✧Diamond Family Spotlight✧

This week we are welcoming Jordan, SaraAnna, Gracie, and Jazmine to our Diamond Family Spotlights!

Continue reading to hear their Diamond Family story!

The first member of this Diamond Family is Jordan Barnes. Continue reading to hear her Diamond Family Story!

Jordan Barnes

“Hey my name is Jordan Barnes! I am a senior majoring in Early Childhood Education from a small town called Ehrhardt, South Carolina. I went through Formal Recruitment as a sophomore after going through the Bridge program and am in Alpha Class ‘18. I am currently student teaching in a kindergarten class and have plans to move to Beaufort, S.C. to teach after graduation. I have so enjoyed my time in Alpha Delta Pi these last 3 years and my college experience would not have been the same without my amazing Diamond Family. Each of them are so special to me and I am so grateful for the bond that we share and will continue to share even when I leave!”

How did you meet your diamond family?

I first met SaraAnna through mutual friends my sophomore year during spring break. I knew the moment I met her that she had to go ADPi. I had the best conversation with her one night and saw myself in her in more ways than one. Lucky for me, her home ended up being in ADPi! I saw her during Recruitment and knew that I had to talk to her in our preference round of Recruitment! After preference round, I knew she had to be my Little Diamond Sister! We went on a few different Pi Pal dates and the rest is history. She not only became my Little Diamond Sister, but also my best friend. She brings so much joy to my life. She’s someone I can count on to be 100% real with me and someone I know will stand beside me on my wedding day (as cheesy as that sounds). I tell her everything and do not go a day without talking to her. She lives a few houses down from me and I probably go over there at least once a week to show her my outfits or steal her clothes. I can not speak more highly of a person. She has made my experience in ADPi 10X better. I really, truly do not know how I ever lived without her.

When the time came to add to our Diamond Family, we were worried that since we were so close, SA’s Little Diamond Sister may feel excluded or left out. However, after we met Gracie and Jaz during Recruitment, we knew that would not be the case. SaraAnna and I were in the same group for Recruitment so we were able to talk to the same girls. We met Gracie first and the moment I got off the Zoom call with her, I ran up to SaraAnna’s room to tell her that she had to be her Little Diamond Sister! As soon as I walked in the door, she said the exact same thing that I was thinking. We both just connected with Gracie instantly! She was so outgoing, easy to talk to, and kept us laughing the whole time. She is definitely the clown of our family and we could see her personality shine right off the bat. Then, we met Jaz. I remember talking to her and just being able to relate to her so much about her Bridge experience and her being worried about all of her friends going into different sororities. I remember feeling that exact same way and she was really able to open up to me. Jaz has such a kind and sweet soul and is so caring about others. Just as I had done with Gracie, after that quick Zoom call with Jaz, I ran up stairs to SaraAnna and said, “Well, I think you are going to have to take twins” and she agreed. SaraAnna went on a few Pi Pal dates with them individually and then we had them both over to my house for tacos one night. The whole night there was never a dull moment and they fit in perfectly with SaraAnna and I. They knew each other from their Bridge year so it was great because they were already so close. Now, we are all close! I think what is so great about our Diamond Family is that we each have our individual relationships with each other. We all make an effort to get together and hang out not just individually, but also as a group in order to truly know one another on a deeper level. I could not ask from a better Diamond Family and love each of them more than they know!”

What is one piece of advice you would give the other members of your Diamond Family?
“Always surround yourself with people who lift you up and inspire you to be a better person and do not hold onto people who bring you down and discourage you. College and life can be hard and if you do not have people in your life that uplift you and make you happy, then life is pretty miserable. You are going to run into people that you cannot be yourself around, people that make you feel less, or people that are just negative. Those are not your people. You need to find those people that you are yourself around, that make you happy, and make you feel good about yourself. And if there are not many of those people, that is OKAY! Something that I really struggled with was worrying about having a ton of friends. I wanted everyone to like me, even people that were the complete opposite of me. I found myself changing who I was to fit in with these people. Do not do this. You do not need to change who you are to please the people around you. Those people are not your true friends. You do not need a ton of friends to be happy, you only need a few great ones. I know that my Diamond Family are a few of those great ones. I will always be here for them, even after graduating and I know that they will always be there for me as well.”
How has your Diamond Family impacted your college experience?
“My Diamond family has impacted my college experience more than they know. My college experience would not have been the same without them. SaraAnna has helped me through so much in college. I can always always talk to her about school work and she understands all my issues since we are in the same major. Even though she is a year behind me, she still gives me great advice and teaching ideas! When I am having a bad day, all I have to do is talk to her, and instantly feel better. I can always call her and know that she will be down to do anything and everything with me. Like I said before, she is not just my Little Diamond Sister, but also my best friend and it would have been hard to go through college without your best friend. Gracie is a light! She is one of the funniest people I know. She has made my college experience so much better. I know that if I want a good time I can call Gracie and not stop smiling. I see how far she is going to go and am so glad I get to live through her and Jaz’s years at Clemson and in ADPi. Sweet Jaz, she just makes me happy. I relate to her so much and really see myself in her. I feel like Gracie is more like SaraAnna and I am more like Jaz so it works perfectly! Even just a simple trip to get our nails done and chat with her makes me so grateful to have a friend like her. She is just genuinely a great person and it shows. Gracie and Jaz also constantly hype me up for no reason and I just love them for that. Everyone needs those people that hype them up and they are those people for me! Each of them has made an impact on me and my experience at Clemson and I am so blessed to have people like that in my life. Having them be a part of my college experience has meant the world to me.”

