As a product of growing up in the late 1990’s times were different than they are now in 2017. No one goes anywhere or does anything without their smartphone, the Cubs won a World Series and above all else, fraternities have accrued a target on their backs. Despite receiving a bad rep as of late, fraternities continue to instill the notion of giving a task your all and being rewarded in the end.
Think back to elementary school when you were roughly ten years old. Everyone played recreational sports for his or her town. I remember in second grade my baseball team won the championship, so, like any other champion pedigree team, we received trophies for a hard fought, spectacular season. It felt good to have our efforts and achievements rewarded. Now, fast forward to my fifth-grade baseball team. Once again, we made it to the championship game; however, this time we lost. I was beside myself, didn’t know what to do. Before I knew it, I was handed a puny, glove-shaped trophy. Our coach deemed it a “participation trophy.”
I became a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity at College of Charleston in the fall of 2015. It was one of the best experiences I have been a part of to date and I am proud to say that I have many brothers that I can count on. The friendships I formed are unique and quite frankly, some people just don’t see the appeal of working for something like that. I guess that’s why a lot of people who aren’t in fraternities always attempt to oust them.
Nowadays, everyone receives a participation trophy, and it is breaking the values in which we live our lives. Why bother trying to reach your goal if you know in the end you’ll be rewarded for trying? Knowing you will be rewarded for trying your best can hinder your approach. Why push myself if I know I’ll receive something anyway? Kids growing up today need to be taught like we originally were. If you succeed, you will be rewarded. On the other hand, trying is essential to success, but it shouldn’t warrant a reward.
Planting the idea in young kids that it’s okay to lose is not ideal. Once they reach high school, college and eventually a career, the idea that everyone is a winner will vanish in the blink of an eye. Not everyone can win and only select people will achieve his or her goals, which is an unfortunate reality. But, with hard work and dedication, one can give himself the best chance to succeed. So, don’t be dejected because you didn’t accomplish your goal, be optimistic and work twice as hard next time to achieve this goal. Only with perseverance and determination will you fulfill your desires.
Fraternities and all of Greek life for that matter are by no means for everyone. For some, the idea of starting out inferior to others is an immediate turnoff. For others, people question the significance of becoming friends with someone through such a process. Common criticisms derive from the questioning of the process and if it is legitimate or not. As president of the Lambda Kappa chapter at College of Charleston, I can proudly say that I believe in this process. This process requires one’s absolute best; there are no participation trophies. Additionally, it molds lasting friendships and memories that last a lifetime. It requires a lot, but that makes the end that much sweeter; the moment when you realize you have acquired lifelong friends, and actually earned something in life. There is no greater feeling. No participation trophy will ever amount to the feeling of becoming a brother in a fraternity. When dealing with fraternities, it’s one hundred percent or nothing. It may seem overwhelming, but keep in mind the work you put in and how it will be pay off in the end.
All in all, trying is what you are supposed to do and if you are constantly reinforced with the idea that it’s okay not to succeed, then you never will. I can confidently say that all members of Pi Kappa Alpha at College of Charleston succeeded in our goal, including my fifteen pledge brothers.
We all earned it, and each year thousands of college students embark on a journey to earn the right to be a brother in his respective fraternity. These kids are not looking to be rewarded along the way. No, they want their efforts and commitment to be recognized until the very end.
Recently, Washington Nationals’ star Bryce Harper said this: “No participation trophies. First place only.” If there is one aspect fraternities instill in its members, it’s that nothing in life is given to you. Only through hard work and motivation will you find yourself achieving what you set out for. Fraternities look for one’s absolute best, not ninety percent effort. In 2017, if you don’t have this attitude, I recommend looking yourself in the mirror.