Retro on the Rocks with a Twist?

[Leslie Anne]

Hi everyone! I'm back.

I have to chime in on the discussion about juniors. I like the idea of free juniors because, yes, they still have something to contribute. But like FuzzieAlum and SydneyK said, having too many juniors can present some problems.

KDs, correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that holding the office of Assistant Treasurer is a pre-requisite to being Treasurer. If there were only juniors there would never be a Treasurer (or at least there would only be one for half the school year since officer installation is half way through the school year).

Since I pledged KD as a junior with at least 2 1/2 years left, I guess I'm biased and would like to see more juniors given bids.


On another topic that was brought up, I think that the advisor of Water Skiing probably told my big sis privately and my big sis decided to tell me why I was being cut. If I hadn’t had a previous history with the chapter it would have been just like any other cut when a chapter doesn’t think you have a good enough GPA to pledge. I also never felt that I was promised a bid from them at all. I always new it was a risk.

Fortunately, I’ve never wondered what would have happened if I hadn’t dropped out my sophomore year. Yes, it would have been really nice to have another year in a sorority but I don’t blame Water Skiing for it. It’s just one of those things that happen in life. Thinking about it now, I’m pretty certain that I would have ended up where I am now. I don’t always think that “you end up where you belong” but in my case I believe it’s true.




Preference Night

I don’t recall which chapters invited me back to Preference. All I know is that I went to Skiing and Tennis. From all those years, I only remember one outfit I wore during Rush and that was the one I wore to this Preference night. It was a very pale pink, ankle-length flapper style dress. I think it worked well with my short bobbed hair. I felt great in it.

When I walked into Skiing, Nina greeted me. She was such a warm, lovely girl. I felt very comfortable with her and with the chapter in general. I felt at ease there. They had a beautiful ceremony and I even teared up a bit. I left feeling content, which, at this point, was a very good thing.

At Tennis, Jeannine met me at the door. I wasn’t expecting that but I was very happy. We talked for a while and then all the rushees were brought into a circle around a fountain with our rushers behind us. The chapter president spoke and then the girls sang while their candles were lit one by one by the sister next to them. Jeannine gave me a flower and whispered in my ear to take a petal, drop it into the fountain and make a wish. It was beautiful. She gave me a hug as I left the house and I nearly began to cry.

I didn’t want to get too emotionally attached again. From the beginning I had loved the graceful elegance of Tennis. Something about the chapter tugged at my heart. I knew that it was likely that I wouldn’t get a bid there though. My junior status was definitely a problem.

I signed my bid card putting Tennis first and Skiing second. It would be wonderful if I got my first choice, but I wouldn’t be unhappy with a bid to Skiing either. My only fear was that I wouldn’t receive a bid at all.



Bid Day....coming up as fast as my fingers can fly.

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

Jeannine gave me a flower and whispered in my ear to take a petal, drop it into the fountain and make a wish. It was beautiful. She gave me a hug as I left the house and I nearly began to cry.

*sniff*
(I hope your wish is the same as mine.)

I can't wait for Bid Day!!!!!

[AlwaysSAI]

YAY for bid day!!

I hope you use some sort of picture with that day too.

[Leslie Anne]

Bid Day in this thread without pictures? Perish the thought!


I went up to the Student Union apprehensive about what the outcome would be. I approached the table, told them my name and was handed an envelope. Yes! I got a bid. The nightmare was over! I opened the envelope and saw:


















I had gotten a bid to Tennis. I was thrilled!!!!!

I’ll admit that Bid Day with Kappa Delta (it’s so nice to finally write it) was quite different from my Bid Day with Water Skiing. In fact, the two chapters had very little in common when it came to the manner in which things were done. It took a bit of getting used to but it didn't take long to love it.

The new KD pledges all met at the chapter house later that afternoon.



