Italy Trip

Family vacations have been anticipated events in my life ever since I was little. They normally consisted of week long trips to a beach in Florida, California, or North Carolina; or a ski resort in the Rocky Mountains. This year however, my parents decided to go somewhere completely new: Italy. I’ve always dreamed of getting to go to Italy to experience all the beautiful cities that I’ve seen in movies and the ancient art that I have learned about in history classes in high school, so to say I was excited to spend two weeks of my summer there would be an understatement.

The second I got off the plane in Italy I was overwhelmed with excitement and a bit of nervousness as well – I had never been oversees before so I wasn’t sure what to expect in a new country. I quickly learned that the Italian culture had many differences compared to what I knew back home, for example: there was no speed limit or rules when driving, you had to pay for water at restaurants, and no one ate dinner until 9 o’clock or later. Despite these cultural differences I quickly adapted (and overcame the jet lag from the 10 hour flight) and found myself exploring six of the most amazing cities throughout Italy.

From the shops in Milan, to the streets of Florence, to the Colosseum in Rome, and everything else in between, I can’t even begin to pick a favorite place or moment. Everything was absolutely beautiful. We were able to experience some of the most breathtaking views from hiking the cliffs on the coast in Cinque Terre, driving Vespa’s through the Tuscany countryside, and taking a boat ride through the Alps in Lake Como. No picture could capture the beauty of all these places and sights. And no beautiful picture of the food could capture how delicious it was. The food, wow. I’ve never had better pasta, pizza, bread, or gelato in my life. Everything was so fresh and so tasty that my mouth is watering just thinking about it. I may have gained a few pounds with all the carbs I devoured but it was definitely worth it.

Everything about Italy was absolutely incredible and I feel extremely lucky to of gotten the chance to travel there this summer.  After seeing all the beautiful sights and experiencing a whole new culture, I can only hope that I will have more opportunities to travel around the world one day.  I loved every second of being in a different country with my family and I can’t wait to hopefully do it again sometime.

ZLAM,

Caroline Gutierrez PC '15

Recruitment Fashion Guide

“BUT WHAT DO I WEAR?!” Don’t worry - we’ve all been through the process of shopping at every store, boutique, and your own closet to find that perfect outfit to makes you not only stand out, but also feel comfortable and confident during recruitment week. Good news: Zeta is here to help! Sit back, relax, and let us help make the dreaded “what do I wear!?” question less stressful.

Day 1 & 2

Open House

This is the easiest day you need to prepare for! We can all agree that this isn’t the most fashionable day, but take advantage of how comfortable you’ll be. All you need are khaki shorts, tennis shoes, and simple jewelry, while Panhellenic will provide you with the recruitment t-shirt. I got my khaki shorts for J. Crew - would recommend! And I’d define simple jewelry as some cute stud earrings and maybe a dainty necklace. It’s as easy as that.

Day 3 & 4

Philanthropy Day

The best part about this day is you have an excuse to buy both of two cute dresses you’ve been torn between! Or, since you won’t go to the the same sorority houses both days, you can wear your same favorite twice! It’s totally up to you. Our recruitment captain, Jackie, says her favorite online boutiques to shop for recruitment dresses are reddressboutique.com and tobi.com - check them out! Think spring dress, paired with some comfortable wedges or sandals. Throw on those classic Kendra Scott earrings, a necklace or bracelet, and you’re ready to go!

Day 5

Sisterhood Day

As the week progresses, the outfits get fancier! This day is a step up from Philanthropy Day, so think luncheon or tea attire. It’s more formal than a sundress, but more casual than a cocktail dress. Pair your dress with wedges or heels, some pearls or your Kendras, and get excited to experience the sisterhood of each sorority yourself!

Day 6

Preference Night

Finally, preference night! This is the most formal night of all of recruitment week, and we strongly suggest you wear a black cocktail dress - everyone does! Pair your dress with your favorite heels, most beautiful jewelry, and get ready for a night you’ll never forget.

Day 7

BID DAY!!

CONGRATS, GIRLYFRIEND! You finally made it through the (not so) scary recruitment process. Get ready to celebrate with lots of pictures with your new sisters and pledge class. Wear a bright and comfortable daytime dress with wedges or sandals, light jewelry, and a smile!! Besides, your Zeta crown goes with everything :)

Other Recommendations - Bag Essentials

• Flip-flops to wear when you run from house to house
• A cold bottle of water
• A portable fan (it will be very, very hot)
• Blotting pads or coffee filters (remove sweat without taking off your makeup)
• Extra bobby pins
• Hair ties to put your hair up between houses
• Hairbrush

Good luck! We can’t wait to see all of your pretty faces and outfits in August!

ZLAM,

Elisa Carpenter

Assistant Area Recruitment Captain

Freshman Year Bucket List

After just one year here at the University of Texas, I am convinced Austin is the greatest city in the nation. With so many things to do on and off campus, you won’t have time to even think about being bored. From where to eat to what to do, it can get a little overwhelming to figure out where to start. Don’t worry - Zeta has you covered! Just follow this bucket list to ensure you have the best freshman year at the best university!

