We're all searching. We come to college looking for friendships, for entertainment, for an outlet, for productivity, for acceptance, for involvement and for memories that will last us a lifetime. We turn to clubs, to academics, to jobs, to parties, to food... but it's not often that we can find everything we're looking for in one place. So we spread out and try to do everything we can and be everywhere at once to fulfill our longings.
What if there's something that could do it all? An event that would serve all of our purposes and fill our hearts and minds with passion, fun and meaningful relationships?
There is a group on campus that argues that they have found, and are members of, an organization that has done just this. The organization may surprise you.
They are Ladies First A Cappella Group, the premiere all-female a cappella group on campus since1999. There are fourteen members this year, and if you were to ask any of them where they make friends, have fun, find leadership experience, bonding memories and outlets for their stress, they would all tell you that they found all aspects by being part of Ladies First.
When the girls meet for rehearsals and gigs every week, they also use their meetings to talk about stresses, classes, interviews, the future, boys, roommate drama, and everything about their lives. Each girl is different; each pursues a different field of study and has a different background filled with different life experience. But all are tied together by a common thread--a passion for music and a talent for singing.
Besides that, each girl can tell you that her biggest stress reliever is singing in rehearsal. Not to get too technical, but singing is actually scientifically proven to release positive neurochemicals such as endorphins, seratonin, and dopamine in your brain. Singing with a group bonds people to each other, and clinically helps to relieve stress.
Science aside, Ladies First is special, and not just because singing improves health or offers leadership roles that can boost a resume. Ladies First is special because very different people who do very different things can come together to enjoy a mutual passion of singing. They get to share their gifts with others, and always encourage each other to improve. They will always have an outlet, find acceptance, make memories, and belong. The members of Ladies First have the satisfaction of belonging to a group, expanding their social networks and improving personal health and happiness. They truly have found it all, and I am blessed to be a part of it.
