Introducing Executive Council 2020

Meet our 2020 Executive Council! We are so proud of this team and excited to see what this year upcoming year will bring. Keep reading to learn about the amazing women who will be serving our chapter in 2020!

Name: Hartley Reese

Position: President 

Hometown: The Woodlands, TX

Major: International Relations & Global Studies

Follow me on insta: @hartreese

Fun Fact: I’ve studied French for over 10 years!

What do you do as President?

As President, I work to make sure that every component of our chapter follows
national expectations and policies while ensuring each member has a positive
experience. I represent Zeta in campus meetings, oversee our national reporting,
and help guide both our Executive and chapter meetings each week. My goal is
to ultimately unite our chapter through our key values of love, loyalty, lifelong
learning and service. 

Future goals?

I plan to go to take the LSAT this upcoming spring and hopefully attend law
school after college! 

How has being in Zeta impacted you? 

Zeta has brought me my ultimate best friends, strong women who continually
empower me to be the best version of myself, from academics to friendships
to service for others. I would not be the person or leader I am today without
their support, and I hope to instill this legacy of deep-rooted sisterhood into
every aspect of our chapter!

Name: Molly Barth

Position: Vice President 

Hometown: Flower Mound, Texas

Major: Government

Follow me on insta: @mollyrbarth

Fun Fact: I can read 4 languages! 

What do you do as Vice President?

My job is to run Programs Council! Programs Council is a group of about
40 girls who work together to plan all of the events and programming that
our chapter enjoys.

Future goals?

My dream is to go to law school and eventually become a constitutional lawyer!

How has being in Zeta impacted you? 

Besides giving me an amazing group of friends, Zeta has helped me become
a more confident leader!

Name: Lara Koppel

Position: VPII New Member

Hometown: Southlake, TX 

Major: International Affairs and Global Relations

Follow me on insta: @larakopps

Fun Fact: I served a volunteer soldier in the Israeli Defense Forces for two months
after high school! Loved every minute of it, despite only eating tuna. 

What do you do as New Member?

I plan out bid day and make sure the new PC has the best bigs and the best
time at the University of Texas! I get to help our new pledge class find their home
at Zeta Tau Alpha and help them with any problems they have. My assistants
and I plan meetings and activities with the New members so they can get to know
each other as well as the older PC’s do!

Future goals?

I hope to one day be in the CIA or in the intelligence community. I would also be
good with being Anna Wintour’s personal assistant. 

How has being in Zeta impacted you? 

Zeta has brought me more than just best friends and constant fun, but also leadership
opportunities that have let me get involved in UT. I love being able to bond with so
many amazing girls while getting the opportunity to become involved in so many
different organizations. 

Name: Brooke Graves

Position: VPIII Recruitment Captain

Hometown: Heath, TX 

Major: Human Development & Family Sciences

Follow me on insta: @brooklyngraves7

Fun Fact: I cheered for UT my freshman year and loved every second of it!! 

What do you do as Recruitment Captain?

As recruitment Captain, I work to promote the legacy and Zeta sisterhood! I work with
my team to plan all recruitment activities, including when we welcome home all the new
members on bid day! 

Future goals?

I want to become a pediatric surgeon!!

How has being in Zeta impacted you? 

I am surrounded by women who push me to be my best self in Zeta. The level of
encouragement throughout the difficulties college brings is so unreal. I have made friendships
that will last a lifetime, been given opportunities that have helped me develop as a leader
and had so much fun along the way. 

Name: Mallory Richards

Position: Philanthropy Chair

Hometown: Dallas

Major: Communication and Leadership with a Minor in Interior Design 

Follow me on insta: @mallory_richards

Fun Fact: I was diagnosed with type one diabetes when I was 6 years old and wear an insulin
pump on my arm!

What do you do as philanthropy chair? 

I get to help our chapter bring recognition to our philanthropy which is Breast Cancer Education
and Awareness. My team and I get to organize and put on our fundraising events Big Man on
Campus in the spring and Queso For a Cure in the Fall!  

Future goals?

To hopefully become an event planner! Also, I hope to raise tons of awareness and educate as
many people as possible about Breast Cancer!  

How has being in Zeta impacted you?

Zeta has brought me the most amazing friends and sisters I could ask for. Our chapter has pushed
me to be the best person I can be and encouraged me to accomplish anything I want to. Zeta is a
home away from home.  

