Last week, I wrote an article featuring McKenna Overman ’22 and her experience through Rush at her new school. So, if you haven’t seen that article yet, Click Here to read part one of this Rush series!

This week’s feature is Daly Holman ’22! You know her, you love her, you bled Red for her. Daly was a Red producer for two years in Red and Gold, as well as a four year varsity member of the Rosary Academy Dance Team. She now continues her education at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she is majoring in journalism and electronic media. Daly recently rushed, where she accepted an invitation to join the sorority Chi Omega. Here is what she has to say about her own rush experience:

Q: Summarize your feelings throughout the Rush process

A: Excited. Recruitment gave me a similar feeling to how I felt at Rosary. Since graduating three short months ago, I had already missed the all girls environment that I felt confident and comfortable in. I was just so happy to be surrounded by different women that I had opportunity to meet and learn all about!

Q: When did you know you had found your home?

A: I knew Chi Omega was my home during the second round of recruitment. This is called the Philanthropy Round. I got to learn all about the amazing organization we partner with, Dream Connection, which is a smaller branch of Make a Wish. Being that my little cousin just finished (and WON) his fight with leukemia, seeing the little sick kids get their biggest wishes granted with the help of Chi O was so special to my heart.

Q: What was Bid Day like, and summarize all the feelings of running home.

A: Running home was the most relieving and loving feeling I have ever had. Basically, at Tennessee we all stand on the lawn in the middle of “Sorority Village” [where all of UTK’s sorority houses are located]. Then we are handed this envelope with our name on it, which holds a card stating which house we have been invited to be apart of. Everyone counts down from ten, and then we all get to open them at the same time. Once you read which house you’re in, you run to your physical house and find your “bid day buddy,” who is holding a sign with your name on it. I got to run home to LizaKate, who is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met.

Q: How did you prepare for Rush, and did it ultimately help you during the process?

A: Being that I am very OCD and nervous all the time, I began preparing for Rush back in the beginning of June. Since I was rushing in the South, I knew I had to be on top of my game (fun fact: University of Tennessee’s recruitment was the second biggest recruitment in the country behind Alabama). I put together my resume (reach out if you need help!) and began drafting our professional letters asking sorority alumni to write me recommendation letters. It’s important that you find women to write you letters from each of the chapters you are rushing at your college!

Q: Do you have anything to say for Royals who are considering going through Rush in college?

A: DO IT. After coming from Rosary where I was super involved in the community, I was nervous I would never find anything similar. But, let me tell you, the love and excitement I have for my sisters already is the closest I will get to having that Red and Gold feeling again. It has been a once in a lifetime experience where I have learned so many lessons already. You need to do it!

Daly we are OH so happy for you and your new home at Chi O! We can’t wait to see all you do and accomplish with the other young women of your chapter! To stay up to date with Daly and her life through Chi O, head over to her Instagram: @daly.holman