Posted in :Events Author :
Passionately Rivalicious
Date :
23 April, 2012
The LSU Alumni Assocation Dallas Chapter held their 32nd Annual Crawfish Boil on Saturday April 21, 2012 at Double D Ranch in Mesquite, Texas. It’s always the most anticipated event of the year!!! Fans from LSU and all SEC Universities attended this awesome day of Fun, Food, Music, and Rivalicious® Spirit!
Written By: Rachel – Baylor University Passionately Rivalicious Collegiate Correspondent
I strongly believe that one of the most crucial aspects of life is doing what you are passionate about. First and foremost, I am passionate about God. My parents raised me as a strong Catholic, and coming to a Baptist University has only reinforced the Christian influence in my life. I am so blessed daily to be able to attend school with an amazing group of people who continually show God’s love. The opportunities to serve Christ at Baylor and around the Waco community are endless. I have had the opportunity to participate in a program called Poverty Simulation through Mission Waco, which allowed me to first-hand experience the trials of a homeless person. I have grown so much stronger in my Christian faith just by being at Baylor, surrounded by a loving community that encourages me.
Secondly, I am passionate about my family, sorority sisters, and friends. My family has been such a huge influence on my life. My wonderful mother and father have supported me though all my endeavors; they have taken me to countless dance rehearsals, attended all my recitals and dance competitions, woken up at 5 am to take to me a cross country race, edited my papers for English throughout grade school, quizzed me with flashcards for all my tests, and even helped encourage me throughout my most stressful weeks in college. My sister Sarah has been a huge role model in my life, showing me the epitome of a classy, put-together, and motivated woman. She is such an amazing and loving person, and I am so proud of all that she has accomplished through her four years of college. I hope that one day I can be as accomplished and driven as she is.
Just this past January, I was accepted into the most amazing group of women I have ever met. Since day one of meeting the women of Kappa Alpha Theta at Baylor University, I have known that this was where I was meant to be. I have developed some of the most incredible friendships and participated in some of the most fun, and life-changing, activities. These girls are the funniest, best dancing, loudest, craziest, most loving, caring, supportive, intelligent, and beautiful group of women I could ever hope to be associated with. I would do anything for my sisters, and I know that they would do anything for me. Someday I hope to hold a leadership position in Theta and be able to represent this amazing sorority to the Baylor campus and nationwide.
I would not be able to accomplish anything without the continuous support from my four best friends from high school and all of my new friends here at Baylor. Their encouragement and love motivates me daily to give 100% in all aspects of my life. They push me to become a better person, continually show God’s love, get better grades in all my classes, experience new things, serve others, and strengthen all the relationships in my life. Just being here at Baylor University has transformed me into a much more mature and focused person. I know that the relationships I have already formed here, and have yet to form, will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Third, I am passionate about dance. Ever since I was three years old, I have been ritually attending dance rehearsal every week for countless hours. I can’t even count how many costumes I’ve worn, recitals I’ve performed in, competitions I’ve competed in, and memories I’ve made. I have always seen dance as a way of expressing myself. Dance has been an outlet for me to relieve my stress and forget about anything wrong in my life. I had the incredible opportunity to dance on my high school’s dance team, where I met two of my best friends. The girls I danced with were always so supportive and passionate. We all loved to dance, which is why we dedicated our whole lives to it, and that’s what connected us to one another. This past year has been hard since I stopped dancing after my senior year of high school. Thankfully, I got the chance to rekindle some of my passion for dancing just this past weekend when I participated in a stepping/dancing competition called Stompfest for Theta at Baylor University. No matter what age I am, I will always enjoy dancing and all the great memories that come with it.
Lastly, I am passionate about academics. I have always worked incredibly hard in my classes, graduating in the top 10% of my senior class and being involved in two honors programs at Baylor. But besides the fact that I have always done well, I actually enjoy the work. At Baylor, I am majoring in Psychology with a math minor and am also Pre-Med. I would not be able to complete all of the schoolwork required for these three paths without being passionate about each and every one of them. My dad received his PhD in Psychology and has been the one to get me interested in Psychology in the first place. Math has always been my best subject, and I’m glad I finally get the chance to get a degree in it. I am so passionate about helping others; that’s the main reason why I want to be a doctor. I want to be able to diagnose and help treat people with various ailments. I want to help save a person’s life.
I think that being passionate about various aspects of your life can only help better you. For me, being passionate motivates me to be smarter, be stronger, and be a better person. I wouldn’t be at Baylor, in a sorority, or have nearly as many opportunities as I do if I wasn’t passionate about so many things in my life or if I didn’t have my family and friends to support me.
Written By: Jenna – Baylor University Passionately Rivalicious Collegiate Correspondent
Video By: BU Student Productions Baylor University – Waco, Texas
Coming home for Winter Break gave me time to look back on my first semester as a Baylor Bear. The amazing friendships I built so quickly, all the exciting football games, and the freedom of living on your own, I thought to myself how could I top this incredible semester? Little did I know, Spring Semester would be even better!
