Finding Comfort in Chi O
My high school story is pretty similar to many people’s experience. I was involved in pretty much everything and felt like a big fish in a small pond. There was nothing I couldn’t do.
Then I came to the Donald Zacharius Leadership Conference my senior year, and I never felt more alone. This was the first time I walked into a place not knowing anyone, or at least being with someone I knew. I listened and sort of participated in the group, but secretly wished more than anything to go home to my comfortable “Queen Breana” zone. Maybe one of my counselors noticed this, or maybe he asked everyone the same question, but he asked if I was having a good time. Of course, I lied and said I was. But then I added that I felt a little awkward because I didn’t know anyone, and I didn’t feel like I was fitting in like a magnet.
Fast forward to recruitment week, and you are surrounded by 900 other beautiful girls who all put on a perfect smile and poise for a whole week. Seems exhausting, don’t you think? It was. I couldn’t stand in a line before going into a house without looking at the other girls and wondering who that house already picked. Or who was basically already getting a bid to a certain house…which girls already had it made.
I received a bid from Chi O and was really excited, but I still didn’t really know anyone there. When I walked into Chi Omega the day after bid day, I felt so out of place. How do meals work? Where do people live? How do some of these girls already know everyone? As freshman year went on, I came to appreciate and love the house that seemed so scary on the first day of school. There’s a sense of joy and confidence that I feel when I walk through the doors of Chi Omega that is unmatched anywhere else.
Chi Omega has continuously placed girls in my life who encourage and uplift me. To name a few:
McRae Clay went to dinner with me one night to talk about athletics. What resulted was a job exploring athletic possibilities and experiences I never came close to considering. McRae continues to be one of my greatest role models in how she handles herself with such confidence, even on the crazy days.
Julianna Mills caught me at a freshmen involvement fair to talk about Student Association Cabinet. Student Association has proven to be one of the best experiences of undergrad. Who is the greatest work ethic engine of 2019? Julianna Mills. Her work ethic and dedication into everything she does inspires me to mirror that in my own life.
Haleigh Duke, my sophomore year roommate. A roommate pairing by chance, because everyone already had roommates. Hathorn Hall gave me a friendship I don’t believe I could live without. Haleigh listens continuously, loves earnestly and is always there to give me a pep talk and call me out.
These three girls are just a few of the many who have turned an unsure freshman into someone who now looks forward to stepping into the Chi Omega house. Even if I’m only there for a second because I’m rushing off to somewhere else, I couldn’t go without walking into those doors and seeing all of the comforting faces that have helped me get to where I am today.