Name: Christine Hunt

Position: Standards

Hometown: El Campo, Texas

Major: Undeclared

Follow me on insta: @christine_hunt

Fun Fact: 

I’m a 4th generation longhorn! 

What do you do as standards?

As standards, I help to coordinate harm reduction and social practice educational programming
while working with other chapter members in risk prevention efforts. I also help coordinate events
for our chapter, making sure they are in a fun and safe environment, while maximizing the college
experience for all the members of our chapter!

Future goals?

I would love to attend law school after graduation and practice law in the state of Texas post grad!

How has being in Zeta impacted you? 

Being in Zeta has given me love and devotion that cannot be replicated anywhere else. A
community of love, acceptance, and loyalty. I have met people who support me in all aspects
of life, always give me a shoulder to lean on, and people to go through the good and bad with. 

Name: Adriana Iademarco

Position: Treasurer

Hometown: The Woodlands, Texas

Major: Accounting

Follow me on insta: @adrianaiademarco

Fun Fact: I am completely deaf in my right ear!

What do you do as Treasurer?

As Treasurer, I work on making sure that all the financial aspects of Zeta are correctly created
and managed. To start, I work with the budget in order to properly allocate funds to different events.
I use that information to correctly bill chapter members for their dues each month. Aside from that,
I am responsible for paying the bills for the house - including electricity, food, etc. 

Future goals?

My goal is to complete the Masters in Professional Accounting program at UT. Then, I would aspire
to work for a Big 4 accounting firm in either Dallas or Houston!

How has being in Zeta impacted you? 

Zeta has provided me with a constant support system and life-long friendships. This chapter has
allowed me to constantly challenge myself to improve, while also making amazing memories with
my sisters!

Name: MaKayla Brown

Position: Rituals 

Hometown: Sugar Land, Texas

Major: Public Relations with a Minor in Interior Design

Follow me on insta: @makaylaabrownn

Fun Fact: I'm obsessed with diet Dr.Pepper ;)

What do you do as Rituals Chair?

As Rituals, I help continue the legacy that bonds all Zeta chapters together! I make sure our
chapter follows all the Fraternity ceremonies, including informing new and current members
about the symbolism and meaning behind our ritual activities. My team and I our in charge
of initiating of all our new members in the fall and get the honor of initiating our seniors into
alumni in the spring! I also help spread the word to others about the history of ZTA through
events like National Rituals Week and Post-Initiation Lessons. 

Future goals?

I am hoping to study abroad in Europe before my time at UT comes to an end! After college, I
hope to either work for an Advertising/PR firm or be an interior designer! 

How has being in Zeta impacted you? 

Zeta has given me a home away from home. I have met so many lifelong friends, and girls that I
can always count on to be there for me in times of good and bad. Being in Zeta has made this
huge university feel way smaller, and without my sisters, my college experience would not be
the same. Being apart of this sisterhood is one of a kind, and I would not trade it for the world! 

Name: Maddie Siedell

Position: Historian

Hometown: Dallas, TX

Major: Plan II & Studio Art

Follow me on insta: @maddiesiedell

Fun Fact: I was born on Christmas!

What do you do as Historian?

My job as historian is the oversee the social media for our chapter and express how amazing our
chapter really is through these platforms! 

Future goals?

My dream is to become an art director!

How has being in Zeta impacted you? 

Zeta has given me the home base I needed at this big university. Being in Zeta constantly pushes
me grow into the woman I want to be! 

Name: Cameron Crivellari 

Position: House Manager 

Hometown: El Campo, TX 

Major: Human Development and Family Sciences 

Follow me on insta: cam_criv3

Fun Fact: I love to travel!! 

What do you do as house manager?

I’m in charge of keeping the ZTA house in check! Also, I get to work with the girls who live in the
house and make sure they're happy with everything. I love this position so much because I get to
help ensure that the ZTA house is the best it can possibly be! 

Future goals?

I want to be a Child Life Specialist. I want to work in hospitals helping children and families find
peace and joy during troubled times. 

How has being in Zeta impacted you?

Zeta has given me the best friends and leadership skills!! ZLAM! 

Name: Noura Daryani

Position: Scholastics Chair 

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Major: Human Development and Family Sciences, Pre-Dental

Follow me on insta: @nouradaryani

Fun Fact: I’m biking to Alaska summer of 2021 to spread hope and knowledge in the fight against
cancer!

What do you do as Scholastics Chair?

As Scholastics Chair, I do my best to motivate each of our members to strive towards academic
excellence through hard work and encouraging them to use the resources that are available to
them! I also host Professor Dinner every semester, a formal dinner at the house that enables our
members to get to know our wonderful professors that do so much for us!

