All through out recruitment, I kept remembering the advice various people had given me about sorority recruitment: “Make sure to stand up straight with shoulders back.” “Keep smiling! Sorority girls want girls who are peppy!” “Don’t let them know how much your feet hurt, even if they ask you if you want to take your shoes off.” “Even if you’re having the worse day, don’t let the sorority girls know! They want happy girls, not dramatic girls.” This type of “advice” kept circling in my head while I was waiting outside of each house.
It wasn’t until Sisterhood Day when it finally hit me. While I was standing on the lawn outside AOII, I realized I didn’t have to be the “super peppy sorority girl,” and I could take my “mask” off. Inside the AOII house, even during recruitment, I could tell that the girls standing around me during the skit were going to be there for me through thick and thin. They were going to be the girls that could tell if something was wrong even if I wouldn’t admit it. They were going to be the sisters that would always make me smile.
If I could give a piece of advice to the women coming through recruitment this Fall, it would be do not be afraid to be yourself. Being yourself is the only way you are going to find a sisterhood that loves you for you! Don’t feel like you have to fit into a perfect stereotype because there is no such thing! As cheesy as it sounds being true to who you are is the only way to find your home.
Shepard stands outside of the Kentucky AOII house on Bid Day 2016.
From Recruitment to Rubies is UK AOII's way to give advice to Potential New Members going through or considering recruitment. If you want to share advice, email kappaomegatodragma@yahoo.com.