Happy Graduation Day

Today, five of our very own, are graduating from the University of South Carolina. We are so proud of the wonderful women that you are and can't thank you enough for the amazing contributions you have made to our chapter. We can't put into words how much we will miss each and every one of you but we are so excited for you to be embarking on this new journey into the next chapter of your lives. 

Fall 2014 Graduates:

                            Juliette Cheatham                                                       Kellie McKinney

                        
                Alex Breazeale                                Molly Nickel                        Bridget Niermeier

                                 

                                

                       
                                 Letters to Juliette

"Juliette,

I am writing this in the midst of finals, and while I am extremely ready for them to be over, I am so sad because I know it means the end of the semester is here and you are graduating (you know how hard it is for me to say the “G” word). I am not sure how to sum up what you mean to me in such few words, but here we go.  To begin, I feel so lucky to have met you on bid day freshman year and I am so thankful Natalie and Hillary introduced us. I am certain I could not have survived college without you. Thank you for making me exponentially cooler and introducing me to all kinds of music, art, and books. I am a better person for having known you. Thank you for being crazy with me and always being up for anything and everything. Like spontaneously going to Gucci Mane and scraping dollar bills off of the floor after he “made it rain” or enjoying the antithesis of that and going to the Norman Rockwell exhibit, pretending to be art enthusiast while sipping red wine. Thank you for dancing with me and never discouraging my overwhelming persistence to get on stage at every function. Thank you for always making sure that your love interests understood that we were a package deal and living by the Spice Girls mantra “if you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends”. I love dating boys with you. Also thank you for giving me my first God(dog)child. Texas has brought me so much joy while simultaneously covering all of my belongings in black hair (my white duvet may never recover). You have made these past four years so fun and even more funny. As cliché as this is I feel like it sums up everything I want to say. So I am going to leave you with a few words from Dr. Seuss:

 “We’re all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness—and call it love—true love.”

 Thanks for always keeping it weird. There is truly no one I rather fall in mutually satisfying weirdness with.

 Most importantly thanks for the giggles. If it is true that the more you laugh the longer you live then I have quite a long life ahead. I can only hope that it will be spent with you by my side.

Bisous Bisous, 

Emily"

"Dear Juliette,

It is hard to believe that Graduation Day is finally here. And it is even harder to believe that my best friend will be donning a cap and gown and accepting her diploma.

If I were to scan that sea of black caps and gowns, all worn by students who (like you) worked tirelessly to receive that diploma a semester early, there is no doubt in my mind that I would able to pick you out from the crowd. Knowing you, you’ll differentiate yourself with some funky accessory or some cool pair of shoes. And you might be a good head shorter than those around you, which helps.

But that is what makes you so special. You stayed true to yourself throughout your three and a half years at the University of South Carolina and will walk away from college a better version of yourself. Instead of following the crowd and losing the traits that make you so unique, you used your time at USC to strengthen the qualities that set you apart. Not many twenty-something year olds share your love for good books and dainty antiques and photography nor have many traveled so extensively throughout Europe and dined on some of the best food in the world and truly appreciated the delicacy of foreign cuisine. Not many people our age enjoy hiking up steep mountain paths, lured in by the promise of a breathtaking mountaintop view nor do they understand the appeal of just sitting on the beach all day, taking in the beauty of the ocean without exchanging a word. Not many people can say they truly love their dog – at least not the way you love Texas, the dog you rescued and nurtured back to health and who now never leaves your side.

There are a thousand things that make you special, Juliette. But one of the things I treasure the most in our friendship is the love you have for everyone and everything around you. You go above and beyond in everything you do and for everyone you meet. You are loyal, thoughtful, and considerate. You are smart, kind, and gracious. You are one-of-a-kind and you will go far in life.

I would say that I will miss you – but I know that you’ll always be around and will continue to be there for me in typical Juliette fashion.

I cannot wait to see what the future holds for you and how you will write the next chapter of your life as you begin this new adventure. 

                           Congratulations again Juliette – you made it!

Love you always! 

Sandy Bell"

Letters to Kellie

"Kel,

I knew I had to go Tri Delta the second I met you during recruitment. I knew I had to be your little after you took me under your wing for my first football game, and I knew we were best friends when I spilt chocolate sauce all over my dress before Christmas Semi and you cleaned the entire thing while I sobbed. You have shown me what it means to embody the ideals of Tri Delta and I could not have asked for a better role model. You exude positivity and your smile is contagious. I am so blessed to have someone in my life who is as passionate and determined as you. Your love for others never goes unnoticed and it has made such an impact on our chapter. Happy graduation Kellie, I love you to the moon! 

