25 Days of Christmas

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and with that comes gratefulness for the things and people that have shaped us, loved us, and made us better. With 25 days of celebration comes 25 zetas reflecting what ZTA means to them.

1  “Zeta has taught me that you'll always have a sister there to have your back, to be your shoulder to cry on, to be your right hand gal, to laugh at your lame jokes, and to give you a pump up speech when all your finals are on the same day. Zetas are there for each other no matter what and "my sister, my responsibility" becomes a part of our everyday lives which to me is truly amazing.” - Monica Hand PC ‘16

2   “Zeta has taught me that it's possible to find a home away from home.” - Alexa Ryder PC ’15 

3 “In short, Zeta has taught me so much over the last four years. As an exec member  two years in a row Zeta taught me how to lead a chapter of over 250 girls; I learned how to adapt when things didn't go as planned, and the importance of patience. Zeta also taught me how to live in a house with 39 other girls,  and how your closet size multiplies when that many girls live together. But out of all the things that being a member of Zeta Tau Alpha has taught me, one of the most important takeaways was how much Zeta  taught me about myself. So many different girls within this chapter have helped mold me into the person that I am today and for that I am forever grateful.”  - Mackenzie Benton PC ‘13

4  “Zeta has taught me the importance of friendship. college brought new challenges and hardships that i was not ready to experience, and I’m so glad I had my friends in zeta by my side. During my first two years of college, I learned a lot of hard lessons and lost someone very close to my heart. my friends took care of me during some of the hardest moments of my life thus far, and I’m so thankful to have their support and friendship.” - Hailey Bailey PC '15 

5   “Zeta has taught me that I'm never alone! Not just in the sense that I always have someone to eat with or go to the pcl with. no matter what I'm going through, someone else has gone through it or is going through it with me, and if not, I can rely on my sisters to help me through it!” - McKenna Richards PC '16

6 "Zeta has taught me about what being a leader means and has provided me with the skills to succeed in the real world. Most importantly, it has taught me about true friendship and I am so grateful for these relationships that will last a lifetime." - Brenna Smith PC '14

7  “Zeta has taught me to be grateful for the little things in my life. It's the encouraging text you receive from a sister at midnight when you've been up late studying for a final, or when your sisters will wake up at 6am to go watch the sunrise at Mt. Bonnell with you. It's the little things like that that have made my college experience so amazing.” - Evie Morris PC 16

 

8  “Zeta has taught me that love multiples. It is something both contagious and infectious which has allowed me to learn to love parts of myself now through love I have for others” - Kaylan Brown PC '15 

9  “Zeta has taught me to be confident and to always strive for a higher sense of self, worthy of the group I've been chosen to be a part of. It has also taught me the essential value of building others up and celebrating others' accomplishments as if they were my own.”  - Rachel Boaz PC '14  

10  “Zeta has taught me how to be the best version of myself by being surrounded by such likeminded yet different people and has given me lifelong best friends!” - Kennedy Smith PC '16 

 11 “Zeta has taught me what it means to be a friend. This sisterhood loves each other for who they truly are. The support, care, and acceptance I have experienced in Zeta has shown me the true definition of friendship.” - Avery Staples PC '13

12  “I honestly think zeta has taught me what it's like to have real friends that will love and support you no matter    what. It's comforting knowing you have some girls that understand you on a deeper level and you can trust!” - Allie Funk PC '16

13  “Zeta has taught me a lot about myself and how to lead and grow in a large group of women. Zeta has so many unique girls and I have learned how diversity makes us stronger and better women because of it.” - Hannah Burrin PC '15 

14 “Zeta has taught me to be the best version of myself - a student, a leader, and a friend.” - Jackie Robillard PC ‘14

15  “Zeta has taught me to break out my shell and meet so many new friends. It's nice being able to lean on each other!” - Reese Morningstar PC '16

16  “Zeta has taught me how beautiful it is to be around so many unique individuals. It has opened my eyes to see that everyone is special and different. No matter your background, hometown, personality or interests, Zeta is capable of unifying everyone under a single sisterhood built on the foundation of love. Zeta has showed me the promises that come with the invitation of our sisterhood. I have learned how to let my voice be heard, to be my own person and to lead others. The lessons I have learned through Zeta are everlasting, and now as a graduating senior I am more than excited to show what I've learned to the world.” - Madi Donham PC ‘13

17  "Zeta has been such a blessing in my life. I've learned so much just from meeting so many different people and have learned to branch out and make new friends!" - Jessica Bowman PC '16

 

18  "Zeta has taught me that it doesn't matter where you're from, and even if you feel like you're the minority, zeta provides you with a commonality that brings everyone together. and that everyone's differences make up it diverse!" - Taylor Gray PC '15 

19  "Zeta has taught me what being a true friend looks like. In high school, I always had a small circle of best friends. So coming to college, I was really nervous that I wasn't going to be able to find that close knit group again. However, not only did I find a best friend that would drop anything to help me or listen to me, but I found 74 of them, who know I would do the same thing for them." - Caity Callan PC '16

20  “The friends I've made through ZTA have taught me how to rely on others and that it is ok to ask for help and support when you need it.” - Bailey Phillips PC '14

21  "Zeta has given me sisters that uplift me, support me, and give me a helping hand when I don't even recognize that I need one." - Madie Flores PC '15 

22  "Zeta has taught me that there are so many ways to succeed in college. Each girl in Zeta inspires me to be the best version of myself." - Jules Maxwell PC ‘14

23  "Zeta has taught me that even though our chapter is very diverse and full of many different personalities, we all love and support each other no matter what." - Sara Hunter PC '16 

24  "Zeta has taught me how you can be best friends with people who are completely different from you and have unique personalities. Also what it means to have people who will defend you and look out for you no matter what." - Kayla Bradley PC '15, Vice President

25  "The best lesson I've learned through being involved in Zeta is the importance of understanding. Being a leader of so many diverse and strong women can be challenging, but the ability to step back and see the greater picture is invaluable. It's all about perspective." - Haley Frank PC '14, President 

 Happy Holidays and ZLAM!

                   

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