Why I Anchored Wednesday

Why I anchored? Well, to be honest, through the craziness of recruitment week, the only thing I can remember is an overwhelming sense of comfort in the Delta Gamma house. So that is why I chose DG, for the comfort I experienced the week before my freshman year of college. It's a sense that has remained with me to this day. Within the first few days of college, I met my best friend on preference night at DG. She’s my other half, and I absolutely know I owe my existence as a DG to her. I don’t know a single person in DG who hasn’t met "their person”, but we're also all blessed to have over a hundred other close friends. Each day as I walk around campus or study at the house, I strike up a conversation with a new DG. As a girl who only lives an hour away from LSU but wanted to have a fresh experience in my sorority, I can’t even tell you how amazing that feeling is. Meeting new people in DG has enriched my life in ways I could never imagine. The fulfilling life I've come to know in college is the reason why I choose to stay in DG. I wake up and go to class with other DGs, who I have spent countless hours studying with. I go to the house to sit on the front swing for lunch with some of my best friends, then I may go walk LSU’s lakes, play intramural soccer, or maybe rock climb with some sisters. At the end of the day, I come home to my four roommates, who are all DGs, and we may sing karaoke or set off fire alarms with our attempts at cooking. Everyday is an incredible combination of feeling at home and pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zones. 

If you take anything away from this post, my main message is that DG is everything you want it to be and everything you never knew you needed.  I stay because DG gives endlessly without ever asking for anything. I hope in some ways I contribute to the sisterhood that has given me so much comfort in such an unpredictable part of my life. I am surrounded by girls who make every moment of my college experience outstandingly better and who are always looking to improve our sorority (although in my personal opinion, DG is pretty amazing the way it is). The question I answered in this post was was why I anchored, but I think the real question is, "why wouldn’t you?"

- Mary Duet, junior

Why I Anchored Wednesday

I went DG because I knew it was somewhere I could completely be myself, I knew it was a place where I could come into the house and take my shoes off and fall asleep on the couch, or where I could order 10 insomnia cookies and not have to eat all 10 by myself. 

There was always a friend to laugh with me and to cry with me, even if it was over a Bachelor episode. Most importantly I knew it would give me lifelong friends that push me to do my best and are there for me when I succeed and when I fail.

I stayed because I truly have found my home away from home by going Delta Gamma and i've found sisters that I can always count on. 

- Alexis King, sophomore

Why I Anchored Wednesday

Going through recruitment was a no-brainer for me; however, I initially had no idea what sorority I wanted to join. I wasn’t a legacy and it was up to me to choose the path for me and my younger sister. Even after the first round, I knew that just like recruitment, Delta Gamma was a no-brainer! I felt relaxed when I walked through the Delta Gamma house, and I connected with every girl I spoke with for a different reason; each conversation was unique.

I was attracted to Delta Gamma because of the personality that every person sees from the outside. I sensed and appreciated so many aspects about DG from the attention to academics to the excitement about Paint your Date! But what set Delta Gamma girls apart from all the others was the sisterhood that bonded them; something you don’t truly experience until after the excitement of bid day. I came to find that every girl has a place in DG—she has her best friends, an all-encompassing support system, and as cheesy as it is her home away from home!

I can proudly say that the reasons I went DG are the same reasons I chose to stay in DG. I love that I can plop on the couch and can take a nap or talk to anyone who walks through. I have found best friends in every member class that I know would walk through fire for me, and I would do the same for any of them. The girls in our sorority are all amazing individuals who each bring something to the table, and that’s what means so much to me. DG has given me some of my favorite memories and I share them with even better people. We’ve all been given a gift so special, and the gift of DG bonds us as sistas for life!

-- Claire Fisher, sophomore 

Why I Anchored Wednesday

The second I walked through Delta Gamma's doors, I instantly felt welcomed and at home. I found something in common with each of the intelligent and not to mention ~stunning~ women I spoke with. The DG's that I chatted with on the first day of recruitment actually became my very best friends, role models, and roommates! All of the women I met that week were so genuine, well rounded, and actually interested in getting to know me and that didn't change after bid day. I learned pretty quickly that these girls were the type to drop absolutely anything to be there for their friends!

