ZTA BID DAY VIDEO 2014

Gatsby Glam and whole lot of ZLAM! 

Check out our new video to see how "colorful" and fabulous Bid Day was this year!

Music by: One Republic "Life in Color"

**We do not own the rights to this song**

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MEET THE ZTA RECRUITMENT TEAM

With recruitment just around the corner, our recruitment team is working hard to get everything ready for the big week! We know how exciting (and a little stressful) this time can be, so we sat down with our team so you could get to know them and get some first hand advice on how to have the best recruitment experience!

 

Name: Jessica Macaluso

What is your position?

I am the Vice President of Recruitment and Membership (VPIII)

What is one of your favorite hobbies?

Coaching All-Star competitive Cheerleading!  I coach two teams and they are my pride and joy.

What one thing you love about ZTA?

My favorite things about Zeta are my littles, our rituals, and our philanthropy Breast Cancer Awareness and Education. Most of all I love the friendships I have made in this chapter. I couldn't imagine my college experience without them!
 

Recruitment advice? 

Come into recruitment with a blank slate and open mind. Make your own experience. Each sorority has something different to offer so find what works best for you. Meet as many people as possible because you might still be friends with them four years later. Most of all, don't be nervous and be yourself! 

 

Name: Amanda Fertitta
 

What is your role on the recruitment team?

Recruitment Assistant
 

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love yogalates, relaxing by the pool, and going out to eat with close friends!

What is one thing you love about ZTA?
As a full-time student at LSU and someone who has held a steady job since sophomore year, Zeta has managed to keep me involved no matter how busy I am. There is something about Zeta that draws you back and makes you want to get involved within the chapter and take part in the many social and philanthropic opportunities it has to offer.

Recruitment advice?

The best tip I can give is to not stray away from your true self. Don't let the worries of what others think of you get to you. Just relax and enjoy your recruitment the best way possible.

Name: Ashley Andrews
 

What is your position on recruitment team? 

Recruitment Assistant

What are some fun facts about yourself? 
I'm addicted to coke icees, I love to paint and sew, but the true love of my life is my new puppy, Jake!

What do you love about ZTA?

My favorite thing about zeta is getting involved in creative ways. I have been blessed to help the chapter as merchandise chair, banner chair and homecoming chair thus far.
 

Recruitment advice?

Have an open mind, and just be yourself. Most likely the girls you talk to are just as nervous if not more nervous than you are!

Name: Lexi DeWitt

What is your position on the recruitment team?

Ice Water Party Chair

What are you up to this summer?

I just got hired at the boutique Apricot Lane on Jefferson! Come in and I will help you find some cute outfits!

What do you love about ZTA?

I love the close bond I share with each girl in my chapter.  I know I can count on any of them to be there for me no matter what.

Recruitment advice?

I think it is a good idea to be 100% yourself in every aspect of recruitment. Don't let anyone else influence your opinions. Trust your own and that is the way you will find your true fit.

Name: Meghan Martin  

What is your position on the recruitment team?

Philanthropy Party Chair
 

What are some fun facts about yourself?

I have an unhealthy addiction to coffee, Pinterest, and dogs.

What do you love about ZTA?

I love ZTA because it has given me a home away from home. Coming from out of state can be hard, but ZTA gave me comfort and friendship. I have met the most amazing people because of ZTA. 

Recruitment advice?
Recruitment can be stressful, but listening to your gut and going where you know you will be happy is the best way to get through. Be true to yourself and you'll end up in the right place!

Name: Ashlyn Lambert

Position on the Recruitment team:  

Skit Round Party Chair

What is your favorite LSU memory?

Definitely would be my first LSU football game in Death Valley- the stories and pictures didn’t do “the loudest college stadium” any justice. It’s an experience no one could ever forget!

What do you love about ZTA?

Even though there are so many different things I love about Zeta, the one I would have to choose is all of the friendships I have made. I know that I will always have someone to go to when I need help with anything from school work to what outfit I should wear. Zeta is my home away from home and I don’t where I would be without it.  

Recruitment advice?

Two tips I would give any girl who asked about recruitment is 1) Wear something you are totally comfortable in. You want to feel like your best self throughout the entire process and give the best impression you can. 2) Accept the sweat- that is one thing all girls in recruitment have in common, so just keep a smile on and show your true personality! 

Name: Casey Langteau

What is your position on the recruitment team? 

Preference Party Chair

What do you like to do in your free time?

