Former sorority president plans to excel in life

By Alexandra Gargon (Whetstone staff writer)

Amanda Parisi The Whetstone / Cochise Lucas

Amanda Parisi chose Wesley College for a lot of positive reasons.

“Wesley was beautiful and small and that is what really pulled me in,” she said. “The distance also was a plus. It was far enough away from home that I would have to stay here but close enough that I could drive home whenever I wanted to.”

A member of Theta Phi Alpha, Parisi has been involved in the Psychology Club and the student government association (SGA). She was also a member of the cheerleading team for two years.

“I joined several organizations, which I love, and have been able to hold leadership positions as well,” she said.

Parisi thought about transferring during her freshman year. She decided to stay after joining Sigma Phi Sigma – which, when it turned national, became Theta Phi Alpha.

“I ended up staying after I joined my sorority,” Parisi said. “I felt like I had a family here and my feelings toward staying changed drastically.”
Greek life played has played a big part in her college career.

At first she had mixed feelings about her organization going national.

“I was upset and afraid where we had come from would be forgotten,” she said. “After a little time had passed, I realized this was a great opportunity and I became very excited.”

Senior Natalie DiSabatino felt that Parisi did a great job as their sorority’s president.

“We could not have had anyone else as president during this transitional time,” DiSabatino said. “Amanda kept her cool even at the most stressful of those times.”

Parisi is also part of the extension committee and being able to know a lot about what was going on made the transition easier.

“I am very happy that I have been able to be a part of this process because I know for years to come this will only better my sisters and open up doors that as a local sorority would never happen,” she said.

As a Psychology major, Parisi also holds academic goals for herself.

“[I want] to graduate with a 3.0 GPA, which I have finally received this past semester, and to graduate in four years,” she said.

After she graduates, Parisi plans to become a substitute teacher or a teacher’s aide in a school district in her home state, New Jersey, and to coach a cheerleading squad.

She also wants to go for her Master’s degree in school counseling at either Wilmington University or Rowan University.

“People always told me these would be the best years of my life,” Parisi said. “I am finally able to agree with them.”