INKED FOR LIFE: GRACE AND KIMBERLY'S ALPHA CHI PRIDE

Before leaving Austin, site of Alpha Chi's 2022 National Convention, student members Grace Burgin and Kimberly Cole created a lasting memory by getting tattoos to commemorate their experiences and achievements as members. In the following interview, the girls discuss their motivations for getting tattoos, the thought behind their designs, and how the tattoos symbolize their journey with Alpha Chi.

Can you tell us why you decided to get tattoos at the 2022 Convention in Austin?

Grace: I already had six tattoos at the time of the convention, and I'd wanted a new one for a while; I just wasn't sure exactly what I wanted. After the main activities of the convention, however, I felt so elated that I knew I wanted to commemorate the trip!

Kimberly: I wanted a way to remember the experience of the convention in a way that could not be forgotten.

Can you describe the thought process behind choosing the designs of your tattoos?

Kimberly: I knew that if I were to get another tattoo, I'd want this one to be simple and tiny. For me, the most logical tattoo design was two small dots; one sapphire blue and one emerald green.

Grace: My tattoo is of the bluebonnet flower—the state flower of Texas. My dad is from Texas, so that part is a tribute to him. Matching with Kim, I got the blue and green dots next to the stem for the colors of Alpha Chi.

How do the tattoos symbolize your experiences and memories from the convention and Alpha Chi as a whole?

Grace: Kim and I both felt that all of our hard work academically had paid off at the convention. Not only were we able to win second place, but we were both close to finishing our degrees I'm the first person in my family to attend a four-year university and obtain a Bachelor's degree, and I was able to do it with high honors. I was super happy and proud of myself for what I was able to accomplish. Success at the convention really helped put that in perspective and show it in a tangible way.

Kimberly: For me, the tattoo is a reminder of the growth I experienced through Alpha Chi. Being invited into a national college honor society was not something I thought I would accomplish. So for me, the tattoo is a daily reminder to not be afraid of a challenge.

Was the idea pre-meditated or spur-of-the-moment?

Grace: It was more spur-of-the-moment. Our group was in a very positive and grateful headspace after we'd finished our presentations and won prizes. As the most heavily tattooed person in the group, I suggested the idea. Our plan was to visit the Capitol building in Austin and then go to a nearby tattoo shop, and that's what we did!

Kimberly: It was a mixture of both. On the plane, I was thinking of what souvenir I'd like to bring home from the convention. I had a fleeting thought about getting a tattoo but immediately dismissed the idea. Later I mentioned my idea to Grace and she was all for it! Having a friend (and research partner) on board to do it was the encouragement I needed to be all in!

Can you share any particular moment or event from the convention that inspired your tattoos?

Grace: Winning second place in the Collaborative Research Competition felt like a very tangible representation of all of our hard work over the past four years paying off. As a freshman in college, I never imagined I would have the opportunity, much less the ability, to present my research on a national level. I'm so grateful for the experience, and I will carry it with me as I continue my Master's program.

Kimberly: The experience of participating in the Collaborative Research Project was what made me want to find a way to remember Alpha Chi and the work that brought me to the convention I had never participated in collaborative research or presented anything before this. So doing both of those things surrounded by (and in front of) brilliant minds was a huge accomplishment that I wanted to remember forever!

How do you feel about the tattoos now that you have had some time to reflect on them?

Kimberly: I think over time I have grown to love the tattoo even more because of how it keeps reminding me to not place unnecessary limits on my abilities.

Grace: I still love it! I think it's so pretty, and it means so much to me! I have a great story to tell whenever someone asks about it.

Have you received any reactions or comments from others about your tattoos?

Grace: After I posted a picture of my new tattoo, people commented that they loved it and that they thought it was pretty! People love the design and meaning behind it!

Kimberly: I’ve had a few people ask about it while in conversation about my other tattoos. The reaction so far has always been a positive one!

How do you think these tattoos will impact your future relationship with Alpha Chi?

Grace: I think my tattoo will always serve as a reminder of the great experience I had at the Alpha Chi convention. My opinion of the organization will remain positive, and I will continue to encourage students to go to a convention if they have the opportunity!

Kimberly: The tattoo is a good reminder of the lifetime membership I have with Alpha Chi! A career goal of mine is to become a nurse educator, and hopefully, the tattoo will spark conversations about Alpha Chi with my future students.

What message do you hope to convey through your tattoos to others in the Alpha Chi community?

Grace: I hope to be able to encourage other students in Alpha Chi to continue to pursue academic excellence. No matter where you come from, your upbringing, etc., hard work can bring you a long way! Dedication and passion are all it takes!

Kimberly: I hope that it encourages others to participate in the opportunities that are available to us through membership. Whether it’s publishing research in Aletheia, stepping out of your discipline for collaborative research, or networking with others from across the country, Alpha Chi is so much more than just a highlight on your resume. Jump in and stay involved!

Grace Burgin (left) and Kimberly Cole (right) in Austin TX with their project's poster