February + March Recap

Lauren Anderson, Kendall Goedeke, Laura Talton & Audrey Kellan - AC ‘17

February and March have been nothing but busy here in Clemson from our studies, to all the events and activities going on! The long cold winter is starting to turn over and spring is FINALLY here! From sisterhood events, to RMH visits in Greenville, to Black Diamond Formal and finally ending the month traveling all over for spring break with our sisters, its safe to say that lots has been happening for Zeta Nu! Read below for more details on the highlights from the past two months!

Night to Shine

To start off the month of February, some of our sisters had the opportunity to serve at the Tim Tebow Foundation’s 5th annual Night to Shine, which is an unforgettable prom night experience celebrating friends with special needs in the local community, and around the world! We are especially proud of our sister who looked absolutely stunning; you shine EVERYDAY! At the event, our sisters volunteered alongside many others to help create a night to remember. This was a humbling opportunity that brought smiles to all of our faces! Read more below from Ashleigh, Georgia and Emily on their experience at Night to Shine this year!

Ashleigh Gwarjanski, Ac ‘15

“I volunteered for Night to Shine two years ago and was so excited to be able to experience it again! I love getting to sing karaoke, dance, and celebrate with friends with special needs. It is a blast and one of my favorite nights of the year!”

Georgia Garner, Ac ‘18

“Being able to come together at Night to Shine and celebrate the joy, unconditional love, and resilience of the special needs community was such an amazing opportunity. The smiles on each of the buddy’s faces as they walked down the red carpet to the dance floor was such a heartwarming moment. Watching all the ADPi’s escort their buddies down the red carpet made me so proud of the people I call sisters. I am so proud to be a part of an organization that spreads love and kindness not only on campus, but also throughout the Clemson community to all people! I was overwhelmed by the intentional love, patience, and time each sister shared with their buddies, and how much their buddies clearly appreciated it beyond measure. Our own sister, Pi Chi looked so beautiful in her prom dress and represented ADPi like a queen! This community deserves to be celebrated every day and serving them on their special night is something I will be grateful for forever!”

Emily Bryant, AC ‘17

“ I’m so thankful I was able to participate in Night to Shine, it was such an incredible night that I will never forget! It was awesome to see all the smiling faces of the participants and the fun had by everyone. It was one of the best nights ever!! I look forward to attending in future years and would encourage everyone to participate because it’s such an amazing experience.”

Valentine’s Cocktail

All the LOVE for our Valentine’s Day Cocktail crush party! We got to spend the night dancing away with Delta Delta Delta at Amici Clemson. Who doesn’t love Valentine’s Day when you get to dress up in pinks and reds dancing the night away with all your best girls?!

2018 Programming Excellence Awards!

This past year, we have been honored to accept the following Programming Excellence Awards from Alpha Delta Pi Executive Office in 2018! We are so proud of our chapter’s accomplishments thus far and all that we stand for. We cannot wait to see what 2019 has in store for Zeta Nu! Read below for the awards we received and a word from our 2019 President, Emory DeVolder!

Alumnae Relations excellence

finance excellence

Philanthropy Excellence

Recruitment + Marketing Excellence

Scholarship Excellence

TME Excellence

Best Financial Management

Most money raised for RMHC

Best chapter retreat

0% accounts receivable

100% alpha retention

100% of senior profiles verified

“I could not be prouder to announce that our chapter was able to win not one, but TWELVE Programming Excellence Awards from Alpha Delta Pi Executive Office for 2018. We have the most incredible members, officers, and alumnae and this truly would not be possible without each of them. The awards are superlatives for the best in the district that range from Best Financial Management and Most Money Raised for Ronald McDonald House Charities to Scholarship Excellence and and Total Membership Education Excellence. Our chapter shines no matter what, but these awards make us extra proud to call Zeta Nu our own.“ -Emory DeVolder, President (2019), AC ‘16

Ronald McDonald House trips to Greenville

Throughout the month, our sisters have opportunities to serve at the Ronald McDonald House of the Carolinas in Greenville, SC! This is such a sweet chance that we have to love and make an impact on these families, and it brings smiles to our faces to get to spend time with them. Each trip we make either a home-cooked dinner or cookies for the families to enjoy. It warms our hearts to have this opportunity to be hands on for our philanthropy and we are so proud of our RMH chair who organizes all these trips for our chapter, thank you Audrey for all your hard work! Read more below from Madeline and Mary Kathryn’s visits to the house, and from Audrey’s experience and reason for becoming our RMH chair. Ronald McDonald House, you hold a special place in our hearts forever!

