"I had never had a feeling hit me as hard as it did the day I said goodbye to my parents outside of Keeneland Hall my freshman year. It was time to start a new chapter in my life. A new chapter that would take place three and a half hours away from my Tennessee home. I was nervous, but mostly excited, to see what my new Kentucky home had in store for me.
Before I knew it I was standing in a line outside of my very first house during recruitment- AOII. Little did I know that the house in front of me held the girls who would shape me in to the woman I am today. As I got into my place at the end of the line, I started to tell myself to put on the front that I had so carefully prepared. I was always peppy, always put together, always knew the right things to say, and always had my hair perfect. As soon as I stepped into that door I instantly knew that I had wasted my time putting on that front.
It was here at AOII that I was able to be myself. It was here that I was able to talk about sports, my love for baby goats, and all the things that made me who I am. I felt accepted and, even more so, loved for who I was on the inside rath
er than what I exuded on the outside.
I am forever in debt to this organization that I was able to leave that front behind. AOII took me as I was, and molded me into a woman of class and strength. It has given me a family away from my family, late nights full of laughter, constant rides to class, some balling dance moves thanks to Greek Sing, and ultimately an endless amount of love and support. I can't imagine how in the world I'll ever be able to give back to AOII all that it has given to me, but I imagine I'll spend a lifetime trying to do so because these women and this organization are so, so worth it."
- Jonna Tharp (left)