Sister Spotlight + Why ADPi

Mary Kathryn Corley, Ella Marie Melton, Sydney Clark, + Callie Haertel (AC '17)

ELLA MARIE MELTON, AC '17

This summer has been absolutely incredible! This past week, I had the amazing opportunity to travel back to the Czech Republic for the second time with a mission team from my home church in Cleveland, Tennessee. We flew into Prague and then drove to a small town named Vimperk where we hosted a baseball and English camp for 70+ Czech kids. We taught the kids how to play baseball and all the rules behind the sport. We also played games like capture the flag, sharks and minnows, and noodle tag. In the afternoons, we got to sing worship songs and act out scenes from the Bible to help the kids learn English and learn about the ministry of Jesus. My favorite part of the trip was getting to play, be goofy, and laugh with the kids each day. I also loved experiencing the new culture, trying new foods, and visiting small towns in the Czech Republic. On our way back home, we stayed in Prague for two days. We walked across the Charles Bridge, went to the Prague Castle, and saw many other fascinating, historical landmarks. The kids in the Czech Republic hold a special place in my heart and I am already looking forward to next year! Running around the field and hearing giggles made my heart happy. People usually expect to help other people when going on mission trips, but in reality, the kids shaped me and encouraged me to find joy in the smallest things in life. I am forever thankful for this experience and am so glad I got to share it with you!

Joining Alpha Delta Pi at Clemson has by far been the best decision I have made. It has given me so many wonderful opportunities and friends. When I first came to Clemson, I didn't know anyone. Being out of state was difficult because moving to a new place was scary at first. But throughout recruitment, I felt so welcomed to Clemson by all the girls in ADPi. They embraced me with open arms and the conversations flowed so smoothly. I felt after just one day that I had already made friends in this sorority. It was so easy to talk to the older girls and we related on so many levels. I could tell that they weren’t trying to impress me, but that they were genuinely being themselves. I was so amazed by how involved all the girls were around Clemson’s campus and I knew that I wanted to be super involved as well. ADPi has given me the opportunity to join the philanthropy committee and help plan our main spring philanthropy event, Hoops and Hogs. I was also able to join Clemson Greek Emerging Leaders where I met girls from all different sororities and learned how to grow my strengths and manage my weaknesses.

Another reason I love ADPi is because our philanthropy, Ronald McDonald House, is so important to me. As a triplet, I was born prematurely and had to stay in the hospital for 10 days after I was born. Since the hospital was not in my hometown, RMH provided my parents a place to stay during this time. Without RMH, my parents would not have been able to stay close to me and my siblings while we were in the hospital. Being able to volunteer at RMH in Greenville is my chance to give back to such an amazing organization that helped my family. I love cooking dinner for the families staying there and getting to talk with them and hear their stories.

By far, my favorite thing about ADPi is the friendships. ADPi has given me the opportunity to meet the sweetest and most down-to-earth girls at Clemson. I have loved getting to know the girls in my pledge class, and I know that the friendships I have made will last a lifetime. We are all different, but many of us share common interests and our sorority bonds us all together. We push each other and challenge each other to be our very best selves and I am so thankful for that. They hold me accountable and truly want me to succeed in my school work, career, and beyond. I am so thankful to have such amazing friends and sisters who will always have my back and never let me down. ADPi has provided me with my home away from home and I cannot wait to live with my sisters on the ADPi hall next year :) Here's to all the girls who encourage me daily and constantly remind me that I made the best decision of my life when I joined ADPi!

That's it for our eighth Sister Spotlight / Why ADPi of the summer! Make sure to keep up with us on Instagram, VSCO, and Facebook to see more of our sisterhood and to know when our next blog post is up!