Kappa Kappa Gamma - Texas Tech University

dream boldly. live fully. 3 Iris Hernandez | Amarillo, Texas Holly Herrington | San Angelo, Texas Carly Hill | Tyler, Texas Claire Jansen | Austin, Texas Rachael Jaskowski | Yorkville, Ill. Alyssa Kelly | Keller, Texas Lauren Kimball | Austin, Texas Mae Klein | Houston, Texas Gracyn Knebusch | Amarillo, Texas Brynn Langford | Corinth, Texas Cassidy Larsen | Amarillo, Texas Michelle Lazar | El Paso, Texas Mia Lopez | Robstown, Texas Sarah Manske | Sugar Land, Texas Sarah Mikeska | Belton, Texas Ellie Miller | Fresno, Calif. Alex Moll | Irvine, Calif. Gracie Murray | Argyle, Texas Anna Newport | Austin, Texas Mya Patton | Lubbock, Texas Kiley Phillips | San Diego, Calif. Sophia Pollard | Fairview, Texas Sawyer Raunam | Highland Village, Texas Hyla Riley | Midland, Texas Reese Rogers | Lubbock, Texas Mia Schane | Mount Vernon, Texas Alexa Schell | Plano, Texas Hannah Senor | Aledo, Texas Alysia Serna | Frisco, Texas Allie Shaw | Carrollton, Texas Grace Sieck | Fort Worth, Texas Emmy Smith | Dallas, Texas Chappel Stone | Dallas, Texas Rhyan Stuhr | Lago Vista, Texas Bella Swartz | Waco, Texas Savannah Tuerck | Rogers, Texas Amber Twilley | Sugar Land, Texas Taylor Voyles | Spring Branch, Texas Laney Wooten | Arlington, Texas W hat Sharon Wallingford Hendrix '73 loved most about her time in Kappa Kappa Gamma was the social life of Texas Tech. Her favorite activity was organizing the fraternity mixers; she was always the first to get there and the last to leave, and she enjoyed every moment of it. Her love for planning college events sparked her interest in honing these skills and, even after graduating, she has continued to organize gatherings for the people who matter most to her. Sharon's sister, Sid Wallingford Gray '70, was a senior when Sharon went through recruitment, and after meeting Sid's friends and seeing the relationships she formed, Sharon knew she wanted a similar experience. Sharon treasured those four years, and she loved her Kappa sisters so much that she was not ready for it to end. Thus, she organized her first reunion. For the first gathering, Sharon and a small group of sisters traveled back to Lubbock to not only attend Pike Fest, but to also see the new lodge. "It is only fitting to gather this fall, 50 years later," she shared. "We have a bigger and more beautiful lodge that I want to see." Sharon has continued to host reunions over the years, many of them themed, and the women who join her always have a wonderful time. "My reunions are open to all, but there is a group that faithfully attends unless something else in life interferes," she said. "We have gone through life together with all its challenges, we have supported each other and prayed for each other, and we lift each other up." When Sharon's little, Shellen Ryan Rhoden '74, was diagnosed with ALS, Sharon organized a group to participate in two golf tournaments that were held to raise money for the family. Shellen's daughter, Lindsey, decided to attend Texas Tech, and since Shellen couldn't walk or talk, Sharon took Lindsey to orientation, filmed it, and brought it back for Shellen to watch. Shellen lost her fight after five years and generously donated her organs; Sharon was proud to attend Lindsey's graduation. Sharon believes Kappa is for life, and she has enjoyed connecting with sisters across the country. When she moved from her hometown to Orange County, California, her first instinct was to find a Kappa Kappa Gamma alumnae chapter. She joined the North Orange County chapter and later served as president. When she lived in Lake Forest, Illinois, she and an SMU Kappa, Missy Saalfield, Southern Methodist University '94, worked together to reestablish the city's chapter. Over the years, Sharon has attended Province, National Convention, and Leadership Academy. Sharon and her husband, Cap, have daughter Caroline, who attended NYU and still lives in New York City. She works for Amazon Advertising. They also have son Reid, who attended Arizona State. He and his wife, Rachel, live in Dallas with their two children, Leona (4) and Ricky (1). Sharon also has a Bichpoo, Gabby. When Sharon isn't organizing reunions with her Kappa sisters, she enjoys playing competitive tennis, and has become close friends with her teammates. She has also been active in her church over the years, serving as an Elder and deacon, and continues to value her relationship with God. In her free time, she loves to garden and do needlepoint. You can connect with her at sharcap@aol.com. A Kappa for Life Sharon Wallingford Hendrix '73 Is Always There for Her Sisters Sisters gather for a tie-dye-themed reunion at the home of Joy Valentine Haynes '73 in Vail, Colorado. Sharon is in the tan overalls, and Sid is in the front row on the right. "As I walked through the doors every day, I felt at home. I love Kappa because I have felt chosen, seen, and wanted ever since the first day of recruitment—and I know it will always continue!" –Caroline Akin "As soon as I walked through the doors, the members greeted me with open arms and treated me as if they had known me their whole lives. I truly feel so welcomed, loved, and prioritized. I'm very blessed to be a lifelong Kappa!" –Mya Patton "I chose Kappa because I knew in my heart that these women were my answered prayers. From the start, Kappa loved me for who I am, and I know that I will continue to have their support for all that I will become." –Anndee Greenlee "I kept an open mind during my recruitment process, but as soon as I got into the house, I immediately fell in love with Kappa. I chose it because every time I stepped into the house, I never wanted to leave; every girl in Kappa made me feel so loved and like I could truly be myself." –Alysia Serna Why We Chose Kappa

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