Two weeks I ago I went through Greek recruitment at Mississippi State, and what I learned throughout the course of the week was beyond what I'd ever imagined. Pre-conceived ideas had formed in my head about what sororities are, who joins them, and which ones are better than the others. These judgements, however, were quickly put to rest after my first day of water parties.
Eight houses and a couple glasses of spilled water later; I had completed my first day of recruitment. Besides the exhaustion from the Mississippi heat, power walking, and nervous tension, I felt outstanding. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, I found myself feeling blown away by the warmth and compassion that flowed throughout each house on the row. Even the houses that I'd never visited before reached out to me with open arms and allowed me to put myself at ease to see for myself if this could possibly be the house for me.
After each night of rush, my friends and I would pile into our tiny dorm beds, order Insomnia cookies, and gush to each other about the excitement of the week. As the days continued, I realized that my girlfriends had crystal clear ideas of exactly where they wanted to be on bid day, unlike me. Until this point, I hadn't felt the pressure that I'd been warned about. I had always heard that I would experience new and mixed feelings during rush. I just had no idea how confused I would be. At one point, I could envision myself in three separate houses thriving. I felt so passionately about each one in completely different ways, so I prayed that God would guide me in the right path to where I needed to be.
Theme night rolled around, and I felt closer to some girls than ever before. This was when I realized that sisterhood is not determined by the women in your house. Sisterhood is not strictly within one chapter. Sisterhood is the love and compassion that flows between all of the affiliations on the row. It is why women go Greek, and it is the reason I was able to make up my mind on which sorority I wanted to call my home.
Sisterhood: an association, society, or community of women linked by a common interest, religion, or trade.
After preference night, I felt an overwhelming pool of emotions. I experienced excitement for the chapter I wished to see waiting for me across the hill the next morning; guilt, for having to choose only one sorority to be a part of; and finally, understanding, because regardless of the competition between sororities, I finally understood that sisterhood is about coming together, not only within your chapter, but as one.
On bid day, I was probably the happiest baby teddy on the row. I pulled on my green and white jersey as a tear of joy rolled down my face. I grinned as I watched the other sororities decked in their colors with glitter and flags surrounding them all. I'd never seen such a wide variety of girls in one place at the same time. Once again, sisterhood came to mind. Each and every woman in the amphitheater was a sister in Christ. We were all preparing to embark on new and exciting journeys, and we owe all the glory to God for guiding each of us to our own home.
I am a Kappa Delta lady, but I have best friends and sisters in Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, Phi Mu, as well as many others. Recruitment was a different experience for me than I think it is for others, because instead of separating myself from different affiliations, I truly believe it brought me closer to other women. As Greek women we have a duty to serve our chapter to the best of our ability, and together we can better the Greek community as well as the campus of Mississippi State.
We are one; bulldogs, Greek women, students, leaders, athletes, and entrepreneurs. This is OUR STATE. This is our home. And this is our sisterhood