Let’s Start On Campus

Some people underestimate it, but there really are so many things to see and do on campus! Attending a football game in the fall is a given, but I recommend staying from start to finish. It might be hot and your gameday boots might be uncomfortable, but there’s something about cheering on your team the whole time that makes it worth it. The basketball games and baseball games later in the year are just as fun too! Get a group of friends together and go support your Longhorns. For all you the athletes out there, check out Gregory Gym and the cool amenities it has to offer. Or if working out isn’t your thing (aka me), Gregory Gym also has a pool that makes you forget you’re at school, but rather feel like you’re at a resort. I suggest laying out, getting some sun, and reading a good book. Lastly, check out the Erwin Center for amazing plays and concerts - you can even get student discounts!

Now Go and Be Adventurous

I wasn’t very outdoorsy and adventurous before I came to Austin, but now I feel like I could hike Mount Everest. Austin truly has the best of both worlds - you can take on the city, or you can experience the best nature scenes. On a nice day, I love to run around town lake. There’s a 2-mile and 10-mile loop with beautiful views all around. After your run, go cool off at Barton Springs or visit the Zilker Botanical Garden with some friends. If you’re looking for more of a hike, definitely visit the greenbelt! There are various trails ranging in difficulty, and it’s fun to go on a hot day and then jump in the water after your hike. If you’re look for an evening adventure, go to Mount Bonnell or the 360 Bridge Overlook. Both require a small hike, but once you reach the top, you have an incredible view of Lake Austin and a perfect spot to watch the sunset. And of course, you can get some insta-worthy pics!

It’s Time to Talk Food

Now for my favorite part of Austin: the food. No matter what you’re in the mood for, Austin has it all! First, we have to start with the Austin Staple, Kerbey Lane. Your friends who attend other schools might not understand you when you say you are craving queso and pancakes at 1 AM, but it’s okay - they don’t know what they’re missing out on. Second, I recommend eating as many breakfast tacos as your health allows… and then some. From Torchy’s to Taco Shack, I’m convinced Austin is the breakfast taco capital of the world. You also have to visit as many food trucks as you can. Whether its for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert, there is a food truck for all of your meal needs. My personal favorite is Gordough’s Donuts. Just look up the menu and you’ll understand.

There are too many things to do in Austin to put them all in categories, so here are more random things you need to accomplish. Go to Mozart’s Coffee Roasters! Whether you like coffee or not, this coffee shop overlooks the lake and has indoor and outdoor seating, making it the perfect place to study. During winter they have a light show every hour - the perfect way to get in the Christmas spirit! Until then, go to South Congress for to shop, eat, and get a real taste of the personality of Austin. While you’re there, you have to get a picture in front of the “I love you so much” wall at Jo’s Coffee. Also, the Hope Outdoor Gallery also really shows the personality of Austin. Bring some spray paint and add your own graffiti! Now go and embrace Austin! And do it quick; you’re freshman year flies by much faster than you’d expect!

ZLAM,

Kara Hurley

Assistant Area Recruitment Captain

Organizations of Campus 101

All of my drawers are stuffed with oversized Zeta t-shirts, all of my pictures show me with my Zeta sisters, and my apartment is plastered with ZTA letters on every single wall. Some say it’s overkill; I say I turned Zeta into a lifestyle (yes, I just referenced Drake #noshame). Despite my overwhelming accumulation of Zeta t-shirts (42 are in my drawers… I just counted… don’t judge), my Zistas and I are extremely involved in so many other organizations on campus!

Getting involved in organizations at UT is a great way to explore your specific interests and meet a diverse group of people. Not only will you have about 70 sorority sisters, but you will also find yourself with even more close friends with similar interests and hobbies! Not to mention you get a ~ton~ more Insta likes (insert cool emoji with sunglasses here).

By now you’re probably like, “Rachel, I’m totally sold on joining some orgs. Can you give me the deets on some?” And to that I’d say, “Heck yes, UT has orgs for any interest you could possibly have, even underwater basket weaving if that’s your thing!” With that being said, here are some super cool organizations that my sorority sisters are involved in:

For the Sporty Girl:

1. Texas Wake

Do the sweet, sweet sound of waves and a day on the lake call your name? If you love water sports, then Texas Wake is for you! Spend the day with Kelsey Applebaum, Rachel Redmon, and our very own Database Chair on Rush Team, Collyn Robison, as they wakeboard all over Lake Austin! This organization offers you the coolest study break (both in the temperature sense and the awesome sense) because you can shred the waves all day long. Or if you’re me, then you can awkwardly crash into the waves face first, but still enjoy yourself! Not to mention you can get the cutest Insta pics!

2. Texas Cheer

Are face tats your favorite accessory? Do you bleed burnt orange? Are your friends in awe of your peppiness and your ability to do the splits?? If you answered yes to all of those questions, then it looks like you should be trying out for cheer! Texas Cheer does an incredible job of hyping up the crowds on game days, making appearances to take pics with kids and families, and running cheer camps. Nothing beats a UT football game with the BEST cheerleaders on the sidelines doing backflips while looking ~fabulous~ doing it. Zetas take over the cheer squad, as we have Paige Loren, Brea Almodovar, Tina Burke, and Head Cheerleader Taylor Mueller all on the team! Can someone say squad goals??