We were given these really cute green and white t-shirts with a logo that looked like a postage mark (with the circle and the wavy lines). Curving around the circle was, “University of Maryland” and “Pledge class 1986”. Inside the circle were the Greek letters KD and under the lines was, “First Class.” I loved that t-shirt! I wish I knew what happened to it. Anyway, after we celebrated at the chapter house we headed over to The Row for GIGIP (Gee I’m Glad I Pledged) with the rest of the sororities.



I got a wonderful big sis and made absolutely sure that I made grades and was initiated. Initiation was a wonderful experience, but it was even more important to me because I finally had a sisterhood that wouldn’t be taken away from me. I treasure that sisterhood.



Side-note: About 18 years later my beautiful Kappa Delta pin was used to initiate GC’s TroganGal, who’s been posting a bit in this thread.

So that’s my story. Thank you all for sticking with a very long tale and for your wonderful comments. I’m guessing that you’d like to know which sororities are which? I have an appointment this afternoon but as soon as I’m back I’ll post it.

[AlwaysSAI]

Do you mean, your badge was used to initiate Trogangal?

I know some sororities have little sisters keep and wear the big sisters badge until hers comes in. I personally don't know if I could part with either one of my badges.

We are supposed to give our SAI badges back to headquaters when we die, but I really don't know how I feel about that........

Either way, YaY for Leslie and Kappa Delta!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I kept SAI bid card too. (Phi Sig does bidding a different way) I got it framed, so the card is in the middle with a red matte border and then beyond that is a white matte border. It's beautiful!

I have since sent of my SAI membership certificate and my Phi Sig shingle. I've been waiting anxiously to get them back!

I'm just gonna throw out a guess that Waterskiing is Pi Beta Phi....

[Buttonz]

Wow, that a great story in the end. I'm glad you ended up where you wanted even though it took three long years to get there. Can't wait to find out who is who!

Originally Posted by AlwaysSAI

I know some sororities have little sisters keep and wear the big sisters badge until hers comes in. I personally don't know if I could part with either one of my badges.

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"]One of the fraternities at my old campus, one of the re-founding fathers did this for his little, and wound up taking his littles pin when it came in...now they pass along the founding fathers badge to their little and just take their littles badge, so the newest member of the family has the pin from the founding father. As much as I think that's an awesome tradition, I don't know if I could ever bear to part with my badge like that

[Leslie Anne]

Originally Posted by AlwaysSAI

Do you mean, your badge was used to initiate Trogangal?

Yep! In KD you get initiated with your big sister’s badge and return it when you get your own. TroganGal was an AI so she didn’t have a big sister. I kind of adopted her. That’s one of the great things about GLOs; that bond between people half way across the country that you’ve never even met.

Originally Posted by TSteven

Game, Set, Match!

I was going to write the same exact thing!



Quick wrap-up:

“Laura Ashley Laurel”, the first person I met at Maryland at Freshman Orientation is a Kappa Delta.

Just as SECdomination guessed, the girl on the shuttle who said, “Hi Lady” was indeed a “KD Lady.” Depending on your perspective it was either an odd coincidence or fate. Your call.


Regarding some of the women in my story who are not KDs:


“Angela” my Water Skiing big sis and I remained close friends for the next 15 years. She would on occasion introduce me to people as her sorority sister.


After 17 years, “Goofy Gail” sent me an email out of the blue just a few months ago. I’m thrilled to be back in touch with her. She’s a wonderful friend.


My friend Iris and I are still best friends. This fall it will be 34 years!




Now for the reveal:


Football = extraordinarily energetic Alpha Chi Omega
Cycling = very sweet Alpha Delta Pi
Diving = graceful and lovely Alpha Gamma Delta
Aerobics = super energetic Alpha Epsilon Phi

(only 10 graphics per post) to be continued....

[trojangal]

Originally Posted by AlwaysSAI

Do you mean, your badge was used to initiate Trogangal?

I

Just to go on to what Leslie said earlier..yes, that's true!

