It’s that time of year again; spring has turned to summer, radio stations are playing Semisonic’s ‘Closing Time’ on repeat, and millions of students have graduated. We have high hopes for the Class of 2011 as they make their way into the world, but I can’t help but wonder…what will we do without them? The members of the Class of 2011 were our role models and leaders on campus. They knew the community, remembered the organization’s history and maintained a connection to alumni that other members could not. They served as our bridge between the new and old. They stepped in to take over when the Class of 2010 departed, but now they too leave a void.
Showing Up
I met Karen in first grade, and she quickly became my best friend. I remember being so excited every time we got the chance to play together, and I remember how much I hated it when one of us had to go home. I wanted Karen to be a part of everything I did: swimming, dancing, playing tag and hide-and-go-seek. At times when we weren’t allowed to play together, it though the world was about to end. It seemed as if I would we never be able to play Barbies again! When I went off to college and joined a sorority, I felt the same way about my new sisters. New member education was new, exciting, and always fun! I attended every single activity and wanted to be on every possible committee. I signed up for everything, and if I was unable to attend, it felt as if my world had ended. Just like my friendship with Karen, I was thrilled about becoming involved with a group of sisters that would be a major part of my life forever.