Summer Issue | May 22, 2014 | Volume 3, Issue 31 | Baton Rouge, LA
www.theodysseyonline.com | @TheOdyssey_LSU | Facebook.com/TheOdysseyLSU
WHAT IT WAS REALLY LIKE TO BE A PART OF MISS LSU pages 2–3
GREEKS GIVE BACK page 6 FINALS FOOD: WHAT YOU SHOULD EAT page 9 GEAUXING GREEK: RUSH AT LSU page 10
Deandre DiNapoli, Miss LSU-USA 2014, being crowned by Hillary Tuttle, Miss LSU-USA 2013. Photo courtesy of Malena Moreau (Delta Zeta).
2 editor's note
www.theodysseyonline.com
WHAT IT WAS REALLY LIKE TO BE A PART OF MISS LSU 2014 MALENA MOREAU
ever signed up for this. However as we went around the
room to introduce ourselves, I realized I knew a few of the
Delta Zeta Editor-In-Chief
contestants already, everyone else seemed nice and not too
Malena is a junior studying public relations and mass communications. You may contact her at mmore16@ lsu.edu.
are gorgeous). After introductions, we began to learn the
First, to be clear, I’ve never done anything like this.
Nothing. I thought my one dance class I took when I was
four would be adequate preparation... yeah, not quite. I had practices once a week, walks to learn, and a big dance routine. On a regular basis, I don’t wear make up. I eat mostly
what I want. I only work out because I like it, not because I want to be ridiculously fit. Before Miss LSU, I hated formal
gowns. I hated hair and makeup. I especially hated dieting. Enter late January, and our first practice. I found myself
surrounded by beautiful, and I mean BEAUTIFUL, women.
I was intimidated and wanted to run out the room, send an e-mail saying I had changed my mind and forget that I had
hard to look at directly on (I mean it when I say these girls dance routine. Just a hint: choreographed dancing is never
the friend of someone who likes to pop lock and drop it. This dance was no exception, and I was happy when our Golden
Girl instructor put me in the back. Anywho, the first practice ended and I thought to myself this is okay, it’s not so bad, and I think I can do this.
The practices kept coming and I got to know the girls really
well. They were intelligent, witty, and genuinely kind all the way through. I needed so much help with knowing what to wear, how to do my hair, how to walk and especially
the dance, oh the dance. I wouldn’t have felt prepared
without them and by the end of it I began to feel like I had
20 new friends. They actually appreciated my honesty and when I had questions everyone was happy to help and was
extremely understanding about my pageant experience or lack there of.
Finally, the big day came and I couldn’t help but feel
nervous. I’m never nervous. I’ve always been more than comfortable at center stage, especially involving humor.
Since the whole time I had the feeling I was just doing it to challenge myself and try something new, it had never dawned on me until the day of that I’d actually have to come
across as graceful and poised in front of hundreds of people.
All day I dreaded being on stage. I had my make up done
for the first time and my hair curled and teased. I still didn’t feel ready.
When we walked on stage for the opening number, I was
nervous as hell. Then the next thing you know, the dance routine came and went, and I didn’t fall! I managed to hit
almost every move, HUGE moment for me. We changed
into swimsuits, and I finally felt confident. You’d think you’d be the most nervous about being half naked in front of strangers, but we all felt extremely good about it. I strutted
THE ODYSSEY AT LSU EXECUTIVE TEAM President Catherine Morrissette Kappa Delta
Sales Executives Miles Mitchell FIJI
Client Marketing Consultant Christian Fraught FIJI
CREATIVE TEAM Editor-In-Chief Malena Moreau Delta Zeta
Social Media Director Katie Zehnder Delta Delta Delta
Contributing Editor Apply Now!!!
OLYMPIA MEDIA GROUP 888.272.2595 | OlympiaMediaGroup.com Kate Waxler, Managing Editor Celesta Török-Lee, Designer
We want a representative from every house!
To apply for a writing, photography or sales position, theodysseyonline.com/Page/WriterApplication © 2013 Olympia Media Group, LLC All Rights Reserved.
The Odyssey is a private entity not associated or governed by Louisiana State University or LSU Greek life office. The views and opinions shared in The Odyssey are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of The Odyssey and Olympia Media Group.
editor's note
www.theodysseyonline.com
3
WHAT IT WAS REALLY LIKE TO BE A PART OF MISS LSU 2014, CONT’D my stuff and could hear my family, friends and DZ sisters cheering, so I must have been doing something right! At
last, we performed the evening gown portion and I walked slowly and surely.