Future goals?

After college, I want to attend Dental school in hopes of becoming a pediatric dentist!

How has being in Zeta impacted you? 

My favorite aspect of Zeta is the shared support each member has for each other. Zeta has given
me a love which reflects that of an extremely, extremely large family. It is an incredibly grateful
feeling knowing that you have a community of women that will never stop caring.

Name: Lillian Sachitano

Position: Panhellenic Delegate

Hometown: Beaumont, Texas

Major: Environmental Science

Follow me on insta: @lilsachitano

Fun Fact: I was the only person to come to UT from my high school in five years!

What do you do as Panhellenic Delegate?

As the Panhellenic Delegate for Zeta Tau Alpha, I serve as Zeta’s ambassador to the rest of the
greater fraternity/sorority community within UT. I attend regular Panhellenic Council meetings
with the delegates from other sororities, work alongside them to help Zeta work in harmony with
other groups on campus, and help make sure we’re abiding by all of UPC’s regulations. 

Future goals?

I want to master calligraphy and open a cute etsy shop! I’m still not sure what I want to do after
college, but with my major being EVS I want to do something good for the world!

How has being in Zeta impacted you? 

More than anything I think Zeta has helped my find out who I want to be and what kind of impact
I want to have on the world. The lifelong friendships I’ve made with girls that love me without
hesitation have shown me that I can do absolutely anything if I have enough determination!
I am oh so thankful for the selfless love these girls have shown me!

Name: Robin Graves

Position: Recording Secretary 

Hometown: Houston

Major: Advertising 

Follow me on insta: @robingraves_

Fun Fact: My names Robin and my cat’s name is Batman!

What do you do as Secretary? 

As Secretary for Zeta Tau Alpha I’m responsible for managing, disseminating and maintaining
chapter information and records.

Future goals?

Work for an ad agency as an art director!

How has being in Zeta impacted you? 

Zeta has given me an abundance of opportunities by getting involved on and off campus. I’m so
thankful to be apart of an organization that opens doors and friendships!

Queso for the Cure

October is a special month for members of Zeta Tau Alpha, for it is a whole month dedicated to our philanthropy, Breast Cancer Education and Awareness. As a new member who recently experienced recruitment, I got to witness the passion and dedication the members of Zeta have towards their philanthropy during the second round of rush. Ever since that day, I have been waiting anxiously for October to come around to get to experience first hand all that Zeta does to spread awareness and raise money for Breast Cancer Education and Awareness.

Some members passed out Think Pink ribbons on campus. Other members participated in a profit share Zeta put on with Canes. However, what I was most excited for was Queso for a Cure – my first philanthropy event. All my expectations for the event were completely blown out of the water. The live music, the set-up in the backyard, the sea of pink that filled the area, the face paint, and let’s not forget the delicious queso! What warmed my heart the most was the amount of people outside of Zeta that came to support and “Think Pink” with us. The line went through the backyard, to the front yard, and then looped around the corner of the street – and that doesn’t even count all the people already sitting down. I loved being able to be a part of such a joyous event focused around a great cause.

Queso for a Cure was a two-hour event filled with an infinite amount of love. It was hard not to smile when I looked around and saw people laughing, dancing, hugging (in typical Zeta fashion), and, of course, munching on some good chips and queso. The dedication and effort that the girls put into Queso for a Cure further proved to me how much Zeta cares about Breast Cancer Education and Awareness, and it excites me for the future philanthropy events to come.

Love- Gracelyn Keener PC 19

Recruitment Week Schedule Rundown

I’ll never forget how nervous I was as recruitment week slowly crept up, but the good news is, there is no need to be anxious! The women in each house are eager and excited to meet you! Just be yourself and have an open mind, and your recruitment week will be an amazing experience. It’s also important to be prepared for this exciting week, so here’s a little run down of what you can expect during each day of recruitment!

Open House

Open house is the first round of recruitment and takes place over the first two days of recruitment week. During open house, you will stay in your assigned recruitment groups and go to each of the 14 sorority houses. Once you arrive, you’ll line up alphabetically with your group and wait patiently (take this time to get to know the other great women in your group). When your recruitment guide (also known as a Rho Gam) knocks on the door three times, the door swings open and the chanting begins. One-by-one, you step into the house (and are welcomed with an immeasurable amount of hugs at the Zeta house). This is your opportunity to get to see the different personalities of each house, and also show the houses who you are as a person. At the end of the second day, you’ll head to the University Teaching Center (UTC) and rank the 10 houses that you would like to get to know better. 

