Hiking Kilimanjaro & Everest Base Camp: Meet Alumna Shelby

Zeta Omega is lucky to have sisters who continue to inspire us long after their time in our chapter. One of those sisters is Shelby Ryskamp (now Shelby May), a 2021 UCF graduate whose time in ADPi helped shape the woman she is today.

Shelby graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing and now works as a trauma nurse in Tampa, Florida. During her time at UCF, ADPi became so much more than a sorority to her. Zeta Omega gave Shelby a sense of belonging during a formative chapter of her life and introduced her to some of her best friends. Shelby’s favorite memories are rooted in the friendships and support she found within ADPi. Today, those friendships remain just as meaningful… so much so that five of her Zeta Omega sisters stood beside her as bridesmaids at her wedding!

Her time in Zeta Omega also taught her lessons that she continues to carry into her career and life today. “My sorority experience has set me up in all the best ways for life post-grad. It taught me how to build and maintain meaningful relationships, how to lead and support a team, and how to collaborate with all different kinds of personalities and backgrounds. These are all things I carry with me daily, especially in my work life where teamwork is everything. Being surrounded by driven, supportive women raised my standards for myself and showed me the importance of having a strong community around you,” Shelby expresses.

In March of 2026, Shelby traded the familiar Florida landscape for some of the highest mountains in the world. “My inspiration to start climbing seemingly came out of nowhere. I have always been drawn to being outdoors but growing up in Florida, hiking isn’t the extreme activity as it is in other parts of the country with actual mountains - or even tall hills for that matter. One day on a whim, my coworkers and I started talking about the idea of hiking Kilimanjaro and once that idea was put out there, it was very hard to ignore. After Kilimanjaro, we joked about Everest being next on the list until it became a joke no longer. “

“To prepare, my coworkers and I would walk up and down the 9 flights of stairs at work wearing N95 masks during our breaks almost every shift. We would go on group runs to keep each other motivated and follow walking or running plans as a group when we were not physically together,” Shelby explains.

When asked how these adventures have shaped her, Shelby explains that they’ve “made me realize how important it is to take opportunities and not wait for the “perfect” time. Growth really does happen when you’re uncomfortable… The first step is saying “yes.” Expect it to be difficult and go anyway! The challenge will make you stronger. “

While the physical challenges of climbing Kilimanjaro and trekking to Everest Base Camp pushed Shelby beyond what she thought she could do, some of her favorite memories came from the moments in between the difficult ones.

Looking back on her time in the mountains, Shelby recalls one particular moment during her descent from Kilimanjaro. “There was one day that we were high above the clouds, dancing and singing in celebration as a team with our porters after accomplishing our hardest climb day of the trip. It was so refreshing to let loose after pushing ourselves to the limit.”

Her time in Nepal offered a different kind of memorable experience. During an acclimatization hike, Shelby found herself taking in the surrounding landscape in a way she never had before. She explains, “We had just hiked to the top of one of the mountains near the village of Namche when I was overcome with full body chills and tears began to fill my eyes as I looked out at the endless stretch of mountains and valleys. I was in awe of God’s beautiful creation and in this moment, captured in this photo, I was truly jumping for joy.”

Beyond the scenery, Shelby was deeply impacted by the people she met throughout her time in Nepal. “One thing that really stuck with me was the sense of resilience of the locals. The people we met carried such a positive outlook despite challenges, and it was a reminder to appreciate more and complain less.”

That perspective stayed with her as she continued through the Himalayas, where the landscape offered just as many moments of reflection as it did physical challenges.

From training with her coworkers to navigating the challenges of high-altitude climbing, Shelby’s adventures have influenced the way she approaches life far beyond the mountains. Her experiences have reinforced the value of stepping outside of her comfort zone, embracing opportunities, and relying on the people around her.

As she reflects on her experiences, Shelby has a message for her Zeta Omega sisters: “Don’t be afraid to step out into something unknown or unfamiliar. Take that risk, make that climb, don’t let that difficult thing hold you back. You are capable of more than you know!! Let your faith be a firm foundation to stand on.”

We’re so grateful to call Shelby a Zeta Omega alumna and can’t wait to see where her next adventure takes her! Follow Shelby’s journey on Instagram at @shelbyxoxoo.

We also want to recognize the communities affected by the devastating natural disasters in the country. Our thoughts are with those impacted, and we encourage our readers to learn more about ongoing relief efforts and consider supporting Nepal. To learn more or contribute to Nepal’s official disaster relief efforts, visit the Government of Nepal’s Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund.