Checking in with Homecoming Queen Lydia Pappas

Tennis shoes are not usually royalty’s accessory of choice.

For Wake Forest senior Lydia Pappas, however, accepting the title of Homecoming Queen wearing a black dress, light rain jacket and muddy Asics sneakers was not uncommon behavior. Pappas is well known for breaking trends, insisting on staying true to herself through her many commitments across campus.

Though a title often associated with flattery and popularity, the Homecoming Queen award is an accomplishment that falls somewhat low on the list of Pappas’ many achievements.

In her four years at Wake Forest, Lydia has served on the executive board of more than six different organizations, including student government, Best Buddies, Wake Forest Admissions, and Wake N’ Shake. Just this past semester, Lydia, a double major and triple minor, served as Chi Omega Recruitment Chair as well as a Project Pumpkin co-chair.

How does she do it? She uses enthusiasm, humor, and a required sense of firmness to lead and unite groups from all areas of campus life.

“I have always believed if you’re going to be a fish in a big pond, you might as well try and be the biggest fish in the biggest pond,” said Pappas.

Such motivation and eagerness has been brewing within this Wake Forest senior from a young age. Having competitively danced since the age of four, Pappas is quite comfortable in the spotlight – yet leadership for Pappas, however, is more than just a dance she performs effortlessly.

Having had many role models throughout high school and college, Lydia explains that it is her greatest hope that the leadership and involvement she has taken on will inspire other students on this campus to do similarly, especially young women. “I think that women have a way of empathizing with others, listening to presented concerns of fellow students, and paying close attention to detail that sometimes men, though bringing many other strong qualities to the table, fail to possess,” explained Lydia.

So what does Miss Pappas look like as leader?

Erin Reynolds, a sophomore at Wake Forest who met Lydia through the Dance company, revealed that Lydia is constantly trying to form new friendships. Reynolds explained that the many different personalities of the Dance Company all look to Lydia as she leads through example. “One minute she will be doing some absurd dance move, making everyone laugh, and the next, she is standing firm telling people where to stand and what to do next,” stated Reynolds. “She just relates to everyone using humor, but is so respectable at the same time.”

Gabi Navarro, also a member of the Dance Company and a member of Pappas’ same sorority, reasons that Lydia is able to do so much due to her constantly present and engaged nature. “When she is at dance, she is thinking about dance. When she is in chapter, she is thinking about Chi Omega,” says Navarro. “She is always there, always with it, always ready to help.”

It has not been all smooth sailing for this homecoming queen, however. “There have definitely been times when I have spread myself too thin,” said Lydia. “My greatest fear is not being able to give 110% to everything I do and that fear has come true on many occasions.”

Papas recounted a particular time in the Spring of her junior year when she felt divided between her commitments to dance, school, student government, and her sorority. “I kind of hit a wall,” Lydia admitted, “so this year, I have tried to scale back.”

Next up for this fearless Wake Forest leader is a job in Washington D.C. working as a partner for a political fundraising firm following graduation.

Noticeably enthused by the prospect of this next adventure, Pappas feels as though her many extracurricular involvements have extensively prepared her for this undertaking. In wishing the best for this soon-to-be Wake Forest grad, let us all hope for one thing… may DC bosses and fellow employees place Lydia’s beloved sneakers under the work-appropriate category of “business-casual.”