"...learn the nobility of serving"

Part of the creed of Zeta Tau Alpha states "...to prepare for service and learn the nobility of serving, thereby earning the right to be served." As Zeta Tau Alpha's, we believe in serving others. Here are three of our members who have a heart for service:
Our service chairman speaks out:

Kayla Killingsworth

"I have served as Kappa Chi's service chair over the past year. I have always been very service-oriented in my personal life. In high school I went on many mission trips with my church including South Africa, San Francisco, Jamaica, and four years going to the Florida Keys. These trips made a huge impact on my life by showing me different lifestyles and cultures and how thankful I am for my own blessings in life. The people I have met and interacted with on these trips have motivated me to bless others."

We asked Kayla her favorite ZTA service project...

"My favorite ZTA service project that I have facilitated has been writing Valentine's Day cards to residents of a local nursing home. After chapter one day, all of our sisters wrote and decorated letters. Then later that week, a few of us were able to deliver these cards to the nursing home during the resident's annual Valentine's Day party. We were able to hang out and have conversations with everyone during their party and they shared their own college stories with us. It was such a great occasion for me to bring joy to their lives and for them to pour into my life."

 

One of our youngest member's Cass Morris enjoys serving

We asked Cass what her most recent service experience was...

"Most recently I have helped the police department in Bremen with anything they needed help with, I also do yard work for an older woman who lives near me and one of my grandmother’s friends. I also go back to my high school to help my cross country coach with timing meets and helping set up the courses Bremen hosts."

What is Cass up to next?

"I plan on returning to Glisson this year and hopefully being a camp counselor for children with special needs! I love these children and adults, and I want to have the ability to show them how much fun camp is! I want to show them God’s love, and let them have a week of fun where everyone campers and workers will just love on them!"

A senior serving abroad:

Megan Camp

We asked Megan how she served this past summer...

"I went through Send Me Now which is organized by the Georgia Baptist Convention and our individual trip was an International World Changers trip. I went to Romanina and we served in the villages of Mujar, Mare, Samarasu, and Camarasu. The trip was part medical and part community outreach ministry." 

Who was she working with and how?

"In all four villages the community outreach consisted of children's ministry. The team would teach the children Bible stories, sing songs, play games, and make crafts with the children. The children's ministry allowed the parents and older relatives to be able to see the medical team." 

A quote from her experience...

"I learned so much while in Romania that it is hard to pinpoint one main experience. God showed me how the simplest acts done in love can make the biggest difference. I was in a culture where the children are shown love and affection very rarely and some children never experience love at all. To be able to go and simply hold a child's hand or tell him or her "I love you" in gypsy made the biggest impact. "

Welcome new members!

Meet our new members! We were so blessed to have received 16 of the sweetest girls. 

We want to announce our "sweet 16" along with an interesting fact about them:

Laura Beth Dawson took voice lessons for eight years!

Alyssa Marrs spent a summer in Japan.

Emily Crane played violin for seven years.

Katelynn Robinson's great grandfather invented the toothpick dispenser!

Kimberly Orellana is a worship dancer.

Faith Lissitz has hyper mobility syndrome (where her ligaments can stretch further than the avg. person)

Brianna Davis sleeps with two personal blankets.

Andrea Taylor has no cartilage in her ears! 

Hannah Reagan is left handed.

Kayla Tillie has played basketball since she was five!

Katie Brooke Ross and her sister in law have their own Etsy shop.

Carley Payne's cousin is the lead singer (Charles Kelly) in Lady Antebellum. 

Emily Duggan would rather be fishing! Fishing it her favorite hobby.

Cass Morris has traveled to 38 out of the 50 states!

Abbey Blankenship can play nine instruments.

Savannah Gay won cheerleading worlds with her all-star cheerleading team.

Each and every girl brings something special to our chapter. We cannot wait to grow as a chapter. 

Our Maggie studies abroad

1)     Where did you study abroad?

I studied abroad this past semester, Spring of 2015, in Seville, Spain.

