[KappaKittyCat]

My shout-outs are long and even longer overdue.

To the Greek Family who've supported my Greek ventures:

Mom and Aunt Beth of the SFE Women's Literary Society at Illinois College: You became sisters-in-law, but were always sisters in heart.

Daddy and Uncle Dan of the GN Men's Literary Society at Illinois College: Brothers by birth and by oath. Your reunion experiences made me grow up seeing the fun that fraternity can provide years and years after college is over.

Uncle Mike of DTD: When driving past the Delt house on my campus, "Oh, I can't go in there, I'd have to remember the secret handshake!" A goofball, but a loyal one at that.

Annie of my own KKG: You adopted me as your daughter when you learned I was your sister.

To my Playmates:

Of ACW: Mandi, I can't believe we used to hate each other. What a beautiful friendship has blossomed out of our adolescent animosity. Kate, my first Sorella and my sweetest amica. I never would have survived the term without your love and support.

Of BQP: Jason, the best swing dancer and most amazing date I've ever taken to a formal, hands down. You're a wonderful guy. Who were you kidding? Madison is not "on the way" from LaCrosse to Appleton; you were just too sweet to miss my birthday. I can't wait to see you when I get back up to school.

Of DG: Jenny, the best president that Alpha Zeta Chapter has seen in a very long time, a dedicated, intelligent woman, and a loyal friend. You were incredibly supportive throughout our chapter's time of crisis. I am very happy for your marriage, and I love you and miss you incredibly. You take good care of our boy, now... and of course, take care of yourself. Jamie, the best teacher I've ever met. You're passionate about every subject you teach. You're honest, sincere, sweet, and fun. I'll miss you very much. Emily, my roommate. Even though we wanted to kill each other by the end of the year, I can never fully express how much it meant to me that you came and helped us make nametags for Recruitment. We shared so much, and your support through all of Recruitment last year was the only thing that kept me sane.

Of DDD: Hera, the sweetest and most beautiful woman I've ever met. I'll never forget our Spumante evening and intense discussion about the beauty of music and the strength of sisterhood. We started the term out right, Sorella!

Of ZTA: My Little's Older Sister, I've never met you and I don't even know your name, but your being Greek caused a fabulous woman to go through Recruitment. Furthermore, your encouragement led her to take a chance on a smaller group and help to build it up and turn it around. You even bought her badge for her, and it was with pride that I pinned it on her heart for the first time. I'm sure you're just as proud.

Of KAQ: Carolina, another Sorella with whom I had much fun running blindly through the streets of Venice. Thank you for dragging me out of bed when the top bunk collapsed above me and for catching me before I fainted into my spaghetti at dinner.

Of KHK: Erin, the first of us to lead the charge towards Greekdom. The yin to my yang, the jelly to my peanut butter, one of my best friends you are, and I don't know what I'd do without you.

Of PBF: Tahlia (not Talia!), the fifth Sorella, an intelligent woman and incredibly talented artist, the least likely to be a "sorority girl" but the paragon of sorority women. We didn't agree on much, but we could always disagree with class.

Of SAI: Anna, you made the first term of Choral Tech a little less hellish. It was so much fun commiserating with you. You're a great horn player and you're going to be a fabulous teacher.

Of SFE: Ross, a sweetie you are. You were the only thing that kept me from killing my professor, my students, and holding half the Con hostage during my practicum teaching. Best of luck to you in life and love.

Of FDQ: Cam, if the mothership ever returns and beams you back up to whereever it is you came from, none of us will be surprised. I say this with all sincere respect and admiration from the very bottom of my heart. You're an amazing guy, and one of the most intelligent people I've ever met.

Of FMA: Trent, you doll. Giver of good, hard backrubs and listener to the gripes of women everywhere. Someday you're going to make some woman very, very happy.

And last but not least...

Of FKT: Mu Chapter, home of the longest-running fraternity theme party in the nation, the ever-famous LeBrawl. Each of you is a gentleman in the fullest sense of the word. Any chapter that makes it a policy always to walk its ladies home gets a gold star in my book. A special shout out to my fencing teammates Shaye and Chang, who helped me stay alive and focused both on and off the strip; to my companions Brendan and Zippy, life will always be a musical when you're around; to Fritz, who taught me how to skate and held me up through some of the toughest times of my life; to Nathan, who is kind, generous, loyal, and always comes through in the end; to Tim, who's always there to give a laugh, a smile, a hug, and sage advice; to my music-mates Jerry, James, Chuck, and Jer, who make life fun both in and out of the Con; and to my very bestest friend and big brother (even though he's younger than I), Swanny. I love all you guys.