When writing this, the first word that comes to my head is WOW. I cannot describe the amount of awe I am in after this week at the Alpha Delta Pi Grand Convention in Orlando, Florida. This experience has been one that has brought me a connection to great women, taught me better leadership, and truly created an even stronger love for Alpha Delta Pi and what we stand for. I am not going to lie; I went into this week nervous and not knowing what to expect. However, I am leaving thankful, grateful, and blessed to get the opportunity to go to something so magical.
I want to highlight two special women: Jennifer Brown Arends and Mahone Fleming. Jennifer is a Beta Sigma alumni and someone I connected with this week at Convention. Jennifer will always be someone I look up to, and I hope to be half of the Alpha Delta Pi woman she is one day. Mahone is our Recruitment and Marketing Director, and boy do I love her. I loved her before Convention, but wow, I love her wholeheartedly. She welcomed me with open arms during this Convention and took care of me; for that, I am forever grateful. These two connections have shown me that our motto, “We Live For Each Other,” stands no matter what age you are, what state you’re from, what school you attended, or what your role is in Alpha Delta Pi- the connection and sense of belonging always stands.
Finally, I have to brag about my chapter, Beta Sigma! At Convention, during the Diamond Awards Banquet, Beta Sigma earned the highest achievement in all Alpha Delta Pi, the Golden Lion Award. Winning this award was not one person in our chapter, not one officer, not one group, and not even me, but ALL of us together as a whole serving our philanthropy and each other, loving each other every day, and EVERY SISTER in this chapter upholding what Alpha Delta Stands for. I am honored to bring this award home to Macon and celebrate with my ladies. Beta Sigma, I love you forever and will never be able to thank you enough for everything you have given me!
Beta Sigma Chapter President,
Elise Hartley