High school Sororities and Fraternities

[James]

I was in a High School "Fraternity". We wore Greek letters, made paddles, had a "pledge period", had a mini ritual etc.

The fraternity, which may still exist, was founded in 1911 I believe so was as old as some of the collegiate versions. And every year it has a reunion for alumni. It even has a scholarship set up in the name of a Brother that passed away tragically.

Other than the intense physical hazing, it had many of the same functions and problems as the college groups. In fact, I would wager that on campuses without a strong Greek System the parallels would be fighteningly similar.

The one advantage was that we had more parties and didn't get in trouble for them.

[dgtxalum]

My boyfriend was in a high school "fraternity" (he went to a large high school in Houston). From what he's described, it's very similar to Dazed and Confused - the hazing is like what happened in the film, and the groups are completely unsupervised. But I have to say he has nothing but fond memories of his times - probably because it's all about being young and stupid, and an excuse to throw high school parties...

[Nice1]

I know at one high school they have:

Clubs : ---- Aspiring to be:
_______________________________________
Kappa League ---- Kappa Alpha Psi
Pink Ice ----- Alpha Kappa Alpha
Delta Darlings ----- Delta Sigma Theta
Ice Cold ---- Alpha Phi Alpha
________________________________________
These Clubs have shirts, colors (similar colors as the fraternity or sorority they aspire to become), step routines, probates, jackets, line numbers, line names, fund raisers, interest meetings, dances or parties, regular club meetings, etc.. Pretty much the same as Nationally Organized Organiztions.

[CA theta]

I, too, was a part of a high school sorority. Now that I look back upon my experience, I realize that it was a pretty silly and demeaning. At my high school, once you were a sophomore you could join. The "sorority" was supposedly for the only very pretty, rich girls. We all wanted to be a part of it, and when the day came when invitations were given out, all my friends and I were so excited/nervous to see if we had gotten invitied. Most of my friends were invited, but some were left out. I felt horrible for them, but I kinda pushed it aside and was so happy that I had gotten invited. We each had a "big sister," but the similarities end there as for the collegiate level sororities. At my high school sorority, we were all hazed horribly. We pledges had to dress as a baby (literally) for a week and our bigs were our "mommies." It was a ridiculous thing, but we all thoguht that we had to go through with that, just because being a part of our HS sorority was a big thing. After we were hazed at initiation, we became regular sisters. There was a lot of backstabbing and internal problems in my HS sorority, but on the outside we seemed to be very tight, albeit a sorority for only the "elite."

I would not do it again. We had a "sorority reunion" last year in my hometown, and it was horrible. Very superficial connections, I guess. All of the girls went on to join real sororities, and to be honest, I would not be happy to call them "sister." Thankfully, none joined Kappa Alpha Theta. Some, however, joined sororities whom Theta is really close with on my campus, and I honestly cannot see them as an ABC/XYZ, etc.

[fludda]

Well I am part of the Kappa League...which is an official high school fraternity organization approved by the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. at the 56th Grand Chapter Conference on August 12-15 1968...We do have a step team with the line numbers, line names and the canes, however we do try to make a difference between the KL and KAPsi...Like for example instead of using the colors Krimson and Kream...we us Krimson and Koal. The League is mostly about what the KAPsi purpose is...which is achievement...I see the League as a way for young men to establish a support system and develop a passion for going to college and making better life decisions and probably pledge when they get to college. We also make sure that we know the basic stuff of KAPsi but we still understand the importance of the KAPsi's Level of Secrecy. However to contradict myself...I don't like the HS fraternities/sororities organization that are only step teams and are not doing any community service. Fraternities and Sororities are all about Brotherhood/Sisterhood and the ability to help their communities out in the time of need.

My 2 Cents,
Fludd

[DSTCHAOS]

I don't care how long ago these groups were established.

As long as they realize they are clubs and not a real fraternity or sorority. They shouldn't be looked at as interest groups for children, either. Walking around as mini versions of our organizations is silly. Being a Kappa Leaguer now doesn't preclude wanting to become an Alpha when you go to college. So just let these youth groups be mentorship opportunities. They aren't lifetime commitments and have no use for line numbers, line jackets, etc. Maybe give them cute little YMCA-type tshirts and a certificate or something.

I've seen children trying to brand themselves and coming to different yards and pretending to be members. Even having beef with actual members of what they deem a "rival" fraternity or the "rival" fraternity's youth group. It's dumb when adults do stuff like that and even dumber and more detrimental when children do.

The groups for young ladies that Delta sponsors are not designed to be a mini-Delta or have those little girls walking around like "future Deltas" in any way. Any Delta(s) who is(are) modeling our nationally mandated mentor group as a pledge class or interest group needs to have that group removed from under her (their) mentorship.

[Senusret I]

^^^ I agree.

They shouldn't be clubs -- they should be "programs."

I am pretty glad that APhiA doesn't have a national youth auxilliary. Each chapter has leeway to create the type of program that is necessary for their community. In DC, my alumni chapter has a Beautillion, but one of the other chapters has a leadership summit of some sort.

Not to mention, we have a national relationship with the Boy Scouts, so there you have it.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

They shouldn't be clubs -- they should be "programs."

That's even better.

[Senusret I]

I was actually in a real program that wasn't attached to an org, but happened to have a lot of Omegas and Delta working on it. (The leader was an Alpha Chapter Que.)

And it was literally just a Rites of Passage Program. Afrocentric, community based...really great stuff. And even though looking back, I can see that elements of what we did had parallels to a "process" the superficial parts were taken out. No jackets, no shirts, no calls, no stepping. In fact, the only thing I have from that experience is a little piece of kente cloth and a notebook.

But that's all one really needs as a teen, isn't it?

In fact, sometimes I wonder if we'd have the same number of members in NPHC organizations if wearing para and stepping were outlawed, but that's another topic.

[Kjudicious]

I am apart of the Kappa League in Chattanooga, TN. We step, but that isn't what the Kappa League emphasizes. Neither is the emphasis on jackets (which we don't have), kanes (we have), or line names (we have). Our emphasis is put on Brotherhood and Community Service. We took two and a half months to get to know 11 people that we barely had ever talked to. Only seven made it through the process of us being on line. We've put in work at the Ronald McDonald House, numerous Shelters, the Community Kitchen, and of course, at our school. I know that doesn't justify why some would waste their time to join another frat, but it happens. It's just not goona happen with me.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

In fact, sometimes I wonder if we'd have the same number of members in NPHC organizations if wearing para and stepping were outlawed, but that's another topic.

Every generation has its idea of "cool" and "fun" and every generation has people who think that "cool" and "fun" are unnecessary.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Kjudicious's signature

Too Cute To Quit...
Too Pretty To Die...
When I Leave the League...
It's Gotta Be K-A-Psi...

Bad. All bad. Horrible even.

[Kjudicious]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Every generation has its idea of "cool" and "fun" and every generation has people who think that "cool" and "fun" are unnecessary.

You said it, right?

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Kjudicious

You said it, right?

You should be no generation's idea of "cool" and "fun." Children are to be seen and not heard.

[Kjudicious]

Define the word "Child." You arguing with one you call a child doesn't make you anymore of an adult than I. Thank you.