Philanthropy

Philanthropy is the next round of recruitment which is also a two day event, yay! At the beginning of this round, you will meet with your recruitment group in the morning at a designated spot (mine was under the tower, hook em!) and receive your schedule. Your schedule can have up to 10 houses and will not be identical to everyone-or anyone-in your recruitment group, so this is your chance to fly solo! Once you arrive at each house, it’ll be the same as the round before, you will be lined up alphabetically and wait patiently for the doors to open. Philanthropy day is especially enjoyable because you get to learn about a cause that is close to each sorority’s hearts. On this day, you will complete a craft and/or activity involving their philanthropy while also learning about the cause itself. ZTA’s philanthropy is Breast Cancer Education and Awareness! This round is important because you gain a better understanding of what the houses value and have the opportunity to dive into deeper conversations with the women in each sorority. Once you leave your last house of the philanthropy round, you’ll immediately head to the UTC and list the 6 houses you connected with the most. 

TIP Be sure to use the buses provided for you and maybe even map out your route from house-to-house ahead of time, so you don’t miss any houses.

Sisterhood

Sisterhood is the third round of recruitment. This round is when you get a more clear picture of which houses you could see yourself being a part of. Sisterhood round has the same schedule process as philanthropy, you’ll meet up with your recruitment group in the morning and receive your individual schedule for the day from your Rho Gam. The conversations will go even deeper than the previous days and you’ll witness the bonds the women in the house share with one another. At the ZTA house, we not only want you to get to know us better but we want to get to know you better, which is why we always play an interactive game to get the conversation flowing at the beginning of each party! Immediately after you leave your last house, you will head to the UTC and choose the top two houses that you feel you can add value to.

TIP This round is often viewed as one of the hardest because the cut is so large, narrowing six houses to two. Keep in mind that you are one step closer to joining a sorority and a lifelong sisterhood, so do not be intimidated It’s a long week, but it is all worth it! 

Preference Night

Preference Night or “Pref” night is the very last round of recruitment. You made it! You can have a maximum of two houses on this night, meaning it is immensely important to evaluate each house and see which one would be a better fit for YOU. This is a serious night, which is reflected in the formal attire of the sisters as well as the decorations and mood of the house. Sisters will share testimonials as to why they went the sorority they did, and how their chapters have changed their lives for the better. Pref night is extremely special and can be an emotional experience for both actives and potential new members, so I encourage you to wear waterproof mascara! I cried, no shame! It’s integral  to look around the room and notice the girls (both actives and PNMs) who are at your final houses, considering they could potentially be your sisters. Are these the women you would want to be your sisters? Do you get along well with them? Do you look up to them and see the possibility of your own growth in their sisterhood? I’ll never forget the sense of belonging I felt the moment I walked into Zeta. I remember seeing the bond of sisterhood the Zeta women shared and wanting desperately to be a part of that bond. Don’t be afraid to completely open up during your conversations on pref night, we are here for you and want to support you and hear about your experience! Once you leave your last house on Pref night, you’ll immediately head to the UTC and list the house where you can envision your lifelong sisters! . This is the most important and final ranking! 

Bid Day

The best day of recruitment! The morning of Bid Day, you’ll head to Hogg Auditorium and sit in your assigned  seat which is labeled with an envelope consisting of your name. During the presentation you sit on the very card that contains the house you received a bid from--the ENTIRE presentation, UGH. I can still remember my anticipation when we were reminded not to peek! Once the panhellenic president instructs you to open your envelope, you open it up and meet your new sisters in front of the building (there will be a poster with the sorority names labeled all throughout the outside of the Auditorium). Finally, you and your new sisters all run to the house together! I’ll never forget walking--more like excitedly sprinting like a maniac--out of Hogg and seeing the faces of the girls I met throughout the week, and knowing they were my new sisters. The excitement was overwhelming!Once you run to your house, the real party begins. The whole chapter,your family and friends are eagerly waiting and ready to greet you with tons of hugs, smiles, and sorority merch, CHA CHING! It’s such a special moment not only for you, but also for the girls in the chapter who have been waiting for you all of summer! 

Recruitment week is a long seven days, but the stories, laughs and memories are worth a lifetime! Trust the process,  follow your gut and… #GOTEXASZETA !!!

XOXO, 

Megan Wommack PC ‘17