To be honest, I had always relied on my humor and
personality to feel like a strong, beautiful person. I’ve never truly felt beautiful in my appearance or confident in that
aspect. It’s always easier being the funny one. That night, in
that moment, I felt really and truly beautiful. I felt proud of
my life, my accomplishments and my dreams for the future. Somehow my inside and outside finally combined into the person I am.
As they began to do awards, I was looking happy. Happy to
have been here, challenged myself, and to have a completely new sense of confidence that I never thought I would have.
Two minutes later of not listening at all and being just content in the moment, I heard the announcer call my name for Miss Congeniality. I freaked out because this is the only award I could have dreamed of. I didn’t expect it. I was touched to
know these women who I initially thought I was so different from, felt close to me after our journey together.
Later, my friend Deandra would go on to be our 2014 Miss
LSU-USA. All of us couldn’t have been happier, as we all thought she was very deserving. An amazing individual, she
came across exactly how she is: gorgeous, calm and eloquent. So what did I learn from this experience? I learned that
pageants are most definitely not about trained toy poodles
standing and smiling in spots on a stage. Being Miss LSUUSA and competing in this pageant means you have to be a strong, confident woman. Pageants combine who you
are as a person and how you can carry that out into your appearance. It’s a true talent to know yourself so well, that
you can feel confident with who you are. This for me was truly a once in a lifetime experience. It was not only my
sorority’s philanthropy, but also an opportunity to gain 20
new friends that I will forever share this journey with. I will never think about pageants the same, and I will always be grateful for being able to learn so much about who I am.
4 Scene on campus
www.theodysseyonline.com
MARCH MADNESS: IT’S STUDENT GOVERNMENT TIME AT LSU March: it’s the month of post-Mardi Gras depression LUCY HARRISON and the “when will spring Kappa Kappa Kappa break get here already?” mindset that has students Lucy is a sophomore studying mass communications. You may contact here at LSU wondering her at lharr41@tigers.lsu.edu what, besides one day of St. Patrick’s Day festivities, this month has to offer. However, there is one major campus event happening this month that impacts the entire student body. The 2014 Student Government election is one of the most significant events on LSU’s spring calendar, filled with spirited campaigning and engaging communication between candidates and the student population. This year, the two competing campaigns are The Next Step and Experience LSU. The Next Step ticket is headed by New Orleans natives Clay Tufts and Taylor Lambert running for President and VicePresident, respectively. Tufts and Lambert aspire to take LSU’s Student Government to the next level by utilizing their strong leadership abilities to build on the past successes of Student Government and learn from its mistakes. The contending ticket, Experience LSU, is led by Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates Christian Coleman and Ashleigh Pichon. Experience LSU focuses on improving our campus by uniting the LSU community and improve the college
experience for all students. Both campaigns promise favorable initiatives and enthusiastic leadership, and no matter the winner LSU will welcome an involved, heartfelt President and Vice President for the 2014-2015 academic year. As the voting date of March 24 swiftly approaches, campaign frenzy is beginning to sweep the campus. Many buildings have been embellished with posters promoting The Next Step or Experience LSU, and an increasing number of students have been spotted around campus proudly sporting buttons that support either campaign. Members of both tickets have spoken at various Greek houses encouraging the Greek community to get involved with Student Government and vote; in fact, many members of the Greek community are running on The Next Step and Experience LSU’s tickets. Election fever is not limited to the LSU campus: social media has given students a whole new way to support the Student Government campaigns. Many students have changed their profile pictures and cover photos on Facebook to promote which ticket they plan to vote for, and favorite and retweet tweets sent out by each campaign’s Twitter account. Social media also opens up the lines of communication between candidates and the student body. For example, if a student was interested in finding out more information about The Next Step or Experience LSU, he or she could easily check out the Facebook page of either ticket to become better informed about the election. The candidates can also quickly answer specific student questions on Twitter. An active social media presence also shows off the personality behind the candidates as they upload vibrant pictures to Instagram and informative yet personalized videos to YouTube. March does not have to become a long month of missing Mardi Gras and looking forward to the warmer, Spring break filled days of April. By becoming involved in the whirlwind that is the Student Government election, we can all make this month that much more exciting! So get informed about The Next Step and Experience LSU and choose one to proudly support, on campus and on social media. Then, most importantly, make sure to vote and tell everyone you know to follow suit. After all, why miss out on such an easy, exciting opportunity to become more involved?
www.theodysseyonline.com
∑∑ GR KS CAROLINE CARSON Phi Mu
Caroline is a sophomore studying English literature and political science. You may contact her at coakle4@tigers.lsu.edu. Now that spring has kicked into full gear with crawfish boils, sunny weather, and Spring Break right around the corner, a fun and important Greek tradition is also upon us. I’m talking about Greek Week. Greek Week is a full week dedicated to building two homes for local families with Habitat for Humanity. Fraternity men and sorority women team up with Habitat for Humanity volunteers to completely construct two homes in only one week. Greek Week allows Greeks to give back to the community while strengthening our own community.