“Alpha Delta Pi has helped me open my eyes to so many different opportunities, but most of all within the Ronald McDonald House. I didn’t know much about our philanthropy until my freshmen year when I started visiting the Ronald McDonald House of the Carolinas in Greenville to cook dinner and bake cookies. I started to become more aware of what it provided for families with sick children and I realized how amazing RMH really is. Alpha Delta Pi is so involved within the Ronald McDonald house. We sponsor a room in the house and raise money for the families every year. In addition to that, we go to the house twice a month to cook dinner and bake cookies. We also donate thousands of pop tabs to the house every year. My favorite part about our philanthropy is having the Ronald McDonald House of the Carolinas so close to our campus, just 45 minutes away in Greenville. It is like a home away from home for us ADPi’s as well. Whenever we go to cook or bake we are so welcomed and appreciated. We love seeing the small impact we can make by donating a few hours of our day to give back to such an amazing organization. Being the Ronald McDonald House chair has been such a rewarding experience. I am able to work closely with the staff of the Greenville Ronald McDonald House and provide for the families as much as possible.” - Audrey Kellan, Ronald McDonald House Chair, AC ‘17

“I love going to the Ronald McDonald House of the Carolinas because I get to contribute to a good cause while spending time with my sisters. It’s a great feeling knowing that we can relieve some stress from these families by simply putting a meal on the table, something much of us take for granted. I know that by doing this, we are making a difference in the lives of these families and I look forward to going as often as I can!” -Madeline Bynum, AC ‘16

“I love going to the house because it allows me to bond with my sisters and also gives me the chance to meet the families staying in the house. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to serve the Ronald McDonald House of the Carolinas!” -Mary Kathryn Corley, AC ‘17

Black Diamond FORMAL!

Hadley Dowel, Elizabeth Jones, Carly Grace Bodge - AC ‘18

Happy Formal Season! Black Diamond Formal, held on March 1st this year, kicked off the month the best way we know how… a night with ALL our sisters! This year’s formal was held at Occasions at Wedgefield and was the most quaint and beautiful venue. It was such a memorable night for Zeta Nu and we already wish we could relive the night all over again! BIG shoutout to our Director of Social Enrichment, Grace DeWulf, for planning the most unforgettable night! Read more below from some of our sisters’ first and last formal experiences!

Elizabeth jones, Ac ‘18

“My favorite thing to do with my sisters is to get dressed up and have a night all together with all of our dates. Throughout the year we have all been to events with so many different organizations, so it was so fun getting to have everyone together in one space. All of the pictures, laughs on the bus, and crazy dance moves made for a night I’ll never forget!”

Kat Lenti, AC ‘15

“Being a senior at your last formal, reality kind of hits and you start to realize that this could be one of the last times that you are with all of your favorite people, in the same place, at the same time. It makes you really take advantage of every second in that night, enjoying every moment and not missing a beat. There is something special about being able to look around and seeing all the people you love, so in the moment and having a blast together. It really makes you feel grateful for these last special moments like formal to be able to celebrate the last four years with the people that have been by your side since the beginning.”

Sallie Wigginton, AC ‘17

“This formal was bittersweet because it was the last one, but you know what they say- last one, best one! I loved getting to dress up & dance the night away with my best friends! Formal is by far the best function, and one I will never forget!”

Superlatives!

Every year our sisters nominate each other for superlatives that are presented the night of formal! It makes for a great way to award our sisters on their fun personalities. Below is a list in order of alpha class (2016, 2017, 2018) of this year’s winners!

Pi or Die: Sallie McLeod, Lizzie Kennedy, Anna Rhett Allen

Bachelorette: Kelly Cabaniss, Laura Talton, Hannah Laura Jordan

Fun Aunt: Charley Manley, Audrey Kellan, Helen Williamson

Womance: Emory DeVolder & Josie Phillips, Pi Chi & Abby Cowsert, Arlena Kiriakides & Mary Crosby Spiers

Cat Lady: Lauren Mossburg, MC Mauney, Caroline Alford

Fire on AUX: Pi Chi, Grace DeWulf, Elizabeth Jones

Love at First Sight: Abby Brownell, Arrington Schulz, Aly Harvey

Reality TV: Emily Anne Godbold, Logan Conness, Ryann Buckelew

Bust Down: Elizabeth Ray, Keegan Beane, Julia Daniel

Workout: Abby Palmquist, Grace Pouch, Bella Cook

Dance Marathon

This year some of our sisters also had the opportunity to serve at Clemson Miracle’s Dance Marathon! It was held on March 2nd from 10am-10pm on Clemson’s campus at Fike Recreation Center. Their mission was to raise money to help sick and injured kids in our local community get the care they need. They raised not only funds, but awareness for the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, to ultimately help treat these children within our area who are in need and provide them with life-saving care. This year’s total raised was $230,759.48! We are so proud of all our sisters who volunteered to help reach that goal FTK! Read more below from senior, Caroline Welch, and freshman, Mary Whit Blakeney on their experiences this year at Dance Marathon!

