If you had asked me during fall semester if I would be rushing for a sorority I wouldn’t have even considered it. I probably would have laughed in your face.

Going into college, it was the farthest thing from my mind. I wanted to do whtever I could to further my career. Not go out to join a group that is stereotyped as party central. Out of all my cousins that were or are college bound, I was the only one not involved in Greek life (and I come from a big family). I wouldn’t say I was the odd one out but…I kinda was to some degree.

When signing up for recruitment came around mid fall semester, and all my friends and their friends were talking about it, the idea of me staying behind, excluded, pushed me over the edge. I said, “To hell with it! Sign me up!”

And so I did.

When rush weekend fell upon us I still could care less. I wasn’t stressing nor was I on the edge of my seat with excitement. I was just there. Because in the back of my mind the stereotypes that hover over Greek life were there. I was by no means the “typical” sorority girl. I was small, brunette, and at times can come across as intimidating. I have a naturally outgoing personality but not in the ditzy way that Hollywood portrays sorority girls as.

So I was kinda standing there like, damn, I don’t have a shot in hell at this.

For those who love Amanda Bynes and are familiar with her work, I was "Sydney White". Or at least could relate to her on some level. I was trying to be something I didn’t necessarily think I could become.

When I arrived to the initial meeting I took note of who was there. In hindsight, pretty girls with bubbly personas. I asked around to find out who was rushing for whom out of pure curiosity. And each girl I asked knew exactly what they wanted. They had said it was such excitement I taken aback. Literally. I jumped with a stricken look in my eyes. Me on the other hand, I knew none of the names, what they stood for, or their purpose. I was just there.

Things started to pick up a bit the first night of parties—or meetings I should say. I became friendly with those in my group. All were down to earth and excited for what the weekend had in store for them. All the parties were held in the student center. We visited each sorority, met with sisters, and prayed we made a good first impression so we’d be asked back the second night.

Not gonna lie…but I actually enjoyed myself.

At these parties I was my usual outgoing self. I was able to drive a conversation in any way allowing me to make a connection with each sister I talked to. Some were over the top, others were humble, and a few were making it difficult to keep a conversation going.

The entire time I kept saying “Kappa! Kappa! Kappa!” Sydney Whitereference to clarify. I was cracking jokes and asking everyone questions to stay awake. By the last party I was ready to crash on the floor. My voice was sore from raising my voice in a crowded room for seven hours and my head was pounding. At that point I just wanted my bed or a coffee. When all was said and done and the night had come to a close, I was nervous.

Who would’ve thought?

I didn't expect to have fun. I didn't know what to expect at all! After watching each recruitment video and seeing the joy in each sister's eyes I saw something special. These girls had found more than friends for life. They found their future bridesmaids, godmothers, and therapists. These girls were there for one another through it all. I envied that. I wanted that. It was more than just wearing clothes with the letters on it. It was more than making new friends. It was a sisterhood. A lifelong commitment. One that millions accept nationally. It was something incredible to witness firsthand. And I wanted it more than ever.

The motto of the weekend had been: No call. No problem. Meaning, if your group leader didn’t call you then you were asked back.

Going back to night two I was excited and confident. Despite the night before being exhausting I had more fun than I’d thought. I don’t know if that was because Temple made rushing not a crazy hell week or I wanted this more than I initially assumed. My roommates and I felt great. Our dorm on the other hand looked like a train wreck, but we looked mighty fine.

I knew you could only get invited back to a maximum number of four parties. I thought I had at least two under my belt. However, when I got there and was given my schedule the heavens had other plans for my fate.

I was only asked back to one.

I was very confused seeing that I thought I made a great first impression. Thinking back to the night before I could find nothing wrong. Every girl I talked to had similar interests, knew the same people, and go figure had lived in the same dorm! I was frustrated and upset but I didn’t let that show. It was all or nothing I presumed. Considering that everyone else in my group was invited to at least three.

I became anxious and nervous.

I did exactly what I did the night before. I was outgoing, kept the conversation flowing, and smiled…a lot! All I could do was be myself and let the rest fall into place.

That night was the end all be all. The third night was preference night. You could be invited back to a maximum of two parties. Again, no call was a good thing. I called my family freaking out. I wanted to get into this specific sorority. That second night, I fell in love with the girls and the sisterhood. I wanted it more than ever.

The heavens must’ve heard my plea because I was asked back. I learned that the first two nights meant the most considering that the third night was more of a show put on by the sororities themselves. That night I had no control over what the morning brought. If we got no call then we got a big. Two words: anxious and nervous. It summed up the weekend perfectly.

When Monday rolled around I purposely muted my phone. I wanted to avoid it all costs. By four o’clock I finally glanced at it. My heart was pounding out of my chest. When I saw there were no phone calls I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.

I had gotten a bid!
Later that evening when I walked into the bid party seeing all my new sisters I gained a new perspective of what it meant to be a part of Greek life. It felt like a second home. I didn’t feel like I had to be anyone other than myself. It was like I had found a missing puzzle piece. It was a feeling I never thought I would endure nor want.

I was Sydney White. I still believe I am Sydney White. And I’ve never been more excited about the future and what is to come.

Welcome home, Sydney White.