Dear Potential New Member: letters from our sisters

This time is tough for all of our sisters, friends, families, and for YOU! We are so saddened to know that your last memories of highschool, some of the best memories to be made, were taken from you almost overnight. While your heads are hanging low as you process the emotions of cancelation after cancelation after cancelation, we can't help but want to send encouragement your way! Some of our sisters have written a letter to you, for you. Take these words in, and let them be a light in the darkness & believe that THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!

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Dear Potential New Members, I cannot even begin to fathom how you feel right now or what you are going through. I know that you are missing out on the best part of senior year, the downhill slope. As someone who was in your exact position this time last year, I know that some of you are so mad and bitter that “everyone else gets the opportunity to walk across the stage so why don’t I?” or “I spent all that money on a dress to not even get to wear it.” Trust me, I would be the exact same way.

Please do not let this ruin the BEST parts of the journey you’re about to start! I pray that every one of you is blessed enough to have the freshman experience I had this past year. We are so ready to meet you and love on you after this crazy experience! I pray that you all find peace during this difficult time! Stay cocky;) “The pain you’ve been feeling, can’t compare to the joy that is coming.” -Romans 8:18 With love, Logan Linville, PC ‘19

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Dear Potential New Member,

How crazy these times are for all of us!!! I know it is so easy for you to get down and mad at all the experiences that were taken from you, but while this isn’t the ending you imagined over the last four years, take charge of this situation and make it yours! Don’t let it own you and ruin your last few months at home.

If you’re feeling like it ended too soon, you didn’t get enough time to say goodbye, or like you just aren’t ready for the best four years of your life (so far) to be over, I can surely say that I felt those same feelings two years ago when I graduated. College has been the greatest, most rewarding adventure I have ever experienced, and I hope that it will be all of that and more for you this fall! As you spend each day at home, make the most of this situation!! Facetime your friends as much as you can (because what else is there to do?), love on your pets (you'll miss them tons when you move to college) and start dorm shopping now (online, of course!!). Document your quarantine, one day these memories will be funny to look back on and share. Reach out to the girl you follow that will be on campus in the fall, it's never too early to make friends :) Most of all, get excited for the future!! I promise this next chapter is filled with adventure!

All my Love,

Avery-Anna, PC '18

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Dear PNM's, As I’m sure you’ve already learned, time keeps moving whether we want it to or not. And, nothing is ever guaranteed in this life, even the things we thought would last forever. Coming from a senior myself, I am so heartbroken for each one of you that the end of your senior year was taken away from you. It’s not fair that you had to miss grad parties, prom, graduation, and so much more. I am feeling the same way as I’ll never get my last formal, alumni ceremony, or graduation. Although life looks different and scary right now, I can promise you the best is yet to come.Throughout my life, from elementary to high school, I always had my close group of girl friends that I leaned on. I was also super close to my family, and I was about to be moving two hours away to a place where I didn’t know a single other girl. I knew I wanted to go through recruitment, but I never expected a group of girls to feel like family so quickly.

When you go through recruitment, make sure you keep your mind and heart open, and make the decision based on who you think will be your home away from home, your support system, and lifelong best friends.My sisters in Phi Mu have loved and supported me from the moment I met them. These girls have walked by my side through the happiest and darkest days of my life. They were there to shower me with love and comfort when I lost my daddy and sister in a car wreck. They were there to push me to run for a position on exec and become Vice President of an incredible chapter. They were there to be silly with me and have fun with me. They were there to support me and my mom when we found out she had cancer. They were to celebrate with me when I got engaged, and several of them are going to be there to stand by my side on my big day.Life can throw all sorts of curveballs your way- both exciting and heartbreaking. What matters is who is there to stand by your side and love you no matter the circumstances. Although my heart is heavy that I don’t get to finish out my senior year with my sisters, I know that it doesn’t matter where life takes us because our bond will never be broken. So try to keep your chin up during all the madness, and know that the best is yet to come for you in these next four years.

Love,

Sam Smith, PC '16

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Dear Potential New Members,

My heart is aching that your senior year came to a halt, and you weren’t aware of the “lasts” you had already made. It has been heavy on my mind during these times because I cannot imagine the heartache you have endured. I, too, am starting to feel the “lasts” again as I take on my senior year.

I encourage you to know that the “firsts” of your college experiences and rushing bring you joy, memories, and so much laughter. As you process your emotions, I hope you know that I am thinking about you, and we, as a chapter, are preparing to make it the best semester you can imagine. We are all SO ready to be back on campus, and we hope you will be alongside us!

Sincerely,

Annabelle Shelly, PC '17

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Dear PNM, As your high school career is coming to a close, you have quickly learned that life can unexpedly become unfair, and that hurts, it hurts that there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it. I know that you are struggling with loss and so, so much disappointment. Sometimes the bad days are just there to remind us that we have good ones to look forward to, that the worst is behind us, or at least that's how I'm trying to look at it. At JSU, you will have the chance to write a new story, one where you are in control of each page. Some of your best days haven’t happened yet, with amazing girls that you haven’t even met just yet. Last year, I was feeling the same way you are right now when it comes to uncertainty and excitement for the future. When I got to Jacksonville, I quickly formed a bond with my sisterhood; a sisterhood that lifts me up and helps me find my strengths. We are there for each other, helping each other to navigate this chaotic time in our lives that is

full of so many firsts and lasts, and everything in between. Greek life gives you the opportunity to meet so many amazing girls that will inspire you and create a lifetime of memories with you. These are the girls who you will want (and at times, need) by your side during so many of those “firsts". I have learned something very valuable during this crazy time of college life being distant and on hold -- even though I may not be face to face with my sisters, we are always heart to heart. Staying in touch, supporting each other, making plans for the future, knowing that this is just a bump in our amazing journey. We know this is a chaotic time for everyone, but we also know this illness that is disorienting our lives will be gone soon enough. We, as a sisterhood, will come home to Jacksonville only to pick up where we left off. I am so excited for you and I hope you can find your sorority family and home away from home just as I have in Phi Mu.

Love,

Macy, PC '19

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Dear Potential New Member, I am so sorry that your senior year ended in such an unexpected way. There is definitely a lot happening in the world right now, and unfortunately, the ripple effects have taken a lot from you. I pray that you find true friendships and have the best experiences in these next four years of college to make up for all you have missed!

My greatest advice to you is to trust me when I say, the best is yet to come. Now hurry to Jacksonville, because we cannot wait to meet all of you in a few short months. Go Gamecocks! “The Lord will guide you always.” Isaiah 58:11 With Love, Peyton Suco, PC '18 Membership Director