Scene on campus
5
GET IT DONE
Greek Week begins Saturday, March 29 and ends Saturday, April 5. This annual week of giving back began in 2004, when the Greek community first partnered with the Baton Rouge chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Since then, Greeks have built 16 homes for needy families, bringing the total to 18 after two more are built this year. Throughout the year, Greeks raise money for the project. This year alone, over $200,000 has been raised. The total amount raised for Habitat for Humanity since 2004 is over $1,000,000.
The Greek community chose to partner with Habitat for Humanity for this annual project. Habitat for Humanity is an organization dedicated to providing needy families with decent, safe and affordable places to live. The organization builds and repairs homes all over the world with volunteer labor and donations. Partner families are able to purchase the homes through no-profit, no-mortgage interest loans or other financing methods. Today, Habitat for Humanity has built or repaired over 800,000 homes around the world and served over 4 million people. LSU’s Greek community
works with the Baton Rouge chapter.
Greek Week shifts are only a few hours long. Transportation is provided to and from the build site via the assigned bus in the Sigma Nu lot. All participants are required to take the bus. Participants are asked to wear closed-toe shoes and a shirt with sleeves. No tank tops, baggy jeans or inappropriate clothing are allowed. You may purchase a Greek Week T-shirt to wear. Once participants arrive, various tasks are assigned that range from nailing to painting. Trained contractors and volunteers are there to assist everyone. Meals are provided. Anyone may work a Greek Week shift. If you are interested, visit www.greeks. lsu.edu. Greek Week is a great tradition that unites the entire Greek community for a special cause. Working a shift is a very rewarding experience for newcomers and veterans alike. I encourage and challenge all Greeks to take some time out of their week to help out. Show the surrounding community how strong our Greek community is!
6 Scene on campus
GREEKS GIVE BACK
want to make an impact on the community, the best way to get to know each other’s
This Spring semester on
LSU’s campus, it seems like everywhere you look, there’s some sort of philanthropic event happening down the row.
www.theodysseyonline.com
SOPHIA HOLLAND Zeta Tau Alpha
philanthropy is by actively participating. During the Fall, it’s harder to fit in all the philanthropy events with football season
Sophia is a freshman studying being (I’ll admit) the student body’s top priority. But on Saturday nights in the Spring, English You may contact her at we somehow find ourselves with plenty of time for other events. It might just be me, sholla4@tigers.lsu.edu but I feel that lately there have an enormous amount of events to raise awareness.
And while each of our chapters have a different cause, hosting philanthropy events educates our fellow Greeks, the LSU community, and the Baton Rouge community as a whole while also giving back to our national organizations and the groups we support.
In the month of March alone, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in so many different fundraisers. I’ve picked up a bookmark from Pi Beta Phi’s in the Quad, and I’ve eaten a delicious breakfast at the Zeta Tau Alpha 12-Hour Pancake Breakfast. I’m forgetting that “Spring Break diet” when it comes to Kappa Delta’s Girl Scout
When we went through recruitment as potential members, we might not have
cookies and Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Kappa Krawfish. I can’t wait for the results of
gotten a chance to fully understand what each chapter ’s philanthropy included.
Delta Zeta’s Miss LSU, and I’m spending hours at the gym training for Sigma Nu’s
We can definitely tell each other plenty about our own causes — who it effects, the
Sigma CaNu.
