"Not 4 Years; It's For Life" - written by Sadie Helvig

4 years ago, when I was a freshman at Salisbury University, I went through recruitment. I was scared, excited, exhausted, and slightly intimidated. It’s not easy going out for recruitment, but I can promise you, it’s worth it. On January 31st, 2016, I opened my bid card and saw beautiful turquoise writing and my name. I was so unbelievably happy. I joined Zeta Tau Alpha and instantly fell in love.

I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve heard the words, “you get out what you put in”. I really took that and ran. Zeta was too good to me and through all of the ups and downs, I can say with all of me, that Zeta Tau Alpha is one of the best things that ever happened to me.

During my collegiate years, I made the best friends that I still talk to...Every. Single. Day. As a matter of fact, I just spent New Year’s with my freshman year roommate (we bonded over wanting to go through recruitment and have been best friends since) and a girl in my pledge class (insert picture of us on bid day when I didn’t even know who the blonde girl I was posing with was. Now she is my best friend.)

We even have plans in 2 weeks to go on a weekend trip. They literally can’t get rid of me. Not only did I meet SUPERB people, who have changed my life for the better, but I became more of myself than I ever was. Zeta pulled me out of a shell that I hid inside. I grew into a confident, outgoing, happy woman when I surrounded myself with women who had goals, dreams, and drive. We got to grow together throughout our years of college while becoming leaders, participating in philanthropic events, raising thousands of dollars, meeting survivors, and the list goes on. I really could talk about my experience in Zeta Tau Alpha all day.

Of course during my senior year, I hit major senioritis (like most of us do, trust me you will understand one day). I was excited to graduate and see where my life would take me. 4 years was a long time and the end was finally nearing. But, I remember my last chapter, thinking “When is the next time I will be in the same room with these people again?” and I grew so nostalgic of all my Zeta memories. They are 100% some of my fondest memories. Stories that I will carry with me wherever I end up, stories that I will hopefully pass down to my daughter one day, and stories that me and my best friends will talk about for YEARS down the road.

Looking back, Zeta was a major constant variable in my life. As a matter of fact, it honestly still is. Like I said before, I still talk to my sisters everyday (thank goodness for Facetime) and lucky for me, Salisbury isn’t too far of a drive, so Theta Delta knows I like to visit for a good occasion:) I even walked into work on the first day of my “big-girl job” carrying a ZTA bag and met a ZTA in my office. Small world. I am forever grateful for every memory I have made, every person who has impacted me, every person I got to leave an impact on, every dollar we’ve raised, and all the lessons I have learned. To my sisters: I love and miss you all every day, enjoy recruitment, and HAVE FUN! To potential new-members: If you are hesitant about going out for recruitment, just TRY IT. You never know, it truly could change your life.

ZLAM, Love Sadie XOXO