                                                                                         Your Little,

                                                                                     Mary Kate Korpita"

"Kellie,

Where do I even begin. I can't even express how much I have cherished our friendship these past three years. I am so thankful you picked me as one of your littles and that we have gotten so close. If it wasn't for you, my coolers never would have got finished, and I would have suffered from extreme anxiety!! You are always there when I need someone to vent to or just to laugh uncontrollably with. I could not have dreamed of having a better big than you!! I am so proud of you and all your accomplishments that you have made during your time in Tri Delta and at the University. Thank goodness you are staying in Columbia because I am not even close ready to say goodbye to my BestFriend!!! 

Love you ALWAYS Biggie Baby

                                                                                                        Suzanne Gowan"

Letters to Alex

     "Breazy,

It's safe to say that Columbia will not be the same without you. From living in the GV to living on Queen, we've had some unforgettable times. You're my roommate for life so get ready for visitors even when you move to a different city. My mom has always told me that I would make my real friends in college and I know she was talking about you. You will never know the impact that you have had on my life, and I can't even begin to express how much you will be missed. I should have known you would be the first one in and out of college because that's just how you are. Why waste time when you know you'll be successful? We all know you're gonna be a CEO by 25. That's why you'll always be Sister Prez. 

That being said, thanks for being my number one when I was having a rough time, but also for being so strong when life gave you trouble. I truly believe there is nothing you can't handle. Thank you for showing me that even the most perfect people have flaws and with a little hard work and determination, you really can do anything. Thanks for always keeping your head up and being the "mom" that still knows how to have a good time. Thank you for all the adventures we have had in college and the memories that we have made along side of them. I can't wait for you to be a bridesmaid in my wedding and my best friend for life. I love you Breazy!!! Now go save the world.

-Your girl Hannah Stroud"

                                                                                                        

"My sweet, but mostly fiery, friend,

The past three and a half years have flown by. I can still remember meeting you on Bid Day freshman year, and being immediately intimidated when you started going off about your major and who knows what else. Three years later and you no longer intimidate me (you don’t scare me, sista prez); but you do continue to push me to work harder and expect more from myself. Over the past few years I have come to see your more imperfect qualities, too, and it is those qualities, just as much as the perfectionist in you, that makes me proud to call you one of my best friends.  

I am so thankful for our friendship – the ups and the downs. I probably would not have made it through a few semesters without you (note Fall 2k12). You have shown me the importance of putting myself first, and not always putting every one else’s wants and needs before my own. I hope that subsequently I have shown you that it is ok to let down your wall sometimes, that crying is not weakness, but instead built-up strength being released. Thank you for being an emotional person, every once in a while, when I really need it – I know it is not normal for you (green personality and all – note Chapter Retreat 2k13).

As great as the past three and a half years have been, I cannot wait for the next 70 years of our friendship. I know there will be more ups and downs, more long nights, more laughs and tears (more by me, obviously), more success and failures, more shared birthdays!        I cannot wait to see you develop beyond Sister Prez – remember, I predicted “CEO of the World.” I know you are going to do great things, and I cannot wait to be your friend through it all, bringing you back down to Earth.

               Love you to the crescent moon and back – I am so happy that three and a half years ago we both chose Tri Delta, because it gave me my best friend.

Xoxo

Jules"

Ps. remember these three things, 1. You are too busy building your empire to deal with all the crap, 2. I will be living in your guesthouse when you make it big and 3. I’m always just a phone call away!

Letters to Molly

"Molly,

You have been the best grand big I could ever asked for.  I was a little scared of you last year; however, now you are anything but intimidating.  I have learned so much from you in these past few months, and I can’t imagine what Tridelta will be like without you.  This semester has flown by so fast, and I can not believe you are already graduating! I can’t decide what I am going to miss more: chatting with you in the dining room in an attempt to not do school work, asking for advice, or seeing you dance around dressed as a Christmas tree at Christmas in Dixie.  I already constantly talk to all of my friends about how much I’ll miss you when you leave, so you better come back to visit me!

DL, 

Hannah Starkey "

"Molly,

It's been one heck of a ride. Thanks for putting up with me these past few years. Who knew little freshman us would make it this far.  I can't imagine my college experience without you. Cheers to dachshunds, scuba diving  costumes and fuzzy towel wraps. I know you're gonna kill the real world and I can't wait to watch. 

Love you more than you love 'Doba,

                                  Shelby"

Letters to Bridget

      

 "Bridget,

You have always been a “go-getter” which is why I think you and I became such good friends to begin with. You’re driven and motivated and have the world at your fingertips. I’m not sure how I was so lucky to find a friend like you in college but I’m thankful I did. From celebrating your 21^st in Charleston, stealing t-shirts from the SAE house at Vanderbilt, and you asking what part of Virginia we were in while in a cab in Lexington, Kentucky, it is always entertaining with you. You are a true and loyal friend and have always been there whenever I needed to vent about something, even if it’s stupid or completely pointless. I still don’t think it has really hit me yet that you’re graduating, but I sure am going to miss you. I can’t wait to see where life takes you though because I know you’re going to do amazing things! You are going to be one of those friends I can count on forever. I love you Bridg, Congrats! 

