There is No Me in “I-Week”
by the New Member Officer
After about a week into the spring semester, the time which many Kappas endearingly call “I-week” starts. Though all Kappas know that it is the week leading up to a pledge class’s initiation ceremonies, some forget what the “I” actually means. “I-week” is an acronym for Inspiration Week, and contrary to the self-centering ideas that “I” often invokes in other circumstances, Inspiration Week is a time for the new members, as well as actives, to dedicate themselves to the organization and reflect on friendships with our sisters. As pledges participate in activities such as the blue and blue dinner and cup decorating, the girls are supposed to consider their commitment to the chapter. Less than a year ago, I was not only a new member to Kappa but a new student in the Whitman community and started attending college in the spring of 2008. I remember not being able to walk more than ten feet without a warm smile and hello from a Kappa. Kappa helped me immensely in adapting to college life. During my pledge class’s “I-week” I felt a part of something and knew that I had found friends for life.
Inspired by everyone’s kindness, I decided to fully initiate to Gamma Gamma and to give back to my sisters. Now as new member officer, I am able to give back to Kappa and participate on the other side of Inspiration Week. As I sent tons of emails over the listserv and constantly harassed key sisters to make calendars, quotes, decorated frames, blankets, etc., I was surprised by the amount of work. However, my sisters never failed to lend me a helping hand, and I am grateful for their support. Although Inspiration Week was a stressful start to my spring semester, the times spent with my fellow Kappas (like cutting 81 feet of blanket fleece in the chapter room while listening to Mariah Carey) are some of my favorite memories of the semester. Although “I-week” is a week dedicated to activities for pledges leading up to their initiation, Inspiration Week is a period, at least for me, during which I am reminded why I joined such a great organization and group of girls. If I were to give one piece of advice for the new members, it would be to become an officer. The newest pledge class is a great group of girls who live all over the country from Hawaii to Maine and who have so many different interests (skiing, lacrosse, tennis, photography, dance, piano…to name a few). With all of their different perspectives and opinions, I am excited to see the different ways the pledge class contributes to Gamma Gamma and I hope that they will continued to be inspired by their sisters as I have been.
Congratulations to our newest members of the 2008-2009 year!
Kappa Girls: Experience a Lifetime
By the Public Relations Officer
It is no secret that Kappa has brought together many girls from different places: from a California sea-lover to a Naches-born soccer player there is an array of girls who wander the halls of our Prentiss Kappa section.
I have experienced a deeper essence of being a Kappa upon deciding to live here in section for my sophomore year. The true beauty of being a Kappa is not just the fact that you are a part of a group. It is the fact that these women are true in the strongest form and fiercely loyal. These friendships that you form within Kappa, I realize, are not going to be the kind where you fall out of touch and pass each other in the street as strangers.
I experienced my first Kappa Tea Day during recruitment this fall, and what I distinctly remember was hearing some of the seniors saying that they expect to have all of their pledge class sisters to be there at their wedding, singing the traditional Kappa song. If I had been at any other point in my life, I may have considered the statement too ridiculous, but it’s from my experience of living in section that has assured me that this isn’t just a nice sentimental statement, but one that holds meaning because all of these girls that I have gotten to know are so incredible and resilient in their own way.
But again, it is not the major events of Kappa that bring us closer, but the smaller things. I enjoy hearing our president, running up the stairs to say hello, running in the torrential rain with my roommate, typing away on my laptop with two other Kappas sitting with me doing the same thing and driving to get food early in the morning and spending time looking at the stars.
These are friendships that last a lifetime, and seeing these Kappa ladies every day, every morning, never ceases to brighten my day.