2)     Why did you choose this city/country?

I chose this city because I love the Spanish language. Spain offered tons of opportunities for studying local culture and courses relevant to my major. Even more, Seville was the best place for me to study because the locals don't speak too much English.

3)     What were some of the classes you took?

At my university, Pablo Olavide, I was able to take both business classes that were relevant to my major and Spanish courses; these included International Marketing, Global Economy, International Management, Spanish Language, Spanish Conversation, and Cultural Realities of Spain.

4)     Describe the most unique culture experience you were exposed to:

I have two unique culture experiences that I was exposed to while in Seville. The first was Semana Santa, or Holy Week. During this week, different "brotherhoods" would dress in a specific costume and parade from their church, into the Cathedral downtown, and back to their church. They carry crosses, incense, lanterns, candles, and humongous floats with different depictions of the Passion of the Christ and of Mary, Jesus' mother. These parades last from early in the morning until past midnight every day.

The second unique culture experience was dressing up and attending Feria. Feria is a large fair with private tents that serve food and host dancing the Sevilliana dance. All of the attendees dress very nicely: women wear traditional Flamenco dresses while men wear suits. In the back of the grounds, there are carnival rides and games for kids. Feria is a huge part of the culture in Seville and has been going on ever since it originated as a cattle auction. I was lucky to be able to purchase an inexpensive dress to look like all of the other locals who were at Feria and to be able to go. Most students go out of town during these events because we had the week off of school, so I was glad that I stayed to experience it.

5)     What is one thing you won't forget?

One thing I will never forget is when I rode a camel during my travels in Morocco, Africa! It was spectacular and exciting. I know that I will never be able to do that again, so I'm really glad I was able to experience it. Studying abroad provides you with the opportunity to travel to nearby places inexpensively, so doing that gave me twice the amount of memories while I was abroad.

6)     Your one piece of advice to anyone considering study abroad:

I would tell someone considering studying abroad to definitely take the chance and go. Don't let money be an issue because one day you will look back and wish you had gone and experienced everything you could have. It is an incredible opportunity that only comes once in your lifetime, so you should take advantage of it while you can.

 Overall, I loved my study abroad experience, and I wouldn't change it for anything. I was able to make new friends, have another family, meet zetas from all over the US, explore new places, and experience new things. Studying abroad was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

-Maggie

Our 2015 Executive Council

PRESIDENT: Rachel Butler

@rach_2693

Hometown: Eva, AL

Major: Premed: Biology major/Chemistry Minor

My favorite symbol: My favorite symbol of Zeta is the 5-point crown. I love the significance of the points and that they are revealed to each Zeta when we are initiated. The crown is more than a physical manifestation of our motto “Seek the Noblest.” It dictates some of the most important values of our organization.

My favorite 2014 memory: My favorite 2014 memory was being installed as President. My mother was a Zeta during college and also served as chapter President. I was so excited when she was able to come to my installation. Being able to share that experience with her was really special. I think she even teared up!

VPI: Lauren Campbell

@Lcampbell39

Hometown: Fernandina Beach, FL
Major: Psychology
Minor: Education
Positions Held: VP II shadow - 2013, Philanthropy assistant 2013,
Director of Philanthropy 2014, VP I 2015
My favorite ZTA memory: So many to choose from!
1) Getting nominated for the service award at ZTA day 2014
2) Running of the halls every year. I love to see the excitement in
every girls' face.

VPII: Stephanie Marrero

@stephanieann94

Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama

Major: Psychology

My Favorite ZTA memory: big little week! The suspense was so fun and the gifts weren't too bad ;)

Why I wanted to be VP2: I feel like it is a vital piece to the executive council and to the chapter. You are the mother of the new members, and you get to teach them all about sisterhood. I also am very excited to plan bid day and big little week! 

VPIII: Sarah Beth Jenkins

Hometown:  Cartersville, GA

Major: Nursing

My favorite ZTA Symbol:  Flamingo (special to our chapter)

What I am looking forward to most about recruitment:   I am excited about making fun, long lasting memories with my sisters, and meeting all the PNMs going through recruitment.  I absolutely love ZTA, and I can't wait to give ladies a glimpse of what our beloved sisterhood is all about!

