Battle of the Horns

If I were to say the word “Thanksgiving” out loud many people would picture family, endless food, pie, or cute pictures with siblings and cousins. If you were to say the same thing to me, I would picture the Thanksgiving Longhorn football game. Going to the game had become a family tradition that started many years ago. My family had traded a day full of relaxation and endless food for a short thanksgiving lunch at a hotel in order to drive to Austin to make the game. My brothers and I looked forward to this game for weeks. I especially looked forward to it because it was a chance for me to pretend that I was in college and that I had fulfilled my dream of going to UT.  This year was different for my family and I. The game had gotten moved to Friday, meaning my family could cook at home, eat all day, and be surrounded by loving family. For me, I no longer had the want to be the college sorority girl that I wasn’t because I had become the person I had wanted to be. I had grown up and now got to share this experience with my family.

Game day was a different experience this time around. I traded my Zistas for my brothers and tailgates for conversations with my parents in the car. Normally DKR is not full on Thanksgiving, yet this year was different. The stadium was nearly full with a sea of burnt orange. It didn’t matter how many people were there, it was especially made known that the fans were ready to cheer the Horns on to victory! I would even dare to say that the “TEXAS, FIGHT” was louder than ever before! For me, my seat was on the 50-yard line in the 8^th row behind the TCU bench. It was quite an upgrade from my usual student section seat! I also got to see some of my sisters preform on the field that night! Texas Pom performed a hip-hop routine that had everyone in the stadium dancing along with them. Texas Cheer also had an incredible night with various jaw dropping stunts, pyramids, and baskets. Both groups left me in AWE! 

As this game was the last game of the season, I would say it was a game I would never forget. It was full of once-in-a lifetime memories; Bevo’s 100^th Birthday, Matthew McConaughey waving at me before the game, getting on the JumboTron (yes that happened and YES I embarrassed myself), and it being the last game of my freshman year. This football season was a million times better than I could have ever imagined it to be. It was full of pictures at the Zeta house, tailgates with random dates, screaming my head off for the Horns with my sisters, watching the tower light up, and my personal favorite, the face tattoos! When trying describe my first football season, I couldn’t seem to find the words to describe it because there truly is nothing like a Texas Longhorn Football game! 

It's sad to see football season come to an end, but I'm more excited than ever for next season! 

ZLAM,

Julia Sotelo PC '16

Casino Night

It was the first chapter meeting of the year when it was announced that we would be having a date event with Tri Delt. Immediately all of our minds started racing wondering where it would be, who we would be bringing, and (most importantly) what the theme was going to be. As they announced it would be a casino night theme, our pledge class group message blew up. We all absolutely could not wait. Immediately after, our minds turned to who we would be taking. Some girls asked boys from their classes, others asked friends from home, and some were even set up on blind dates. The countdown to September 9th had begun.

      When the day finally arrived, we were all beyond excited. Texts to get outfit advice were exchanged and dinner plans were finalized. My group decided to all gather in a room and just order pizza and hang out before. I loved it. Spending time with my sisters and our dates just hanging out was the perfect start to the night. After that, it was time to head to Zeta to get onto the buses. PC ‘16 was the first group to head to the venue, but we made sure to get a few pictures in front of our beautiful house first. Finally, we got on the buses. As we pulled up to and walked into Brazos Hall, there was more than one comment on how pretty the venue was. It was a huge open room with a stage on one end, plenty of space to dance, and card tables on either sides. While some girls headed straight to the dance floor, I was feeling lucky and went to play blackjack. The entire night was filled with laughter at how awful some of us were at the games and dancing until we couldn’t dance any more. By the end of the night we were all ready to get on the buses and head home to our beds to sleep, knowing we would look back on this night fondly.

      The first date event of the year was a total success. It was such a fun time hanging out with my friends and getting to know all of the dates. The venue was perfect for dancing and the DJ made sure we were never bored. I’ll always look back on my first Zeta date event as an amazing night I got to spend with all my friends.

ZLAM,

Ellen Teuscher PC '16

ZTA Big/ Little Reveal!

Big lil reveal is something every new members dreams of! For me it was extra special because I was getting a big sister, which is something I’ve never had. Someone to discuss all my boy problems and have fun girl dates with. There was just one small problem, I didn’t know who I wanted. All of my friends knew exactly which girl they were going to pref and I felt lost. As the day approached everyone was antsy to figure out which girl was in fact their sister. The misleading clues and hints pointed everyone into the wrong direction on who their Big was. The day of the reveal, I had practice and I went through 2 hours waiting anxiously as all of my PC was figuring out their big. As soon as we were released from practice, my friends and I ran to the car and headed to the Zeta house. The whole drive there we all thought and rethought through the clues and tried guessing who our bigs were. Pulling up to the grand white house my heart was racing because I was about to find out my big!!!

