Hi y’all! My name is Allison Yang (she/her) and I am the Fall 2024 President of Texas Sweethearts. First, some things about me: I'm a Junior Human Dimensions of Organizations (HDO) major with a business minor, I joined Texas Sweethearts in Spring ‘23, and I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas.
Before UT, I attended a small all-girls private school for 14 years where my graduating class was only around 120 people. All I had ever known was attending a small school where everyone knew everyone’s names and faces. The thought of going to a school like UT where even just my lectures would have over 100 people intimidated me. Luckily, I heard about spirit organizations through my older sister’s friend. From then on, I knew that I wanted to join a spirit organization my first semester, seeking a close-knit and supportive community.
My first semester Freshman year, I recruited a few different spirit organizations including Texas Sweethearts. I didn’t end up applying to Sweethearts, though, feeling overwhelmed with trying to find a routine at UT. I thought I had totally missed my chance, but the connections I made with actives during Fall recruitment brought me to where I am today. If I hadn’t met Noel (Spring 2023 President) at the Fall ‘22 Spirit Smoker, she never would’ve recognized me on speedway in December during tabling and encouraged me to recruit again. And, I wouldn’t have gone to the pre-recruitment event where I met my big, Thanvi, and one of my best friends, Anna Claire, either.
As cheesy as it may sound, joining Texas Sweethearts is genuinely the best thing I did for myself and my college experience. Nothing cheers me up more on a stressful day than running into other Sweethearts on campus. Texas Sweethearts has given me my favorite people to go on Amy’s Ice Cream runs, have movie nights, and pull all-nighter study sessions with.
My advice to you is to trust the process and have fun. Recruiting for spirit organizations is all about finding a community that you feel suits YOU best. Be your genuine self! We want to know about your unique passions and interests that make you, you. If you’re more introverted like me, encourage yourself to step outside of your comfort zone and talk to as many people as you can at recruitment events. You never know if you might be talking to your new best friend.
To anyone reading this, you have so much ahead of you. I hope that I am lucky enough to meet you and that I can help you find your community, whether that’s with Sweethearts or not. Please reach out to me if you need anything at all, I’m always happy to chat!
With love,
Allison Yang
Fall 2024 President
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