SECRETARY: Megan Camp

Hometown: Bremen, GA
Major: Math Education

Minor: Christian Studies

My favorite 2014 memory: Studying abroad in Rome, Italy in June. It was an amazing experience where I made incredible friends, grew in my relationship with God, and had the opportunity to serve others!

Why do I love being secretary: I enjoy being secretary because I am very organized person, and I enjoy having things nice and neat.

TREASURER: Blair Addison

@blairrr_27

Hometown: Rome, Ga
Major: Accounting
My favorite zeta memory: My favorite Zeta memory was a paint sisterhood that we had! It is my favorite because we had different paint activities, and it turned into a huge paint fight before the night was over! 
Why I love zeta: I love zeta because it has given me so much in the short time that I have been in college. I didn’t know much about Greek life before going through recruitment, but once I visited ZTA, I knew it was where it was supposed to be. Through Zeta, I have met friends that I know will last a lifetime and sisters that will always be there for me.

 HISTORIAN: Millie Payne

@Millieeep

Hometown: Toccoa, Georgia

Major: Psychology

Minor: Spanish

Why I chose ZTA: Recruitment was an awesome experience for me! I made lots of friends, and I found my home in ZTA. The girls from Zeta Tau Alpha were who I wanted to be: positive, happy, and welcoming. They made me feel that ZTA was my home, and I have loved it ever since that day! 

RITUAL: Mary Wilson

@maryleeann4

Hometown: LaFayette, GA

Major: Early Childhood Education

My favorite 2014 memory:  My favorite memory from this year was Parents' Weekend when we had the Daddy/Daughter BBQ and Mother's Tea. It was so much fun to spend time with my parents and bring all the parents together to show them our love and appreciation! 

Why I chose ZTA: Breast Cancer Awareness and Education has always been near and dear to my heart, especially since I have had several family members go through their own journey with breast cancer. I knew ZTA would provide me with opportunities to keep raising awareness for this cause while also getting close to girls who are now some of my best friends!

ACADEMIC: Kayla Killingsworth

@kaydare96

Hometown: Sharpsburg, GA

Major: Psychology

My favorite ZTA memory: My favorite ZTA memory is Bid Day. I loved being able to run through the halls and then shout out the window with that I was a Zeta Tau Alpha! I loved how excited everyone was to include me and treat me like a sister.

My favorite part of my position: My favorite part of being Academic Achievement Chair is being able to encourage girls to keep working hard and to never give up.

PANHELLENIC: Ada Panni

@akpanni

Hometown: Chattanooga, TN

Major: Political Science

My favorite ZTA symbol: Crown

What am I looking forward to this year: I’m so thrilled to get the campus to help enhance the Greek community here at shorter. I can’t wait to develop strong relationships with not just my sisters but with my fellow Greeks as well. 

RISK: Morgan Howell

@morganhowell1

Hometown: Dallas, Georgia

Major: Pre-Pharm-Chemistry

My favorite 2014 memory: Going to the beach with all my best friends

Why did I choose ZTA: I went through formal recruitment my fall semester freshman year not knowing anything about Greek life, but when I visited ZTA it wasn't long until I knew that's where I belonged. All of the girls I met were down to earth and super friendly, making me feel welcomed and comfortable. I felt like they wanted me to be there and wanted to get to know me on a personal level. I couldn't see myself anywhere else.

PHILANTHROPY: Katie Howell

Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama

Major: Psychology

My favorite philanthropy event: Big Man on Campus!

Why I choose Zeta: I am a legacy, so I have had a love for Zeta Tau Alpha since I was young. Coming to Shorter and seeing that they offered Zeta, I knew it was meant to be. Plus, when I walked in the first night of recruitment and met Hannah Martin, (our sisters were in the same pledge class at Samford University) I knew I had found my home.