"No one brightens my college experience with love and compassion like the empowered women in this chapter do each and every day."
Hello PNMs! My name is Emily Sweet (Yes I do LOVE puns about my last name) and I’m a third-year Communications major who came home to ADPi during fall 2019, my freshman year. This year I’ve also been serving on our Executive Committee as Director of New Member Experience (DNME).
So why did I join ADPi? Honestly, it’s pretty simple. I was a freshman in college looking to meet people and define my social scene. I was looking for a group of genuine, fun girls and I liked the vibe of ADPi that I got from recruitment. So, when I got offered a bid, I took it. Easy enough! The real question, in my opinion, is not why I joined, but why I’m still here - two years and one pandemic later.
I came into college with mixed feelings about Greek life. I wasn’t entirely sure I wanted to go through recruitment, it was a hail mary decision for me to even register. Through the recruitment process and even after accepting my bid I was still hesitant and unsure if Greek Life was the right path for me. But, almost immediately after joining ADPi, I felt so welcomed and loved by the entire chapter, something that was really comforting as a freshman who was feeling a bit daunted about being away from home and finding a community at UCLA.
The women in this chapter have shaped my entire college experience. From a smile in the hallways of the house to sitting next to ADPis that had lectures with me, this sorority has supported me in every way imaginable. After joining, I found myself with so many opportunities to meet and connect with amazing women, whether it was in a social or academic sense. I have gone to sisters for academic advice many times (in fact many sisters helped me solidify my decision to be a communications major) and have gone to sisters on countless occasions for a last minute friend to go out with. As someone who really tries to embody the “work hard, play hard” mentality, I find our chapter really supports this.
Yet, what really stands out to me about our chapter is our diversity in thoughts, opinions, backgrounds, cultures, personalities, and fields of study. This was something that was really important to me coming in as I wanted to meet many different types of people and be surrounded by a group of women who were open minded and accepting of everyone. During my first months of freshman year, ADPi women were there to support me through every new step. During the pandemic, ADPi women reached out to me and supported me through one of the most challenging periods of my life without hesitation or question.
I am so grateful to be a part of this chapter. I never thought I would join a sorority, much less connect with one on the level that I have. In my role as DNME, I am continually honored to teach our history and what our chapter is all about to new members. This role is something that has given me such purpose as a young woman and leader. I am reminded time and time again just how fun it is to be a part of this chapter.
At the end of the day, this chapter is unique. We have such a wide range of amazing women in ADPi, there really is someone for everyone. I have been able to meet and explore so many interesting conversations with sisters who come from completely different backgrounds and have varying interests from my own. And, at the end of the day, these women are FUN! No one makes me laugh like my big Taylor or my grand big Peri. No one keeps me company on a night out like my Executive Committee team members. And, no one brightens my college experience with love and compassion like the empowered women in this chapter do each and every day.
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