I was heading up to Boca Raton for a sorority meeting tonight. At a red light, I checked Twitter. That’s when I saw that there had been a possible shooting at the Town Center Mall. Boca is 30 minutes from my house.
My news feed was flooded with reports of an active shooter situation at the mall. Photos and video of people hiding and the SWAT team surrounding and then entering the mall were too much for me. I couldn’t believe that something like this was happening… again. And not just again, but so close to where it all happened for me less than two years ago.
Students from my school shop there. To think that they had to run and hide – again – made me so angry.
I reached out to the chapter adviser to let her know what was going on and that I might just not be able to hang for the whole meeting. She understood and told me to do what was best.
I got myself Jamba Juice for dinner and headed to campus. As I was heading in to the meeting room, I ran into the chapter adviser and one of the new members. They had just been talking about me and that I’m a high school teacher. I said we could talk after the meeting if she had any questions.
It was really nice to be at the meeting. It’s the chapter I was in for four years. It means so much to be able to give back to the organization and chapter that has given me so much.
I met the women on the executive board. I was also introduced to the whole chapter. I wasn’t expecting it, so I wasn’t prepared. I certainly like talking about myself, but suddenly didn’t know what to say. I told them I’m married with two kids, that I’m a teacher (of course, they asked where… and then I got the big “Ohhhhhhhh” response), that I won the Woman of Distinction Award at the Alpha Xi Delta convention in July. I’m sure I said a few other things and then went back to my seat.
The other advisers are really lovely. I’m excited to be a part of what was a huge piece of my college experience.
