Tie a little string around your finger

Sigma says remember me

Every little thing to make us linger

In your memory

For if you should love another

Think how sorry we would be

So tie a little string around your finger

A Sigma Memory

I am prone to passing out; I have been for as long as I can remember. If you have ever passed out, you know that it never happens at a convenient time - if such a time exists. It always happens when you are brushing your hair, ordering at Subway, or in front of your sorority's national executive council. I have done all of those things - the last one a little more recently. Not only did I pass out, I managed to give myself a minor concussion and had to be taken to the nearest emergency room - but it wasn't as nearly as embarrassing as it sounds.

I am a sister of the Epsilon Theta chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma at Oglethorpe University. At the beginning of this year, we were invited to assist with the installment of a brand new chapter of Tri Sigma, Theta Iota at Auburn University. This weekend twenty-one of our sisters traveled to Alabama.We arrived on Friday and traveled to campus to witness the initiation of Theta Iota's officer board. (This is where the concussion comes in.) I remember in such detail that it is almost frightening: the exact moment that I realized I was going to pass out, my sister, Leah Tongco, silently asking me if I was okay (answer: not at all actually), but I managed a short, "no" before going down. And, I do mean down. I hit my back on a counter behind me, then my head hit the ground. Hard. Thanks to some fast acting sisters, I was taken into the hallway and given a milkshake and some French fries. The decision was made that I needed to go to the hospital.

Cameron MacKenna drove me to an emergency room in Opelika, Alabama. She checked me in and sat me in a chair until my name was called. We were soon joined by our president, Kayla Brantley, and risk manager, Beth Durow. Our sisters, Mickey Fitzpatrick, Hannah Gibbs, and Delaney Findling went back to the hotel and got us new clothes and some food. After I was diagnosed with a concussion, we left for the hotel a little after midnight. I went to bed while poor Cameron texted and called everyone who needed updates, including my parents, and woke me up every few hours.

The next day I was shown the overwhelming support that comes with joining a sorority. Sisters of the Theta Iota chapter, our National consultants, our National Officers, and my Epsilon Theta sisters were continually checking up on me and making sure that I was taking breaks when I needed them. Our chapter advisor, Elena Weiss, contacted me every few hours to make sure that I was taking it easy.

The trip ended with a banquet in honor of the Theta Iota chapter, and my favorite Sigma memory. I was frequently approached by well-wishers, and my sisters kept reminding me to take breaks (as it was my first time in heels all weekend). The program concluded with all present sisters of Tri Sigma singing one of the songs that we tend to reserve for ritual. I will never forget joining hands with over one hundred of my sisters, and realizing the unlimited amount of love available in our sisterhood.

The Sisters of Theta Iota

Sisters of Epsilon Theta with our National President, Natalie Averette

Sisters of Epsilon Theta with the Chaiman of Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation, Jennifer Avenel