What Sigma Kappa Means to Me

Growing up I was the type of girl who always thought I wanted to be in a sorority. I thought I wanted to live in a big sorority house, with over fifty girls, at a huge state school. But once I got to college, I realized that these “wants,” were just a bunch of superficial dreams that have nothing to do with “the college experience,” and really being happy. When I got to TCNJ two years ago, my first semester was nothing like I had expected. I found myself lost trying to find what clubs to join, and trying to find a good group of friends to be apart of. I watched my home friends immediately find their places at their schools and I couldn’t help but to feel jealous that I hadn’t made the same connection with my own. I felt like I was always missing something. By the end of my first semester I decided I either had to join a sorority or possibly find a new school. Once second semester began, and formal recruitment season came, I found myself wanting to find the perfect sorority. But by joining Sigma Kappa, I didn’t find the things that I thought I wanted, I found something I never knew I needed.

I discovered sisterhood. I found a group of women that were not only welcoming and accepting, but a group that has inspired me to be better and to expect more from myself. There is something so comforting in knowing that you have over seventy girls truly wishing and hoping the best for you. I have been exposed to an extraordinary group of girls who exemplify what it truly means to be unique. The relationships I have formed in the past year are truly special. Before coming to college, I had and still have a strong childhood friend group, and I’m sure that after college I will meet people that I will have lasting friendships with. However, none of these relationships will be able to compare to the bonds I have made in this chapter. Together, we have created a community where we have pride in ourselves, and in each other. Not because of our back-to-back Homecoming wins or because we won chapter of the year and most recently became Greek Week champs, but because we have pride in the two letters that are stitched on our shirts, and what they stand for.

I found a Big and a family. I found someone to show me the ropes and leave me with a bond that I never expected possible. I found the older sister I never had, but always wanted. Even though she graduated, I have been blessed with my Gnome family who always has my back.

I gained Best Friends. And now I can say a bunch of cliché stuff about how we are the same people, and how they are my voices of reason, but let’s be real. They are the ones that are always there supporting me and my questionable antics. But that is true friendship, people who not only accept you, but encourage you to be yourself.

I found a home away from home. Coming to TCNJ I assumed that the four years I spend here would be filled with the same comfort and familiarity of my hometown. And although I did, TCNJ is just my school, Sigma Kappa is my home. It is where I feel most comfortable to be myself. I found my TCNJ family.

And finally, I found myself. I learned that I am now accountable for someone other than me. I am accountable to a group of women. To an organization that not only is welcoming to its members, but to all of the TCNJ community. I have found people who do not want me to make myself smaller to fit into an acceptable mold. In the matter of a short year, I have found and learned so many things. So whether it is Sigma Kappa or another organization, I hope you find a group of girls who give you everything you never thought you needed. Because when you do, it’s wonderful.