Delta Sigma Theta celebrates members first year of being with the sorority

The Delta Sigma Theta Incorporated sorority held their "Celebration of Delta" at 8:13 p.m. Friday night in Glenn Auditorium in Dempster Hall.

This celebration traditionally takes place the year after the new members, or Neophytes, have entered the sorority. The Neos organized the event. They selected the venue and the wardrobe of black gowns and presented their Dean, the leader of the initiates, with a special gift. The also organized a small show for the audience.

"I love my line sisters to death, and blood couldn't make us any stronger or closer," said Delta Sigma Theta member Sierra Wilder. "During our show, we wanted to entertain the campus and just have fun. We had a really nice turnout. I think the overall event went well and I hope everyone liked it."

Southeast graduate and Delta Sigma Theta member Brianna Hayes gave the opening remarks as well as the reading of a Delta poem. Another graduate member, Karolyn Simmons, gave a brief history of the organization, nationally and locally. Danielle Pettigrew, also a graduate member, hosted the event.

"I really enjoyed performing, but I was nervous," Delta Sigma Theta member De'Vonne Patrick said. "We all were and didn't understand why. I think it was because we just didn't want to mess up. Laughing at one another helps us to calm down, though - when someone makes a funny face or does something that no one else saw that makes us giggle - and that is what we were doing backstage, so that helped to take away some of the nerves."

After the opening poem, the Neos and their male escorts walked one by one onto the stage. Each of the women held an unlit candle as they walked and Pettigrew read off facts about them, such as their birth place, favorite color and future plans. Once they made it to the stage, their Dean, Brandie Dobynes, lit the first candle. Every candle was lit from the candle before it until the last Neo's candle was lit -- a sign of unity between the members.

"It was an honor escorting my great friend Robin Taylor as she was being recognized for all of the hard work that she has been doing since joining the organization," said Reginald Whitted, Southeast senior and escort for the evening. "I've known Ms. Taylor for many years now and it's wonderful to see how much she has grown, not only as a role model for her peers but as a person for herself."

The celebration ended with a performance from the Neos, followed by special thank you's and a closing address by Neo Danielle Hicks.

The Neos included Hicks, Alecia Peterson, Robin Taylor, Chasity Grimes, Jasmine Evans, Sierra Wilder, Deja Martin, ShaQuina White, De'Vonne Patrick and Ashley Bennett.