Pinteresting, traveling, painting, and having girls' nights!

What do you love about ZTA?

Growing up, I was the only girl in my family.  Zeta has provided me with incredible sisters who are there for me for fun times but, more importantly, in the times where I need their love and support. These lifelong friends have challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and accomplish things I never thought I could have before. 

Recruitment advice?

Make your own decisions during recruitment- do not let the opinions of friends guide your lifelong sisterhood.  Stay true to yourself and follow your gut, so you will end up in the perfect place for you!

LSU Recruitment begins on August 16, 2014 and runs through August 23, 2014.  
For more information about LSU Recruitment visit: http://greeks.lsu.edu/recruitment-panhellenic-council

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Check Out Our New Photo Gallery!

Click here or select the "Seek the Noblest (Photo Gallery)" tab in the top right corner to catch a glimpse at our lives in ZTA! 

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#ThrowtheCrownThursday: ZTA's Graduating Seniors

Happy #ThrowtheCrownThursday featuring our 2014 graduating seniors! It's hard to believe those 4 years flew by so quickly. Good luck with everything post-graduation! We love y'all!

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ZTA Lauren Hulin Chosen for 2014 New Orleans Saintsations

Congratulations to Delta Kappa sister Lauren Hulin for being chosen for the 2014 New Orleans Saintsations! This is Lauren's second year as a Saintsation, where she will cheer on the sidelines for the New Orleans Saints! We can't wait to see you on the sidelines this football season!

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#ThrowtheCrownThursday: Rho Lambda's ZTA Initiates

Happy #ThrowtheCrownThursday with our ZTA sisters at their Rho Lambda initiation! Congratulations ladies!

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#FeatureFriday: The ZTA Bat Girls

This week's #FeatureFriday goes out to our Delta Kappa sisters on the LSU Bat Girls team! The five lucky diamond dolls are Jillian Carlos, Emily Cooper, Alyssa Holmes, Jana Wayne, and Abby Woltering.  

The entire Bat Girls crew!

To become an LSU Bat Girl, each ZTA filled out an online application. About 100 girls were selected for the second round interview process, where 30 were selected to join this season's squad! This spring the LSU Bat Girls have been busy at the Alex Box! Their responsibilities consist of selling programs before and after games, making sure umpires stay hydrated, retrieving new baseballs, handling foul balls and, of course, picking up the bats and balls for both the home and visiting teams.  Each Delta Kappa Bat Girl holds pride in being part of LSU's Baseball Program, and shared with us their favorite roles on the squad.  

ZTA and Bat Girl Jana Wayne (left) poses with her mother during an LSU football game

ZTA sophomore and second year Bat Girl Jana Wayne shared:

"I like being able to be on the field during the game and have the best seats at The Box.  The opportunity to be a part of such a talented baseball program - the best in the country - is something I will never forget.  The fans are amazing, the stadium is beautiful, and the Tigers are always fun and entertaining to watch!  Being a bat girl is a wonderful honor and I am very grateful!"

ZTA and Bat Girl Abigail (Abby) Woltering (left) poses with Mike the Tiger and another Bat Girl at their banquet

ZTA Senior Abby Woltering stated her passion for baseball and LSU:

"I'd say that it's really hard (even impossible) to choose my favorite thing.  Having a step dad who played professional baseball in the minors, I practically grew up on the diamond. Coming from St. Louis, I am a huge Cardinals fan and baseball has always been a major part of my life. When I came to Louisiana where there is no MLB team, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to watch my beloved Cardinals on local TV or get my baseball fill!  Thankfully, LSU more than makes up for that with their second-to-none baseball program.  I love the incredible fans whose dedication rivals many major league fan bases.  They are knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate.  I am lucky to get to know many of them on a personal level.  They create the most unique college baseball atmosphere in the world, which happens to be in our amazing college stadium. The Alex Box has become my favorite place on campus, and I'd take a Louisiana Saturday night in The Box over Death Valley any day! On game day we are at the stadium for about six hours and I guarantee any bat girl will tell you they wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Also, the chemistry between the women on the squad has always been excellent because we share a love for LSU and baseball.  With the LSU Bat Girls, the fans, atmosphere, some of my ZTA sisters, the entire squad and the amazing baseball created the most incredible experience I've had in college."

