Howdy friends!
My name is Saylor Dement and I am a third year Theatre and Dance major with an emphasis in Performer’s Process and minor in Journalism and Media from Austin, Texas. I am the President of Texas Sweethearts
for the Spring 2022 semester. I can’t even believe I get the honor of saying that and it honestly hasn’t even fully set it in that this is real. This will be my fifth semester and second year in this incredibly fun, bubbly, wonderful, amazing, and inspiring organization and I am so beyond excited to hopefully share this semester with you as well!
Since I was a little girl, I dreamed about going to the University of Texas at Austin. My grandfather attended UT and every member of my family has burnt orange running through their veins. I went to countless football, volleyball, basketball, and baseball games before I could even walk. I knew that if I got accepted it would mean the world to me and even more to my family. I knew that by going to UT I would be getting an amazing education in my hometown surrounded by the best and the brightest who would push me to the best I could.
Coming to UT I knew a lot of people in grades above me from my highschool and various extracurriculars so I already knew about spirit organizations. Since I was from Austin and was bringing some of my friends from my highschool to college, I wanted to try and find a place that would put me on campus and keep me there. I wanted to make an impact and for UT to feel like home away from home. My first semester (fall 2019) I only went to one info session for one org, applied, and didn’t get in. I was really disheartened because I had friends in that org and I thought my application was exactly what they were looking for. Even though I didn’t get in, I spent my first semester navigating campus, going to any and every campus event, and making new friends. I enjoyed my first semester tremendously and I couldn’t wait to get back on campus after break.
When I came back for my second semester (spring 2020) I told myself I was going to do a better job of branching out, going to more meet and greets, and not limiting myself to just one spirit org. I was really longing for a place to meet new people who would challenge me, a place where I would grow, and a place where I could meet a new group of women who would support me. I went to a Sweetheart's info session and a smoker and immediately fell in love. With Sweethearts I felt more comfortable because I was surrounded and speaking with people who shared my same interests and genuinely enjoyed what I had to say. I went to every event I could after that and poured my heart and soul into my application. This time around my application was heartfelt and was a perfect depiction of who I was and what was important to me. I worked hard to make sure I could see myself in my application and not try and fit any idea of what I thought people wanted. And wouldn’t you know it, it landed me here. My semester was half in person and then went online when the Pandemic hit in March of 2020. Even though my in person semester was cut short I gained so much and have enjoyed every second since.
My time in sweethearts has been nothing but extraordinary. I have seen online semesters, in person semesters, and the in between. I owe almost my entire college experience to Sweethearts because it has given me so much. Each semester Sweethearts has pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t think was possible. Every Sweetheart is so unique and adds so much to the essence of this org. Every semester I have met more incredible individuals who are so inspiring, driven and captivating. I have done so many things with Sweethearts like go to TX/OU weekend, games, tailgates, kerbey dates, have jam sessions, fun car rides, movie nights, and so much more. Sweethearts has become my home and given me my forever best friends. I have a place where I am challenged , a place where I am growing and learning, and a place where I have met a new group of women who support me. I am so blessed and honored to be a part of an organization filled with powerful and encouraging role models. This organization is truly one in a million and I couldn’t imagine where I would be without it.
Here’s what I say to all prospective members: UT is so big that finding your community can be difficult and scary but I challenge you to put yourself out there. Your true self! I encourage you to embrace who you are and find a place that champions that. Do not settle or try to fit the mold of what you think you need to be in order to fit in somewhere. Life is so precious and should be a bundle of fun everyday. College is hard and life is harder so find pockets of joy to fill your life with that will make it easier to get through each and everyday. UT has so much to offer and let this year be the year you say yes to putting yourself out there and finding your forever home. I know I did, and I now have Texas Sweethearts to thank for that!
Spring 2022, you have no idea how excited I am to meet you!
With all the love,
Saylor Dement
Spring 2022 President
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