When I was in high school, I didn’t know a single thing about sororities, and if we’re going to be honest, I couldn't care less about being in one. The plan was to stick to my art and make friends that way, and I was content in thinking that was where I’d meet my “people”. I was the artsy girl after all, and didn’t think they would really want me anyway. At the very end of the summer though, my dad came to me and said something along the lines of
“Are you sure you don’t want to rush? You might like it.”
I shrugged, why not give it a shot, right? Well it turns out he was very right, but I never thought I would have loved it this much.
The first time I ever did anything artistic in AOII was when I had to make a poster about myself. My entire pledge class and I all did this, and when I presented mine, I had never heard that many compliments all at once. No one had ever made me feel that confident about something I had created. This still happens all of the time. I couldn’t tell you how many sheet signs I’ve painted with my sisters, from our sheet sign during homecoming week, or the sheet sign for our Pandapalooza Marathon. Every time I was praised not just for my talents, but for my willingness to lend a helping hand as well.
I made it very clear from the start of rush week that I was going to be unapologetically myself. Maybe I was thinking that would scare them away a bit, but no, that’s what AOII loved the most about me. I had never in my life felt so appreciated for being no one else but myself. On bid day I ran out to my home away from home, my safe space, my sisters. Now that I look back at everything, this is the only place I can see myself. AOII is the place where I met my “people”. AOII is the place where I’ve felt true, sisterly love. AOII is the place where I can be just me and be loved for that alone.
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