Christmas in Dixie

On December 5, the Alpha Lambda chapter held its last function of the semester.  Following semi formal, social chair Stephanie Brown wanted this function to give the girls an opportunity to dress up crazy and have a blast with their sisters before the stress of finals week sunk in.  Christmas in Dixie, the perfect theme, was a huge hit with our chapter this year.  Thank you, Stephanie, for a great year of functions, and welcome to Alex Hall, our new social chair for 2014!

Merry Christmas and happy holidays from the ladies of Tri Delta!

Delta love and all of mine,
Kellie McKinney

Sister Spotlight: Kelsey Bilthouse

To me, the holiday season has always been about appreciating the blessings you've been given and loving one another.  And although we may sometimes get caught up in the cultural fiasco of greediness and desire, it's ultimately about giving, not getting.  Today's post, written by my pledge sister, Kelsey Bilthouse, is a reminder that giving back is far more rewarding that any gift we could every open on Christmas morning.  We are so thankful to have her back after her mid-semester trip to Nicaragua and proud of everything she has done!

“Hey y’all! As some people may know, I fled the country a few weeks ago and headed to the rural roads of Nicaragua.  Not many people understand why (or how) I managed to do this so here’s a little background and insight into my trip. For starters, I will clear up what seemed to be very confusing for those a little rusty on their geography; Nicaragua is in fact located in Central America, contrary to those thinking I went across the world as they bid me farewell with a heartwarming ‘Have fun in Africa!!!’ It’s the thought that counts…

If you didn’t know me before college, then you don’t know the strong connection I have with Nicaragua and the people there. I am fortunate enough to have been brought up in a family that puts service as one of our top priorities. When I was in 8^th grade my parents started the idea of having a family mission trip within our church to Nicaragua. As a middle school girl caught up in a materialistic lifestyle, my parents knew this was something that could change my life. And it did. Since that trip then I have been back 6 times now, seeing some of the same faces while creating new experiences. As a college student I feel like you don’t get as many ample opportunities as you do in high school to participate in mission trips… at least I haven’t. With everything going on during school I get so caught up that I easily forget what it feels like to serve others. I am too busy worrying about who is going to be my date for the next formal or having to get a new dress, that I rarely think about how fortunate I truly am. After a few years of not having the opportunity (or really acknowledging one), my return to Nicaragua was long overdue. This year my mom planned to lead a solemnly women’s trip to Ticuantepe, Nicaragua to continue outreach there. After much convincing, and emailing with my teachers to skip class, she finally budged and said I could come with. Did I mention I would be the youngest “adult” by a good 25 years? The stories I have from that…. too much information honestly.

In preparation for the trip, each team member was responsible for collecting a certain amount of supplies to bring down there. Since I love working with the children the most, I took charge of the school supplies that would later be delivered to all 200 elementary students. Thankfully with the help of donations from Tri Delta and friends in other sororities, enough money was raised to fill a new backpack for each child.

So, on November 2, our team headed to the Atlanta airport to catch our flight. After much anticipation, and 26 large duffle bags later, we finally arrived to Pinas de Paz in Nicaragua. Pinas de Paz ministries was our host for the week and home of the 10-acre beautiful pineapple farm we were surrounded by. Our main focus for the week was women’s outreach. We put on two luncheons for local families and school teachers where we learned more about their needs while providing them with gifts (food, school supplies, household needs) to take back with them. Throughout the week we also made home visits to different families in the village. We went to about 18 ‘houses’ to bring them the same types of gifts and pray with their families. These homes are the most humbling, usually housing at least eight family members under one tin roof with barely anything to live off of.

The school of Ticauntepe held 200 elementary students in the morning and another 200 secondary students in the afternoon. Typically, once you turn about 13 or 14 you stop going to school and begin working for your family; the idea of high school and college is another world for them. We held a field day of sorts for the elementary school kids one day and had all sorts of games from dizzy bat to wheel-burrow races. At the end of the day the kids got their new backpacks and could not have been any more excited.

