This week’s Greek of the Week is Alaria Benton, an Interdisciplinary Studies Major from Greensboro, North Carolina. Alaria is a Spring 17’ Initiate of the Gamma Iota chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. On campus, she also serves as Co-Facilitator for The Greer Dawson Wilson Student Leadership Training Program. Off campus, she enjoys volunteering at different community centers and elementary schools around the Hampton Roads area.
HC: How do you feel like you’ve grown as a person since joining your organization?
AB: I feel like I have gained a huge sense of time management and patience. The amount of organization you have to have in order to keep up with my day to day schedule is crazy.
HC: How do you balance Greek life with your social life?
AB: It’s all about time management, I know if I haven’t achieved everything on my to-do list with my academics and Delta, then it’s no socializing until it’s done. HC: Do you feel like your Greek experience would be different if you had become Greek at a PWI?
AB: The love I have for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated would absolutely never change! But I do believe the vibe that we have with the student body would be completely different. We mesh very well here with other organizations, but I’m sure we would stick out at a PWI.
HC: How was your first founders day, what did you do to celebrate?
AB: My first founders day was everything I ever dreamed of, but it was exhausting for sure! We started founders day with a blanket drive called “105 Years of Warmth”. We all went to different locations in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton, and Newport News to pass out over 105 crimson blankets to the homeless, assisted living home residents and veterans in honor of our 105 years of Service! Then we all went out to eat, and our pictures were taken by Brandon Monroe (@BSmooveProductions)! Then to wrap it all up we had a block show, and if you missed it, Malcolm Lott (@lotts__ambition) got you covered, so stayed tuned.
HC: Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
AB: I feel like this sounds so cliché, but my mom is definitely my biggest inspiration because she always goes above and beyond with everything she does. Even in the midst of taking care of everything and everyone, she never loses her sanity or her spiritual peace.
HC: What is a quote you live by?
AB: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21). This is a constant reminder for me because before I make a decision to do anything I have to evaluate the purpose and plan that God has created for me.
HC: What are your plans after graduating from Hampton?
AB: My plans after college are to teach in Virginia but I have recently been thinking about Florida a little bit! So I want to be an Elementary school teacher while obtaining a masters in Administration.
HC: What inspired you to want to work in the field of education?
AB: I actually came to Hampton wanting to be a Special Education teacher, but they got rid of the program. But, my uncle was actually diagnosed with Mild Retardation after undergoing a surgery to remove a tumor on his brain. I was always so interested in doctors appointments and how he responded on a day to day basis that I really knew I had the patience and ability to educate students with disabilities. Plus I hated school growing up so I want to be that person who makes school a little more enjoyable to attend!
HC: How has your Hampton Experience been so far, and what would you say has been the most memorable moment?
AB: I think my Hampton Experience is going pretty well, I’m trying this new thing of being more social, so I’ll give you an update after this semester lol. The most memorable moments would have to be participating and winning for the South in Battle of the States! Secondly, becoming a member of SLP was a huge accomplishment because it forced me out of my comfort zone, and to this day that push continues. Oh and of course the day of our probate was huge for me, it was super overwhelming but it was so surreal because I have literally waited my entire life for that moment.
HC: It’s still the beginning of the year, did you set any new goals for 2018?
AB: I did, with everything I do I realized that I have to take more time for myself. So if that is praying more, eating on a consistent basis, and attempting to get more sleep then that’s exactly what I will do.