Happy Monday!

As classes ramp up and life gets overwhelming, stand firm in who you are and whose you are; each day is a new opportunity for growth and the celebration of small victories that become molding moments, cheers to you sistas!

Kiely Curran

Kiely, founder of the Clemson chapter of health and fitness organization CHAARG — Changing Health, Attitudes, and Actions to Recreate Girls — knows how to make bold moves and lead others even in the midst of hardship; we couldn’t be happier to welcome her home to Zeta Nu.

“Moving to Clemson was the boldest move I have ever made. I went to summer camp for 4 days in second grade and never registered for a sleep-away camp ever again. I have never been a person to leave the comfort of my home, family, friends, and familiarity. Being completely transparent, I didn’t want to leave Virginia. It took the rejection from my top comfort-zone-Virginia university to get me down to Clemson.

Clemson was my ‘rebound.’ The second I was rejected from that state school, I posted a convincing photo on my Instagram declaring myself a ‘Tiger.’ Sitting here today, I can truly say that Clemson should never have been my rebound. From the second I toured my senior year of high school, I immediately felt the community. A year later, I have found an even better community through Alpha Delta Pi. My first year here was rocky. I had an amazing roommate Emma (and now sister ;)), was making amazing grades, was basking in the glory of the Natty, yet felt off. At the time I didn’t know what it was. I was anxious all of the time and never felt like I belonged anywhere besides the Cooper Library basement. I went home for fall break and my grandma saw that I was different. She saw in me what I couldn’t even see in myself: I needed a community. She encouraged me to rush. She told me that before I took the leap and transferred to a Virginia school, that I should at least give Greek life a chance. I thought she was out of her mind, but I have learned over the years that us grandchildren are never allowed to tell our Nonni no. So, I registered for rush. The summer before rushing, I was constantly tettering on dropping. I can’t name exactly what was holding me back, but something was. Luckily, I never gave in and went through with recruitment. Now, here I am today typing a blog post for a sisterhood at a school that I never thought I should be at nor felt a community in a year later. Alpha Delta Pi makes me feel like I am a part of something bigger than myself at Clemson. Something is to be said about going outside of your comfort zone.

Although freshman year was not, emotionally, the easiest for me, I tried to make the best of it. Since I didn’t have a community here at Clemson, I decided to start one. My roommate (our sister) found CHAARG for me. It is a national organization that strives to empower women to become their best selves: mentally, emotionally, and physically. Last year I went through the extensive application process. After several months, I was accepted to start a chapter here on campus. I was terrified. I was only a rising sophomore at a massive university and a national organization based out of Chicago put all of their eggs in one basket and that basket was ME. Although this organization started as a resume/esteem builder that I felt obligated to make a success, it has become my baby. We now have nearly 100 members (91 to be exact) and reach full attendance at every event! I have met truly intentional and inspirational women through this organization that I will always look up to. Although so much good has resulted from it, the last thing I want is for girls to feel as alone as I did freshman year. It is the most rewarding feeling to hear a girl express how much CHAARG has changed their emotions towards their first year. CHAARG has become more than a weekly workout for me, it has become a driving horse in my personal journey in becoming a better leader, sister, and friend.

I guess if I had to Sparknote my entire blog post, it would go a little like this: Always step outside of your comfort zone and embrace every unexpected turn that seems absolutely negative because it will always turn out to be positive.” - Kiely Curran, AC ‘19

Fun Facts:

Who is your role model?

“My dad. He is literally the optitomy of work hard/play hard. He is one of the hardest working people I know, yet you would never know it come family gatherings. He is hilarious, selfless, and does it all. I aspire to be as active, yet externally calm as he is!

Where is your happy place?

“Any beach. I would drive 45 minutes a day to literally sit on the sand… by myself… last summer.”

Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?

“Blake Lively. I would love to hype myself and say that I look like her, but it is more of a reach goal. Anyways, she just always seems to be a blast yet keeps her life together!”