3. UT Gymnastics

PC’14 Kate Gothing joined this co-ed competitive organization her sophomore year and has loved it ever since! Gymnastics is open to all skill levels, and competes with other clubs. If you’re freaking out because you have the grace and style of a baby elephant, don’t you worry! They offer instruction to beginners as well. Kate says she is a “beam queen” who always loves to try  “new and crazy skills, from one handed cartwheels to insane jump series.” If you’re adventurous and want a good workout, join gymnastics with Kate!

For the Leadership Girl:

1. UT Senate

UT Senate members serve as the official voice for students in academic affairs at UT.  This organization works to represent the needs, concerns, and opinions of students. If you’re the girl who likes to make the world a better place one pantsuit at a time, then this org is perfect for you! PC ‘14 Callie Blumenfeld serves on the Senate and helps to advocate issues and ideas on the Forty Acres to continually improve the university. If you want to make a difference, then throw on your best boss lady heels and check it out!

2. Communication Council

Are you a comm major who’s obsessed with your school and wants to work to make change happen? Then join Zetas like Ashley Prince, Sofia Kampfe, and Landry Teeter in this student government organization! Ashley says the Council does “tons of volunteering and, as it also fosters change in the school such as working with professors and then admin to add classes and change curriculum based on what the students want.”

If this council sounds great, but you’re not in the communication school, don’t fret! There’s a council for every school on the UT campus. If you like dressing in fun costumes and playing games, then you’ve found the right org! As pictured in the photo, Ashley and her team dressed as monkeys during the annual broomball game against the Liberal Arts Council to promote friendly relations of all the councils together.

For the Community Service Girl:

1. Latte Losers

The members of Latte Losers are super passionate about transforming the lives of children all over the world, as their mission is to provide food for those who are at serious risk. Once a month, instead of choosing to buy a latte or coffee drink, you could save a child’s life by donating those five dollars to a child in need. Join PC ‘14 Esther Bajgier as she loses a latte and saves a life! Now if you’re anything like me and you have the entire Starbucks menu memorized and whip out your gold member status Starbucks card on the daily, then coffee is a must! But how amazing is it to join this organization and help children all over the world go to bed with a full tummy? That’s definitely worth skipping the caffeine.

2. S.M.I.L.E.

     (Students Making Impacts Through Love and Empathy)

If you ask PC ‘15 Caroline Purtle (Assistant Entertainment on Rush Team #GOTEXASZETA) how you can make a positive impact, she’ll tell you to join S.M.I.L.E. She and her fellow members fundraise for children battling cancer and other life threatening diseases. This org is involved in many great causes such as Relay for Life, Dell Children’s Hospital, and CureSearch, all of which will get you smiling in no time! During their “Brave the Shave” event, volunteers signed up to have their head shaved in honor of those who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy. If you have gorgeous Rapunzel hair like Caroline, don’t worry, you don’t have to shave your head! Although you would definitely have the coolest haircut for summer… literally.

No matter what your interests include, UT definitely has an organization for it. Being part of such a large and diverse university, you have an amazing opportunity to find friends who are just as passionate as you are about something. Whether it’s the anime club, the quidditch team, or the beekeeping society, we are sure you will find your niche. As much as we love Zeta, our sorority does not solely define us. We are young women who come together under the great letters of ZTA, but also come together under the organizations and causes that we are individually passionate about.

XOXO,

Rachel Jones

Star Team Manager

Why Go Greek? Why Go Zeta?

Find your home away from home: sisters to share your life with, a beautiful house to call home and peace of mind in this exciting new experience. 

1. Sisterhood: No matter what, you’ll have more than 70 best friends that will always be there for you

2. Find your niche: at a huge school like UT, Greek life will introduce you to all kinds of people with all kinds of interests. They are students doing exciting things that will change the world!

3. Meet your bridesmaids because Zeta is forever.

 

4. Everything you do is now supported by a close group of women who want nothing more than to see you succeed and find happiness.

 

5. Getting your Big Sister is like finding your soulmate.

  

6. You always have the opportunity to take new adventures and someone to take them with.

7. Meet diverse people who come from all over the world and share your stories and experiences.

8. There are multiple opportunities each semester to raise money and advocate for Breast Cancer Awareness and Education.

 

9. An unlimited wardrobe from the whole chapter’s closets.

 

10. Make memories that will last a lifetime.

 

When I stepped foot into Zeta a year ago, I instantly felt at home. As soon as the first girl stepped up to hug me, I knew I never wanted to leave. At a time where I was making a huge decision in my life I have never felt so welcomed and loved. Being a Zeta has made me a better version of myself. I have become a part of something so much bigger than myself surrounded by a group of women that are there to not only wipe away my tears but also to celebrate all of my successes. Keep your mind and heart open while you go through recruitment this fall and I promise you will find your home.

 

ZLAM,

Hailee Strong PC ‘15

Assistant Recruitment