In the midst of last-minute paper writing and preparing for finals, Keene State College sorority Delta Phi Epsilon found time during the chaotic season to host their annual holiday celebration.
The event took place on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 8:30 p.m. in the Mountain View Room of the L. P. Young Student Center.
This holiday celebration has taken place for several years with the goal of spreading enthusiasm among possible members for the spring recruitment period, Gigi Gubitosa, vice president of recruitment for Delta Phi Epsilon, stated.
Chelsea Day, president of Delta Phi Epsilon, said,“This is our annual holiday party that is open to any girl who is interested in joining the sorority or fraternity life here at Keene State [College].”
Day continued, “We do it every year and it usually consists of the same kind of activities with slight variations. We decorate cupcakes or cookies, play a game and just mingle with the new girls. It’s something we do every year so it isn’t something new for us. We host this event to get the word out about not only our sorority but other organizations as well. We want to increase awareness about Greek life.”
Tim Smith / Equinox Staff
Although the activities that take place can vary from year to year, Gbitosa’s selfmade game made its way back to the Delta Phi Epsilon holiday celebration for the second year in a row.
“Last year I started this present game and we’re going to do it again this year,” Gubitosa said.
“Basically what happens is everyone sits in a circle while Christmas music is playing in the background. There are a bunch of presents that are wrapped six to seven times and are passed from person to person. When the music stops, you have to take off a layer of wrapping paper. Whoever has the present with no wrapping paper last gets to keep it,” Gubitosa explained.
But to hopeful member Paige Fournier, the present was just an added bonus.
“My [Resident Assistant’s] girlfriend, Allison, was really helpful in my decision to rush; she pointed me in the direction of Delta Phi Epsilon when I decided I wanted to be a part of Greek life,” Fournier said.
“As much as my favorite part of this celebration so far is decorating cupcakes, I really like how it’s helping me connect with people. Everyone here is really nice and friendly,” Fournier explained.
She continued, “Coming to this event has helped me with my confidence in meeting new people. Everyone comes up to you and talks to you-it isn’t awkward at all.” .
This event has a history of influencing possible recruitments into rushing Delta Phi Epsilon, Gubitosa said, therefore the turnout of about ten possible sisters was exciting.
“We see a lot of people come in the fall to talk to us and many of them are freshmen who can’t sign up to rush until spring semester. Having this event in between the two different rushing seasons gets them ready for the spring and its another way of getting them involved,” Gubitosa explained.
“We’ve seen people who initially didn’t show interest in Greek life attend our holiday party which swayed them to rush and join in the spring,” Gubitosa said.
Much like hopeful member Fournier, Day’s most favorable part of this event is meeting the new girls who show up.
“I love to see the outcome of how many people show up. I love seeing the energy that comes from new people and it’s fun getting to know them and share their newfound enthusiasm about Greek life,” Day said.
“Through this celebration, I hope the people who aren’t already affiliated with Greek life get an experience that makes them see that sororities aren’t how they’re portrayed. We’re totally different, we’re laid back, we’re not very high maintenance at all. In movies, sororities are always depicted a certain way. I want this event to break down those stigmas and those perceptions that people have because we aren’t anything like them,” Day exclaimed.
So in the words of Day, don’t knock it ‘till you try it when it comes to Greek life.
Amanda Lashua can be contacted alashua@keene-equinox.com
