Introduction

Unlike the girls you see on TikTok from Bama, WashU sororities host recruitment during the month of January. This means that I have just finished my final recruitment for Kappa Delta Sorority. That is an incredibly difficult and painful sentence to write since it means that my time as an active member of Kappa Delta is coming to an end. Since I accepted my bid in January 2023, I have gotten countless questions from people asking why I joined a sorority and became a “sorority girl”. For a while, I did not know how to answer these questions other than to say that I was looking for life-long female friendships, and I had a family friend who encouraged me to try it out. Even today, I do not honestly know how to answer it because there are so many factors that went into not only joining but staying in my sorority. I think that the best way to answer this question now is to give you the letters I have written to Kappa Delta. For Recruitment every year, the members of Kappa Delta are asked to write a letter, and some of them are chosen to be read out loud during the final round. These letters have always been extremely important to me because they have been my avenue for expressing my devotion and love not only to my sorority but to my sorority sisters. I have had the honor of reading two of my letters out loud during Recruitment and I loved both those opportunities because I saw it as my way of thanking my sorority and my sorority sisters. Today, I am all three of my Dear Kappa Delta letters with you all in hopes that it helps you get a better understanding of why I became a “sorority girl”. 

Dear KD Letter 2024

Dear Kappa Delta,

As the daughter of a mathematician, numbers hold a strong importance in my life. They help me make sense of the world and realize what is important. There are so many numbers that represent my love for Kappa Delta. I would like to share with you the ones that are the most important to me. 

 I begged my parents for a sister when I was younger. While I never got that sister I so desperately wanted, I did gain 50 sisters when I joined Kappa Delta. It is slightly cliché to say but it is true. They welcomed me into the sisterhood from the moment that I accepted my bid and they have continued to welcome me. They comfort me when I get hit in the head by a stray football during Shamrock. They build up my confidence through their love and support. Maybe my parents knew that I would have more sisters than I could imagine when I joined a sorority like Kappa Delta. 

I am part of a beautiful trio that includes my big and my twin. Our trio brings me so much joy. Nicole, you have taught me leadership and to never limit my potential. Lily, you are such a kind soul who teaches me so much about how I should be using my money (and reminding me to pay my dues on time). The three of us are a family and I am so excited to see our family continue to grow. 

Two is one of my favorite numbers. It is one of my favorites because I have two of the best roommates a girl could ask for. Alisa and Marissa, you help me see that college is not only about classes but also about having fun. From messy canvas painting to game nights that do not end until 2:00 am, I find myself unable to stop laughing when we hang out. You are always there for me when I need a shoulder to cry on. I am forever grateful for your friendship, and I will miss you all (and our painted table) when I study abroad next semester. 

These numbers are just the tip of the iceberg. And any mathematician can tell you that numbers are never-ending, just like there is no end to the love, support, encouragement, and care that is present in Kappa Delta. There is no number I could attribute to the way that Kappa Delta has changed me as a person. I am more confident, more intelligent, and more loved because of Kappa Delta. There are not enough numbers to express my gratitude to Kappa Delta and all the members of the Theta Beta chapter. 

Dear KD Letter 2025

Dear Kappa Delta,

Even though I am a dedicated English major, I was raised by a nurse practitioner. I would spend summer days in my mom’s office and her co-workers would teach me about different internal organs. While it might sound kind of strange, I think that a sorority works like a human body. Everyone is an important organ that works to keep the organization surviving and thriving. I want to share with you my vital people from Kappa Delta that have shaped me into who I am today. 

My lungs are all of my sorority sisters. I was having a hard time finding where I belonged during my freshman year. Every single sister in Kappa Delta breathed life into me when I needed it the most. Rachel and Kiely, thank you for dealing with my horribly timed comments about the male dancers at The Muny last summer. Ellie, thank you for introducing me to Burrio for an unforgettable Big/Little celebration. Sophie, thank you for hyping up my weird final essay topic in our Language in Society class. Jaime, thank you for explaining to me the very confusing rules of hockey. I could continue to list every single girl here because all of you feel like a breath of fresh air. 

