This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Towson chapter.
“Life is tough, my darling, but so are you.” -Stephanie Bennett-Henry
Meet Mary Manley! She is a Junior Business Adiministration major with a Marketing Concentration!
What do you do?
“I have been a youth group leader for 5 years, Community Assistant for University Village starting this month, Orientation Leader for Towson University this summer, first chapter president of Delta Phi Epsilon, and I’m a babysitter!”
What sparked your interest?
“Youth group has always been a huge part of my life. In 8th grade I went to my firsts youth group meeting and I fell in love. I fell in love with the acceptance and the messages. By my junior year of high school I started serving as a youth group leader for a middle school youth group and I haven’t stopped since. I plan on becoming a Youth Minister at some point in my life. Being a CA for University Village was something I was interested since the day I took my tour. At my old school I was interested in being an RA but I didn’t get the job. When I visited Towson for the first time and looked at University Village they mentioned that they had this position, but I didn’t want to be a CA without knowing anything about the community. So, I applied this year and was able to start early!
Orientation Leader wasn’t something I was particularly interested in, actually. My friend Elaina told me that I should apply because she thought I would be great for this position. I figured I would give it a try, I mean, I love this school so I wouldn’t mind telling people that were new about it. Once I started the process of interviews I realized it was something I really wanted to do. I was once where these people were though. I have been a freshman and a transfer and I remember how scary and exciting it all was. I want to be there for them as they join this amazing community of Towson University.
This one is still surprising to me! I never wanted to be in a sorority and I had the stereotypical image of what a sorority girl was. But last semester I got a text from a random number saying that she got my contact information and that we should chat about the newest sorority Delta Phi Epsilon. I figured it couldn’t hurt so I went to the first information session and I fell in love with the sorority. The women speaking were all so different and unique, it was nothing like I imagined. I went through the information sessions and the interviews and eventually I got my bid! I was so excited and overwhelmed, I have never had a sister and at that moment I had 141! From that point I knew that I wanted to be as actively involved in this group of women as I possibly could be. I ran for colony president and wasn’t elected so I decided to be a part of every event I could be. I participated in greek week and I ran PIKE’s Fireman’s Challenge for our sorority. I was nominated by one of my sisters for president of our chapter and I accepted! My sisters gave me so much support and love as I wrote my speech and then I was elected as the first chapter president of Delta Phi Epsilon.
Babysitting happens like everything else, I have almost 100 people in my family and I was the perfect age to babysit all the babies.”
How can someone else get involved with this activity?
“Most of them are just putting yourself out there and getting out of your comfort zone. Make sure you get your applications in on time!”
Do you have any tips for someone wanting to get involved?
“All of these things happen just the same way, you have to put yourself out there and work for it. None of this was just handed to me, I had to prove myself to all of these people and step way out of my comfort zone.”
How has this created connections for you personally/ How has it made you grow as a person?
“have made an unbelievable amount of connections through all of the activities and jobs that I am involved with. I have met my best friends and some incredible people. Through meeting all of these people, I have heard their stories and I have seen their struggles. It really humbles you to know what these people have dealt with and to still see them where they are now. I wasn’t always the most non-judgemental person and I have really changed, you never know what a person is going through. “
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
“In 5 years from now I will be 25. When I dreamt of 25 as a child I saw myself teaching, married, with at least one kid. Now, I’m not really sure. I’ve learned that what I normally invision myself doing, never really happens. I’d like to think that I will have met the love of my life and be married. I’d like to think that I’ll have a career that makes me so happy and a cozy home. Really, all I’m striving for is to be happy in 5 years.”
What do you want people to take away from this interview?
“I’m actually a very shy person and I never though I would be doing anything that I am right now. I want people to know that it’s okay to stray away from the path that you set for yourself. It’s okay to put yourself out there and be a little scared of the future. You can handle so much more than you ever thought you were capable of. “
Thank you Mary! HCXO!
