New sorority sister pleasantly surprised

Stereotypes and rumors about the Greek lifestyle may deter some students from joining a fraternity or sorority.

For Andi Staton, a freshman marketing major from Clay, rushing and finding her place in a sorority family were unexpected dreams come true.

Staton is now an Alpha in Alpha Delta Pi.

Most freshmen know well before they start college that they want to rush. Staton “wasn’t sure about the whole thing” to begin with. However, she said she is extremely happy with her decision.

“They tell us to be open minded,” she said, when asked about the beginning of rush.

The experience changed her perspective on sororities, showing her that they are not as stereotypical as most people believe.

Staton felt that rushing was a good way to meet people and get plugged into college. She said that it definitely helped her transition more smoothly. She wanted that “sisterhood bond,” and she was one of the girls that got it.

At the beginning of Rush, the girls are divided into 16 different Pi Chi groups, which was Staton’s favorite part of the rush process.

“I really got to know people because of the Pi Chi groups,” she said.

The girls in each group stayed together throughout the entire week of Rush. The girls visited the sorority houses, participated in preference night, and finally came to a conclusion on Bid Day.

Although she said the process is “nerve-racking” due to the possibility of being dropped, the payoff of making the cut is “a great feeling.”

Once the girls are in their groups, they visited the sorority houses to learn about each sorority’s philanthropy and what is important to them. Preference night was a night for the remaining girls to give the sororities an idea of where they wanted to be.

Thursday was the day that the girls were asked back to houses. Each girl could be asked back to four houses maximum; Staton was asked back to two.

This included “deep conversations,” Staton said. The girls put in their preferred sorority and hoped that sorority asked for them on Bid Day.

Bid Day was where it all came to an end. Each girl that was left received a card with the sorority that had chosen her.

The Pi Chi leaders revealed their sororities before running to their houses. When the girls opened their cards, they ran to the house of the sorority that chose them. By running to the house, the new pledges accepted that bid.

“My feelings on Bid Day were nervousness, but mostly excitement because I got to be a part of something bigger than anything I’ve ever done before,” Staton said. “Overall, I’m glad I decided to go Greek because it opens me up to a lot of opportunities to give back to the community and make lifelong friendships.”