Sorority Spotlight: Delta Delta Delta

Tri Delta sisters supporting St. Jude's

Delta Delta Delta: 

Epsilon Eta chapter at North Carolina State University

     Who are these girls? They are a group of beautiful women who truly believe in philanthropy. They have exceeded the expectations they had when they joined Tri Delta and gained so much more. In the Fall 2009 semester, a very special person joined their sisterhood and became Katie Aiello's Little. Her name was Daphne Aguinaldo. Daphne was diagnosed with ovarian cancer before joining Tri Delta, but was in remission. Her cancer came back the summer before her first recruitment as a sister and she went through the Fall wearing a wig, always smiling and greeting all of the potential new members in the best way any recruitment chair could ask. Her sisters decided to give to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in honor of Daphne and all she has given not only their chapter, but also the children at St. Jude's. Through St. Jude's Hospital, bricks that are engraved with someone's name and a donation that has been made in their honor are available for purchase and will go on a pathway, a wall, or some other place of memorial. If you are interested in learning more, information can be found at http://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/shop.do?cID=14503. Katie had a mission: no matter what it took, she wanted to get one brick to honor her Little.  In around 24 hours she ended up with 37 donations from Tri Delta chapters all around the United States, for a total of $1,780. This allowed Katie to not only get her little one brick, but two! Daphne was beyond touched and speechless when she heard the news. In the Spring 2012 semester, Daphne's cancer spread to her lungs. Unfortunately, she lost her battle in Fall 2013.  

Katie (left) and Daphne (right)

I was fortunate enough to speak with Katie and ask her some questions about Daphne and their time together.   

How does your chapter remember Daphne? 
"We wear purple. Seriously, it was her favorite color. We also continue to serve St. Jude in her name. Her birthday is on June 16th, she would have been 23. We are going to celebrate with her mom and release purple balloons at her graveside. Finally, I got in touch with our exec office when she passed and helped her family get rights to put the Tri Delta Stars and Crescent on her headstone." 

How did Daphne represent a true sister? 
"She was fiercely loyal. No matter what you needed or what kind of trouble you were in, Daph was the girl you could count on to find a creative solution."

What is your favorite memory? 

Daphne and sisters having fun

"All of them. I mean there isn't a time I spoke to her that she didn't make me smile. I think one that sticks out the most would be coming back to college after I graduated to watch her in a sorority step team competition to benefit St. Jude. My little could seriously dance and I loved watching her cut it up onstage. "

       These Tri Delta women all came to support a sister in need, and that is the definition of sisterhood. We always love being around our sisters and sharing all of the wonderful moments so much, that sometimes we never think of the worst can happen. These women opened their hearts to a beautiful girl, with a big heart and an even bigger passion! They are the true definition of sorority women and I am so sorry we all missed out on the chance to meet the wonderful Daphne. Tri Delta, keep on living in sisterhood and staying true to your motto "Let us steadfastly love one another."