statistics, what it means to us personally — but as a Greek community, it is important for us to know what our neighbors down the row are fighting for as well. If we really
But what do all these events actually do for the community? With the Pi Beta Phi’s, I supported First Book, which brings books to children in low-income homes. While eating pancakes at ZTA, I was supporting breast cancer education and awareness. KD’s Girl Scout cookie sale supports the Girl Scouts organization, while Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Kappa Krawfish benefits Reading is Fundamental, which fights illiteracy. By attending Miss LSU, students are supporting the Painted Turtle and the Starkey Hearing Foundation, and by paddling in Sigma CaNu, I’ll be helping out the kids at St. Jude. Often, we participate in these events without really knowing why. It’s definitely important to take a closer look at the reason we have so much fun and understand what a powerful contribution we are making, as well. Just this Spring, the Panhellenic Council has started working with the LSU Day Care as a group service. Each chapter is paired with a different class based on animal names, and everyone in the chapter is welcome to help out and have fun with the youngest members of the LSU community. Greek Week, which is perhaps the most exciting Greek-wide service event, begins in the last week of March and kicks off the month of April. Through letter writing parties, the LSU Greek community has raised over $1,000,000 for Habitat for Humanity since the beginning of the partnership. During Greek Week, members of the IFC, NPHC, and PHC take buses to a building site and construct homes for those without. Working side by side, we get to know those from other chapters and other organizations in a humbling atmosphere. The vision of LSU Greek Life is to “achieve the highest standards of personal integrity and civic engagement”, making service one of our top priorities. Take the opportunity this Spring to participate in a few of the many philanthropic events that are happening within our Greek community.
Scene on campus
www.theodysseyonline.com
7
CAROLINE DARWIN: GREEK OF THE WEEK
In the Greek community, one does not need to look far to find successful students. Delta Delta Delta In fact, Greek organizations are full to the brim with Madaline is a junior studying intelligent, informed, and political science. You may contact well-rounded young adults her at mking25@tigers.lsu.edu. ready to make their mark on the world. This is because fraternities and sororities alike foster an environment centered on academics, service, and social skills. All throughout the Greek community, successful students are transforming into successful adults, and students like Caroline Darwin are leading the way.
MADALINE KING
If you haven’t gotten the chance to meet Darwin, you are certainly missing out. Intelligent, polite, driven, and funny do not even begin to describe her. Darwin is from Bossier City and is a member of Delta Delta Delta. She is a senior Public Relations major with a minor in Business Administration. Darwin is expected to graduate this May and plans to attend law school after graduation. As a member of Tri Delta, Caroline Darwin is expected to uphold certain academic standards. She values education and works hard to reach her scholastic goals. Because of her dedication to her schoolwork, Darwin has been named to both the Dean’s List and the Chancellor’s Honor Roll. She has also been honored with membership in two very prestigious organizations, Rho Lambda and Omicron Delta Kappa. Darwin has been very involved in her chapter during her time at LSU. In 2012, she served as the Sponsor Chair, organizing the Big Sister/Little Sister process and assisting the New Member Educator in developing Tri Delta’s newest pledge class. Last year, Darwin served as the Vice President of Administration, overseeing the chapter’s officers and daily procedures. Being a member of Tri Delta means a lot to her. She said, “I love being a member of Tri Delta because of the many opportunities it has given me, along with the amazing friendships I have made.” But Caroline Darwin does not stop at being involved in her chapter. She took Greek life by storm. Darwin is a member of the Greek Charge Advisory Board, served as the Greek Week Director during the 2012-2013 school year, and currently serves as the President of the Greek Board of Directors. She encourages others to get involved, saying, “Ask others about what they do, ask them how they got involved, and look for opportunities. Whether it is with your chapter or on campus, don’t let opportunities to get involved pass you by. I always thought it would be too difficult to get where I am today, but perseverance and hard work will definitely get you where you want to be. If at first you don’t get elected to a position or chosen for a committee, don’t give up! I applied to be on the Greek Board of Directors as a freshman and didn’t get a position, and now I am the President.” Darwin enjoys being involved in her chapter and in the Greek community. After working with Tri Delta’s 2012 pledge class, her advice for jumping headfirst into Greek life as a freshman is: “Meet as many people as you can, and especially, get to know older members. They are a great resource and can help guide
you throughout your college years. They also have great hand-me-down costumes!”
Darwin is a valuable member of the Greek community, but she is also involved around campus. She is a member of several organizations, including the Tiger Athletic Foundation, College Republicans, and the Student Life and Enrollment Advisory Board. Darwin has done community service with both St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Susan G. Komen. When this interesting young woman is not busy conquering the world, she enjoys going for a nice run and reading. The Greek community is full of amazing students, and Caroline Darwin is no exception. As a result of being Greek, she has learned “to respect others and my organization. I have learned what it means to be part of something bigger than myself. Through my actions, I reflect not only myself, but my organization and my peers, as well.” That, ladies and gentleman, is Caroline Darwin.