The next member of this Diamond Family is SaraAnna Goff. Continue reading to hear about the endless love and support she receives from her Diamond Family!

SaraAnna Goff

“Hey y’all!!! My name is SaraAnna Goff! I am a Junior, Early Childhood Education major from a small town called Hartsville, SC. I am in AC ‘19! I ran home to Alpha Delta Pi my sophomore year of college, due to being in the Bridge to Clemson Program. ADPi has brought me nothing but pure happiness since I cried tears of joy running home in August 2019!”

HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR DIAMOND FAMILY?

“WOW!! Where do I begin!? I met Jordan my freshman year here at Clemson and I will never forget the night that I met her! She was nothing but nice, warm, and welcoming. We immediately clicked after we found out we were the same major, wanted to teach the same grade, and I was so jealous that she was an ADPi (I have always wanted to be an ADPi ever since I could remember). I went on Spring Break with Jordan and her friend group the same year, and I knew after a long, fun week at the beach I wanted her to be my Big Diamond Sister. Going through Recruitment, I saw Jordan floating around, which made me really nervous and I wanted to talk to her so badly. When preference round came, I finally got to talk to her!! I was relieved and so happy! When I opened my bid from ADPi on Bid Day, Jordan was one of the first people that I called! When I saw Jordan at the bottom of Barnett, I immediately ran to her, hugging her tightly, and began to cry (tears of joy, of course). I will cherish that day/moment forever, and will always thank ADPi for giving me the best Big Diamond Sister!

Jordan is not only my Big Diamond Sister, but my lifelong sister and best friend who will stand by me on my wedding day. She is my go-to girl no matter what. Whether I need a lesson plan example at 8 A.M., a last minute Mexican/sushi date, or a midnight phone call, Jordan is always there for me! I am going to be so lost without Jordan living 4 houses down from me in The Collective next year and I am also going to miss her showing up at my door wanting to raid my closet unexpectedly. I am forever grateful for Jordan and our close knit relationship. I will always look up to her as she warms every room that she walks in, putting a smile on everyone's face!

Being on the other side of Recruitment, getting Little Diamond Sisters was one of the things that I was most looking forward to! From the start, I knew that I wanted my Little Diamond Sisters to be as close as Jordan and I are. I had no clue that I would be getting not only one, but TWO Little Diamond Sisters!! During Recruitment, I knew that I wanted to have a chance to talk to Gracie, because I knew she would be an amazing addition to our ADPi sisterhood. I knew who Gracie was because her brother and I are the same age. Jordan and I did virtual Recruitment together at my house (she was downstairs and I was upstairs). With that being said, every girl I had a chance to talk to, Jordan talked to her as well. After I got off the Zoom call with Gracie, I immediately knew that I wanted her to be my Little Diamond Sister. I knew that she would be a perfect fit for Jordan’s and my family. A few rounds later, I had a chance to talk to Jazmine. I did not know her or anything about her, however, I immediately fell in love with her after just a couple of minutes. I knew that I HAD to take TWO Little Diamond Sisters. When the round ended Jordan ran up to my room and said “SA you have to take two Little Diamond Sisters!! They are literally perfect!” I agreed and we knew in that moment that Jazmine and Gracie had to go ADPi and love it just as much as we do! When Jazmine and Gracie got their bids from ADPi, I searched hard for their numbers from mutual friends and immediately called them!! I have loved them before the day they officially became my Little Diamond Sisters. Gracie and Jazmine are my biggest fans, they never fail to put a smile on my face, and they know they can always come to me no matter what time of day or night it is. They were the absolute perfect addition to my Diamond Family. Jazmine and Gracie bring light, love, and laughter into my world and I would not have it any other way! They are also my future roomies for the fall of 2021!! Wohoo! I could not have pictured myself with any other Little Diamond Sisters. I like to think I got the best ones!”

