New Member Spotlight: Vivian Walker

Note from the interviewer:

I had such a great time interviewing Vivian in one of our amazing coffee shops downtown. Her warm and genuine personality really shines through when talking to her. She is someone to get to know when you see her around campus. 

Where are you from?

Macon, Georgia

Why did you choose to go to UNA?

My mom’s sorority sister told us about UNA when we ran into her in Auburn and she told us about the scholarship for people that are from out of state so that’s what really clenched it for us.

Why did you do recruitment?

My step mom was in a sorority and told me about it and I started seeing how her connections have stayed all of these years and how genuine they are. Then one particular sorority stuck out to me during welcome week and they were the ones that broke the stereotypical sorority girl for me.

What was your view of sororities before recruitment compared to now?

I honestly lived under a rock. Growing up you hear these stereotypes and believe them unfairly. Now, I realize it is a bunch of girls who take you are you are and help one another.

What did you think when you opened your bid?

Going in I really wanted the group I met during welcome week that broke the mold for me, but my roommate and the people I knew wanted somewhere else so it made me torn. On bid day when we all tore apart our bids I was so excited I got where I wanted and they all got where they wanted… but we weren't together. For a few minutes I was bummed because we were in different sororities but then I met my pledge class and I only got more excited to run home.

What is your definition of “sorority”?

Sorority is learning to accept and love one another for our flaws and learning how to work together. I mean no two sororities are exactly the same so it is nice learning to work together.

What were you most excited about by being a new member in your sorority before recruitment and what are you now looking forward to when you become an initiated member?

I didn’t know what to expect in a sorority coming in. I was looking forward to making that lasting bond. In the future I have high hopes to build my chapter to be the best it can be. I love my chapter and I only want to make it better.

Be-YOU-tiful

Everyone has something that they may not be confident about or some fear that keeps us up late at night. We are an imperfect people and there are always going to be things that we are self-conscious about. It could be that stutter that you get when you are nervous, the size of your feet, the inability to get in front of a crowd and speak with purpose. We are all imperfect, but that imperfection is humanizing.

Sometimes, we allow our fears and emotions to prevent us from seizing opportunities because we are lacking in confidence. We may be afraid to stand up and take charge in a situation because we are afraid of being talked about. We become complacent because we lack confidence.

It is important to remember that there are haters everywhere. You are never going to be able to please everyone. You may not have the perfect body, you may not have the perfect voice, you may not have the best athletic ability, but you are YOU and there is nothing that you can do about that.

You must take some stock in who you are. Whether you are quiet, nerdy, loud, funny, sarcastic, introverted, extroverted, or anywhere in between, OWN who you are. Be that person and be that person on a DAILY BASIS.

Recently, I got the opportunity to hear Erin Fischer speak at Panhellenic Academy. She was one of the opening speakers and she spoke on the topic of confidence. She shared with us some of her habits that she developed on her journey to being a more confident person. Here are some tips from the brave Ms. Fisher:

#1- Limit your limiting beliefs- Don’t let the fact that someone has told you that you are not good at something keep you from doing it. If you let go of those limits, you can change your behaviors.

#2-Build your reserve of resiliency-Failure is inevitable. You are going to fail, but the failure is not what it is important. What is important is that you have the strength and the courage to keep going even after you fail. Accept your failure, own in, and learn from it.

#3-Get real- Do not be afraid to ask for help. You are not a perfect person and you are going to need help at some point. Be real with yourself and realize when you need that assistance you can JUST ASK!

#4-Help others on their confidence journey- Sharing your talent not only benefits the person that you are helping, but you are going to find joy in sharing your talents.

#5-Identify your fears so you can increase your self-awareness- By knowing your fears and being aware of then, you can work on getting over those fears and gaining confidence in the face of those fears.

#6- You can learn a lot from the confidence of rock stars- Rock stars DO NOT CARE about the people who did not buy their tickets. They are only worried about the people who are bought their tickets and come to hear them play. Do not worry or lose sleep over the people who do not buy YOUR ticket. There are people who are in your corner. You should appreciate and “play” for the patrons that are behind you.

So, dance like no one is watching, sing your heart out in the shower, tell that corny joke, don’t let them put Baby in a corner! Be who you are and be as genuine as you can be and go into the world and BE CONFIDENT!

Post Written by Guest Blogger, Sarah Ann Keeter; Edited by UNA Panhellenic