Sara Sargent

Not only do we all know her as our hardworking Director of Standards and Ethics, but Sara sure is one smarty pi with big dreams and an even bigger heart.

“My favorite days as a young girl were those spent at my grandparents’ lake house. My grandfather, the most amazing man I ever knew, was diagnosed and taken within the same month by a disease that had laid dormant in his body for twenty-four years: small cell carcinoma of the lung. Ever since, I have been pursuing a career in medicine so I can hopefully give another young girl more time to spend with her grandfather one day.

I am thrilled that I have an interview set up at my first choice pharmacy school next week! I am hoping to make my dreams a reality by one day becoming a compounding pharmacist.

ADPi has truly been life-changing for me. I cannot believe I am a senior; it feels like yesterday I ran down Bowman to my future big! The women I have worked with throughout all of ADPi, and especially my fellow executive committee, have shown me what true drive, determination, and passion look like. I could not have asked for a better experience in college. While my position has not always been easy, it has truly molded me into a better leader. While I will look back on these years with fond memories, I know the best is yet to come.” - Sara Sargent, AC ‘16

Fun Facts:

Where is your happy place?

“My happy place is definitely the mountains in the fall (preferably adventuring with my fiancé, Grey, and sipping on a PSL ;)”

What is your favorite time of year and why?

“I absolutely love Christmas! My family are my best friends – my fiancé, mom, dad, three siblings, niece and nephew, brother-in-law (and toy poodle, Stella) are my rock! Every Christmas, we always decorate the house together while sipping on my mom’s homemade hot chocolate – it is the best!! We also play tons of games together and always watch the movie Elf on Christmas Eve.”

Next vacation on your bucket list?

“I love to travel! I have always wanted to go to Italy, but I also would want to see more of the States one day – maybe out West!”

Anna Rhett Allen

Death Valley is a home away from home for many of us, thanks to the hard work of our sister Anna Rhett and the IPTAY Student Advisory Board, teaching her the true value of teamwork and leadership.

“Being involved in sports has definitely been my biggest passion growing up. I started in second grade with basketball and then in middle school started volleyball and track and continued to play all three throughout high school. The way that sports electrify a crowd and create a dream that everyone rallies behind truly inspires me. I saw my first Clemson game when I was three months old, so I think it is safe to say that orange runs in my blood. Being involved with IPTAY has truly shaped my experience here at Clemson and allows me to be involved firsthand with an organization that I have supported for as long as I can remember.

One of the greatest advantages about IPTAY Student Advisory Board is the way it allows me to incorporate both my passion for Clemson Football and gain experience for my future career. Whether it is by supporting the Tigers on gameday or competing on my volleyball team at home, sports always light me up and have influenced my dream to become a volleyball coach. Through ISAB, I have been able to experience behind the scenes aspects of a sports team and have learned the value of leadership and teamwork. When I get older, I aspire to inspire the young girls or women I am coaching to be the best version of themselves; I want to encourage others to not only become great athletes, but also great people.

When going through recruitment, every time I went into ADPi I talked to amazing girls who truly loved one another, were involved on campus, and were very confident in themselves. I never wanted to leave the rounds because what I found so early on in ADPi is exactly what I wanted to find not only in my friends, but also in a sisterhood. Joining ADPi was truly the best decision I have made at Clemson -- I found my best friends who encourage me to make a 4.0 in the classroom, but never forget to have fun in the process.” - Anna Rhett Allen, AC ‘18

Fun Facts:

If you could eat dinner with one person, living or dead, who would you choose and why?
“Deshaun Watson because after all these years he has been my favorite football player. I admire his hard work, character, and leadership.”
Where is your happy place?

“My happy place is at my family’s lake house on Lake Keowee. Some of my favorite memories are watching Clemson football there during away games and spending time out on the water.”

Favorite childhood memory?

“Going to Chuck-E-Cheese at exactly 9:30 AM every Tuesday morning of summer with my Grandma.”