Written by: Stewart Buxton

I had the awesome chance to go to Memphis with a group of girls from our chapter and to say the experience was anything less than amazing would be an understatement. Last weekend, we took a bus to Memphis, TN, where St. Jude Children’s Hospital is located. St Jude is Tri Delta's national philanthropy, so getting to see all the different aspects of the hospital we contribute to was really special. We toured the entire hospital, seeing everything from the precious children being pulled in red wagons to creative and inspiring walls covered in art. I never really understood what made St. Jude so special, that is until I saw it for myself. No family ever gets billed. Ever. When a child comes to St Jude, the parents only have to worry about the health of their child. To me, that is one of the most shocking things. However, after touring the hospital I realized the generosity did not stop there. Patients get the chance to experience fun things like prom, put on by everyone who works there. I have always been honored and proud to be a Tri Delta, but I have a new view of what all it means to wear our letters after seeing such a unique and unsurpassed place like St. Jude.

As if the trip could get any cooler, one of our sisters got us all passes to tour Graceland (aka home to the one and only, Elvis Presley). I did not realize how big of an Elvis fan I must be because I felt like a kid in a candy shop the entire time. We got to see and stand where he wrote his songs, lived his life, and loved his family. It was so cool to get to see a small glimpse into such a music legend’s life.

All in all, Tri Delta’s trip to Memphis was one of the best experiences I have had at Clemson so far. We are all so thankful for the chance to represent St. Jude, and to be able to be such a small part of their global mission.