Love,

Kenny"

                                                                                                                  

"BB,

I can’t believe you’re graduating. Okay, I can totally believe you’re graduating but I can’t believe it’s actually here. I am constantly in awe of everything you have accomplished and will further accomplish, your resume actually intimidates me. You are one of my best friends and it’s going to be a long semester without you. Even though you’ll be killin it wherever you are, I am going to miss you dreadfully. Gourmet shop, Tridelt brunch, and Cotton Gin aren’t going to be the same. Even though both of us were so busy during the week, we always found time to meet up and fill each other in-one of us always left jaw-dropped. You were always up to trying something new with me (even though we still haven’t used that Groupon for Craft and Draft) and that’s going to be one of the things I miss the most about you. Columbia is seriously going to change. I’m also going to miss your laugh and sassy ‘bye’ attitude. I’ve learned a lot from you that I don’t think you ever realized. The way you hold your standards towards every aspect of life has persuaded me also to hold my standards way higher and to keep pushing even when I want to give up. You’ve helped shape me into the person I am this senior year and I will forever be grateful for that. I love you and I can’t wait to see where you end up, hopefully married to the Wolf of Wallstreet like your superlative says. 

Love, 

Camille"

Christmas in Dixie

This past Friday, December 5th, our sisters spent the evening at Skyline for our annual Christmas in Dixie function. With finals just around the corner, the girls were able to get into the holiday spirit and have an awesome night of fun dancing the night away with their sisters.

30th Annual Carolina Clemson Blood Drive

Rivalry Week is finally here and we are so proud to announce that Tri Delta was the largest Greek sponsor at this year's 30th Annual Carolina Clemson Blood Drive. One of our very own, Mary McGuinness, has been involved with the blood drive for three years now and wanted to tell us a little bit about her personal experiences with the drive and what it has meant to her in her years here at Carolina. 

"Hey Y’all!

I can’t believe that it’s already this time of year again… Happy Rivalry Week! Although the big on field rivalry kicks of this week, here at USC we just finished wrapping up our off field rivalry verses Clemson, with the 30^th Annual Carolina Clemson Blood Battle, which was held on both campuses last week.

As a senior here in the College of Nursing, the Carolina Clemson Blood Drive is something that I have really enjoyed being a part of for the past three years. This year, I was blessed with the opportunity to co-chair the 2014 drive. The Carolina Clemson Blood Battle is one of the largest collegiate blood drives that has taken place the week before Thanksgiving for the past 30 years, at the start of the holiday season when donations typically begin to decrease. Rivalry aside, I chose to get involved in the Blood Drive because of the impact this drive can make on the lives of others. One fact unknown to most is that only a mere 8 percent of our population donates blood, which is one reason why this drive is so important. Each donation has the potential to save up to three lives. Since the competition began, together, our universities have successfully collected roughly 100,000 pints of blood, helping save the lives of approximately 300,000 patients, which is no small task!

  

During the weeklong drive, student volunteers disperse around campus, despite the rain and cold, encouraging all students, faculty, staff, alumni and fans to show support for their favorite team by giving blood. Each year at the close of the drive on Friday night, the visiting school calls the hosting school to report their numbers for the week. For the past six years, Carolina has taken the win, and held a 15-14 lead over Clemson. In years past, the winner has always been decided by number of pints collected, regardless of university size. This year, however, the terms changed, and undergraduate student body size became a factor in determining the winner of the drive, which was determined by the percentage of donors in relation to the number of undergraduates at each university. Here at USC, the undergraduate enrollment number used was 24,180 students, while Clemson’s undergraduate enrollment was 16,931. Needless to say, us Carolina fans had our work cut out for us if we wanted to take the win for the seventh consecutive year!

Despite the changes, Carolina fans came out strong, with 4,103 donors, or 16.9% of our undergraduate student population, pulling off the win over Clemson’s 2,793 donors, which is 16.5% of their undergraduate population! As part of the tradition, the Blood Drive Trophy will be awarded to USC at the game next weekend, in Clemson.

Seeing this drive through from the early planning stages back in January to the call on Friday night was truly one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I grateful that I was able to get involved in such a great cause. This year’s drive couldn’t have been as successful as it was without the support of our sponsors (including Tri Delta!), committee volunteers, which included nine Tri Deltas, or the 4,103 donors, 61 of whom are Tri Deltas, who rolled up a sleeve to donate life! I am hopeful that South Carolina will never have to be fearful of a blood shortage during the holiday season because of this drive.

