My senior year of high school I knew I wanted to go Greek. Being the micro-organizer I am, I went on a spree, looking up all the different chapters across the country (because I still hadn't decided on a college), and when I looked at AOII's philanthropy I knew I had to join. I, myself, face juvenile arthritis and knew I wanted to be a part of something that was helping those also affected. Once I finally decided on UK, it just so happened AOII was there, and the first day I walked into the house I knew I couldn't be anywhere else. It sounds cliche, but the Pi House was home as soon as I stepped in. I didn't feel judged. I didn't feel like they were expecting anything from me. When Bid Day rolled around and I opened my card, I thought I knew what I had in store for me, but I never could have imagined all that AOII has already given me, and will give me in the future.

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Freshman, Fundraising chair

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 rather 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.

Senior

I joined Alpha Omicron Pi because I was curious about sororities.  But more importantly, why I stayed AOII is because of my big.  Getting into Nursing School is tough and my big was always there to encourage me and comfort me when things got tough.  I only hope to be as good of a big as mine was to me.

Sophomore, House Manager & Historian

Looking back now, joining AOII was one of the best decisions I ever made. One of the main reasons why I pledged AOII, was because as I stood on the lawn in front of the AOII house along with all of my other new AOII pledge sisters, I automatically was able to make a significant connection to my high school graduation experience. During my high school graduation ceremony, I stood in a beautiful white dress along with 149 other girls in their white dresses as well. On that day, I was reminded of how much I loved being apart of a Catholic all-girls’ high school that provided eternal love and a rich tradition. Throughout my recruitment experience, I remembered hearing about AOII’s amazing and loyal sisterhood. So naturally, AOII’s sisterhood definitely stood out to me. As I was surrounded by many beautiful AOII active members and my new pledge sisters in their white dresses, it was finally then that it occurred to me that God had provided me with another new open door. I knew that this door would be a welcoming place where I would enter it and call it my new home.

Junior, Health and Wellness Chair