8 Scene on campus
www.theodysseyonline.com
FOOD REVIEW: UNCLE E’S WINGS AND THINGS DOMINIK PECORARO Delta Sigma Pi
Dominik is a junior studying information systems and decisions sciences. I love food. I love going to find random hole-in-the-wall places to eat. The food channel might as well be the only channel I get on TV. I love Man vs. Food and Diners, Driveins, and Dives. So I embarked on a quest to start finding places to eat with exceptional food. My first stop ended up being a place recommended to me by a brother of mine, Uncle E’s Wings and Things on Florida Blvd. I looked at their menu and figured this place looks pretty cool, with items including the Super Stupid and the Mr. Ridiculous burgers. I immediately planned on visiting and began dreaming of what I would gorge myself on when I got there. I called up a friend and we immediately left for lunch in
between classes. We drove across town and over the interstate to get to Uncle E’s, arriving at a small shopping center with a laundry mat and Uncle E’s cellphone and beeper shop. It looked like it literally was a hole-in-the-wall someone put a kitchen in. I walked in and immediately was met with a smell of seasoned meat cooking in the back. My stomach took control of my body as I gazed over the menu. I had done this a dozen times in preparation for my order; I had studied this menu inside and out before I got there so I would know exactly what I wanted when I walked in the door. But now indecision gripped my heart and my stomach. I was at a loss for words-it all sounded so good, I couldn’t possibly choose one without thinking another could be just as good as the smell coming from the back! After a long deliberation, I decided to go with my gut. I ordered a double cheeseburger with bacon and a fried chicken breast on top, with mayo and mustard on garlic Texas toast. My friend ordered a ‘Who Dat’. We received our tickets and sat in the next room, which was decorated similarly to a house being moved into. We watched an American Dad episode on the lone flat screen in the empty room as we waited. In a short 10
minutes, our orders were called out and we received our food. We unwrapped the burgers in foil delicately, only to find our meals packaged with minimal care. The sight was impressive: my burger was a massive pile of meat stacked onto a bun that would lean and teeter on the edge of collapse, the meat sizzled and let off a pleasant smell, the cheese melted and dropped off onto the foil in globs, my chicken breast sat atop the pile of ground meat with a slight glaze of mayonnaise and mustard. I picked up this monster as if I was picking up a venomous spider, careful not to disturb the giant as raised it. I took a bite and received instant gratification that only a quick and easy 4000 calories could deliver. The burger was seasoned and cooked perfectly, while the chicken on top was still crunchy and hot, the bacon and cheese melted together to add the final punch to my taste buds. The meat of all three animals combined and became the most delicious burger I have had in my life. While the décor is odd and the area the restaurant is in isn’t exactly close to campus, it’s worth the 15 minute drive to eat one of these behemoths on a bun. I wholeheartedly recommend you visit Uncle E’s Wings And Things if you’re feeling adventurous or are in dire need of the meat sweats.
www.theodysseyonline.com
Self health & fitness
FINALS FOOD: WHAT YOU SHOULD EAT The carefree days of spring break are over and that can only mean one thing:
finals.
As we enter into this dreaded time consisting of cramming, memorizing and
not sleeping, we forget what being social is like and spend the week in agony. But, did you know that eating certain foods will actually improve your memory? Start chomping away on these food items now and throughout your finals, to give your brain a boost!
Sushi. Sushi or sashimi with tuna and salmon contain DHA, which helps neurons
in the brain function and grow normally.
Vitamin E and folate. These help in brain function and can be found in kale,
spinach and broccoli.
Blueberries and red grapes. These have antioxidants to fight off free radicals
4250 Burbank Dr. Ste. 110
9
ANNA ROY Chi Omega
Anna is a freshman studying mass communications and public relations. You may contact her at aeroy58@gmail.com.
that float in the bloodstream and destroy brain cells. Dairy products. Milk and cheese or yogurt and eggs, as well as other dairy
products,boost the function of neurotransmitters, which bring signals from one neuron to the next throughout the brain.
Water. This is another memory-improving food. Duh! Even being just a little
dehydrated can reduce mental capacity and energy. This slows down your ability to study as well as your ability to remember what you did study.
Fiber. This is important because it slows sugar absorption in your body so that
your brain can keep a steady flow of sugar energy for a longer period of time. Fiber can found in dried fruits, fresh fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and whole grains.
If I were you, I would make a quick run to Walmart and stock up. Forget Game
Of Thrones and Winter. Finals are coming!
