Traditions: The ties that bind

Do you have family traditions that bring you joy and help your family feel a bond to each other? Years ago, I realized that an important part of traditions is that they help define a group of people and bring them closer together. Traditions are yet another thing that I love about Sweet Briar. People ask me sometimes if Sweet Briar has sororities. My answer is that no, Sweet Briar is one big sorority. It has traditions like a sorority, it forms sub-groups that have permeable inclusion so that people who have common interests and goals can share and pursue them together, and, ultimately, all of the “sorority-like” things about Sweet Briar are one important reason why you see such love and fierce loyalty for their school and each other.

I understand the value of a sorority because a “few” years ago, I went to the University of Maryland with 44,000 of my closest friends (ha ha!). To find “my people” in that huge population, I joined the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority — KAT, known as the Thetas. To this day, I know that it was one of the best decisions of my life. I made many, many wonderful friends, including one of my lifelong best friends. In addition to our annual Founder’s Day, a group of us still get together for reunions every five years (our next one is this October and I can’t wait!!). I shared traditions, joys and sorrows with my sisters. I learned so much about community and leadership. It prepared me for life in countless ways that had nothing to do with academics. I see these same things happen at Sweet Briar, and it makes me incredibly happy for my daughter!

One Sweet Briar tradition that is similar to my sorority is that of having Big/Little Sisters. Typically in September, first-year Sweet Briar students (“Little Sisters” or “Littles”) are paired with a third-years to be their “Big Sisters” (or “Bigs”). As the names imply, a Big Sister is a mentor and a friend to her Little Sister, the Big helping the Little feel more comfortable at Sweet Briar. It gives the Little someone to go to with any question without fear of feeling embarrassed. Bigs introduce Littles to their friends, thus helping draw the older and younger girls closer together; Littles and Bigs will do lots of small things to help each other, and hopefully become good friends.

Of course, first-year students quickly grow up to be third-year students, and then it is their turn to be the Big — a beautiful tradition of “paying it forward” while forming a chain of friendships that extends from one generation of Sweet Briar sisters to the next. Speaking from my experience, it is equally as gratifying to be a Little as it is to be a Big. I was so grateful that my Big helped me navigate a world that was totally new to me and a little overwhelming at times. She gave me not only guidance, but comfort and strength; I knew she would always help me if I needed her. We quickly became close friends and shared much together! Then, when I became a Big, it felt wonderful to be that mentor and friend to my Little, so much so that I “adopted” an orphaned Little. She is one of my lifelong closest friends.

I see these same Big-Little dynamics at Sweet Briar, and it warms my heart. I hope it warms yours, too.

Transfer students can also be included in this wonderful tradition, and this year, if a Big returned to Sweet Briar but her Little did not — or vice versa — they tried to pair orphaned Bigs and Littles who wanted to. Always attempting to keep everyone included!

You may have heard about another tradition that is coming up this weekend called Founders’ Day. Seniors wear their graduation robes for the first time, while all the other students wear black and white. Everyone walks up to Monument Hill to pay respect to the founding family, and each senior is accompanied by one or two underclasswomen. After a brief memorial service, each student leaves a daisy on Daisy’s grave. This year, Sweet Briar will celebrate Founder’s Day Weekend on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 25 and 26. In addition to the traditional walk to Monument Hill, the College also will invest Phillip C. Stone as its 12th president.

Events will begin with the investiture at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, in the Quad (rain location: Fitness and Athletics Center), followed by the walk to Monument Hill. Beginning at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, is the celebration dance in the Student Commons Courtyard. All students, faculty, staff, retirees, alumnae, supporters of the College and their guests (yes, that includes us parents!) are cordially invited to all Founders’ Day festivities. Unfortunately, I am unable to there on Friday, but I look forward to seeing as many of you as can attend on Saturday! For more details on everything happening, please see SBC News release or the Founders’ Day website.

And if you want to learn more about Sweet Briar’s traditions, a great place to start is here.

That’s all for today. What are YOUR concerns? Send them to me at SBCParentToParent@gmail.com, and I’ll address them in upcoming posts, or sooner if needed. Until then, talk to you soon!