Written by Jenna Sampson and Aerial Whiting
Many Harding students are preparing for club week now that the school year is underway.Prospective pledges are attending open houses and mixers to acquaint themselves with social clubs and to determine which one they would like to join.Students weigh a number of criteria when deciding which group to pledge.
Sophomore Amber Kuhn, a member of Shantih, said she considered a couple of things when she pledged last year.”I wanted a club where I would be surrounded by a group of girls who would encourage me spiritually and keep me accountable while having a good friendship,” Kuhn said.Students also look for clubs that emphasize service projects around the community or that are heavily involved in club sports.Although some students join clubs as freshmen, senior Joelle Low has decided to pledge Regina this year.”I’m glad I know the majority of the girls, but it’s going to be a little weird during [club] week when I have to wear ridiculous things in my upper-level classes,” Low said.After students pick a club, they must go through club week, a process that usually includes making an inductee book, dressing in unusual clothing and performing loud chants.Senior OEGE member Cassie Swenson said she thinks the difficulty of club week brings people together.”The social club process challenges students while creating a friendly atmosphere for meeting new people,”Swenson said. “It allows people who are in different social circles to come together and form friendships that last through college.”While the potential pledges make their decisions about which club to join, older members, who have already been through club week, look forward to the events for different reasons.Sophomore Alex DeTorres pledged Alpha Tau Epsilon last fall and said he is excited to experience club week as a current member.”I’m pumped about seeing the new members work together to get through the week,” DeTorres said. “But the fact that I’m not dealing with the stress of being a ‘pledge’ will make it a lot more fun.”
