To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to you in response to the recent negative media Chi Alpha Zeta sorority has been receiving. As an alumni [sic] of this organization I feel it is important that the truth be told about these girls and not just the stereotypes that the press and school has [sic] imposed upon them. To have these girls compared with a horrible tragedy that happened a few years ago at Plymouth State is not only wrong, but unjust. You’re comparing them with a sorority that had just been formed that year and had never seen new sisters into their group.
Chi Alpha Zeta was founded in 1972 and has had more than 40 pledge classes and now has more than 700 alumni sisters. There has never been an incident that has resulted in any one of the new girls being harmed in the 34 years that the sorority has been around. I understand that Kelly Nester’s death was a tragedy that should have never happened. However [sic] we are talking about two completely different incidences, [sic] the only similarity is that they happened in a unrecognized sororities [sic]. [unrecognized meaning that they do not have a charter with the school, so this makes them horrible people? [sic]] You don’t have to fit a certain profile to be a member of Chi Alpha Zeta sorority [sic] they open their arms to anyone that has the same values as they do. Yes [sic] values, these girls do have values although in the past weeks they are made to seem like they don’t. The media failed to mention all the good this organization has done in it’s [sic] 34 years in this community.
I know for a fact that each member does at least 5 [sic] hours of community service a semester. Many car washes have been held by these girls for different groups that could use their help, and many of them have used their weekends to help out different youth organizations in the community. Blood drives, food drives, walks, [sic] as a group they have been able to do a lot of good in the community. It’s not a drinking club? [sic] as one newspaper put it, but rather a place where a group of girls can get together and actually make a positive im pact in the community.
Weather [sic] they are school sanctioned or not should have no bearing on how people perceive them. If you have ever met one member of this group you know for a fact that the slander being thrown around is false, and if you haven’t met them I hope you at least keep your mind open to the possibility that every story truly does have two sides. If I had never been a part of this group I unfortunately would be in the same position as many of you, and just take the headlines for what they say. I am fortunate enough though to have been a part of this group and know the truth for myself. No one has been given the facts yet, so it is unfair for anyone to come to a conclusion or consider these girls guilty until proven innocent. I always thought it was innocent until proven guilty? [sic]
Sincerely,
Michelle Knox
XAZ Alumni [sic]