It all started off with Rush. Rush was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had in my entire life. Going from sorority to sorority, nonstop talking, and meeting new Freshman was one of the most fun and nerve-racking experiences. I made so many new friends in those three days of Rush than I had all semester! Then there was the feeling of being wanted in a group and the excitement of seeing all the skits, songs, and slideshows and thinking that could be me next year! The best day of Rush would definitely be Bid Day. Bid Day is by far the most emotional day, because you find out what sorority your going to be in. I remember it like it was yesterday, sitting in a circle with my Rush Group with the envelope that had my name on it waiting anxiously to open it up. Immediately when I opened it girls who also got into the same sorority as me ran up to me welcoming me with open arms. It was like we had an instant bond and it just felt right.
Then, there was spring break. I got the privilege to go to Florida with thirty of my sorority sisters! Having lots of girls in a house for a week made me a little nervous, but the trip couldn’t have gone better. Spring Break is perfect timing because by the weathers getting warm and everyone needs a break from school and re-focus when they come back. I was close with my Pledge Class before going on this trip, but living with these thirty girls, relaxing on the beach all day, and going out to dinners at night I feel like these girls were family now. I truly believe that this week spent together was life changing for everyone and I could really see the change when we got back to Baylor. I never had to go alone anywhere, there was always a Sister there that would do something with me, whether it was grab lunch or go to the library or just have a movie night, someone was always willing to give up their time to hang out with me. For me, Spring Break was a time to get my mind off of school and focus on building friendships within my sorority.
After coming back from Spring Break and slowly getting back into all the dreadful schoolwork, the only thing to look forward to was March Madness! Thankfully, Baylor was privileged with having both the Men’s and Women’s Basketball Teams make it to the Elite Eight! It seemed like everything on campus was put on pause during these games and that everyone was watching and cheering on their Baylor Bears! It was amazing to see that even though our teams were playing in different states, Baylor’s Fans were still so supportive of them. This really showed when our Women’s Basketball Team did what’s never been done before. The Baylor 2012 Women’s Basketball Team went 40-0, winning the National Championship. With the moto of “Unfinished Business” all season, they had finally finished business. The star Brittney Griner led her team all season long, never even letting opponents close to having a chance to win. Immediately after the victory, thousands of students gathered on 10th street to celebrate the Undefeated Season, and the best part of this all is every single starter is coming back next year!
Spring Semester was even better than the Fall. There was never a weekend that something wasn’t going on and there were always things to look forward to. It has flown by and summers almost here! The things left to look forward to are Dia del oso, “the day of the bear”, where we get school off on Thursday to celebrate Baylor, Exams, & Summer. I can’t wait for my Sophomore year, when I will be welcoming the incoming Freshman! Go Bears – Sic ‘em! Go Greek!
Written By: Ashley Guglielmo Southern Methodist University (SMU) Graduate Public Relations and Communications Major
It seems like yesterday when I chose my Father’s Alma Mater over many other fabulous Southern schools in magical far away places. It’s a scary yet exciting time that I am reliving now as my niece makes this same, important decision. Southern Methodist University (SMU) offered the best of what I was looking for in a college and it just may be perfect for you too!
Imagine a quaint, inviting campus with a small and nurturing college-town feel nestled in a vibrant, big and bustling city where adventure and opportunity await. SMU is just that … situated in the quiet enclave of Highland Park, it is as a gem in the bright lights of Big D. As a student, you can study or tailgate amidst the beautiful tree-lined boulevard on a campus that offers all of the comforts of home, or venture out and discover new-found freedoms of life, on your own, through all that Dallas has to offer … world-class sporting events and venues, a wide variety of restaurants, many parks, lakes and ranches for weekend fun, amazing shopping, gorgeous museums and many other cultural spots of interest. The students of SMU are as vibrant and diverse as the campus and city itself. My friends came from far and wide, and included sorority girls and non-Greeks, a prima ballerina, artists, a member of the very successful Mustang tennis team, and even an actress, all of whom graduated and have gone on to become successful television anchors, interior designers, corporate ladder-climbers, small-business owners, mothers and so much more. SMU’s accomplished professors, as well as Dallas’ robust business economy, ensure that experience and success, across all of the varied academic fields and majors, is there for the taking. Unique opportunities in this type of a college town include internships, interview opportunities, and career connections that last a lifetime.
For the college and its city, my friends and experiences, I know I chose the right university for me. SMU gave me all I have mentioned, as well as a strong degree in Public Relations and Communications, which has blossomed into a successful career. It gave me the chance to join three generations in my family as a Tri Delta, eventually serving as President. I even credit SMU for giving me my wonderful husband, Carey, with whom I now have two incredible children. I am proud to be part of the rich history and tradition of SMU, and hope to share my passion and love for the school with my son and daughter in the future. I also hope to spread my Mustang pride and spirit among you – our PR friends. Go Ponies!
