Welcome to Alpha Xi Delta at DePaul University!
Three years ago, I took a leap of faith and signed up for formal recruitment. I was just about to start my freshman year of college, move into my dorm, and go through immersion week. I knew no one at DePaul, I’d never lived anywhere but my childhood home, and I was so nervous about making friends and finding a place where I belonged. A few of my friends at state schools told me they went through recruitment and talked about how much they all loved their chapters, and I figured maybe if I went through recruitment too, I could find a group of friends and a place for me at DePaul.
What I never expected was that I would find a family. When I walked into Alpha Xi Delta the first day, I immediately felt comfortable, and when I left, I felt excited at the possibility that I might go back the next day. Little did I know then, that three years later, I would be welcoming PNMs into the room as president. As I look back at all my “firsts” in this chapter, I find myself getting a little sad at the thought of how many “lasts” are quickly approaching. My first time meeting everyone had me feeling nervous and excited.
As my last time meeting PNMs gets rapidly closer, I feel sentimental of all the memories I’ve made with all these amazing women that I’m lucky enough to call sisters everyday. In just three short years, I met my best friends, my study partners, my roommate, my support system, and my family. I cannot imagine going through college and all the ups and downs of life without having these girls right by my side, one call away.
My time here has been nothing short of special and it has taught me things about myself that I didn’t even know. I’ve realized how much potential I really have and Iota Rho has shown me the strength, talent, courage, and intellect one group of women can have. If I could wish one thing for anyone considering recruitment, it would be that no mater what, they get to have at least a fraction of the experiences I’ve had. Alpha Xi Delta has given me courage to face a world that scares me, the strength to make it through the things that hurt, the ability to make peace with the things that I can’t change, and the confidence to believe in myself no matter how hard things get. I’m eternally grateful for everything this chapter has given me and I’ve cherished every moment that I get to call myself an Alpha Xi Delta.
Being Chapter President was something I never thought I could attain and it has given me so much joy and happiness. I can’t wait to see what the future holds and how this amazing chapter will grow.
XOXI,
Cydney Rand, Iota Rho Chapter President
