I wasn’t living in New York City. I was visiting my brother for the weekend while interning in Massachusetts. Besides visiting his office at Squarespace and going to Chinatown for dinner, I spent some time doing preliminary research for my senior seminar at the Center for Jewish History.

Thankfully, I had spoken with my assigned librarian about my plans to visit the Center for Jewish History before I went, so I wasn’t completely overwhelmed when I stepped inside and was confronted with stacks upon stacks of resources and books relating to everything and anything about Jews and their history.

I began by requesting five books that seemed relevant to my topic. They were brought to me, and I sat in the reading room, going through chapter after chapter, looking for relevant material to my topic. It was difficult– especially because I’m doing new research and a lot of my work is connecting sources rather than interpreting evidence already registered.

I managed to find some really great sources, including an annotated bibliography that proved to be tremendously helpful. But more so, I saw what my future might be if I pursue history and public history as a profession.

It was so much fun, to do research and read and find sources that might maybe work. It was like a scavenger hunt, but more fun and rewarding. I could so easily see myself, living in New York City, doing research and writing books and producing enjoyable history for the masses.

Each step I take in my senior seminar research, I get closer to writing my 25-page thesis paper. But I also grow closer to finding my future career path, and what history means for me and my future.

The requirements to join Sigma Alpha Iota are simple: one semester in a music ensemble, or a music class credit, and a 2.5 GPA. I met these requirements, I took a test, I memorized the chorale, and I joined a national fraternity. It wasn’t something I expected to do when I entered college, but four years grateful, I’m so glad I did.

Besides meeting new people and making great friends, through SAI, I’ve served my school and community through service in the music department, I’ve grown as a musician, and I’ve grown as a leader. I served as Social Chair in the 2016-2017 school year, then Editor, which included social media management, in the 2017-2018 school year. Now, as a senior, I was elected to serve as the Vice President of Membership, and it is my turn to recruit new members to join the sisterhood I’ve grown to love so nearly and dearly.

SAI has taught me to be better organized, to be more fiscally responsible, to support others wholeheartedly and without jealousy, and to learn to be flexible. SAI is like running a business and managing a family at the same time. It’s challenging, but the results are so, so worth it.

Reflecting on my experience in Sigma Alpha Iota is now necessary, as I attempt to recruit a new class of Roses to join our ranks. It’s hard to put into words the confidence SAI has given me, or the maturity it has instilled in me. It’s even harder to put into words why someone else should take a leap of faith and join our little sisterhood– why the benefits outweigh the cost of membership and that pearl-encrusted pin that I’ve come to treasure.

It’s time for me to organize the information sessions I once attended as a first year. It’s time for me to teach the material I once studied. It’s time for me to guide new members into Sigma Alpha Iota. I’m excited, but nervous– just how I felt when this all began.

My first Black Cat was in Fall 2015, the 100th Black Cat week. On a whim, I ran for Black Cat chair for the class of 2019. My peers elected me to the position, and suddenly, I was faced with the task of collecting materials for Rush the Quad, buying paint and decorations, and organizing a less-than-enthusiastic class into committees and chairs to try and make our first Black Cat a success.

Playing off our comical orientation experience, I chose the theme of Camp and set to work painting, building, decorating, organizing meetings, and attending song and dance rehearsals. I almost didn’t have time to take a breath, step back, and enjoy the fun of Black Cat. Now, after completing my fourth and final Black Cat, I’d like to think I’ve learned a lot from this tradition.

While one might think dressing down and throwing painted trash on the quad takes leadership skills, I believe Black Cat has refined my leadership abilities and shown me skills I never knew I possessed. All while I ran around, screaming cheers about the Sprites (our mascot), I was managing teams, seeking out talented people who were best suited for their positions. I learned to roll with the punches, to check my pride and ambition, to comfort those who needed it and to give younger classes guidance. I’ve raised money and managed budgets. I’ve learned how to use a power drill. I’ve definitely learned time management.

I can take all of the skills I’ve gained during Black Cat week and adapt them to future work in my career. Certainly not the screaming and singing and painting signs with catchy phrases about the 90s, but the time management skills, the committee management, the budgeting and accountability required.

It hasn’t fully sunk in that I’ll never celebrate Black Cat again. I’ll never rush another Quad, sing at Bonfire, cheer at Trivia, party at Party Day, clean up decorations, or watch Junior Production. But in addition to having fun these past four years, I’ve learned something and gained valuable skills. And that’s why I love Black Cat so much, and why I’m so sad this year was my last.