Alyssa Holmes (Right) throws the crown with ZTA sisters and fellow Bat Girls, Jillian Carlos and Emily Coopr

Alyssa Holmes' states her pride for LSU baseball:

"My favorite part is definitely being involved in one of the best baseball programs in the nation! I'm a huge baseball fan and having the opportunity to work first hand with the LSU baseball program is amazing to me.  It's also cool to watch the game from a different view for once!"

Emily Cooper (Right) poses with ZTA sisters Jana Wayne, Abby Woltering and Alyssa Holmes at the LSU Bat Girls Banquet

Emily Cooper states:

"I love interacting with fans and giving the foul balls to little kids! It just makes their day!"

ZTA Jillian Carlos (Right) throws the crown with sister Jana Wayne

And lastly but surely not least, Jillian Carlos' favorite role in being a LSU Bat Girl:

"My favorite part of Bat Girls is contributing to an amazing tradition at LSU.  We hold the most people in a collegiate baseball stadium, and average the most fans per game.  People are amazed by our turnout and visitor teams are astounded with everything here!"

Some ZTAs pose with other LSU Bat Girls

We're super proud of y'all, and your dedication to the LSU Baseball Program.  Keep spreading the ZTA love at The Box and experiencing your once-in-a-lifetime chance to contribute to LSU Baseball! Geaux Tigers!

Special thanks to my PR/Historian Assistant Maria Jones!

As Always Zeta Love and Mine,

DK PR and Historian 

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#ThrowtheCrownThursday: Double-Feature of ZTA's at LSU's Senior Stride and Greek Week!

This week we have two #ThrowtheCrownThursdays! #DoubleFeature #ZTAlovesLSU #ZTAsupportsBatonRouge

ZTA Seniors (Left) Virginia Otto-Hayes, Lauren Gear, Mike the Tiger (ZTA's Biggest Fan), Lauren Hulin, Amy Levine and Shannon Cantley celebrated their final year at LSU and supported LSU's Student Government at LSU's Senior Stride 

ZTA's gathered at the work site to throw the crown during their shift for LSU Greek Week, where they worked with Habitat for Humanity to assist in building houses for people in the Baton Rouge Community. 

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Tribute Tuesday: Our Alumnae Featuring Guest Blogger Sophia Holland

This week's Tribute Tuesday by guest blogger and Delta Kappa sophomore Sophia Holland, focuses on our ZTA Alumnae and what we can, as current members, learn from them. 

Guest Blogger Sophia Holland before Big/Lil reveal

"Since joining the Delta Kappa Chapter of ZTA in the Fall of 2012, I discovered an aspect of the sorority that I had completely overlooked coming through recruitment: the history that came with it. As a humanities major, I have always loved learning about history. However, there is certainly something special about sharing a history with someone rather than simply learning about it because it becomes personal.  With my big sister as the rituals chairwoman, I began to focus on our founders who started the rituals. I researched their personal lives to answer my questions about why they focused on certain values to form our legacy. I then began to focus on the more tangible history—those alumnae from several decades before me—that could give me insight into what the chapter was before I joined.

Our alumnae compete in the "Dressed like Themis" competition for ZTA Day

            My sister Megan Barrilleaux, Alumnae Collegiate Chair, recently hosted a Sophomore Pledge Class party with the alumnae. There, I was able to talk to several alumnae who held leadership roles while in their chapters. It was interesting comparing my personal experiences in ZTA to theirs many years before. 

'It seems like I just created a Facebook account yesterday,' Alum Stacey Overtoom said, even though it was actually ten years ago. 

She couldn’t imagine how much easier it would be to communicate with all her sisters if she had Facebook Groups like we do. We talked about the house moms, the chapter sizes, and the Greek community’s relations during her time at ZTA. Many of my high school teachers are Delta Kappa alumnae, and it was very exciting going through recruitment knowing they were secretly rooting for me to join their sisterhood. Alumna Jewell Riecke (active member Miranda Craddock’s aunt) is a close family friend who often shares her time at Delta Kappa with me. She and I continue to discuss our Zeta connection. 

            When I walk through the halls of Delta Kappa, my home, I always look at the composites of the hundreds of women that came before me. Their faces provide me with a security that there is strength in a sisterhood bond like ZTA’s. When I meet our alumnae, I’m proud of what Delta Kappa has become and what it has accomplished in the past. We often get caught up in the exchanges, the paperwork and the chapter meetings, but it’s definitely important to reflect on the past. We must take the time to learn from our wise sisters, whom laid the groundwork for the Zeta Tau Alpha chapter we know and love." 

