Freshman Year- The Start of A New Beginning!

Ever since I was a little girl I always knew that someday I would rush and hopefully become a part of Greek Life at whatever University I ended up at. I grew up in Statesboro surrounded by locals that stayed a while and college students that would come and go every four years. My love for Georgia Southern University started at a young age. I was in a family full of alumni and we were the type of family that would travel miles to watch any athletic event. I'm not sure if I decided to attend GSU because my family would disown me if I were to cheer for any other team, or if it was something about the atmosphere at Georgia Southern University that made me want to rush here and attend school here for the next 4 years of college. 

I wrapped up my senior year in the middle of March due to covid, and my “new beginning” in my hometown began earlier than I imagined. I was anxious to start this new beginning because I had a feeling that I wouldn’t be able to have a “new and normal” college life. I kept my hopes up that covid would vanish in the fall and everything would be normal. In July, I was on vacation and I found out that rush would be fully virtual. My heart dropped, and all of my hopes were crushed. My outlook on joining a sorority was negative and I oftentimes caught myself questioning if I should even go through with this. It seemed like a joke - how was I supposed to connect with these girls over zoom or choose the sorority that best suits me? I prayed that my rush experience would be the best it could possibly be, and that the girls on the other side would see my true colors even through a video camera. 

My prayers were answered as I entered rush week, every conversation I had with every sorority was great. I could have seen myself making friends with the girls in every sorority. There was just something different about my conversations with Alpha Delta Pi. The girls there cared for me, they wanted to listen to me, and they were concerned about what I was looking for in a sorority. It was evident that these girls loved their chapter here at GSU. I explained that I was looking for lifetime friends that valued faith, loyalty, and commitment. I was thankful that Alpha Delta Pi invited me to come back every day. I knew from day one that Alpha Delta Pi would mean so much to me. Little did I know the impact that it would actually have on my life.. 

On bid day I ran home to 112 Olympic Boulevard and my dreams as a little girl came true! I met some pretty awesome girls.. The kind of girls that you can pick up and go on weekend getaways with after a horrible week of school.  The kind of girls that will pray for you, go to game days with you, be there for you, cheer you on at events, have movie nights with you, jam sessions and crying sessions with you at 2am. They love me for who I am, and listen to me when I need someone to talk to. The Epsilon Pi chapter was what I needed in that time of uncertainty, it was a blessing sent in disguise. 

My freshman year was better because of the Epsilon Pi chapter. Looking back now, I couldn’t imagine it any other way. I met my big Bonny Basse, who has loved me since day one. Her love for Alpha Delta Pi shines within her and inspires me. I became a part of the dance team for Alpha Delta Pi. The dance team brought me so much joy being able to continue my love for dance with 14 other girls who loved it as much as I did. We would spend hours practicing and every practice brought me closer and closer to these girls. By the end of each “dance season” I had met some of the sweetest girls and for that I am so thankful. I would attend as many sisterhood events that I could fit into my busy schedule. Sisterhoods we’re something that I always looked forward to. I got to know more and more girls better when I would attend these events and it’s a great way to stay involved in our sorority. Date nights were the highlight of my freshman year. The casino date night was the first date night that I attended and we danced the night away there surrounded by so many people that I loved. Dressing up and getting ready with the girls was so much fun, I can’t wait to see what we will put on next year! 

I end this by saying that you too can find your people in times of uncertainty and confusion just like I did. This is just the start to YOUR new beginning, you have all control of what you make of this. Go find your people and don’t look back. I promise you won’t regret it. To the incoming PNM, I pray that you make the best of this and be yourself throughout the process. Find your forever people and stay true to your heart - at the end of the week you will know where your heart is meant to be. I promise there’s always happy endings to every story ever written, you too will receive that someday. 

With Love,

Maggie Ponder Fall 20’