10 greek life traditions GEAUXING GREEK: RUSH AT LSU www.theodysseyonline.com
Rush has once again brought future brothers and sisters to our front doors. It can be a very monotonous, Theta Xi but also a very exciting William is a junior studying time of the year. It starts biology. You may contact him at off shaking new hands wmurdo1@tigers.lsu.edu. and eventually turns into greeting and making new friends that later become family. However, not everyone is a right fit for a particular fraternity or sorority and for some; Greek life is not right at all. After all, not everyone can be Greek, so how do we go about choosing our future brothers and sisters? This is a question each brother and sister asks themselves before rush even begins. Will these new brothers and sisters fit in? Will they enjoy being around the house with their new family and will they help to make the house a better and well distinguished organization? Hopefully the answer to these questions is yes. Sadly, not everyone is willing to give back to the fraternity, sorority, or even the Greek community itself. As Greeks, it is our job to weed out and find those that will do our house good and be a leader in our, and their, future community. These questions are highly important when meeting possible new brothers and sisters.
WILLIAM MURDOCK
Now there are several types of people we meet in rush, some good, some bad and some way, way bad. There are the four main types of rushees that cause problems during rush. There are the legacies, some good and some not so good. However, just because someone is a legacy does not mean they are guaranteed to be a member of our Greek family. This dilemma has plagued fraternities and sororities for years. A legacy that comes through that doesn’t quite fit in with the image of the brotherhood/ sisterhood. Sometimes they just don’t fit in, the question remains of how to deal with them. The answer is simple. We can either accept them and try to mold them into something they are not, or just send them packing. The next type of person we see in rush is the “try hard”. This is the type of person who is so desperate to get into a house they essentially brown nose their way into the fraternity/sorority. They do so by laughing at every syllable you utter or by agreeing to every opinion so fast that they seem to exceed the speed of sound. The third type that comes through rush is the quiet one that doesn’t ask questions and just follows you around the house. This person is probably the most awkward person there is to meet in rush. They just follow you around stuck to you like a leech for the entire round while you pray to heaven above that the round would just end already instead of putting you through another second of dealing with this awkward creature. Finally, the fourth type of person that doesn’t quite fit in is the person who comes through is the person who thinks that we should be on our knees bowing to their very presence in the room. This person was most likely a “big fish” in their home town and just got a big head about themselves and hasn’t had the chance to be brought back to reality from their dream world. They constantly talk about themselves and their accomplishments with no questions about the brotherhood/sisterhood and have no intentions of putting anything back into their brotherhood/sisterhood. This is most likely the most annoying person to deal with during rush. Despite the weeks of prepping, the hundreds of handshakes given, countless names and stories exchanged, and the hours of standing, rush in the end is worth every second to meet possible future brothers and sisters. I hope everyone had a great rush and wish you good luck with your future brothers and sisters.
www.theodysseyonline.com
greek life traditions
11
SORORITY RUSH: THE SOPHOMORE EXPERIENCE HAYLEY NICOLICH Chi Omega
Hayley is a sophomore studying English and Spanish. You may contact her at hayleynicolich@live. com. I was quiet in high school. I wasn’t extremely social and I didn’t really enjoy talking to people that I didn’t know. That’s not to say that I didn’t have friends. I had a very close-knit group of girls that I stuck with through all four years at our small high school. So senior year, when said friends started talking about going through rush at LSU, I was not on board with the idea. The thought of having to endure small talk with girls I’d never met was terrifying. When freshman year of college rolled around, I watched my friends sweat through the arduous Lilly Pulitzer-fest that is rush. All I could think was, “Why would I ever want to walk up and down sorority row in heels in 100 degree heat just to be judged by people?” However, on
bid day, I saw the appeal of Greek life for the first time. My friends looked so happy in their Facebook pictures, smiling and hugging each other and their new sisters. As the year went on, I helped them get ready for events, liked their Instagrams and met their new friends, all the while, secretly regretting my decision to not go Greek. I can’t remember the exact moment when I decided to rush as a sophomore. It was something that I struggled with. I didn’t want to seem like a hypocrite for participating in something that I was once so against, but something about rush drew me in. I knew that, despite what people might think of me, I had to give it a chance. Over the summer after freshman year, I got my recs together. I planned all of my outfits for each round and I tried valiantly, without success, to not be terrified. It’s a pretty well known fact that sophomores have a harder time rushing, especially at a school with an extremely well established Greek system like LSU. I went into ice water knowing full well that there was a chance that I wouldn’t receive a bid from any sorority, let alone from one of my favorite ones. As you’ve probably ascertained by now, I survived rush. Yes, it was an intimidating, physically and emotionally exhausting week, but I have not regretted it once. The idea of throwing yourself into something and completely
putting yourself out there is scary, but it’s the only way to ever experience anything new. I realized this when I made friends in my rush group, before I even got into a house. At that point, I knew that no matter the outcome of rush, I was going to benefit from the experience of rush week. I ended up receiving a bid from my favorite house and feeling fully relieved, although somewhat awkward, on bid day. Since my rush experience, I’ve grown as a person. I’ve realized that Greek life is about so much more than parties, boys and cute T-shirts (I’m not going to lie, the T-shirts were a big selling point for me). It’s about developing as an individual. It’s about making connections with people that will last not only for your time as a college student, but for a lifetime. Being Greek presents you with opportunities and experiences that you would otherwise never have. And that’s why, if you happen to be reading this and you’re considering rushing at a time that is considered unconventional, I say go for it. Don’t let what people say about rushing during the spring, as sophomore, or whatever your case may be, keep you from experiencing something so great. Honestly, they’re probably wrong, anyway.