Sincerely,

Sophia Holland

Thank you Sophia for sharing your thoughts on our Alumnae! As a legacy of ZTA, I grew up respecting the values and morals instilled in my mother and her friends, since they joined the chapter many years ago. It's important to take the time to understand our alumnae, who continue to devote their time and love to our chapter. Ultimately, they always have our best interest at heart and our chapter wouldn't be able to function without their assistance! 

Current member Taylor Wainwright poses with a ZTA alumna at Louisiana ZTA Day 

Thank you to our alumnae for your love and support! Your continued dedication to ZTA doesn't go unnoticed, and we truly appreciate everything y'all do for us!

Zeta Love and Mine,

Delta Kappa PR and Historian

Alumna Beverly Choppin (Center) devotes her time and love to Delta Kappa each year as the Chapter's Main Advisor

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Tribute Tuesday: Guest Blogger Abby Sewell's EMPOWER Experience

For this week's Tribute Tuesday our guest blogger Abby Sewell discusses her experience at EMPOWER, a leadership retreat for members of LSU's Greek Life.

Guest Blogger Abby Sewell

"On the weekend of March 7 through 9, I was blessed with the opportunity to represent my chapter at a Greek wide leadership retreat called EMPOWER. EMPOWER is designed to break down barriers between the sororities and fraternities down the row and to better yourself as a leader. A large part about this past weekend was recognizing that you yourself can be a leader within your chapter even though you may not think you can. Suppose someone in your chapter has come up to you and encouraged you to run for council; that is because they see something in you that is the beginning of a great leader. However, not everyone will be “tapped” by someone else, sometimes they have to “tap” themselves.

Sewell joins the six  ZTA's that attended EMPOWER weekend (Gotangco, Guastella, Hillburn, Wainwright, Henry and Jack) and the two ZTA's that served as EMPOWER facilitators (Al-Juraid and Culotta)

Through this experience I got to meet some amazing people and making lasting friendship throughout the entire Greek community. The facilitators to my small Group 12 (or District 12 as we liked to call it) had never participated in EMPOWER either but we all went through this wonderful program together and came out as stronger leaders. We had a guest speaker, Lori Hart, give an unbelieveable speech about the power of leading through relationships. At one point during the weekend we were told think of an influential leader in our personal lives and I immediately thought of my mom. She has always taken on tasks by first building a relationship with her coworkers and gaining their trust so she was able to lead them in a more effective way. As cheesy as it sounds, the whole reason I even decided to seek out a better leadership experience was because of my mother and I’m so glad that I did.

ZTA's throw the crown at EMPOWER

EMPOWER was such a rewarding experience that I wish wasn't over. I’m currently experiencing EMPOWER withdrawal from my small group and I miss our talks already. Through this incredibly beneficial program put on by Greek Board of Directors (GBOD), I have blossomed as a leader and a person. It showed me how to better myself and my chapter by simply “tapping” myself and taking on everyday issues from a new perspective. Recognizing the leadership skills of others is extremely important when you are trying to organize a large group of  people; like a philanthropy event for example. When everyone’s strengths are utilized the group can accomplish everything that’s thrown at it. I’ll never forget the friendships I’ve made and the skills I’ve learned from this past weekend. I highly recommend EMPOWER to anyone that’s on the fence about getting more involved in their chapter or even if you want to reinforce your skill set."

Sincerely,

Abby Sewell

Thank you Abby for sharing your EMPOWER experience! As a past member of EMPOWER, I can attest to it being one of the best weekends I've had at LSU. It inspired me to pursue leadership opportunities in the LSU community and ultimately lead to running for my current position on ZTA's Executive Council. We look forward to discovering where EMPOWER will lead you and the six other ZTA's that attended!

Zeta Love and Mine,

DK PR & Historian

For more information on EMPOWER click here.

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Vote Today to Support our ZTA's for Student Government Elections

Today's the day to vote for Student Government elections! Be sure to support our ZTA Candidates running for:

UCAC Senator- Taylor Wainwright
UCAC Senator- Helen Frink
Vice President of the College of Science- Katie Henry

Voting ends tonight at midnight, so get your votes in by clicking www.lsu.edu/sgelections

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#ThrowtheCrownThursday: ZTA's 12-Hour Pancake Breakfast

Happy #ThrowtheCrownThursday featuring our DK members at last weekend's 12-Hour Pancake Breakfast! ZTA raised money for Breast Cancer Awareness and Education by providing guests with pancakes and a topping bar, a silent auction, a DJ, and a new pancake eating contest! #thinkpink #ZTAPCB

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#ThrowtheCrownThursday: ZTA's Love the Gymnastics Team

Last Friday, ZTA sisters attended the LSU Gymnastics "Pink Out" Meet to support the No. 1 ranked Lady Tigers and their Delta Kappa sister McKenzie Fox (Purple). 