My brain is those girls that I have been lucky enough to call roommates. They are the ones who guide me through life, especially when times are difficult or stressful. Alisa, I love all the sweet treat runs we go on, and I know so many more Britany Spears songs because of you. Marissa, I love it when we nerd out about theatre together, and thank you for finding our apartment for next year when I was in London. Sarah, you have the unique ability to always make me laugh, and you are always there when I need you the most. You all are a central part of my life and I am so excited for all the adventures we will get into this year. 

My heart is my family. They are the ones who deliver much-needed love into my life. Lily, even though you are thousands of miles away, you continue to be there for me in so many ways. I cannot wait to see you next year and we can trade study abroad stories. Avie, from the moment I met you during Recruitment last year, I knew that you would be my Little. Words cannot describe how lucky I am to be your Big and I cannot wait to make more memories with you this semester. Nicole, it will truly feel like a part of my heart is missing when you graduate this year. You have been my rock these past three years and I could not wish for a better mentor, better friend, or better sister. I love you all from the bottom of my heart. 

I do not know much about the human body, but I know a lot about Kappa Delta. Kappa Delta has changed me as a person in so many ways. You all have supported me in ways that I struggle to even put into words. I have learned so much about the importance of female friendship through our sisterhood. Each member of the Theta Beta chapter has touched my life in a uniquely beautiful way, and I do not know who I would be without your continuous love and support. 

Dear KD Letter 2026

Dear Kappa Delta, 

Since I was little, I knew two things about myself. First, I love to read. Second, I want to call myself a sorority girl. These two facts of my life have followed me from middle school to college, where I am now both an English major and a sister of Kappa Delta. As an English major, I am required to read a lot of books; however, I constantly return to romance novels. While it might seem a bit silly, my time at Kappa Delta has been a whirlwind romance, albeit a slightly different one than boy-meets-girl. Today, I want to share with you the romance tropes that I see embodied in my time at Kappa Delta.

Kappa Delta is the “love at first sight” trope. I knew from the moment that I walked into Kappa Delta that I would end up calling these girls my sisters. I called my mom to say I finally found girls who make me feel fully loved and fully known. Olivia, it truly meant the world to me that you came to my fundraiser in November to support a cause that is so near and dear to my heart. Kiely, I love how we can look at each from across the room and instantly know what each other is thinking. These feelings of love grown stronger each the year I have called myself a sister of Kappa Delta. 

Kappa Delta is the “soulmates” trope. I did not know what was missing in my life until I met three very important sisters. Marissa, deciding to answer your text message asking for another roommate is one of the best decisions of my life. You were one of the very first people who made Kappa Delta feel like a home with your warmth. Alisa, you never fail to brighten my day. I can turn to you when I need someone to drag me out of my shell. Sarah, we always joke that we are the same person, just a different font, but it truly feels like you are a long-lost sister. Words cannot describe the profound impact you have had on my life even if I had all the time in the world to tell you. The three of you made me believe that soulmates actually exist.  

Kappa Delta is the “found family” trope. This sorority has given me a family that I cannot imagine my life without. Avie, the minute I met you during Recruitment two years ago, I knew you would be my Little. You are one of the biggest gifts I have ever received. Sydney, I am so proud of you for being our Vice President of Inclusion, and you will make a true difference in this chapter with your kindness and passion. Florence, you have such a beautiful heart and loving soul that shines through in everything that you do. Alisa, you light up every room you walk into because you are an absolute ray of sunshine. Finally, to the baby of our family, Nicky, I was so excited when Alisa told me that you were joining our family. I am so excited to see our family continue to grow this year. 

As a senior, I know that this chapter of my life is ending. But like any good book, the closing pages should not be sad. After all, don’t we read romance novels for the happy ending? When I look back on my years in Kappa Delta, I see a story overflowing with love and growth. It is full of the kind of magic that makes a reader linger on the last page, not willing to close the book. I do not think that I am ready to close this book either. However, I know I will leave Kappa Delta a more confident, more loved, and more passionate woman. My time as the writer of my Kappa Delta story is ending, but I cannot wait to cheer each of my sisters on as they write the chapters still ahead.