I walked in late and immediately saw everyone else in their costumes smiling and walking with their big. Wendi, Reese and myself were given bags with costumes and were told to change. I pulled out a bright orange t-shirt with tiger ears and realized I was Tigger. Yes, I know how adorable! All that was left now was for me to find Pooh! Once I was all dressed I had to close my eyes and turn around, and then I felt hand press onto my shoulders. In this moment I knew that my big was right there waiting for me! 1..2..3. and my big turned me around revealing herself!! My big was Elisa Carpenter and my heart was full of joy. After we had our moment of hugging and screaming, I then remembered she had been in the hospital just the week before. The thought that she cared enough about her little that she barely knew, but still came even though she wasn't feeling well made me realize how truly awesome my big was. She lead me to my basket where she had scored me some awesome t-shirts, fanny packs, and hats. As I started sorting through the basket, my grand big came and introduced herself to me. Funny enough my grand big's name was also Elisa! Both Elisa’s and myself headed to the porch and took pictures of our new family. All of this celebrating made us hungry and we headed to the backyard where mountains of Canes and cotton candy were ready to be devoured. After all the festivities, we all packed into my grand big's car and they took me home. As I got out of the car I had mixed emotions about leaving my new family. First, sad because we were having to  split ways for the night, and secondly overjoyed by the new people and new source of love in my life.  I walked back into my dorm with my Tigger costume (tail, ears, and all), my basket, and a huge smile on my face.

As I look back on this day, I remember how stressed I was to find out, but in reality the reveal was everything but stressful. I remember sitting in chapter one Monday and hearing Brittany Stevens tell us how it would all work out, and how you would be matched with a person who was the best fit for you. Elisa is a joyful, upbeat, optimistic person, and I hope that I am a small piece of what my big is. I cannot wait for Elisa and I’s relationship to grow, and allow her to  become more than my friend, more than a sorority sister, but the sister that I never had.

ZLAM,

Rebecca Petty PC '16

TEXAS FOOTBALL IS BACK

Texas Football: it is the tradition that is talked about, hyped up, and anticipated unlike anything I have ever seen. So going into the season opener it was no surprise that all across longhorn nation everyone was talking about the same thing- beating Notre Dame during that Sunday primetime game. It was going to be my first UT football game, and I could not wait to be in DKR with my fellow Zeta sisters and longhorn fans to witness the magic that is Texas Football. 

The plan for the day consisted of lots of friends, food, and, of course, football. From the Zeta house in the morning to the various tailgates throughout the day, the overall excitement for that 6:30pm kickoff was something that can not be expressed through words or pictures. The 40 acres were filled with anxious and excited fans ready for the game ahead. As we left our last tailgate, 102,000 of my closest friends and I took our seats in the legendary Darrel K Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium. For me that seat was positioned right behind the Longhorn end zone with a nearly on field view of the pre-game festivities. It was so amazing to see Zetas not only in the stands right next to me, but on the field cheering and dancing to help lead UT to victory. 

After the National Anthem came what was arguably the second most important aspect of Sunday night, the introduction of Bevo XV. With an amazing video and voiceover by my favorite, Matthew McConaughey, baby Bevo took the field for the first time to meet the sea of burnt orange that filled the stadium. The crowd only heightened their cheers and excitement as the team stormed the field, and by 6:30 the boom of the canon and the first kick of the game started what was bound to be one memorable first UT game. During the next four quarters there was a roller coaster of emotions from excitement to joy to slight fear (specifically with Notre Dame’s three point conversion in the fourth quarter to tie the game). The saying “everything is bigger in Texas” held true as the Longhorns continued to fight through not one but two overtimes. Watching from the stands as the final seconds ticked away and victory was within our grasp was one of the most riveting experiences of my life. As the team and fans rushed the field and the scoreboard was shining with that hard earned final score of 50-47 the sea of horns up amid the high fives and hugs was a view you only get once in a lifetime. 

Walking home that night with my sisters under the orange glow of the Tower I finally understood what all the hype was about and what it means to be a witness to something truly extraordinary- Texas Football. 

