Sometimes it’s the most unexpected possibilities that end up being the most important. Joining Alpha Gamma Delta was one of importance for Kyra Waugh, the newly elected president of the sorority.
“I never imagined I would join a sorority, but as soon as I met the sisters of Alpha Gamma Delta, something just clicked inside my head,” Waugh said. “I didn’t have to try to impress anyone and I was immediately welcomed into this group of women. Without Alpha Gamma Delta, I would not be the same person I am today.”
Waugh, 21, of Nitro, W.Va., is an exercise science major. She joined Alpha Gamma Delta in 2011, during the fall semester of her sophomore year. Prior to this year, she has held the position of Vice President of Scholarship and has now been elected to the position of president, another surprise to her. For Waugh, realizing her potential was something that she needed help with, something that she accomplished through her own courage and the support of her sisters.
“I never could have made the decision myself, but all the sisters encouraged and reassured me that it was something I would be good at,” Waugh said. “And so I ended up with the office.”
Although Waugh is a naturally shy person, she is brave enough to take a risk. Leading a group of women could be stressful for anyone, and, for Waugh, taking a huge leadership position was a leap of faith, one that she does not take lightly.
“My biggest fear is having enough confidence to actually be able to be an effective president,” she says. “I don’t want the fact that I’m reserved to cause me to fail with this office.”
Waugh echoes the fears of many leaders. Being the president of any organization is a major undertaking, especially when considering the workload and other extracurricular activities that college brings. However, just as any leader should, Waugh says she is quick to concentrate on the positives of both the organization that she loves and her prestigious position.
“My biggest goal as president is to make sure that all the sisters continue to enjoy their time in Alpha Gamma Delta,” Waugh said. “I hope to help the sisterhood grow and to make even greater connections than we have already.”
Waugh is also interested in investing in the future. Another one of her goals is to help underclassmen see that they, too, can reach for the stars. She wants to encourage them to persevere, even when they fear that they don’t have it in them. For Waugh, it is in the Alpha Gam sisters that she sees the most of herself.
“I want to encourage sisters to step up and take on greater roles within the chapter that they never thought they would be good at, that they never thought they could accomplish,” Waugh said.
For Waugh, it’s all about growing the sisterhood to reach more amazing heights. She wants to continue to help the chapter to reach Jewel Status through raising at least $2,000.00 a year for the sorority’s national philanthropy, The Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation, which supports diabetes research. Most importantly, Waugh plans to cultivate young women to believe in themselves and realize that they, too, can be leaders, scholars, and part of a sisterhood that believes in them in every way.