On one of our last days we got the chance to do something I’ve never done there before, which was going to visit the hospital. Honestly, when we got there the first thought that came to mind was this place is a scene in the Blair Witch Project or something. There was no such thing as having your own room, no, it was you sharing a room with around 20 other patients. First we met with the expecting mothers who ranged around 15-50 years old (mainly 15-22). As a 20 year old I was extremely taken aback to even imagine being in their position, but for them being married and pregnant at our age is completely normal. After giving them some gifts that would help them with their new babies and praying with them, we went on to meet the moms and children who were suffering from respiratory, heart, and many other diseases. The stories we heard there really make you believe in miracles and give you a sense of hope for their community.

One of my main purposes for me going was to talk with the directors of Pinas de Paz to set up a trip that will be available for students at USC, specifically through the Greek Community. They were more than thrilled to accommodate us and I am excited to work with them to get something started for us within the next year. People often ask if you are doing these “good deeds” for yourself or for the people you’re helping. I don’t think there is really a right or wrong answer, or a morally correct answer. I would be lying to say I don’t do it for myself; I get a constant reminder of how lucky and blessed I am, not to mention the feeling I get knowing that I made a difference. Gandhi said it best: ‘Be the change you want to see in the world.’ 

Delta love,

Kelsey"

Senior Farewell

As yet another semester comes to a close, it's hard to believe that we'll be returning in January with two less sisters by our sides.  Seniors Thea Dietrick and Anna Drew Jackson have been such integral parts of this chapter, so I wanted to be sure that they left knowing how truly loved and appreciated they are.

Thea will be spending her final semester in Hong Kong as part of USC's International Business program before moving to Tampa, Florida to pursue a career with Nestle.  Anna Drew will be graduating with honors in less than two weeks and plans to attend pharmacy school within the next year. 

Trust me when I say I could go on forever about how incredible these two young women are--however, I decided I would leave it up to some others.  Here are some quotes from different people they've influenced in their time at Carolina, including best friends, roommates, sisters and littles:

Thea Dietrick

"Thea, I can't believe that we only met one time before you became my big. Over the past year and a half you have become my best friend, mentor, and have been there every time I needed you.  You have completely changed my life for the better, and I can't believe that you won't be here next semester.  I'll miss people looking at us like we're crazy during meals at the house when we make all of our weird voices and noises. I'm so proud of you and excited for the next chapter in your life--you're gonna do amazing things no matter where you are." -Madeleine Partain

Thea and Madeleine

"Thea, I don't know what I will do without you next semester. For the longest time I was in denial that you'd even leave, convincing everybody that you wouldn't be going back. It's crazy for me to think about the fact that I've really only known you for a little over a year now, but that year is filled with so many memories. I'll cherish the times you lifted me up when I needed it, celebrated good news and accomplishments together, and made my stomach ache with laughter. Even though I know my last semester at USC will be so different without you, I know that our friendship does not end now! I look forward to some upcoming 7 a.m. Skype calls with you as you finish up school in Hong Kong." -Lauren Austin

Thea and Lauren

Anna Drew Jackson

"We've joked before that in an alternate universe, we probably wouldn't be friends: ADJ and I are polar opposites.  But after we met a birthday party in the seventh grade, it's hard to imagine who I would be if I never knew her.  I've always been amazed at Anna Drew's ability to accomplish whatever she puts her mind to.  Of course, everyone is told they can do anything by parents, teachers, mentors, but typically people settle for less.  Well, ADJ's picking up all our slack and then some.  Blood drives, recruitment chair, internships, service trips, it's nuts.  I don't think I've ever heard her say, 'I don't think I can do this.'  Well, there may have been one or two times... but guess what?  She did it anyways.  Her passion and work ethic are on a different level than anyone I've ever met.  She's also funny and makes a mean batch of banana bread.  I'm so glad we don't live in an alternate universe, that we did meet at that birthday party seven years ago and that I've had the privilege to have such a beautiful and ferociously loyal friend." -Ellen Fox

Anna Drew and Ellen

"When I think about my friendship with Anna Drew, I think about how there is no one else more hardworking and more deserving of a beautiful future.  Her drive makes me want to work harder, and her constant ability to put me (and others) in a good mood makes me wish she was spending another semester here.  Whether she's conquering the blood drive, recruitment, or her never ending load of schoolwork, ADJ will be one to watch.  Keep the endless snapchats coming; you'll be my 'girlfriend' for life." -Emma Huggins

Anna Drew and Emma

As sad as it is to see you go, we couldn't be prouder to have you represent Tri Delta as you go off into the world and do amazing things.  We love you, Thea and ADJ!