“This year I participated in my fourth and final Clemson Miracle Dance Marathon. Outside of ADPi, Clemson Miracle has been the most meaningful and life-changing organization that I have had the pleasure of belonging to. Clemson Miracle is Clemson University’s largest student-run philanthropic benefitting Prisma Health Upstate’s Children’s Hospital (formerly known as GHS Children’s Hospital). We fundraise all year long and celebrate our efforts with our 12-hour, no sitting, no sleeping Dance Marathon (DM). These funds will go directly towards a camp endowment to send children in the hospital to specialized camps that can accommodate for their illnesses and towards funding the Canine F.E.T.C.H. Unit facility dogs that work in the hospital. These four highly-trained pups, Vivi, Kalle, King, and Kenzie, bring comfort and companionship to kids undergoing treatment and their families. This year, I was honored to serve on the executive board alongside my sisters Blakeley Yandle (PC 16) and Mary Kathryn Brown (PC 16). As Morale Chair, I was responsible for keeping spirits high about our cause, conducting weekly meetings with our 50-member hype squad known as our Morale Team, and helping to make up an 8 minute line dance and teaching it at Dance Marathon. It was so much fun to have Beth Chard (PC 16), Kylie Meyer (PC 16), and Tatum Sass (PC 17) on my committee! At Dance Marathon, we have hundreds of Miracle Makers come out to fundraise for the kids and to have a great time! Participants play games, learn the Morale Team line dance, watch entertainment, and get to hear directly how their fundraising makes a difference from our Miracle Kids and their families. When I attended my first DM as a freshman, we raised over $70,000. This year, we were able to raise over $230,000 for the kids at Prisma Health. It has been an honor to be apart of that growth and to see all the Miracles Clemson has made for the kids. FTK forever!” -Caroline Welch, AC’ 15

“This was my first Dance Marathon and what a rewarding experience it was for me, yet it wasn’t about me at all. It was about reassuring these special kids and their families that they are not alone. It was about giving hugs, sharing stories & smiles, and dancing our hearts out FTK. Raising money that goes directly to the Children’s Hospital of GHS to help these kids get through some of the hardest times is such a special way to give back. I am so lucky to have had the chance to be a part of such an inspiring event, and I can’t wait to do it all again next year. FTK All Ways, Always.” - Mary Whit Blakeney, AC’ 18

Spring Break, YOU’RE THE BEST!

Time to pack up the cars and grab our passports because SPRING BREAK is finally here! It was a sweet Spring Break, that we always wish could be just a little longer! Whether it was in Florida, Philadelphia, the Bahamas or Paris, traveling the world is always sweeter with our sisters by our side. Nothing better than cruising on boats and jet ski’s while soaking up the warm spring weather! Some of our sisters even got the opportunity to serve on a mission trip in Philadelphia, PA with Clemson’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes. There they had the opportunity to serve and minister to the local community and help with multiple needs within the city. What an amazing way to spend a spring break, we are so proud of our sisters! A little break from school is good for the soul, but we are glad to be back in the best town ever… Clemson we missed you! Read more below from of some our sisters travels!

“For spring break I traveled to Europe to visit a few of my friends who are studying abroad! I first went to Dublin where I got to celebrate St. Patricks day with the Irish! After that I went to Barcelona and then to Paris. My favorite part of my trip was getting to see the Cliffs of Moher in Dublin, a panoramic view of Barcelona at sunset, and of course the Eiffel Tower in Paris. I had the best time and hopefully can go back soon!!“

-Joanna Lilly, AC ‘16

“I spent my Spring Break in Rosemary Beach, Florida with eleven of my best friends! Some of us started out the trip in an uber that was out of gas and then found ourselves toting our luggage down the streets of the beautiful Rosemary area! However, this only started the memories of the week! We had such a great time from morning walks on the beach to laying out listening to music and eating the best food! It was such a great experience that brought us all closer together and gave me another reason why I love ADPi!”

-Emma Gray Covington, AC ‘17

Emily Lenning on the FCA Mission Trip in Philadelphia, PA!

“In Philadelphia my group and I went to a neighborhood in South Philly and picked up trash all week. At first I wasn’t too excited to pick up trash because I thought it wasn’t going to make that big of an impact but I ended up having such a fun time with my group! We had the opportunity to talk to a lot of locals and be a blessing to the people of South Philly. So many people came out to thank us and it was really sweet to be able to serve the Lord through something as simple as picking up trash. I honestly feel like the people of Philadelphia impacted me more than I could ever impact them. The overall experience was so humbling and I’m so thankful that my team and I could serve the people around us!”

-Emily Lenning, AC ‘18

That's a wrap on the months of February and March for Zeta Nu! Make sure to keep up with us on Instagram, VSCO, and Facebook to see more of our sisterhood, what we’re up to and to find out when our next blog post is up!