Coming from a small town, I did not really have many friends who were similar to me. To be quite honest, a lot of us were friends just because we were from the same place and since we saw each other every day - it just made sense.

However, when I came to the University of Kentucky, I wanted to change that. That is why I decided to go through sorority recruitment because I wanted to find girls who held the same values, had similar interests and were just genuinely good people who wanted the best for themselves, others, and the world as a whole – that's why I joined Alpha Delta Pi.

Alpha Delta Pi has given me friendships and connections that I would not have ever received had I not went through sorority recruitment. I have noticed from my friends back home that if you do not join Greek life or another organization, it can be quite difficult to make friends – especially at the University of Kentucky. Luckily for me, I never had that issue.

About three hours after move-in day freshman year, we started the recruitment process of getting to know girls in our hallway going through rush, and girls who we would be with a majority of the week – better known as our Gamma Chi groups. On move-in day, I met one of my best friends through my Gamma Chi group, and now she is one of my best friends within Alpha Delta Pi.

Instantly, I was introduced to all of these wonderful women in my pledge class, and older girls throughout my sorority to guide me through these four years of college. One of the first emails I received through ADPi, I was an email regarding an application for the Leadership Development Program through the Student Government Association. I was really involved throughout high school, so I really wanted to take every opportunity that came at me and go for it. So I applied, and luckily I got it – and now I am in the process of applying for a Student Government Executive Position at large. I would have not known that opportunity was there if it was not for Alpha Delta Pi.

One thing I will never forget was on Bid Day when we took hundreds of pictures with complete strangers. I was very confused and frankly, quite uncomfortable. But my Bid Day Buddy (who is now my Big Diamond Sister) told me, "Just wait… a year from now some of these girls will be your best friends." And at first, I was like, "Haha – okay, whatever!" But now I look through my Bid Day photos, and I took a ton with girls who I would not be who I was today without them.

My sorority sisters are the funniest, smartest, and most caring people anyone could ever meet. Their determination for happiness and success inspires me every single day to be a better person. They are such beautiful women inside and out. They dedicate hours to service and volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House, which is our incredible philanthropy. They are so strong-willed and will do anything to help others. I love these girls with my whole heart, and could not imagine my life without them.

I could never thank Alpha Delta Pi, Beta Psi chapter enough for the friendships it has given me thus far, and I truly look forward to the rest of my three years here at the University of Kentucky.