Proud to Be Greek Wednesdays - May 9th, 2018

The lifelong bonds you form, the communities you serve, and the invaluable lessons you learn are all part of an unforgettable Greek organization experience. Joining a brotherhood or sisterhood is an honor and a privilege, and with it comes social awareness and responsibility. Each week we are going to be featuring an essay written by a fraternity/sorority member to highlight how Greek life has had a positive impact. Changed for the Better This is the most common question that I am asked as a sorority woman, and in my opinion, the most important. Although most people would tell you friendship is why they joined a Greek organization, that aspect is not what changed my life.  When I was initiated into the Eta Omicron chapter of Delta Gamma in October of 2015, I had no idea of the journey I was about to be sent on. Since my initiation I have been in eight different states, dozens of leadership conferences, met hundreds of people, and discovered who I really am as a person; all courtesy of Delta Gamma. As I entered college I was shy and unsure of myself. I came to a school where I did not know anyone, but I wanted these to be the best four years of my life. I began by joining a sorority. I went through recruitment for the same reasons as everyone else, to make new friends, but have gained so much more than I could have ever imagined.  In my sophomore year I was elected President of my chapter. The shy girl from the small town that no one knew, was going to be president. I could not believe it and I know some of the women in my chapter could not either. All of the leadership conferences both before and during my presidency gave me the knowledge I needed. While the many strong and empowering women I met gave me the sense of worth and confidence that I was lacking previously. These women established in me what Delta Gamma’s true values are; hope, strength, and life. As I came back to my chapter ready to serve as their president, I possessed a new sense of self confidence, worth, strength, and courage. My face glowed as I strived to earn the respect of the older and more skeptical women in the chapter. I gratefully served my chapter for that whole year becoming more aware of myself and those around. As my term ended, I took everything I had absorbed from the previous year and took it with me into the dental field. In Delta Gamma, I found the love for serving others and learning the  needs of people. It is where I found my love for dental hygiene. My new found self confidence and leadership abilities earned me one of sixteen spots in the hardest academic program on my campus. I am now loving every minute of this new opportunity.The bonds I have made are unbreakable, the experiences I have had are unforgettable, but the opportunities, confidence, and strength I have discovered through my journey is what really changed my life. I will never be one of the stereotypical sorority girls, and I will always remember who I am and how strong I can be in all situations thanks to Delta Gamma. And the best part is, I am just getting started.