The meaning of sisterhood

So guess what? Sarah Elisabeth Hargis is now...a member of Alpha Delta Pi! Gosh, it still hasn't sunk in yet, because it's so weird to write and see those three words attached to my name! I have been on such a rollercoaster for the past couple of days—what I call the "rollercoaster of Greek life."

Ever since I got to Centre, I knew about all the sororities and fraternities and that they were mostly fun. I went to a lot of the sororities' events and always had a great time, so I started thinking about joining one. I loved scanning Facebook pictures of the girls having fun with their sororities and loved the clothes they wore that proudly displayed their letters. It all seemed like so much fun. And being the fun, social person that I am, sororities just seemed sooo me!

After a while though, I got involved in a lot of stuff and joining a sorority on top of it all was a little intimidating. I'd also been going through a phase of wondering if I could remain true to my values as a Christian in a group of girls that all believed different things. So I ended up putting it on the back burner.

Then this spring crept up really fast and e-mails and letters were all going out like crazy reminding us of registration and mandatory meetings. It was time for me to make a decision! Again, I was a little intimidated and wasn't 100% sure which sorority I would join. So I told myself that I'd just go ahead and go through rush for the fun of it, but had no intention on pledging. I was just going to do it for the experience and then I'd know for sure that I shouldn't join a sorority.

Well, then Rush week started. It was indeed so much fun! Getting ready and going out with your friends and all the girls from my hall was a blast. And the first few nights were a lot of fun with the sororities. We made crafts with them, learned about their philanthropies, and then they all put on a skit night for us. I'd forgotten how much fun I really have with all these girls. And before I knew it, I started thinking that I just might pledge!

Then the last night of rush ended with a more serious tone—Preference Night. This was the serious night. Everyone was required to wear cocktail attire, and you only went back to two sorority houses of your preference. They all sang their traditional songs as they linked arms with you and each sister and their President gave little speeches about their sorority.

At both the houses I went to, I cried. The ceremony was so beautiful to me: the powerful words of their creed, seeing a group of girls committed and bonded to each other, the idea of "sisterhood"...everything struck a chord in my heart. I saw it as such a beautiful and special opportunity.

It was a huge decision for me to make though. Not only did a four-year journey joining a group of girls intimidate me, but I wasn't sure what to think about the different values that we all held. "If I'm going to become sisters with these girls, if I'm going to enter into an intimate bond with them...how am I going to deal with the differences of our values?" But a statement made by one of the girls in Alpha Delta Pi on preference night, when we were all standing in a circle in a dimly lit room with our dresses and jewelry faintly sparkling, was what sealed the deal for me. She said, "...Even though we don't always believe or agree on the same things, I accept you for you, and you accept me for me, for that...is the meaning of sisterhood." And the tears began to stream down my face once again. (I should have left out the mascara that night.) Everything I had been worried about, kept being met and put to rest. It all seemed to fall into place.

Through it all, I had mom and dad's support, so that made it a lot easier. But it was all on my shoulders. It was purely my choice, definitely the biggest choice I've ever had to make in my life, now that I think about it...wow, yeah.

I really don't think I'll regret joining a sorority. I've had so much fun already and it's only the beginning. I keep hearing that there are many gifts and surprises to come. I'm so excited to get to really to know all the girls. I can't wait for the community service opportunities and the activities they have. And I can't wait for all the CLOTHES AND HANDBAGS they wear!

So through this scary, frustrating, stressful, and emotional rollercoaster of Greek life, I came out learning a little lesson about tolerance (a theme of Centre College.) Though I may find that I don't believe or agree with my sisters on some things, I still accept them for them and they accept me for me. And not only is that the meaning of sisterhood, it's the meaning of unconditional love.