DEAR PARENTS
Students are our future, and we understand the importance and deep care families have for those who are navigating the complicated world of university. At Panhellenic Sororities, we care about your concerns and are here to provide clarity to your questions, and spaces for your children and relatives to grow into their fullest potential.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT…
Dear Parents,
Hello! I just wanted to take a moment and recognize how inspiring it is that you’re taking an interest in your child’s interests and the opportunities that await them at University. I know that without my family’s support in my capabilities and niche hobbies, I wouldn’t be nearly as happy as I am now.
When I enrolled at the University of Alberta - I was the first, eldest daughter of my family to do so, and even more, the first to navigate a STEM faculty. My parents have always supported me and tried to steer me into the direction they knew would leave me well off in life, but to be frank, they weren’t initially supportive of my idea to join a sorority.
Growing up, my mother heard many horror stories of sororities that shaped her perspective, mostly from the United States. She was getting her teaching degree during the 1990s, a time with a lot of discourse surrounding the Greek community: hazing, body shaming, a lot of gossip and drama - all things a mother rightfully wants their child to avoid if they can. And when I started University, it was at the tail end of the pandemic. I hadn’t seen people properly in person in over two years, so my mother wanted me to keep my mind open and see all the opportunities.
Per her suggestion, I went to my first Week of Welcome, and between classes, I managed to sneak a few glances at the booths during the Clubs Fair. I grabbed a few pamphlets from the Pre-Dental Society (I’m applying to dentistry this year!), signed up for weekly newsletters from the Dungeons&Dragons Club, the Creative Writing Society, and a few other activist groups and charitable organizations. Then, on my way out, I saw a girl wearing a red shirt looking around to see if anyone would come up and talk to her - her name was Jaelyn, and she would later become my Recruitment Counsellor.
We talked for a bit, and she ended up telling me about Sororities; it had everything I wanted from all the other ten clubs I had signed up for. I could be on an executive team and make meaningful decisions while balancing real-life situations like budgeting, legality, and delegation. They had a series of charities and volunteering that their members actively participated in to give back to the community (for a pre-med/pre-dent student, this is extremely important). Most of their girls were in Sciences like me, and you could win scholarships for your academic prowess! But above all, they were friends. Jaelyn mentioned girls from all of the sororities that were with her through the good and the bad, ones that stayed up in the library with her during finals when they wanted support, bought her little candies when she was having a bad day, drove her to the airport when she went on her exchange-program. After two years of isolation at home, and being the extroverted woman I am, I was extremely interested.
Obviously, I joined (it would be weird if I was writing this and I hadn’t) and in my first year - I didn’t really do much with it. I didn’t go out for sisterhood events, I didn’t take on any positions, I mostly just applied to scholarships and attended my Monday meetings because I wanted to focus my efforts on school. But instead of feeling isolated, I felt missed. Every week one of the girls would text me inviting me to things, even though I couldn’t make the other dozen events for the last month. My big, Sarah El-Ezaby, would always ask me how my day was going, and would make an effort to come see me on campus when I was isolating myself in one of the local libraries. On days when I was too exhausted, and had classes from 8:00am - 5:00pm, I would sneak a one-hour nap at the house on the living room couch, and my sisters would bring me blankets and pillows so I wouldn’t wake up with a sore back. My twin Maggie, we’d go and eat a simple fast-food dinner after meetings and talk about all the new crafts we’d made. And when I had more spare time in my second year, I took on my first position. I became more active in chapter. I took on three incredible littles who went on to do amazing things for our community. Since then, I’ve held a total of three positions in two years, been on a leadership trip to Seattle where I met political figures and big-time psychologists, and spent multiple nights at the chapter house watching Anne with an E on Netflix with pizza and pop. All aspects, of which I couldn’t be more thankful for.
It took a while, but my parents eventually saw the benefits of joining my sorority. I remember one day, I was driving my mom to the nail salon so we could get our nails done for spring break - and on the way my mom looked at me and stated: “Athena… I never really thought you’d end up like this. And I’m glad, because you’ve surprised me with how proud I am.” (I then proceeded to cry about it for five minutes in the parking lot, but she doesn’t need to know that!). My first decision for myself which varied drastically from my parent’s future they had for me, ended up being the very thing that helped me grow into who I am now.
So if you couldn’t read all of that, and I only had one thing to say, I’d say believe in your child’s curiosity and capabilities. Your wariness is valid, and wanting to know more about their interests is not overstepping; if anything, it shows your empathy and love for them. But it is their efforts and commitment to their interests which have brought them into an esteemed institution like the University of Alberta, and the greatest gift you could give them is unwavering support. I promise, this community will do wonders for their confidence, their professional skills, and their self-image. I’ve now spent three years in my chapter, and even if I’m ready to move on to the next great thing, a part of my heart will always be thankful for all the amazing opportunities I gained, and the beautiful people who have now become my life-long friends.
Athena Feraco
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to send us a message!
A MESSAGE FROM OUR VP RECRUITMENT…
I am delighted to welcome your loved one to the recruitment process. This is an exciting and transformative time in their college journey, and we are honored that they are considering joining our community.
Joining our community is like becoming a part of "the club of all clubs." Our community offers many benefits that extend far beyond the college years, built upon our four pillars: Friendship, Scholarship, Leadership, and Service.
Friendship: Our community provides a supportive network of friends who become like family. These lifelong bonds offer a sense of belonging and sisterhood that continues long after graduation.
Scholarship: We prioritize academic excellence by offering resources such as tutoring and study groups to help members succeed. Our commitment to scholarship ensures members excel in their educational pursuits.
Leadership: Members have numerous opportunities for leadership development, gaining valuable skills through roles and responsibilities within the chapter, and participating in workshops. These experiences help our members grow into confident, capable individuals.
Service: Community service is at our heart. Through philanthropic activities and service projects, members develop a strong sense of civic responsibility and commitment to giving back.
We understand the cost of joining our community may be a consideration. It's important to view this as an investment in your loved one’s future. Membership fees support a range of valuable experiences and resources aligned with our pillars, including academic support, leadership opportunities, social events, and service projects. The skills and connections gained often lead to valuable career opportunities and lifelong friendships.
Our Recruitment Counselors (RCs) and Panhellenic advisors are dedicated to guiding and supporting your loved one every step of the way, ensuring a positive and informative recruitment experience. We are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and enriching environment for all members. If you have any questions or need further information, please reach out to us. We are here to support both you and your loved one during this exciting time.
Thank you for your trust and support. We look forward to welcoming your loved one into our community and witnessing their remarkable contributions.