I have never been a part of something that is as empowering and uplifting as Delta Gamma. The girls in this sorority instantly became my soulmates. They challenge me to be the best version of myself and I truly believe that I'm a better person because I'm a member of such an incredible organization. DG is a place where I can go and be 100% me. These girls have helped me become my best and most authentic self and I'm not quite sure where I would be without them. That's why I anchored and I'm so proud that I did. It was the best decision I could have ever made and I'd make it 100 times more!

- Jena Vizzini, junior

Why I Anchored Wednesday

DG is a place where I spend time doing things I love! It is a place in which I can do things with people that share the same interests.

I love to go to the house, because I've met so many people through dinner, studying, and Mondays watching the bachelor. 

DG is a place where I can talk to anyone and everyone. It's a place that I don't feel intimidated, and a place that I can start a conversation with anyone I run into. 

I love walking around campus and seeing other DGs, it makes me feel like I always have a familiar face wherever I go. Everyone is so friendly, and that is something that means a lot to me. 

I like to be around people who support me and want the best for me, and DG is just that. It is a place where I have tried new things, like making an anchor bowl team, dunk booths, and spend my Wednesday evening visiting with LSVI children. 

DG is also a sisterhood that places value in service. This has opened my eyes to opportunities to give back and serve others, which is something that I never really took interest in before. 

I love DG for the people and best friends that I have made, as well as the memories and values I have acquired. DG has allowed me to come out of my comfort zone, and to make my college experience one worth wild, and most importantly to develop me into the best young woman I can be. And that's why I anchored and could not have made a better decision.

- Kaitlyn McAuliffe, Sophomore

Why I Anchored Wednesday

Every potential member goes through recruitment week dreaming of the house and the sisterhood of their dreams. For some girls their perfect home revolves around leadership, for some it's friendship, and for others it's being a part of something bigger than themselves. For me, this year has been about figuring out exactly what being a sorority woman and the Delta Gamma means to me.

Even though I fell in love with DG from the beginning there was no way I could've realized how much it would end up meaning to me. For me, Delta Gamma means dedication and goals. Every day I surround myself with these women that are not only dedicated to others but also their own dreams, aspirations, and the women they wish to become. And whether it's a chapter wide goal or something as simple as getting to the gym after a tough day, it never ceases to amaze me how driven my sisters are. 

I decided to anchor because I realized that I wanted to be surrounded by not only smart, confident, beautiful women but also those that will hold me to my best character and push me to become the best version of myself. 

There is no doubt in my mind that DG is where I was meant to call home.

- Esabel Williams, Sophomore

2016 Golden Anchor Ball

The Golden Anchor Ball is always an event everyone looks forward too. It is filled with so much excitement! For me personally, it is one of the only nights of the year that I actually get to go get my nails done, do my hair up nice, wear a little more makeup than what might be considered socially acceptable, and wear a dress that makes me feel like a million dollars. However, there is so much more to formal. It’s a time to welcome in our new initiates and bond with all of the sisters we don’t always get to see.

We all have busy schedules and don’t always have the time we wish we did to hang out with all of our sisters. Fortunately, formal is one of the best times to do just that.

As sophomore Rachel Rovira puts it, “I always love formal because it gives us a reason to relax and be around the people we love and feel special for a night! We are forced to make time for all the girls in DG that we don’t always get to see because of our busy schedules!”

What could be better than dancing the night away with all of your sisters?! 

Not only do all of the sisters of Delta Gamma get to experience the fun of formal, but so do the parents of all of the new initiates!

As freshman Leah Haile said, “One thing I really liked the most about formal and I think made it a really awesome experience for everyone who came was the band and the music they played! They played a mixture of older and newer music which was nice because it made the parents want to stay and ‘attempt’ to dance like in my dad’s case.”