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Our Capture the Cure #MCM!

We love our men who #thinkpink! Happy #mcm to everyone who came out for yesterday's fraternity philanthropy event Capture the Cure! We had a great turn out and an awesome time playing capture the flag. A special congratulations to the teams that placed: 1st-Kappa Sig/Sigma Chi, 2nd- Fiji, 3rd- Theta Xi! #CapturetheCure #ThinkPinkWeekend

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#FeatureFriday: Our Rituals with Guest Blogger Danielle Kelley

For this week's #FeatureFriday and in honor of National Rituals Celebration Week, we've asked our Ritual Chair, Danielle Kelley, to share her insights on why rituals are important!

"Some might say the history and tradition of the ceremony itself is amazing. The ritual has existed for more than a hundred of years, older than some nations in the world. During those decades, changes in culture, society, academia, and technology have occurred. However the ritual remained unchanged, frozen in a time before the Internet, before women’s suffrage and before widespread electricity. It has been meticulously memorized by thousands, yet remains a mystery to outsiders.

Others might say that ritual is important because it is a right of passage, a journey to manhood or womanhood. Upon receiving a bid, a new member must pledge herself to upright conduct and to make each member her sister. She must learn history and traditions in order to arrive at the culmination of her journey of pledgeship: initiation. Initiation is a time of exciting reflectance, anxiously awaiting the guarded secrets of her order. She leaves the ceremony with knowledge of the mysteries of the sorority. She has gained something special, and has been officially accepted into the national organization at large.

But to me, ritual is so incredibly important because of the values and lessons it teaches young men and women. Ritual is what separates one Greek organization from another. Ritual strives to instill in us the noblest of characteristics that men and women should possess. The ritual is secret so its members understand the important of its sacred values. But what shouldn’t be secret is the way we live out our ritual.

Truly, our traits wouldn’t be a mystery to outsiders if we lived by the values we swore to keep dear. In fact, it should be obvious to others what we value, what we seek, what we find is truly noble. If we take our ritual seriously, our symbols and the meaning behind our letters should be apparent. Please don’t be mistaken! Ritual secrets should never be divulged with non-members.  However, we can portray what is shared in the ceremony through our lives. Ultimately, rituals make us better men and women.

In conclusion, I’d like you to consider what would happen if Greeks worldwide lived out our rituals everyday? Would we defy our stereotype? Would we show others that we value our brothers and sisters more than we value our money, status or possessions? There’s more to Greek Life then just the parties or networking. Being Greek means gaining lifelong friends. They join your family and treat you like a true sister because you are bonded together through the sacred ritual. Hold the ritual in your heart, and share the values you’ve learned through your actions."

Danielle Kelley, Ritual Chair at the Delta Kappa chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha

Thank you Danielle for sharing your thoughts on our ritual importance! 

Rituals are truly the foundation of Greek Life and what unites each member to their sorority or fraternity. We welcome everyone to continue reflecting on the core values of Zeta Tau Alpha by clicking here to visit the ZTAFeed! The ZTAFeed provides the opportunity to delve further into the rituals of our organization. The site contains interesting articles on how you can live out each section of our creed, how to make living our ritual a daily ritual and videos of personal reflections on rituals!

As the National Rituals Celebration Week comes to an end, I challenge you to assume the task of living out our ritual each day. Consider the words Miss Kelley shared on how our daily actions should display what we value as a sorority, but never share our sacred secrets! Thank y'all for taking the time to reflect on ZTA's rituals and have a happy Friday!

Zeta Love and Mine,
DK PR and Historian

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#ThrowtheCrownThursday: National Rituals Celebration Week Edition!

Delta Kappa legacies Claire Davis (Right) and her mother Cynthia Davis (Left) throw the ZTA crown during their Mardi Gras brunch!

This week we honor ZTA's core values and rituals, which bind our sisters to one another! For our National Rituals Celebration Week edition of #ThrowtheCrownThursday we'd like to recognize the relative bonds that were strengthened through ZTA sisterhood, our legacies! #NRCW #Legacy #Sisterhood


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