Going through sorority recruitment is stressful for everyone involved. The potential new members (PNMs) are nervous about finding their homes and the sorority girls are anxious about putting their best foot forward. At Centre, like many other small schools, Greek life is different.

One of the benefits of Centre is that we have our formal recruitment in the spring, which allows everyone to get to know each other and each organization before going through recruitment. We have Rho Gammas, who are women who disassociate from their sorority for a semester to help guide PNMs, as they have also gone through the process.

Centre’s Greek life stands out because of how impactful we are in our national philanthropies, given our small size. Greek women are typically very involved in Campus Life, from academia to extracurriculars like clubs and sports teams. Centre has ten Greek organizations, six of which are fraternities and four of which are sororities. I am disconnected from the inner workings and politics of the fraternities, but since I am a member of a sorority, I can see both of those for the sororities. I have been impressed by how Panhellenic, or inclusive/understanding, Centre’s sororities are.

I am going to get candid. I can honestly say that all four sororities on campus are great and they all have had positive impacts on the women that join them. However, after going through recruitment as a PNM and now seeing the other side as an affiliated woman, it has caused me to reflect a lot on the process. For me, I was torn between two fabulous organizations that were both full of genuinely kind women. Right after the first night, Philanthropy round, I began to realize how hard this decision was going to be. I remember laughing at the skits on the second night and thinking that everything was extremely well done.

Then came the last night, Pref night, which is more serious and sacred than the other nights. I went to the two houses that I was torn between from the beginning. I had great conversations with a few girls at each house. I felt special and wanted at both houses, but, on top of that, I knew that I would be able to be friends with girls in each organization, regardless of my choice. I was beyond conflicted and on the edge of a breakdown by the end of the night. I sat in the Warehouse as everyone ranked their picks. I had to talk to both of my Rho Gammas for advice. They helped me think things through and listened to me when I just needed to voice my thoughts.

I was torn because I could see myself being happy at either of the organizations. I could picture myself running home and into the arms of ladies from either sorority. Both of my best friends put one of the organizations as their top choice, and they were most likely going to get it, but I had a gut feeling throughout the night that I belonged in the other sorority. Should I follow my friends? Should I venture out on my own? Which sorority would I grow into the best?

Finally, we all tore into our envelopes. There was lots of squealing, cheering, and chatter. I opened my bid to see that Kappa Alpha Theta wanted me to join. I couldn't stop smiling and I ran to the corner of the room with the other girls who had gotten bids from Theta. I looked around and saw that I knew a lot of them or, at least, I knew of them. It was surreal because I would only get to know these women better as they became my sisters. I looked across the room and saw my two best friends with another sorority bid group. I remember making eye contact with them and smiling softly because we had all found a home, even if we were apart. The Theta bids ran home first. We sprinted down the street on Greek Row into a sea of women clad in black and gold. I hugged everyone in the mob, even if I didn’t know them well. I smiled for the rest of the day.

As I reflect back on the recruitment process, I try to remember why Theta called out to me. Why did Theta stand out? Why did I choose it? What made Theta women so amazing? I think that I picked Theta because I could see myself growing in the areas that I wanted to. I saw a support system that was diverse and welcoming. I saw that the women in Theta were great role models and I wanted to prove to myself that I was brave enough to stand on my own, without my best friends.

We recently practiced singing our songs for Pref night. As we sang the eerie melodies, I got chills because it brought me back to the Pref night I went through as a PNM. I felt nostalgic because, as I looked around the room at my sisters singing, I remembered why I chose Theta. I knew in my heart that it was full of loving sisters and that it was my HΘME.