ZLAM, 

Emily Craycraft PC '16 

Bid Day, Best Day

Bid Day: It’s the day that every girl has dreamed of ever since her letters of recommendation were sent off in the mail. It’s the light at the end of the tunnel after an exhausting (but fun!) week of recruitment. But above all, it’s the day that marks the beginning of a lifetime of sisterhood and love. At UT, Bid Day is one of the most joyous days of the year as the newest pledge classes run across campus to their new homes and into the arms of their new family.

In the moments before tearing open the envelope holding my bid card, I was filled with a nervous excitement as I impatiently waited to discover which sisterhood I would have the honor to be apart of. When I pulled out my card and it read “Zeta Tau Alpha,” it was a matter of seconds before my eyes filled with happy tears as I pushed my way through the Hogg auditorium doors to greet my new sisters.

The pictures of Bid Day can’t do the event justice, as there’s no way to capture the excited energy and instantaneous love felt by every girl in the chapter. I ran into the arms of my amazing Bid Day Buddy, and soaked in my first few exciting moments of being a Zeta. Decked out in a crown and holding a sunflower, I posed for pictures with my pledge class and even my entire sorority. It was hard to stop smiling when I knew I was surrounded by my new best friends! There to share the experience with me was my mom, who was now also my sister, as she is a Zeta herself. In between eating delicious food and checking out my Bid Day basket, I made sure to stop and hug everyone I saw, because after all, we were family now! Shortly after the festivities at the house ended, the new members of PC ’16 packed our bags and headed out to Camp Balcon Springs on a new member retreat. The retreat was an awesome way to make friends within my class and get to know the amazing women who were now my sisters. We got sorted into our founder’s groups that we would be in for the next four years, played getting-to-know-you games, and had a rockin’ PC ’16 dance party. The following morning, we spent time on the lake before heading back to campus. Although I was exhausted, I felt so blessed to have spent the past 24 hours with such an amazing group of girls.

From Bid Day itself to our new member retreat, everything I participated in was a huge reminder of why Zeta stood out to me as a chapter, and why I knew I had found my home. At the house, the sense of love and immediate belonging was overwhelming from the moment I ran through the tunnel of older girls welcoming me home. The sorority women were happy to have us, and the new pledge class couldn’t have been happier to be there. It sounds cheesy, but when I opened up my bid card, I instantly gained a family who accepts me and loves me for who I am. The new member retreat only deepened those feelings of love and belonging. Right off the bat, I was given the opportunity to spend quality time with my new sisters so that I could truly get to know them before I returned to campus. Taking the time to devote our attention to getting to know each other was such a meaningful experience. I truly felt like I knew my pledge class, and it was a wonderful way to start off my relationships with my new sisters. ZTA really does put sisterhood first, and I felt that for sure during Bid Day. I’m so excited for the next four years and the friendships that I know will last far beyond that.

ZLAM,

McKenna Richards

PC ‘16

Summer of my Life

“You’re going to have the best summer of your life staying in Austin.” Time and time again people explained why spending your summer in the great city of Austin, TX is the greatest thing you’ll ever do. After living in Austin for two semesters, I knew I couldn’t spend two months at home in the thriving town of Spring, TX. After I got a job, signed up for a class, took a position on recruitment team, found an apartment and tried my best to be an adult (key word: tried), my parents agreed to let me stay for the summer.

As much as I was looking forward to hanging out with my friends from home, I knew this summer would bring so many new friendships. When you have eight girls in one apartment and you’re even sharing a bed with your roommate, you’re bound to get pretty close (S/O to 209). Group messages started to form with all the people here for the summer. You truly were never able to be bored and you never had to be alone if you didn’t want to. Whether it was to lay out, go to dinner, go out that night, or sit on the couch with, you always had someone.

My favorite part of the summer was getting to explore Austin on days off from work, class and all those adult responsibilities I mentioned. From swimming in Barton Springs to hiking the Greenbelt to paddle boarding on the lake, this summer has been the greatest adventure. Since there is always something going on during the fall and the spring, it was amazing to have time to finally do “Austin things”.

Being on recruitment team has been an experience of it’s own. It’s been so fun getting everything ready and playing such a big role in the newest addition of our chapter! Plus, we all work so well together, so we get to be friends rather than just people on a team together. Now that the summer is coming to a close, I couldn’t be happier I chose to stay in Austin. People knew what they were talking bout when they told me I would have the most fun summer yet. All the friendships and the memories that have come out of these past two months are irreplaceable and I wouldn’t trade my summer squad for the world.

ZLAM,

Kara Hurley PC ‘15