Name: Montana Weiss
Age: 21
Year: Senior
Major: Exercise Science
Minor: Chemistry
Hometown: Concord
Meet senior Montana Weiss, the president of Alpha Xi Delta. This campus celebrity is genuine and hard working to make sure her sisters have the best college experience. Read on to see how Montana has become the biggest role model for her sorority!
HC: What are some of the responsibilities you face as the president of Alpha Xi Delta?
MW: I took on the position as an honor and wanted to give back, but had no idea how much time and responsibility it would require. I try to teach respect as a leader. It is way harder than I ever dreamed it would be. The hardest responsibility has been trying to be a part of every aspect in the chapter and outside of the chapter. I have an amazing executive board; however, everything seems to fall back on me and I’m the one they go to for help. I also have to deal with all the aspects outside of the chapter, like meetings with the university. I’ve also learned that I have to be a positive role model no matter what is going on. The way I react is how the chapter is going to react. I’ve faced so many responsibilities, yet I would do it all over again. Without Alpha Xi Delta, I can truly say that I wouldn’t be the person I am today–a leader.
HC: What kind of obstacles do you face when being the leader of a Greek organization?
MW: A huge obstacle I face is trying to encourage and help the other members who are leaders within the chapter. They are the ones that do the behind the scenes work for our events and when something happens or comes up, I am the person who deals with it. Another obstacle I find myself trying to fill is making everyone happy which seems like an impossible task sometimes. I honestly try my best to keep the chapter in good relations and support each individual sister.
HC: What is the best part of holding this position in Alpha Xi Delta?
MW: I believe in each one of our sisters. I see their potential within, and what’s amazing is watching them find it. I truly cherish the moments when I see our sisters grow. When they stand in front of me voicing their opinions and concerns, I realize how much they’ve grown up. I’ve also grown alongside them. Before Alpha Xi Delta, I didn’t believe I had what it took to be a leader. This sorority showed me that I could and that I can. My goal is to help the girls within this chapter realize their full potential and give them the opportunities to experience the success that I have.
HC: What drew you to this Greek organization?
MW: Well, my mom really influenced me on going through the recruitment process. I honestly didn’t even know how to pronounce Alpha Xi Delta. I didn’t fit the “sorority girl” type. On the last day of recruitment, I walked into AXID’s room and talked with a sister that I had already met earlier that week. She told me that she saw me in this chapter as a leader and that I was going to be a part of Alpha Xi Delta’s growth. Back in high school, I was no leader. I played sports and I was involved, but I never stepped up and took that responsibility because I didn’t believe in myself that I could. But, the sisters of Alpha Xi Delta saw way more in me than I ever saw in myself. That’s what drew me in. They believed more in me than I did in myself.
HC: Did you ever expect yourself to be the president of your sorority?
MW: Ha. I never expected that I would be the president of this beautiful organization. When I came in as a freshman, I was all over the place. I didn’t even take a small position within the chapter. The next year I got really into the membership team and ended up applying for positions under Membership Vice President. However, I got the call asking me to take on the position as Financial Vice President. I literally didn’t even know how to write a check or anything that dealt with banking. So I took it on. There were a lot of other sacrifices I had to make for this position, but I did it. The next year I wasn’t sure what position I wanted in the sorority. I wasn’t quite ready to let go of all the responsibility, so that lead me to President. And here I am. It’s been an amazing journey that I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Photos courtesy of Montana Weiss.