I don't think it's a Midwest thing-- at least it's not popular here in Ohio. We do the height thing (Ace=#1).

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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Pi Kappa, SP97
#3 of QUINTESSENCE

I pledged in Chicago, Illinois and I am familiar with Neophytes, the "coming out" show of the midwest. I am not sure how far this tradition extends, obviously based on these posts not too far, however, my experience with Neophyte shows have been that the noes are introduced to whomever comes to the show, it is open to the public and free. They do a step or two, some skits maybe, overall the spotight is on them. Following the presentation gifts are given and most often a party follows. Now, as far as the event being formal, I suppose that depends on the chapter and organization. I know my chapter usually just wears a lot of nalia. I had a Neophyte lunchoen that was quite formal and we sat upon a dais and had a keynote speaker and the whole shabang. We have yet to have our Neophyte show though where we can really cut up! Currently it is tentatively scheduled for Delta Derby weekend in July, which is one of the largest greek events in the Midwest (sponsored by my chapter!!) So I look forward to it even though I received the bulk of my gifts already I think,ya never know) ANyway, my question is how many of you are familiar with and have in your chapters family trees? By this I mean, do you all hve pledge mothers, grandmothers, and so forth? That is another thing that may be confined to the midwest. My chapter has very extensive family trees that date back to the 70's. Just curious..I wonder how these differences have evolved to such extremes? Who originated thes e local traditions? *sigh*...Neos...so full of questions! Oh, by the way, I am still considered a Neo....and those, at least in my experience, who have had Neophyte shows are still considered Neos until they bring in another line.



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P.H.A.S.A.D.
#14
D.S.G.H.O.S.T.S.
LAMBDA
4/15/00

OOOO-OOOPPP my sorors. This is my first time responding to the message board and I just had to respond to this one. I am from Milwaukee, WI and I am a neo. I have never heard of a neophyte. In Wisconsin we consider greeks neo until there is an intake and then you are consider a prophyte.

Sentinel #2
Lambda Alpha
The line of Tension

[This message has been edited by dst22000 (edited May 02, 2001).]

Well, I am the ace of my line, I am #1 ( the shortest). We use the term neo meaning new. We are neo's until we cross a line. However, I have another question. My prophytes say we are not a "probate" show because we have already crossed. They say we should call it a "coming out" show. What do y'all think?

Old Skool, East Coast in da' house!

Well, let's see...

We had a probate show when I was on line. If the show is held BEFORE you cross, it is a probate show; now shows are held AFTER you cross so it is a coming out show.

I had never heard of a neophyte party until recent conversations with midwest sorors. We also did not have the pledge mother/daughter tradition but we do/did have speshs. Reading 'Sister Secrets' and 'Sorority Sisters' gave me another perspective on pledging and also conjured up some memories of my time [sic]! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/cool.gif

I also hadn't heard the term 'ship' until the last few years however it is ironic that my line literally was a ship. My line was the Starship Enterprise (much of my chapter were Trekkies!); and I was Dr. McCoy (hence the screenname).

We also didn't use the term Rock or Anchor but we did use Ace and Tail. All three of us were almost the same height so I ended up being the Deuce in the middle.

Ahhhhhh memories....

Also Sorors, the term Dirty Reds or just Reds began as a regional thing because even though I pledged in Baltimore, I had not heard the term until I went South. Now I hear it all over the place but I don't like it because it sounds like a gang, ie Bloods. I know some sorors think it's okay because mostly the Bruhs use it as a term of affection. What do you guys think?

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MCCOYRED
Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

Dynamic...Salient...Temperate...Since 1913

[This message has been edited by the411 (edited May 04, 2001).]

Though I have not heard of this particular tradition-- My mother and other more seasoned soror always speak of the times when these traditions were quite common..

They even did the toga thing http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

I think we miss out on a lot because of the hazing issues http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif

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IVY in my HAND-- AKA in my HEART

[This message has been edited by loviest95 (edited May 03, 2001).]

This neophyte thing sounds fun! I like getting presents. I got a lot during my new member education period, and afterwards, but I didn't get any gifts from my new member education class or my family!

I think that Greeks as a whole out on a lot due to hazing issues. The line is so thin that anything can be considered hazing nowadays, plus if someone whines about ANYTHING, you can get in so much trouble.

Does anyone else have any neat traditions that can be shared? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

I beleive they are both AKAs.



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MCCOYRED
Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

Dynamic...Salient...Temperate...Since 1913

You know what Soror McCoyred, when I crossed, back in 94, in California, the bruhs used "Dirty Red" when they referred to a "loose" Delta. I remember going to my first Que-Feast and hearing how a Delta was known for sleeping with bruhs of the same chapter and she was called a "Dirty Red". But that was back then, I am not sure if they use it now, but I've never liked that terminology.
Has anyone else heard it used in this context?


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Treblk
MSK94

That is terrible! I also do not like the term Red or especially Dirty Red for many reasons, one of which is the one that Soror mccoyred pointed out. I just don't see anything positive in it. I prefer to be referred to as Soror or Delta and I let the bruhs know this when I come across it. Most of them apologize and succumb to my wishes, which I appreciate. I have heard Sorors say that it does not bother them so I guess to each his own, but I for one will not have it.




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P.H.A.S.A.D.
#14
D.S.G.H.O.S.T.S.
LAMBDA
4/15/00

That's tight...we don't do that out on the East Coast...but I sure wish we had!...lol

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The Epitome of Beauty, Style, and Grace, Always Exemplifying Good Taste, A Zeta Woman, A Finer Woman, That's Me!

Well, I just crossed, and I am considered a Neophyte because of that. You are referred to as a Neophyte (or Neo for short) until you have made another line, then you become a prophyte. I did a probate show, the night before I crossed, so I was still on when I probated. It was mostly so I could be presented to the other Greeks on the yard, so they could get a sample of my knowledge, and so I could get respect. I didn't have any nelly on or anything like that, and it wasn't no dancing and singing and then voila, I take off my jacket and have a Delta T-Shirt on. That's not a probate, that's a coming out show. I'm from Eastern Region, and as far as I know, lines go in height order and the shortest is the ace and the navigator, and the tallest is the Anchor. I have heard of the one who is the strongest mentally and physically being called the Rock, but since I was a Solo, I was the ROCK!

All the sorors and bruhs that I have met in my area have used the term "Red" but it never had any negative connotation. It's used as a term of affection from the bruhs, and it's also used to differentiate between those that pledged and those that didn't. Similar to the terms "Kappa" and "Nupe".

Greetings Sorors and SFs,

I just wanted to pose this question, mainly to the old-heads, if you were not necessarily numbered according to height, what were the guidelines to giving out numbers? I am just interested in how they used to do it in the "good ole days." When I was online, we lined up (w/out shoes) and according to height were given our line number. Our "Ace" is the #1 and our "Tail" is the last one.

[This message has been edited by dst3800 (edited May 06, 2001).]