12 greek life traditions
www.theodysseyonline.com
5 THINGS ABOUT THE GREEK SYSTEM YOU MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN MEGHAN PRIETO Alpha Phi
Meghan is a freshman studying anthropology. You may contact her at mpriet1@lsu.edu. Being in college, we like to think we know it all. We like to think we hold the whole world in the palm of our hands. Alas, this is not always the case. For example, did you know the oldest fraternity is 237 years old? Or that George W. Bush pledged Delta Kappa Epsilon? While there is still so much I don’t know, these are just a few of my favorite things I’ve learned about the Greek system. 1. There are 123 fraternities and sororities with 9 million members total. Nine. Million. Greeks. That’s almost 3% of the United States’ total population. I don’t know about you, but that makes me feel incredibly small and incredibly inspired at the same time. On the one hand, I’m just one person in a community of 9 million. But on the other hand,
I’m part of a community 9 million strong with some of the most successful, driven and ambitious people in the country. 2. The Phi Beta Kappa Society is the oldest Greek letter organization. PBK was founded on December 5, 1776 at the College of William and Mary, making it a whopping 237 years old. Although PBK is an Honor Society and not a fraternity or sorority, they were the first organization to start the tradition of using Greek letters as a name, which is kind of big deal. Their motto was, “Love of learning is the guide of life,” and even had top secret initiation rituals and a special handshake. And if you’re wondering why 1776 sounds so familiar, that’s the year America declared its independence. So basically, Phi Beta Kappa is as old as the existence of the United States of America. NBD. And while we’re talking about history and old things:
3. Since 1825, all but three U.S. presidents were members of a fraternity. But really, how cool would it be to be able to say that you’re bros with Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, or Franklin D. Roosevelt? Ronald Reagan was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon, John F. Kennedy was an alum initiate of Phi Kappa Theta, and Franklin D. Roosevelt was a member of Alpha Delta Phi. On top of that, 85% of
the Fortune 500 executives belong to a fraternity. I would definitely say that these frat boys have got it goin’ on. 4. The youngest woman to ever be on the cover of Forbes’ Billionaires was in a sorority. Speaking for girls everywhere, I send much thanks to Sara Blakely, the wonderful founder of Spanx. Where would we be without her? Sara was a Delta Delta Delta at Florida State University, and graduated with a degree in communications. Not only is she gorgeous and motivated, but also she has a passion for giving. In 2006, she launched the Sara Blakely Foundation to provide educational financial assistance to entrepreneurial training. You go girl. 5. The Greek system is the largest network of volunteers in the United States. Every year, over 1 million hours are spent volunteering by Greeks throughout the nation. Considering there’s only 8,736 hours in an entire year, that’s a whole lot of community service! No wonder why more than $4 million dollars are raised by sororities each year for their various philanthropies. Being in the Greek community, I have so much I’m proud of, and each day I find another reason why I feel so truly blessed to a part of such a strong, caring, and loyal network.
www.theodysseyonline.com
500 words on entertainment
13
HOW TO SURVIVE FOOTBALL SEASON ANNETTE SOMMERS Pi Betta Phi
Annette is a sophomore studying mass communication & journalsm. You may contact her at asomme1@ lsu.edu.
We are a few weeks into football season and it is beginning
to show. The once green and level parade grounds are now matted down with beer caps and lost LSU ID cards. Starting
on Wednesday afternoon, student’s attentions shift from the weekday workloads to the upcoming Saturday.
What should I wear? Where is everyone going after? Should
I even bother wearing deodorant? I wonder how many soft pretzels I’ll ingest this time? Will Odell Beckem Jr. ever know I exist?
Game days can be stressful if one is unprepared. Fortunately,
there are simple steps one can take to beat the heat and embrace the approaching games with ease.
