Growing up, I didn't realize how important my “annoying" little sister would one day be to me.  Throughout middle and high school, we grew to have an inseparable bond.  When I moved off to college 4 hours away, we missed each other so badly!  After just two years of living 200 miles away from each other, my sister decided to join me at GA Southern.  I was THRILLED!  Talking her in to going through recruitment was kind of tough.  "I'm not a sorority girl," she would say.  After visiting me while I lived in the ADPi house, Hayden got a glimpse of the sisterhood that changed my life, and fell in love with this place.  Needless to say, she was convinced enough to sign up for rush.  

Before recruitment began, I advised her to have an open mind and that I would support her no matter what she chose (hoping that she would choose ADPi anyway).  Throughout the entire recruitment process, it was so hard not to talk to her!  I wanted so badly to know how her day went and which houses she liked best.  Once pref day rolled around, I was so excited to be able to talk to my sister and watch her experience this sisterhood in a more serious way.  I remember telling her that I would give anything for her to experience the fullness of this sisterhood, and that she is more deserving of it than anyone I know.  Of course, by the end of the ceremony, tears were flowing, and Hayden told me that Alpha Delta Pi was her home.  I knew from the beginning that it would be.  Bid day was the sweetest day ever!  Having my sister run home to me is something that I will cherish forever.  I am so thankful to all of my ADPi sisters who love her just like she's their own little sister, and for being just as excited to have her as I was.  

This year has already been the best one yet.  Hayden is such a light to anyone she is around, and having her here has made everything about this year so much more exciting.  Everything from socials, studying together, Landrum dates, to initiating her into the sorority that has given me so much has made my college experience so much richer.  

Hayden, I'm so thankful for you and can't wait to see what the next few years hold!  God couldn't have hand picked a better sister for me, and I'm so glad that we get to share this special bond that Alpha Delta Pi has given us.

-Reyd Strickland