Spring Break
Delta Rho, local and stuck in the middle
Mallary Patterson, Greek Voices
Issue date: 9/12/05 Section: Forum
- Page 1 of 1
There was one small step I performed on the first day of school that many students on campus would not have done. I put on a Delta Rho T-shirt.
On my way to school, I passed people who looked at my shirt, looked at me and gave me varying expressions. Having been an active member for over a year now, I am used to it, but I can still look at people and know exactly what they are thinking.
To those who aren't Greek, I am just a ditsy girl who parties all the time and buys her friends. To Greeks, the letters on my shirt remind them that we are one big happy, slightly dysfunctional family.
Delta Rho can be likened to the rebellious middle child; cool and holds her own but lives in the shadow of the older, overachieving sibling and is not the younger lovable baby of the family. The reasoning behind our middle child placement is due to one little adjective: "local."
Gasp!
It is this one word that has sealed our fate in the Greek family. But what does "local sorority" really mean? Basically, it means that there is no Delta Rho anywhere else, that's it.
Sure, we know that the Greek community supports us and refuses to answer the ever-popular question of which child is their favorite, but like any sibling rivalry, we will always compete to be the best. And also as a middle child, we are constantly challenging others for our place in the family and for attention from UMKC.
Most of us in Delta Rho are used to it and have learned to thrive on this family-like relationship. We dare the others to tell us what we won't be able to do and we always prove them wrong, or at least die trying.
The best part of being the middle child is getting the chance to show up our siblings.
Anytime we can post our outstanding report card with a magnet on the refrigerator of the Greek community, we do so. Seeing the proud shimmer in the eyes of Greeks due to our winning of UMKC's best student organization in 2004, our winning multiple Miss Congenialities, bringing Relay for Life to campus, winning Greek Week events and throwing successful fundraisers all makes us realize how loved we really are.
Yes, Greek community, we know you love us and the feeling is mutual. After all, who doesn't like to have a little healthy competition among their siblings once in a while?
So next time you see a Delta Rho, a girl with a "triangle" and a "P" on her shirt, don't let thoughts of keggers and low IQs pop into your head. Stop, say hi and congratulate her for thriving in the most competitive of family environments.
It isn't always effortless flourishing as a local sorority, but we sure have fun trying.
Mallary Patterson is a second year nursing student and public relations officer for the Delta Rho Sorority.
On my way to school, I passed people who looked at my shirt, looked at me and gave me varying expressions. Having been an active member for over a year now, I am used to it, but I can still look at people and know exactly what they are thinking.
To those who aren't Greek, I am just a ditsy girl who parties all the time and buys her friends. To Greeks, the letters on my shirt remind them that we are one big happy, slightly dysfunctional family.
Delta Rho can be likened to the rebellious middle child; cool and holds her own but lives in the shadow of the older, overachieving sibling and is not the younger lovable baby of the family. The reasoning behind our middle child placement is due to one little adjective: "local."
Gasp!
It is this one word that has sealed our fate in the Greek family. But what does "local sorority" really mean? Basically, it means that there is no Delta Rho anywhere else, that's it.
Sure, we know that the Greek community supports us and refuses to answer the ever-popular question of which child is their favorite, but like any sibling rivalry, we will always compete to be the best. And also as a middle child, we are constantly challenging others for our place in the family and for attention from UMKC.
Most of us in Delta Rho are used to it and have learned to thrive on this family-like relationship. We dare the others to tell us what we won't be able to do and we always prove them wrong, or at least die trying.
The best part of being the middle child is getting the chance to show up our siblings.
Anytime we can post our outstanding report card with a magnet on the refrigerator of the Greek community, we do so. Seeing the proud shimmer in the eyes of Greeks due to our winning of UMKC's best student organization in 2004, our winning multiple Miss Congenialities, bringing Relay for Life to campus, winning Greek Week events and throwing successful fundraisers all makes us realize how loved we really are.
Yes, Greek community, we know you love us and the feeling is mutual. After all, who doesn't like to have a little healthy competition among their siblings once in a while?
So next time you see a Delta Rho, a girl with a "triangle" and a "P" on her shirt, don't let thoughts of keggers and low IQs pop into your head. Stop, say hi and congratulate her for thriving in the most competitive of family environments.
It isn't always effortless flourishing as a local sorority, but we sure have fun trying.
Mallary Patterson is a second year nursing student and public relations officer for the Delta Rho Sorority.