1. Geaux hydrate. You’ve been tailgating for a few hours and the sun is starting
to affect you. The shirt you picked out is inconveniently glued to your upper half
from sweat. You feel your lips chapping and your throat goes dry. So you scan the
premises and then you see it near the cooler. No, not the jungle juice, right next to it. Water. For reasons unknown, people seem to forget that water is perfectly acceptable
to drink while tailgating. In fact, it is highly recommended given that you will be
sweating out whatever less tasteful liquids you choose to drink almost immediately after you gulp them down. So do yourself a favor and grab a water bottle instead of a solo cup when you feel like crashing. Remember, the game hasn’t even started yet.
2. Geaux to the game. You drank the water and you’re feeling great. Now its time
to head over to Death Valley and watch our boys mark their territory. But wait,
you are silently remembering last week and the mob of agitated, sticky bodies you
were trapped inside, also known as the entrance gates. Maybe it’s just me, but I would do almost anything to avoid going into the stadium at the same time as the other couple thousand of my closest friends. Timing is everything so depending on what time the game starts, go 30 minutes earlier than you think you need to. If you
somehow still end up stuck in a black hole of damp bodies, make the best of it and don’t ‘accidentally’ elbow the surrounding students to make your way inside. And by don’t I mean do.
3. Geaux Tigers! The middle of the second quarter rolls around and a few people
have taken to sitting down, a few more people have stopped chanting and clapping,
and even more people are beginning to plot their escape. No one wants to admit it but at some point we have all waved to mike the tiger and then thrown up a peace
sign before heading home to power nap. Do not do it. Negative Nancys are far less interesting people than positive Pattys. As I was so kindly reminded during the last
game, we only have seven home games a year, so have fun and stop being a… well, I’ll let you finish the rest.
14 Humor lol
www.theodysseyonline.com
HOW THE HELL HAVE YOU NOT HEARD OF
THE BRIGHT LIGHT SOCIAL HOUR? WILL HARRISON Kappa Sigma
Will is a freshman studying marketing and English. You may contact him at wilrh94@gmail.com. Ordinarily, if I were to read about an indie band that melds “southern rock, hard dance, psychedelic blues and deep soul,” I probably wouldn’t even bother checking them out. Usually the place in a band’s bio where it describes their music as a, “fusion of random genres,” is just the right place to stop reading (See The Magic Beans). I guess it’s a good thing I never read about The Bright Light Social Hour. The first time I saw TBLSH, fortunately, I couldn’t read a thing if I’d wanted to. Last year my late-night self was stumbling around Hangout, desperately searching for a show that I
refused to believe was already over. When suddenly, there was this overwhelming rhythm– one of those penetrating beats that seems to actually compel you to move with its’ waves as they surge through your being. They call it “Shanty.”
There could have been a line of naked girls behind me, but I still couldn’t have gotten into that crowd quickly enough. I’m usually not much of a dancer, even after a cold one, but I immediately grabbed the first festival-girl I could find and got after it... hard. It was hot out — like ‘I’ve never been this hot before’ hot. My Camelbak had run dry and I was starting to sweat off my buzz, but I‘d be damned if I was leaving that set for water. I was about three seconds away from quenching my thirst Bear Grylls style, when my buddy handed me a half-empty bottle of suspiciously sour Dasani. I didn’t care; I chugged it like a sorority girl with a Diet Coke and instantly felt better. I felt better than better — I felt amazing. The rest of the show was un-real. I may have been grinding on some really feminine looking guy for like 30 seconds before my
buddies stopped me, but I was still coherent enough to realize that this was the second best live show I’d ever seen. Every song was better than the last– not one weak link in the whole set.
That day, I had to cross the phrase, “I’ve got to buy this CD,” off of my “Things I’ll Never Say Again,” list. I actually bought their music — with money. That’s how good this band is. Their selftitled album is almost as good as the live show. They managed to pack a perfect concurrence of clean sounds and dirty vibes that gives it that certain something that just makes an album feel genuine. It’s no wonder how these guys swept the 2011 Austin Music awards, winning song, album, and band of the year. It’s more than the music that makes TBLSH such a great band; these guys have some serious stage presence, and so much energy! A couple months back, they played a show at the Varsity in Baton Rouge that was every iota as awesome as their Hangout set — and they were playing to 50 people. Social chairs, book The Bright Light Social Hour immediately: they won’t be busting a** for peanuts much longer. With a second album in the works, and summer performances slated for Shaky Knees and Sasquatch, soon they’ll be too famous to play your little party.
22