Senior Service Celebration
By Mary Gray Johnson (’16)
On the afternoon of Sunday, May 4, fourth years slowly sprinkled into the living room and kitchen of 127 Chancellor Street for a Senior Service Celebration. As the girls returned to their former abode to be welcomed as Theta alumnae, a wave of nostalgia washed over the house. After everyone partook in the light refreshments – caprese skewers, fruit and sparkling water – Margaret Branton (’16) performed the ritual portion of the event. Margaret’s words spawned further nostalgia, as she encouraged members to reflect on their time as Delta Chi collegians, and prompted them to consider their futures as alumnae: “Just as in all other relationships in life, the more of your love and effort you put into your Fraternity, the more it will mean to you, both now and in the years to come.”
Following the ritual, fourth years made themselves comfortable for the reading of “Fourth Year Letters.” A Delta Chi tradition, fourth year letters are submitted by parents during members’ fourth year, and are meant to reflect their daughters’ time as Thetas. The letters are read by the fourth years’ “littles” each year. Some included photos to tell their stories, and others were written as poems. Tears and laughter filled the room, as the letters offered both sentimental and funny anecdotes of the girls’ time at UVA. The letters reflected the astounding diversity in the room – soccer players, Cav Daily editor-in-chief, and Fourth Year Trustees among them.