What is one quality that you love about your Diamond family?
“One quality that I love about my Diamond Family is that everyone is so supportive. Jordan, Gracie, and Jazmine are so supportive of me and of each other. If one of us is having a hard time doing something or having a bad day, all you have to do is call one of these sweet girls! They are my ROCKS and my support system. One special thing about our family is we are ALWAYS there for each other no matter what. We are constantly texting in our family group chat about each other's day or the latest news. I know that, no matter what, I can always count on my Diamond Family, without any hesitation and I think that is what makes us so special! You cannot be a strong Diamond Family without a good support system!!!!”
What is one thing you look forward to with your Diamond Family?
“I am looking forward to spending as much time as we can, as a Diamond Family, with Jordan before she graduates! Jordan is sadly a Senior graduating in May. She is a major staple to our family and we do not know what we are going to do without having her with us next year as we welcome our newest addition to the fam! Jordan leads our family with grace and compassion. She is our “mother hen.” I am looking forward to many more Diamond Family date nights, movie nights, and photoshoots. I am also looking to have endless sleepovers with Jazmine and Gracie next year because they will be my roomies!! Woohoo! I am so pumped!”

Our next member is Gracie Stockman! Continue reading to hear about her love for Diamond Sisters!

Gracie Stockman

“Hey y’all!! My name is Gracie Stockman, AC ‘20, and I am a sophomore communications major from Tookiedoo, SC. Believe it or not, I grew up a huge USC fan. I never in a million years thought I would end up at Clemson, but now that I am surrounded by all my amazing sisters, I know that I ended up exactly where I am supposed to be! Clemson will always hold a special place in my heart, and so will the Zeta Nu chapter!”

hOW DID YOU MEET YOUR DIAMOND FAMILY?

“I first met my Diamond Twin, “Jaz”, freshman year of college during the first week of school. We lived in the same building, and I have a vivid memory of her knocking on my door and walking right in my apartment and introducing herself! She radiated positivity and I knew she is someone I wanted to surround myself with. We were friends last year, but now, thanks to ADPi, she is my best friend and Diamond Sister, and we are inseparable! I met my Big Diamond Sister, “SA”, through my brother, Turner, who is a junior here at Clemson. My brother met his best friend, Croxton, his freshman year, and he immediately felt like another brother to me as soon as I moved to Clemson. Croxton and SaraAnna are childhood best friends from the same hometown so he was able to introduce me to her! The first time I talked to SaraAnna, she was so sweet, and made me feel so welcomed. Her southern charm is like no other! I knew as soon as I met her that I wanted her to be my Big Diamond Sister! I was able to meet the oldest member of our Diamond Family, “Jo”, through the first round of Recruitment! Talking with Jordan made me realize that ADPi was where I wanted to end up. She told me joining the Zeta Nu chapter changed her life, and this is where she found her home away from home! Although it took me a while to be able to figure out if I was talking to Jordan, or her twin sister Jayden, both of them made me feel right at home when I was going through Recruitment!”

How has your Diamond Family impacted your sophomore year?
“My Diamond Family has had a tremendous impact on my sophomore year! I never knew I could grow so close to three people in such a short period of time. They truly make Clemson feel like my home away from home. I know I can go to them with any problem, and they will give me their honest opinion and advice. My favorite thing about my family has to be that we all live in The Collective, so we stop by and make visits to each other very frequently. Jo lives right beside my brother and SA is only a few houses down! I love having my Diamond Family so close to me at all times! Jaz lives at The Reserve, but she is over at my house enough to actually live there- lol! I love being able to walk over and see my Diamond Family, even if it is just to talk for five minutes, borrow an outfit, or share a laugh! I have gotten so close with them, and I can’t imagine this year without them!”
How are you inspired by your Diamond Family?
“My family constantly inspires me to do my best in everything. That’s what I love about them. No matter what I decide to pursue, they are always there to back me up 110%. They are the best support system!! Along with the constant encouragement, I am also so inspired by the incredible women Jordan and SaraAnna are. They are truly mine and Jazmine’s role models. They embody every aspect of ADPi and I am so proud of everything they have accomplished this far. I am super excited to live with SaraAnna and Jazmine next year, but I don’t know what our Diamond Family will do when Jordan graduates and leaves us :( I hate to see her go, and I will miss her so much, but I am so excited to see her start her life as a teacher. I know she will do GRAND and BIG things!”