From the beginning, until I knew where I was going to land, Leslie was a wonderful friend and when we knew I was going to be KD, she was such an inspiration and true sister! When I went to Los Angeles in 2005, we actually got to spend time together! It was wonderful to meet with her; and at that time, we knew I was going to be a member of Kappa Delta, but had yet to find out when initiation was. We kept in touch, and when I found out when my initiation was, I told her. Leslie surprised me by saying that she was flying to Alabama for my initiation, was present at my initiation in October 2005, and I had the honor of wearing her beautiful KD pin. Leslie "adopted" me as her "Lil Sis"--and I wore her pin until I finally got mine in the Spring of 2006. The entire time, she has always made certain that I knew what I needed to know about KD. Plus..she also gave me my first Vera Bradley!

She has been a wonderful "Big" and has been the best encouragement to me! I had the opportunity to return her hospitality when she came for initation: we were able to visit our longest running chapter, Zeta, at the University of Alabama, during their Homecoming Weekend, and she had the opportunity to see them at their best!

So..not only did she have a great twist, she also got to start another "KD Family" and I got a wonderful "Big".

[FSUZeta]

what a wonderful post script to a wonderful thread.

[AlwaysSAI]

Originally Posted by trojangal

Just to go on to what Leslie said earlier..yes, that's true!

From the beginning, until I knew where I was going to land, Leslie was a wonderful friend and when we knew I was going to be KD, she was such an inspiration and true sister! When I went to Los Angeles in 2005, we actually got to spend time together! It was wonderful to meet with her; and at that time, we knew I was going to be a member of Kappa Delta, but had yet to find out when initiation was. We kept in touch, and when I found out when my initiation was, I told her. Leslie surprised me by saying that she was flying to Alabama for my initiation, was present at my initiation in October 2005, and I had the honor of wearing her beautiful KD pin. Leslie "adopted" me as her "Lil Sis"--and I wore her pin until I finally got mine in the Spring of 2006. The entire time, she has always made certain that I knew what I needed to know about KD. Plus..she also gave me my first Vera Bradley!

She has been a wonderful "Big" and has been the best encouragement to me! I had the opportunity to return her hospitality when she came for initation: we were able to visit our longest running chapter, Zeta, at the University of Alabama, during their Homecoming Weekend, and she had the opportunity to see them at their best!

So..not only did she have a great twist, she also got to start another "KD Family" and I got a wonderful "Big".

Awwwweeeee, how sweet! I just don't know if I could put my badge in someone elses care and watch it fly to the other end of the country. Glad you found such a great Big!

[AlwaysSAI]

Originally Posted by AXiDGirl10

Aw, that's not cool! I'm glad that AXiD's policy regarding our Quill isn't like that.

Uh, yeah. I have made it very clear that I intend on being burried with my badge. There is a part of me that just can't part with it. Ya know, it's my badge....I was initiated with that badge. I wear that badge and am proud of that badge and I just feel like, "Nope, sorry, you can' t have it back. I don't care how dead I am, it's mine."

Now, unless, I have a daughter or niece that join SAI--maybe I could pass it down to her.....

[Buttonz]

Originally Posted by AlwaysSAI

Now, unless, I have a daughter or niece that join SAI--maybe I could pass it down to her.....

I plan on passing down my badge if I have a daughter or niece join SDT...If my sister went through rush and pledged, I would have loved to have the chance to pin her with mine but sadly she refused to even go through rush

[dukemama]

YAY Tennis/KD!

Thanks for a great story, Leslie Anne! I smiled when I saw the picture of your pledge class in the post...I'm the same age as you and fondly remember those captioned pictures from my college days (up until recently I know I had one of me and my now-husband at a formal from 1986).

Can't wait to hear "who's who" later!

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

I had gotten a bid to Tennis. I was thrilled!!!!!

Game, Set, Match!

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

From there we went to a sorority with a very pretty chapter house. Here I met a girl named Amy who I liked a lot. She was easy-going and very friendly. The general impression I got of this house was that it was elegant. The girls were enthusiastic but not overbearing. I liked it a lot. This one will be called Tennis; a sport I was comfortable with and enjoyed.

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

Clearly Tennis is Kappa Delta! What an awesome roller coaster of a story! Best retro (or current) recruitment thread ever!