On any given night at the bars, you may see a group of girls all dressed up. One is wearing a crown and holding a paddle, while the rest of her entourage sings “Happy Birthday” as she kisses the buffalo at the Pub or takes another complimentary birthday shot. Some may view this scene as a stereotypical sorority girl’s 21st birthday, but others may be thrown off by one little detail: the paddle.
On any given night at the bars, you may see a group of girls all dressed up. One is wearing a crown and holding a paddle, while the rest of her entourage sings “Happy Birthday” as she kisses the buffalo at the Pub or takes another complimentary birthday shot. Some may view this scene as a stereotypical sorority girl’s 21st birthday, but others may be thrown off by one little detail: the paddle.
Not every sorority at CU participates in this tradition, but quite a few do. For many sorority women, it would be unfathomable to hit the bars without a paddle in hand. Plenty of women count down the days, months, and years until they turn 21. But sorority women also daydream of what their friends, or littles, will be putting on their paddle.
The 21st paddle is a work of art. It displays some of the birthday girl’s favorite things: patterns, colors, sports teams, animals, drinks, or even unicorns dressed as Batman. Of course, no paddle is complete without the number “21” being displayed in some way. It doesn’t matter if it’s wooden numbers, paint or stickers, the 21 is vital. Another key element of these paddles is the back. You may think that the paddle is all about the decorations on the front, but the back of the paddle needs to have a special something, too. The most common additions to the back are a list of 21 things for the birthday girl to do, 21 spots for 21 signatures, or spaces for all the drinks the newly legal sister consumed throughout the night.
The 21st paddle is an essential element for a birthday girl’s night out. Not only does she get a souvenir that will last a lifetime (or at least for the rest of her college career), but it also brings an element of adventure to the night for everyone involved. For most, the 21st paddle is an excellent gift. It can be kept forever and hung up next to all the other sorority paddles, plaques, and canvases on your walls. It represents some of your favorite things and the hard work your best friends put in to completing it. It’s a symbol of your final passage into the unknown world of a 21-year-old: barhopping, buying alcohol, and creating memories that you may not remember in the morning. Just make sure only your trusted friends get to take a swing with it.
