At Convention in June, two legacies attended for the first time as initiated sisters.
Claire Kraft (Beta Beta–Michigan State University) attended with her mom, longtime volunteer Renee Kraft (Delta Alpha–Eastern Michigan University). Claire said she loved seeing the tradition within the General Session.
Renee was simply proud to have Claire there. “She is my baby SDT. She had letters. Everyone watched her grow up, and she grew up with them.”
Lauren English (Beta Beta–Michigan State University) also grew up with SDT. She attended with her grandmother, Harriet Rodenberg (Upsilon–Indiana University), and her mom, Robin English (Alpha Upsilon–Bradley University). “It’s so rare, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I relished it,” said Harriet.
Harriet was the National President of SDT when she was pregnant with Robin. In 2004, Robin went to Convention while pregnant with Lauren. The experience felt like a full circle moment.
“It’s more special now than it was when I was a collegian to see both sides of the generation,” Robin said. “The two people I love the most are in this organization. I was a very proud mama.”
Claire and Lauren were initiated together in Fall 2023, surrounded by the women who paved the way for them.
Among them were Lauren’s cousins, Ellen Wahlheim (Beta Chi–University of Kansas) and Rachel Nally (Upsilon–Indiana University). Their mother, Carole Barkan (Gamma–Ohio State University) was also an SDT. Lauren texted updates to everyone throughout her recruitment experience, and when she got her bid to SDT, the cousins immediately planned to surprise her.
Rachel was especially excited to honor her cousin. During recruitment, Lauren sent Rachel a text to say she met a woman at SDT who reminded Lauren of her older cousin. “She said it made her feel more at home because it felt like I was there,” said Rachel, “and my heart just exploded.” That young woman is now Lauren’s sorority big sister.
Ellen and Rachel passed Carole’s SDT jewelry on to Lauren during a family breakfast before the pinning. That morning, Harriet also passed on her pin to her granddaughter. It was the first Initiation ceremony she was able to attend for a family member, because the others always conflicted with Panhellenic responsibilities. “I wasn’t going to miss this one!” Harriet said.
For all five living members of the family, Lauren’s Initiation is a treasured memory. “If our mom [were] alive, we just knew she would have been proud … so it meant even more,” said Ellen. “During Initiation it was so emotional looking at all of us surrounding Lauren, laughing about wearing white, holding hands, and singing the songs.” Rachel agreed, “Lauren’s Initiation is my favorite SDT memory beyond any of my own.”
The Initiation was also special to Claire because the support of Renee and all of her friends and sisters was widely felt. National President Emily Freed (Alpha Epsilon–Purdue University) attended, as well as National Vice President Amy Rodnick (Beta Beta–Michigan State University). Claire said her new member class was nervous to have members of the National Board at their ceremony. She reassured them, “They’re so special! They’re so cool! Emily was at my high school musical!”
This semester, Claire and Lauren are roommates at Beta Beta, creating their own memories. They are both excited to explore their own paths and contributions.
“I understand the importance of what sisterhood really means because I’ve seen the impact it’s had on [my mom]. And I love my sisters as much as my mom loves hers,” said Claire.