As a freshman in women’s social club Pi Theta Phi (PTP), I was thrilled to be able to participate in everything. I wanted to be a part of something bigger that allowed me to build relationships, and Spring Sing was an option. So of course I signed up.
If you choose to do Spring Sing with PTP your freshman year, you are required to participate in large part. At the time I was like, “No big deal. I have all the time in the world.” I was told that it would be a large time commitment, but I don’t think I realized how big it actually was.
As time got closer to Spring Sing weekend, we put more and more hours into the show. It felt like every night we were dancing, singing or both, trying to perfect our show. To say there weren’t times that I wanted to call it quits would be false, but I am so glad I stuck with it. I never knew that being required to do such a time-consuming part would bring me the best memories or the best friends.
At the beginning of that semester, I had friends in PTP, but I didn’t feel like I was close to anyone just yet. Spring Sing brought me the close friendships I desired. The bonds of friendship started with the practices, and we were able to bond over learning dance moves and formations.
Before we knew it, we all started going to Sonic after practices and spending more time together. Then the women of the show started watching “The Bachelor” together before practices, and that brought us even closer.
The happy memories didn’t stop there. As all the clubs wait in the Rhodes-Reaves Field House to be called to the stage, music is playing. All the clubs join on the court for a dance party to build energy before they perform. Simply getting to dance to the “Cha Cha Slide” or the “Cupid Shuffle” with your best friends is one of the best memories.
It all began with required practices, but it ended with making memories and friends we would remember forever.
I don’t think that it would be possible for me to be as close to my friends today if I hadn’t done large part. I loved Spring Sing so much my freshman year that I ended up doing small part sophomore year and junior year. It was not just Spring Sing I loved but the people and the desire to make more friends each year. The relationships Spring Sing helped me build didn’t end after freshman year but continued to senior year. These are my best friends for life.
We have been through the changes of college, been vulnerable with one another, grown closer to Christ together, and now we are celebrating engagements together, planning weddings together, planning annual reunions, figuring out the future and enjoying the present.
Freshman year to senior year, we are still friends, and I never thought I would be saying that it was because of required Spring Sing. I encourage everyone to do Spring Sing once in their college career, even if it’s small part. In the moment, it may seem like a burden that is tedious and pointless, but it is very rewarding and humbling if you let it change your perspective and build your friendships.
