Name: Caroline Muehl
Hometown: Mint Hill, NC
Year: Junior
Major: Elementary Education
Q: So tell me about Sigma Alpha Omega.
A: Well, Sigma Alpha Omega is the only Christian sorority on Appalachian State’s campus! We are founded in Christ and secondly in sisterhood. We encourage one another to grow in community with one another while also growing in our faith. We have weekly Bible studies, social activities, retreats, and service projects and we meet with one another every Monday night for Chapter. For many sisters, the sorority has been where they have found some of their best friends. Since the founding of the sorority, chapters of Sigma Alpha Omega have been established at many colleges and universities across the nation and there are currently 19 active chapters across the United States.
Q: How long have you been a part of this sorority?
A: I joined Sigma Alpha Omega as a freshman at Appalachian State. My older sister was actually Vice President of SAO then and I quickly grew to love the community there as much as she did.
Q: How long has SAO been at App?
A: In January 1998, Sigma Alpha Omega was started at North Carolina State University. This group committed to living according to the ideals of Christ and His Word, uplifting each other through fellowship and service, and developing a sisterhood that was unbreakable. Shortly after, the Beta chapter at Appalachian State was founded in the fall of 1999 becoming Appalachian’s only Christian sorority.
Q: What is the goal of SAO?
A: Our motto is “One in Christ through the unity of sisterhood.” Our desire for the sorority is that each of the girls will learn the art of tying what they are doing in and through the sorority back to the Kingdom of God and to be known for what they are for. We want for every girl to live in such a way that students on the ASU campus have no doubt what they are about. We strive to act boldly as we encourage one another as sisters, reach out on campus through community service and fundraising activities, and live life together.
Q: Did you always want to have a leadership role?
A: Haha yes I did, knowing that it would be challenging. However, I never would have thought I would have had the opportunity to lead as President. Being in a leadership role in the sorority has been the highest honor and such a privilege for me this year.
Q: What makes SAO different from the other sororities?
A: While SAO is a sorority recognized by Nationals and by Universities across the United States, we are not a panhellenic sorority. This means that while we do have Greek letters, our own bylaws, a National Board, Executive Board, and Chairs, we are not associated with the other Greek sororities and fraternities on campus. We are set apart by what we are founded on- God.
Q: What are some of the fun events that SAO hosts?
A: SAO gets to host and participate in fun events all year long. Some of our favorites are Mother/Daughter and Daddy/Daughter, Fall Semi Formal, Spring Formal, Candidate Week, Fall Retreat, Tacky Christmas party, Alumni Picnic, and regular service events. We also have social events and tailgate for football games with our brother fraternity, Kappa Upsilon Chi, the Christian fraternity on campus on a regular basis.
Q: How many people are in SAO?
A: We currently have 62 young ladies in SAO- a number that we’re very excited about!
Q: What is your favorite thing about being in the sorority?
A: This responsibility of being in the sorority is challenging, demanding, joyful, and above all, rewarding. These young ladies are so gifted and so eager to join in community with each other. It has been an absolute joy to serve as their President, and I often feel unworthy of the position. It has been a struggle to have this many girls grow spiritually both independently and with one another while also participating in different social events, fundraising, and service opportunities. However, one huge change that I made this year as President is having the girls meet in small groups at the beginning of our Chapter meetings each week. The girls get to share prayer requests and anything that is going on in their lives. They then go back to their seats and join the rest of the sorority before I start the business side of the meeting. It has been beautiful to see girls, who were once shy and quiet, begin to open up and make lasting friendships towards the end of the semester. I could not be more grateful that I was chosen to be in this position of honor this year. It has been a once in a lifetime experience.
Q: If you could describe SAO in three words what would they be?
A: Let’s see… beautiful, rare, and rewarding
Q: What could someone do if they were interested in joining next fall?
A: We start recruitment for new candidates at the beginning of the fall semester. We do have a website: http://www.wix.com/saobeta/saoatasu that those interested can regularly check for updates on candidate week. There is an info meeting in September where we encourage those who are interested to attend. We then have a week of events designed specifically for candidates to get to know the sisters and learn what SAO is all about.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
A: Nope! Just thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share a beautiful experience in my life!