Another member within this Diamond Family is Jazmine Rainey. Continue reading to hear how much her Diamond Family and Zeta Nu means to her!

Jazmine Rainey

“Hi!! My name is Jazmine Rainey, AC ‘20, and I am from Greer, South Carolina. I am a sophomore Elementary Education major and I also am an assistant teacher at a local preschool. During Recruitment, I absolutely fell in love with Alpha Delta Pi and my sweet Diamond Family. I am so thankful and blessed to be a part of not only the Clemson family, but also Zeta Nu. I have already fallen so in love with this chapter and can't wait to see what the future holds!”

hOW DID YOU MEET YOUR DIAMOND FAMILY?

“I originally met my Diamond Twin, Gracie, during freshman year. We shared a lot of the same interests and were in a lot of the same classes, so we were able to create a sweet friendship, and that friendship has grown and developed so much thanks to ADPi. Throughout Recruitment, Gracie and I constantly kept in touch and became an outlet for each other to help calm our nerves after the long days of Zoom meetings. When I found out we both wanted ADPi, I was so excited! Throughout the third round of Recruitment, I also met my Big Diamond Sisters, SaraAnna and Jordan. During the Recruitment process, I was so nervous to find girls who I truly fit in with and could relate to, but all of these worries went away after talking to SaraAnna and Jordan. They were so easy to talk and relate to and made me feel so comfortable and at home while I was talking to them. I remember them showing pictures of their favorite memories from their time in ADPi and instantly knew that this was a true sisterhood where everyone was welcome and loved. I remember coming out of this round knowing that ADPi was where I was meant to be and that these sisters were who I wanted to grow relationships with, regardless of if they were in my Diamond Family or not. The next day was preference round and both SaraAnna and Jordan requested to speak with me again. I was so excited! During this conversation, we were all able to connect and share more about ourselves and our past experiences. This was when I knew that I wanted SaraAnna and Jordan to be my Big Diamond Sisters! When Gracie and I turned around and saw that we were twins and SaraAnna was our Big Diamond Sister, we all three were so excited and had to immediately call Jordan. These sweet sisters in my Diamond Family mean the absolute world to me. Thanks to ADPi, Gracie and I have grown so close that we have basically become inseparable, and we have grown so close with SaraAnna to the point where we are moving in with her next year! Jordan is always an outlet for support whether it be through school or outfit advice. I know that each of these girls will be with me after graduation and I'm so thankful that ADPi brought them to me.”

How has your Diamond Family inspired you?
“My Diamond Family has inspired me to become a better version of myself. The beginning of sophomore year had a rocky start, and throughout each trial that I went through, my Diamond Family was there to support me each and every step of the way. They all constantly inspire me to do my best and work hard for what I achieve. I look up to each and every one of them so much. SaraAnna and Jordan have become two very important role models in my life and I am so thankful for them and all of the advice and guidance that they have given me. Not only do they inspire me to apply for positions in ADPi and continue to give back to the chapter, but also they also inspire me to become the best teacher that I can possibly be. I know that they are both going to accomplish amazing things and I can't wait to see what the future holds for them. Gracie has been my rock since day one of Recruitment. She is a constant shoulder to cry on and she is there for me no matter what day it is. This year, she has inspired me, shown me how to stand up for myself, and encouraged me to chase my dreams. Gracie shows me aspects of kindness and compassion that I hope to continue to implement in my life. I'm not sure how I ever survived without her because now she's my person. I cannot fully express how much this Diamond Family means to me and how much they have inspired me and impacted my life.”
What do you admire most about your Diamond Family?
“I love and admire how close my Diamond Family is. Our connection and friendship didn't stop after Recruitment or Diamond Sister reveal. We have continued to grow close and make time for each other throughout every day of the week. We have had several taco nights and movie nights that I will cherish forever. I also admire how real we are with each other, I know that on my worst day I can call each one of these girls and have a support system ready to lift me up. ADPi has truly blessed me with each of these sisters. During Recruitment, everyone says “you'll end up where you're supposed to be” and I am so glad that my place was in ADPi with this sweet Diamond Family. I'm not sure how our family will survive without Jordan next year but I know that we will all continue to be there for each other and have a friendship that will last a lifetime.”

Zeta Nu is so thankful to have this wonderful Diamond Family within our chapter! These girls leave a positive impact on everything they are involved in and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for this Diamond Family!