
Friday afternoon was spent with friends celebrating and talking. But when the clock stuck 6, it was time to get ready for the big event. I could not contain my excitement to see the amazing venue as I did my hair and makeup and finally put on my special dress. The time leading up to the dance was spent taking pictures at the beautiful Zeta house and scarfing down Mexican food at a local restaurant with our dates. I could not wait to see how beautiful not only the event looked, but how amazing all of my sisters were going to look for our last social event of the year.
When I finally arrived at the Hyatt that night my expectations were not only met but exceeded. The decorations were stunning as soon as you entered the building, and all I could hear were the ecstatic giggles of Zetas galore. Right after the entrance was an extravagant face painting table lined with Zetas and dates waiting to get cute and clever things painted all over. The music from the amazing live band was blasting from inside the ballroom and I could not wait to start dancing. The dance floor was filled with smiling, laughing faces as dates in tuxes twirled Zetas in flowing dresses around the room. The band played everything from sing alongs to slow dance songs, and I had the best time dancing my heart out with my date and very best friends.
Ending my birthday at Zeta formal could not have been more perfect, and I am so happy that I was able to spend it at such a beautiful venue with all of my amazing sisters. Now I want to take the time to say socials, you rock, and thank you for putting on such a fantastic event. Zeta crown formal could not have been more fun-filled, and I can't wait for many more social events to come in the future.

ZLAM,

Callie Blumenfeld

Round Up 2015

Following spring break, we eagerly awaited the most talked about weekend of the school year: Round Up. After 84 years of celebration, I was anxious and excited to attend the 85th. I had seen countless pictures and heard enough stories to know what to expect: jerseys, stickers, fanny packs, and live music. Once the schedule of performers came out, it seemed as if there was no way I’d be able to see everyone I wanted without being in two places at once. All week there had been talk about how the new Austin laws and permits required for outdoor music may cause concerts to be shut down, but I remained hopeful that the weekend would go smoothly.

            Friday morning came before we knew it and it was time to cover ourselves head to toe in Zeta apparel. The term “face tattoo” was no longer as we covered our arms, legs, and honestly anything else visible, with glittery letters that we later would regret as we failed to successfully scrub them off. The first thing on my schedule was Back Yard Bash. Our event at the Zeta house was filled with smiling faces, delicious food, snow cones, and face paint (of course). After filling our stomachs with burgers, we were ready to take on the day. The sun beat down on us as we hopped from fraternity to fraternity. They all had music, but my favorites were the select few with bounce houses or slip ’n slides. It wasn’t too hard to spot fellow Zetas due to our matching attire, and I was thrilled to see so many familiar faces.

            Saturday came around and the weather was just as beautiful as Friday. The big decision of the day was between seeing Travis Porter perform at Fiji and Tyga at Sigma Chi. After deciding on Tyga, we made our way over to an unbelievably large cluster of people down Nueces Street. After impatiently waiting for what seemed like hours (probably twenty minutes tops), we made it inside. Unfortunately, our worst fear came true and everyone was told to leave before Tyga came on stage to perform. On the bright side, I made friends with a security guard who let me on stage for a few quick minutes, which ended up being the highlight of my weekend. Having to leave wasn’t all that bad since there were countless other performers to attend all around West Campus. By the end of the night, everyone was exhausted and eager to get a good night’s sleep.

            Looking at the weekend as a whole, what surprised me most were the congested swarms and lines of people. Even though I expected massive crowds, I was both overwhelmed and happy I wasn’t claustrophobic each time I changed locations. All in all, Round Up lived up to my expectations. I saw countless performances, met up with many friends, and managed to have a snapchat story which exceeded 100 seconds. I can’t wait to see what the next three years of Round Up have in store!

ZLAM,

Savannah Krantz PC ‘14

Hopping into Spring

It was a beautiful Sunday to end a fun-filled weekend as current and alumnae Zetas filled the white house. Little kids beamed while holding the hands of their parents as they were welcomed by the Easter Bunny at the front door. Upon walking into the house, I was amazed at how perfectly decorated it was for Easter; delicious cupcakes filled platters in the kitchen, candy was placed throughout the house, and balloons surrounded the foyer. It was finally time for Easter at the Zeta house, and I couldn’t have been more excited.

            After enjoying 3 cupcakes and a juice box, (sorry I’m still a kid at heart), I made my way to the backyard. Kids were storming through the backyard, picking up egg by egg and placing them into their decorated baskets. However, the main attraction for me happened to be the Tiny Tails petting zoo. I patiently waited my turn outside the gate, watching children pet animals that ranged from tortoises to hedgehogs. When it was my turn, I was overwhelmed with excitement. I was handed a baby bunny and I fell in love. My bunny climbed onto my shoulder and perched itself like a parrot, admiring the children squealing and having fun. Although Tiny Tails wouldn’t let me buy the bunny off of them, I still had as much fun as any other kid that day.  

            The Easter egg hunt at Zeta was one of my favorite events this year. It was filled with kindness, sisterhood, and admiration for the alumnae Zetas who once lived in the place we call home. I look forward to one day bringing my children to the Easter egg hunt at Zeta, and I hope they still have the petting zoo when I return. ;)

ZLAM,

--Mackenzie Beldon PC '14