Alumna Initiation with Alpha Phi!

[bearal]

Hello to my Alpha Phi (and future APhi... valkyrie!) sisters! Per TechAPhi's request, I am starting a thread on my initiation experience. I actually wrote about the initiation on the "Alumni Initiation" thread, under Alumni Involvement.

Prior to initiation, my sponsor and two other alums took me out to dinner at an Asian Bistro restaurant. The food was excellent! After we finished eating, my sponsor presented me with a Phi bear. She said the tradition at her collegiate chapter was for the big sister to give their little sis a Phi bear. My sponsor then said that if I didn't mind, she'd like to refer to herself as my big sis. So sweet! She's been, and still is, an awesome big sister!

We then drove to the collegiate chapter house, where I was to be initiated. By this time I was extremely nervous! I saw the new member class, but I was to be initiated two hours before them. I think the initiated members hoped to use my initiation as practice.

I obviously can't give every detail, but I was led to a room that seemed to exude sacredness. It was that special! I didn't know what I was supposed to say or do, but it turns out the rituals guide the new initiates. What probably surprised me the most was discovering the meaning behind the letters of Alpha Phi. I realized the letters were picked for a reason; they're not random! But with all my nervousness, I can't seem to recall every hidden meaning and ritual within Alpha Phi.

When it was all over, I couldn't believe it. I was now a full-fledged sister of Alpha Phi! Two other alums were also at my initiation, and they gave me big hugs afterwards. I thought it was so nice of them to come by and watch me get initiated.

I know the initiation was just the beginning. I have alot more to learn about Alpha Phi. I need to start learning the songs, too! Other alumnae have told me that I should attend an initiation from time to time, because it's good to be reminded what Alpha Phi is about. I totally agree!