On behalf of my co-chair, Kaitlyn Dunphy, and I, we would like to thank everyone who contributed in any way to this years drive! With this victory aside, its now time for the Football team to take the win on the field, Go Gamecocks – Beat Clemson!

-Mary McGuinness"

Game Day Sponsors: THANK YOU!

The Alpha Lambda chapter would like to give a HUGE thank you to our sponsors for our Game Day event benefitting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  Because of their kind donations, we will have some amazing silent auction baskets and be able to raise even more money for St. Jude!

Monkee's of Columbia

Petal - Five Points

Bubble Tea Cafe

The owners of Bubble Tea Cafe in Columbia have a niece who is a patient
at St. Jude, making their contributions even more special! 

Groucho's Deli

Tomahawk Fishing Shop

YMCA Columbia

Victoria's Secret PINK at South Carolina

Vineyard Vines

The Gourmet Shop

We'd also like to thank the families, alumnae and the South Carolina Greek community for their donations and support in helping us reach our $30,000 goal for St. Jude!

Sister Spotlight: Camille Fishback: Quelques Perles

"Hey y'all! My name is Camille Fishback and I’m a senior Tri Delta at USC majoring in Marine Science with an emphasis in biology.

Here’s a little background to this story. I grew up in a VERY artistically dedicated family–many thanks to my mother. There are paintings all over my house that she created when she was my age. As a mom, she dedicates much of her creativity to my sister and me. She would send us to school in dresses and scarves she made for us, always hand-makes each Christmas card she sends, and has a sewing machine she can connect to her computer to design special things she wants to sew. I even went to sewing camp when I was in elementary school (you can’t make this stuff up), which actually really comes in handy now. I ran my own jewelry store out of my locker in middle school called ‘beadz n thingz,’ my main customers were my teachers and mom (thanks for that by the way). So nonetheless, I grew up surrounded by arts and crafts. My point is that making clothing and jewelry is not a foreign concept to me.

A couple months ago, a beautiful necklace with tassels and beads that one of my girlfriends was wearing really caught my eye. When I asked her where she got it, my jaw dropped when she told me that it cost her $150. For us college kids, $150 is a huge chunk of money to dole out for a piece of jewelry. After thinking about it, I felt I could easily replicate the necklace. I came home to Kentucky a couple of weeks later with that necklace still in mind, and I asked my mom if she knew how to make tassels. The response was a smirk and she sent me into the arts and crafts room (yes, we have an arts and crafts room). She showed me an easy technique that I could use to make the tassels, and then I went to a local bead shop to pick up the rest of the materials.

I sat down, excited to begin a new project, and created the necklace myself. Anxious to show off my new design, I wore my necklace around and was surprised at how many compliments I received. I decided to share the jewelry on an Instagram account and try to sell it. I began the account while I was home in May, and I could hardly contain my excitement. My little sister and I were talking about different designs when she then asked me whom it was benefitting. I responded, “Well, I guess myself.” She then told me that if I were going to be making money off of something, it would make it even more special if I used it to help out a cause. I thought about it for a second, realizing how insightful my 16-year-old sister was, and decided that I would donate a portion of the proceeds to the Humane Society of America, a cause that is very near and dear to me. Animals have always had a soft spot in my heart, which is one of the reasons I am studying marine biology. The humane society is also someplace very close to me; I’ve done a lot of community service there and enjoyed every moment. This was an obvious decision for me to choose the Humane Society for which I am so passionate in helping.

Once I told my sorority sisters I created this account, I immediately gained so many followers and had orders coming in like crazy. I was ecstatic about all the newfound support, and that my passion for making jewelry was seen by all of my friends. The encouragement they gave me was unbelievable. I went into this idea not thinking that I would have the support that I needed and this plan might just fall through. Suddenly, many of my friends were writing in their blog about my jewelry, endorsing Quelques Perles to others via social media, and even sending me ideas of creations. The encouragement and motivation they demonstrated gave me the confidence I needed in order to get on the right track and stay dedicated to my new goal.

I don’t think my mom, my biological sister, or my sorority sisters realize how much of an impact they have had on me in regards to Quelques Perles. Without their help, I wouldn’t have gained the inspiration and motivation I truly needed to keep pursuing my hobby. I hope if yall are reading this now, you’ll learn my appreciation for everything you have done. If any of you who are reading this have a hobby that could turn into something more, don’t let anything hold you back. You have your family and your sisters there to help!

Each necklace is handcrafted by yours truly, and can be shipped anywhere. Necklaces range from $25 to $35. They include an assortment from tassels, pendants, arrowheads outlined with gold, and stones outlined with gold. Please follow my Instagram account @quelques_perles and Facebook page facebook.com/QuelquesPerlesUSA - And search around for the perfect piece for yourself or to give as a gift!

DL and all of mine,

Camille Fishback"