Why I Went Greek: Rhea Sommer From Kappa Delta

School: Arizona State University
Sorority: Kappa Delta
Year You Pledged: Freshman year (however, I attended informal recruitment as a COB; continuous open bid)
Year Initiated: 2005

What did you hear about sororities before you went through recruitment? 

There are obviously all of those "typical" stereotypes of sororities that you hear in passing, see in the movies/on tv, etc., about the hazing, drama, mean girls, and paying for your friends. And to be quite honest I sort of believed all of that to be true. However, I had heard some positive things regarding joining a sorority before attending college from girls who had graduated before me from high school, who encouraged me to go through recruitment when I got to ASU, because they loved the camaraderie, the immediate friendships in a new setting, and the endless closets to be shared.

How much of it was true? 

Anytime you put 100+ girls in 1 room, there are going to be disagreements and personality clashes, but when it really came down to it, all of those positive things that I had heard were proven to be true. There was always someone there to lend an ear, or a shoulder to cry on, or someone to cheer you on or celebrate with you. And always, always, always clothing to be borrowed!

What encouraged you to go through recruitment? 

I actually was out of town for formal recruitment weekend, so I attended informal recruitment a week or so after formal recruitment had ended. However, a friend of mine since childhood had joined a sorority and encouraged me to attend the informal recruitment events because within only a week, she had made friends, found girls in her same classes, had immediate lunch buddies, and a tote bag full of fun goodies. My best friend had also missed formal recruitment so we decided to go through informal recruitment together.

Do you remember what you wore on Day 1 of recruitment? 

Please see above regarding informal recruitment, but I have absolutely no clue what I wore. But I wish that I remembered!

Who was the first person you fell in love with in your house? 

When I attended the 1st informal recruitment event at the Kappa Delta house, there was this beautiful senior named Jenie who just lit up the room when she walked in. She was so friendly and made the awkward forced hangout seem natural and she kept the conversation flowing. She ended up becoming my grand big in the house and I recently watched her get married last summer. It's true when they say that these are the girls who will be at your wedding!

Favorite sorority moment? 

It is so hard to pick only one favorite, but I would have to say my first night after moving into the sorority house my sophomore year. Me and my 3 best friends moved into a suite, which shared a bathroom and we stayed up all night dancing and singing at the top of our lungs in our pajamas, just bouncing back and forth between the 2 rooms. I remember the feeling of pure happiness and in that moment I knew I had made the right choice in Kappa Delta.

If you could go back in time, what would you want to relive in your sorority?

I always infamously say that I would never go back to college because there is no way I could ever do it any better than I did the first time. But if I could go back, I would probably choose to go back to our senior year spring break trip. 10 of my sisters and I booked a cruise and spent 4 days at sea celebrating one of our last times all together before graduation approached. The trip may have only lasted a long weekend, but the memories will last a lifetime.

Any advice for anyone going through recruitment? 

After spending 3 collegiate years going through recruitment and another 2 years as an alumni behind the scenes of recruitment, I think that the best piece of advice is to treat recruitment like a job interview, and find the best fit for you. A lot of girls go through hoping that they will join the same house with all of their friends from home or from high school, but each house has it's own fit for each girl, and joining for any reason other than for yourself, may not result in the best possible fit for you. Just let loose and have fun with it. It's tiring and overwhelming, but every single girl there is tired and overwhelmed, on both sides. But if you trust the process and ask questions you will find the best fit and have the best years of your life!

Thank you for sharing, Rhea! Be sure to also check out Rhea's awesome food blog called "Hot Dog It's a Food Blog"!

{Special Interview} Miss Sarah Belle tells us all about Vlogging!

When TSS came across fashion & beauty vlogger Sarahbelle93x, we fell in love with her sweet and preppy sense of style.  She mixes cute fashion finds everywhere from Target to J. Crew, and her beauty tutorials are fabulously easy to follow.  A self-proclaimed nail polish addict, Lilly Pulitzer lover, and Blair Waldorf fan, she's a girl after our own hearts.  Sarah infuses her spunky and bubbly personality into everything she does, making her vlogs a pure delight to watch.  With over 230,000 YouTube subscribers, Sarah is nothing short of a vlogging sensation!  To top it all off, this 20-year-old southern belle is a Kappa Delta... full of KD pride!

We had a million questions to ask Sarah, and are so excited that we had a chance to sit her down for an interview.  Here's what she had to say!

TSS: How did you start vlogging? 
Sarah: I have always had this huge obsession with purses and somehow I stumbled across YouTube videos of "What's in my Bag?" and I was instantly hooked. I watched them for a while but then I realized I wanted to give it a shot too. I didn't get really into it until my Junior Year of high school. It's been a journey, but I can't imagine my life without vlogging on YouTube because it's such a huge aspect of my life. 

TSS: Who is Sarah Belle? 
Sarah: Part of me is the YouTube fashion vlogger that everyone sees, but the other half is a 20 year old Kappa Delta, obsessed, hard working college student!

TSS: What do your sorority sisters think about your success? 
Sarah: I couldn't have ever dreamed of a greater support system. They think it's really cool and they are proud of the things that I've accomplished. It's so amazing to know that no matter what happens in this crazy vlogging world that my sisters will always be there for me and I love them so much for that.

TSS: Your top 3 beauty products you can't live without? 
1. Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation is THE BEST foundation on the market. It gives you a flawless finish to your face while making it look 100% natural. 
2. Maybelline Cat Eye Volume Mascara because I cannot leave the house without mascara, especially this one because I have tiny eyelashes and this makes them look fabulous. 
3. Chi Helmet Head Hairspray because what sorority girl doesn't love to add some volume to her hair?

TSS: What do you love about being in a sorority? 
Sarah: The sisterhood. I've had the best 2 years so far with my sisters by my side. My sisters are so accepting and we have the best times together. When I look back on my college career so far, all my favorite memories were with my sisters by my side. There's nothing in this world I'd rather be than a KD.

TSS: What is something important that you learned from the vlog world? 
Sarah: You can't please everybody and to not even try; do what makes you happy! So many people are going to try to bring you down, but you just have to remember all the good instead of focusing on one negative comment.

TSS: Tell us your Style Staple! 
Sarah: My J.Crew Pixie Pants. Oh my goodness, I live in these. They are like a thick ponte legging that can be dressed up with a blouse or pair with one of my Kappa Delta t-shirts and boots. They are the most versatile and comfortable thing in my wardrobe.

TSS: What was your "wow" moment when you became quite the hit in the vlog/instagram world? 
Sarah: I've had so many "wow" moments these past few years, but I think the biggest moment was when I was invited to attend Rebecca Minkoff's show during New York Fashion Week this past February. It had always been a far-fetched dream of mine to attend a NYFW show and something that I doubted would ever happen, so when I received the email from Rebecca Minkoff's PR, I started crying because I couldn't believe how blessed I was to have an opportunity like this because of my YouTube/Instagram. I'll never forget it.

TSS: What do you love about The Sorority Secrets? 
Sarah: I love that it caters to every girls' interest. To me The Sorority Secrets really shows that sorority women are more multifaceted than what we are stereotyped as being. But while it is a blog with a variety of interests, it still hits home for me because it does have that little Greek twist to it.

TSS: Tell us your Sorority Secret! 
Sarah: My Sorority Secret is that while most people see me all dolled up on YouTube, half of the week I actually wear my Kappa Delta t-shirts and leggings! So effortless and cute.

Want more Sarah Belle?  Check her out on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram!

Thank you again for the interview Sarah, we absolutely adore you!