ROUND UP! 2018

ROUND UP!! The weekend that hundreds of students from UT, as well as from other college campuses around the country look forward to every year. Hearing “Round Up,” one might immediately picture crazy outfits, sharpie ‘tattoos’, and hundreds of college students. At least, this was my experience as a senior in high school just a year ago. I realize now that it is much more than that. From getting ready with my best friends, to standing in line for different performers throughout the weekend, my first Round Up experience definitely exceeded my expectations as I grew closer to my Zeta sisters and took an active role in supporting Zeta's philanthropy.

The week before Round Up consisted of advertising Zeta's BBQ benefiting Breast Cancer Awareness and B+, along with gathering wristbands and making plans for each day. It was an overwhelming week to say the least, but all my worries faded once Thursday night arrived. Different events such as crawfish boils and "food themed" philanthropy activities were scheduled, and UT students were anxious to start the weekend. On Friday, my sisters and I all decided to meet at Zeta in our crazy Round Up gear for the BBQ benefiting our philanthropy (yummy!). After this, it was time to let loose and stand in the first of many lines for exciting performances. The fun stopped around 2 am and picked right back up again around 1 pm the next day. The crowds felt equivalent to a music festival, and students were prepared to have a great time for a great cause. Although the music scene was great, I loved being able to get away and spend quality time with my sisters at our favorite restaurant, Pizza Press (where I ate a whole pizza by myself! Oops…). 

Dancing all day and night was exhausting, but completely worth it. As Sunday rolled around, students were prepared to return back to their normal schedules. My first Round Up experience as a Zeta was incredible, and if you haven’t experienced this weekend at UT thus far, you are missing out.

ZLAM 

-Megan Foster 

Spring Break Memories!

After a busy week of two midterms, a lab report, and a grueling essay, I was more than ready to spend the next week relaxing on the beach with my friends. Spring break is the week that college students across the country take off from their studies to spend time relaxing and recharging. Since last semester, a few other Zetas in my pledge class and I had already been planning where we wanted to spend our week off… Destin! After hearing stories from older girls about their freshman year trips to the beach, we knew Destin, Florida would be the perfect place to spend our first college spring break. Countless hours of planning and coordinating later, we finally found the perfect house, just minutes from the beach amidst other groups of our closest friends.

With plane tickets booked and carpool plans made, we were ready to go a week before break when we received a disappointing call from the homeowner. Due to water damage and renovations, the house was no longer available for our trip. After hearing the news, we were all heart-broken and couldn’t see any way we could find another place to stay with such short notice. However, after coming together and searching for hours on end, we were finally able to book another house. It felt like cramming for a test the night before. With our spring break plans back on, we spent the next week packing, finishing up last minute assignments, and getting excited for our vacation on the beach!

Despite the long 13 hour drive, our spring break trip to Destin was one of the best vacations I’ve ever been on. While the weather was a little chilly on our first day, the rest of the week was filled with sunshine and the warm ocean breeze. From tanning together on the beach, to playing volleyball in the sand, to riding in jeeps across town with the top down, each day held something new and exciting. Tons of other freshman sororities and fraternities from UT rented houses in the area, so we got to see all our friends from school too. However, some of my favorite memories from that week come from times spent with my sisters. Cooking, cleaning, sleeping, and just hanging out together in one house brought all of us extremely close that week. 

My favorite memory of all from spring break came our last night in Destin. A mid-afternoon storm had driven us back home, but right before sunset the rain stopped and the sun came out. Grabbing our beach towels and Zeta t-shirts, we ran for the beach. After taking many many many photos and successfully flooded everyone’s social media, we sat together and watched the sunset on our last night of our first college spring break! I’m not only grateful for the memories I’ve made but the tight bond I’ve created with my sisters that can only come from spending a week packed together in one house.

Aubrey Davenport

PC '17