When I was in middle school I visited Norman for the first time for the opening of the new tennis center. My mom played tennis at OU, so she was invited back and decided to bring the whole family along. It was my first time on a college campus, and it was absolutely gorgeous. However, when my mom showed me her sorority house, I was blown away at how beautiful it was. I immediately made it my screensaver on my hot pink Razor flip phone, and I would stare at it for what felt like hours, just imagining what it would be like to actually live there. I love the white brick and the massiveness of the building, but how it still looks so cozy, especially in the winter.

Flash forward to my Junior year of college and I finally had the chance to live in my dream house. I actually transferred from SMU in Dallas, so this was the first time I had been back on campus since middle school. I moved straight into the Theta house not knowing anyone. By the end of the first day, I already had a group of friends. This place is truly magical and I’m so lucky to say that I got to call it home for a year. Even though I’m graduating, I think in my heart I will always wish that I still live at 845 Chautauqua.

For eight summers I went to Camp Waldemar for girls in Hunt, Texas. All of the architecture there is absolutely breathtaking and is hand-built. The building that sticks out to me the most is the dining hall. It is built out of large boulders, rocks from the Guadalupe River, and small stones at the top. Eating three meals a day for a month in this gorgeous building was definitely a treat, as I was always kept entertained by the amazing structure around me.

The photo above shows the Junior Dining hall, where I sat from about ages nine to twelve. As you can see, there is a gorgeous fireplace and a banister leading up to the second story, where some of the counselors would stay.

This photo shows the Senior Dining hall. As you can see, it is often used for wedding receptions. Normally it has the same place settings as the Junior Dining hall. The walls are made of grey honeycomb and red fossil rock.

The time I spent at Camp Waldemar were some of the best memories I have. My grandmother went there, so it was already special to me before I attended, but the friends I made and the experiences I was lucky enough to have will stay with me forever. Looking at this Dining Hall makes me emotional because it brings back so many fond memories. It is such a beautiful camp hidden away in the Texas hill country, and I love that they have used the materials found in the Guadalupe River and in the hills to create this gorgeous escape for girls.