That’s right, Delta Gamma parents know how to have a good time. It’s so fun being able to let go of any worries and just have a good time with your parents when you’re a freshman. I know that was one of the highlights of my freshman year formal!

Although the dancing is fun, one of the most important things formal is about is presenting all of Delta Gamma’s beautiful new initiates. It is such a special moment to be presented as an official member of Delta Gamma. Formal is the final stamp as a new initiate. You have learned all of the history of our chapter, been initiated into the chapter, and now you get to be formally presented as a woman of Delta Gamma. What a thrill to celebrate all of our new sisters!

Over all, formal brought all of the sisters of Delta Gamma together for an unforgettable night!

- Katie O'Quin, Sophomore

Sisterhood Spotlight: Gabi Borel & Emiley Dillon

Two of our sisters, junior Gabi Borel and freshman Emiley Dillon, will compete in today's Miss LSU pageant. We are incredibly proud of these two! Here's a quick backstage look at them before showtime!

Gabi Borel

Gabi Borel, a New Iberia native, is majoring in kinesiology and minoring in biology. Last year, she started focusing on exercising and healthier eating, which led her to apply for Miss LSU. Meeting a variety of new people in the pageant process, Gabi said being a participant is a fun mix of "hard work, practicing and pampering yourself." In addition to Delta Gamma, she's a member of Volunteer LSU and the Kinesiology Club. Gabi said she is participating to serve as an example for others that "there truly isn't anything you can't do."

"I thought [Miss LSU] would be a great opportunity to set even more goals for myself and to also show others it is all about the confidence you have in yourself." - Gabi Borel

Emiley Dillon

Mass communication major Emiley Dillon is from Shreveport. A member of Tiger TV, Freshman Leadership Council, National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Alpha Lambda Delta honor society, Emiley said she applied for Miss LSU because she wanted to meet more people outside the organizations she is involved in. Participating in the pageant has allowed her to make new friends, develop a healthy lifestyle in preparation for the swimsuit portion, and keep up with current events surrounding LSU. However, Emiley's main reason for participating is to spread awareness for her nonprofit "The Dance Project," a free summer dance camp for preteen girls that promotes confidence and healthy body image.

"As Miss LSU, I would serve as a role model for girls everywhere and would be able to promote not just the camp, but the values behind the camp." - Emiley Dillon

Sisterhood Spotlight: Morgan Schuetz

Morgan Schuetz is just like any other Delta Gamma at LSU. Except for the fact that she’s an SEC champion runner.

As a member of Member Class 2012, and an LSU senior, Morgan has also been on the LSU Cross Country Team, and the LSU Track Team all four years at LSU. Morgan has always been at the top of her races, and this past semester, she won the 800-meter race at the SEC Indoor Track Championship.

She ran it in two minutes and five-seconds. Morgan was only the fifth LSU athlete ever to win this race.

“I’ve learned so much about myself. Running has helped me branch out and really learn what hard work and dedication truly means,” said Schuetz on her running. 

In addition to being the SEC champion, Morgan placed 13th nationally in the 800-meter race.

“Not only running, but also with DG, I was able to meet and befriend so many people from all different walks of life," said Schuetz on what stands out about her four years at LSU. "I’ve also been able to learn from a lot of people and grow and see the world in a different way. I like the person I’ve become so much more because of all the people I’ve met through my experiences at LSU.”

Balancing running and DG is a lot to undertake, and Morgan does it all with such an earnest and genuine heart.

“I guess Delta Gamma is just one of those things I couldn’t see my life without. Although I can’t come to everything, I love the girls in it and feel so welcomed every time I walk through the door. It’s hard to explain what it all means to me, it’s just something I feel. I proud to be a Gamma Zeta and all of my sisters are doing incredible things all through campus and I’m so proud to be a part of that. “

We are so incredibly proud of Morgan and can’t wait to see her accomplish more both in DG and in Cross Country & Track!

- Mary Catherine Srofe, Senior