5 Reasons why pledging APO rocks! by Orent Paddy

Alpha Phi Omega Pledging Fall 2013

5 Reasons why pledging APO rocks!

The pledging process thus far is absolutely awesome!!!! We have so many great pledges. The pledge class is the largest that the Alpha Beta Chapter of APO has had in recent history. I would provide an exact number but I cannot count past twenty-five. The pledges have gotten off to a great start by starting to complete their requirements. A few pledges were awarded the service rock last week during chapter. I am a brother, and I have never had the honor of receiving the service rock. The pledges are incredibly sweet. They show a great interest in APO and they show a great desire to better their communities, and their world through service. Last week I had the privilege of attending the coke date, and the pledge meeting. The coke date was my very first one. I didn’t even go to the coke dates when I was pledging. I didn’t know what to expect. I would never put the words coke and date in the same sentence. I had a blast at the coke date. I engaged in intelligent conversations about psychology and biology. I was even lucky to eavesdrop on girly conversations that were occurring around me. I didn’t understand it, but I think they were talking about Channing Tatum’s pinky finger.  Who knows! The pledge class was very interesting. The pledges seemed very engrossed in their lesson.  The lesson was on risk management, the lesson was taught by Rich Koval. Rich kept the pledges on their toes. I must say that the pledges did very well during their lesson. Every time Rich had a question there was a pledge’s hand raised with something intelligent to say.  Being a PSU student a lot of my time is spent in the HUB. Whenever I am in the HUB I always run into a person from the new pledge class, and they would always greet me with kindness, and ask me something about the pledging process. I am not an APO expert, but I always try to answer the questions the best way I can. I find joy in helping the pledges become acclimated to APO.

Now, these are the reasons why pledging APO rocks!!!!

5) LAUNCH

Now I know that this is probably an unpopular reason why pledging APO rocks. I certainly enjoyed LAUNCH. Yes, it was conducted early on a Sunday morning. Yes, it is about four to five hours. I certainly enjoyed LAUNCH. For one, its one of the few times and events that every member from a given pledge class will be together. When I was pledging, LAUNCH is the only time that I remember seeing everyone from my pledge class altogether at once. Everyone goes probably because it is a REQUIREMENT. The class can been seen as tedious to some, but Rich Koval teaches the course with style, and he tries his best to make the class enjoyable.

4) Service Events

APO is a service fraternity, so enjoyment of service is a given. Service events were always fun for me, because that is usually how I got to know the brothers and my pledge class better. The variety of service events is tremendous. When I was pledging, APO did such service events such as making cards for the elderly on Valentine’s Day, and the state day of service as an alternative to state patty’s day. Service events  always gave me a warm feeling in my heart. I always have prided myself on lending a helping hand to those who may need it, and I am glad that APO has become a way for me to give all that I can give to helping others.

3)  Connecting with your pledge class

APO’s pledge classes are known for being large. Large pledge classes are good, because there are many different kinds of people. Connecting with people who are different from you is usually a good thing. The pledge classes usually vary in terms of gender, ethnicity, place of origin, and majors. There are usually many differences in pledge classes but one thing connects us. Our love for service, and the betterment of our world connects us. It is probable that you will find your best friends in your pledge class. It is highly likely because you are always around your pledge class.

2) Getting a big

Some would argue that getting a big would be the best part of the pledging process. Some people have their own opinions, and I have mine…. OK! LOL! Getting a big rocks. I remember the first time I met my big, she was the only person that I really spoke to during the meet and greet that I attended. She was very kind to me, and she possessed one of the best sense of humors that I had come across in a long time. When we had the speed dating for big and little pairings, me and her didn’t have much to talk about because we had already knew so much about each other. When she was revealed that she was my big, I was really excited. Of course, she bought me oreos….. how original! NOT! During my pledging process, my big and I went to dinner a few times, and we had great conversations. Today, I acknowledge her as not only my big, but also as my friend. She rocks, and I miss her!

1) The Pledge Retreat

Being from Brooklyn, I had never been on a retreat before my pledge retreat. I was a city boy in the woods YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Scary thought but I had a blast. I connected even more with my pledge class! We played games, and we had heart to hearts. I especially enjoyed when we played mafia. I lost in the last round thanks to Mr. Howard.  My favorite memory of the pledge retreat is when I woke up from my sleep with the horror of a chainsaw being within inches of me. Matt Winslow and Christian Howard thought that was funny, of course I didn’t. I saw the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. My immediate thought was OMG! Is this really how I am going to die? Of course, the black guy is usually the first one to die, that is inevitable. I was scared out of my mind… go ahead and call me a punk…. Lol!