In the third part of a series on high school sororities, I referred to letter written to newspaper advice columnist Dorothy Ricker from a high school sorority member who became her sisters' target of rumors. Ricker's response included her opinion of high school sororities, which was shaped by first-hand accounts confided to her. She thought that high school sororities should not exist. That letter was written in September 1955; in November 1956, Ricker responded to potential pledge Patsy's quandary- Mother would not let her pledge a high school sorority. Patsy hoped Ricker could advise her on how to change Mother's mind.
Fifteen year old Patsy wrote that this particular sorority had "wonderful" members with good grades who did not curse, drink, or smoke. She wanted to know if she should pledge behind her mother's back or ask her mother's permission, which she knew will not be granted.
Ricker began her response with the reminder that if these sorority members were as nice as Patsy said they were, they would not let her pledge behind her mother's back; if they did, it would be a mistake. She then explained that she received letters from girls complaining that they were hurt by their sororities and letter from sorority members who had positive experiences. She concluded that high sororities are a case-by-case basis, and because Patsy did not state which sorority she wanted to pledge, Ricker concluded that " if you are certain they are the right kind of girls and you would like to become a member of their group, I can see no reason why you should not be allowed to pledge."
GROUPS IN FLORIDA'S SUNSHINE CITY
Media did not always paint high school fraternities and sororities in a negative light. On April 29, 1934, an article in The Saint Petersburg Times featured a descriptive list of contemporary high school sororities and fraternities with local chapters- groups which were "not an official part of the high school but they afford natural social outlets for the students." The groups, though formed for "entertainment value", had high ideals and were modeled after collegiate organizations.
Phi Alpha Kappa was a national high school sorority that established a local chapter in 1930. During the 1933-1934 school year, the sisters hosted a variety of social events and completed "some charity work".
Sigma Omega Sigma created a chapter in late 1932; their members hosted many social events- no mention of charity work was made in the article.
There were also several non-Greek letter groups: Collette, T.N.T., Entre Nous ("a purely social organization"), Cavonelle, Tarantula, and Sub Debs (high school sophomores).
Zitella Coterie had members in high school and junior college. They were formed in 1932 to "help less fortunate people and to promote friendship among the members." They co-sponsored a dance with the junior college's Pyramid Club.
Co-educational Who's Who formed in August 1933.
Boys' groups included the national fraternities Zeta Kappa and Tau Eta Tau (formed from Merrymen's), Corsair (included high school graduates), and the "most exclusive" S club.
References
Ricker, Dorothy. Teen-age Mail. Wants to Join Sorority, Mom Says No. Saint Petersburg Times, p. 22. Nov. 21 1956
St. Petersburg Times, News of St. Petersburg Schools and P.T.A., Pearl Shepard (ed.), High School Clubs Afford Students Social Outlets, Apr. 29, 1934, p. 4 section 2.
copyright 2014, Alpha Chi Notes
Fifteen year old Patsy wrote that this particular sorority had "wonderful" members with good grades who did not curse, drink, or smoke. She wanted to know if she should pledge behind her mother's back or ask her mother's permission, which she knew will not be granted.
Ricker began her response with the reminder that if these sorority members were as nice as Patsy said they were, they would not let her pledge behind her mother's back; if they did, it would be a mistake. She then explained that she received letters from girls complaining that they were hurt by their sororities and letter from sorority members who had positive experiences. She concluded that high sororities are a case-by-case basis, and because Patsy did not state which sorority she wanted to pledge, Ricker concluded that " if you are certain they are the right kind of girls and you would like to become a member of their group, I can see no reason why you should not be allowed to pledge."
GROUPS IN FLORIDA'S SUNSHINE CITY
Media did not always paint high school fraternities and sororities in a negative light. On April 29, 1934, an article in The Saint Petersburg Times featured a descriptive list of contemporary high school sororities and fraternities with local chapters- groups which were "not an official part of the high school but they afford natural social outlets for the students." The groups, though formed for "entertainment value", had high ideals and were modeled after collegiate organizations.
Phi Alpha Kappa was a national high school sorority that established a local chapter in 1930. During the 1933-1934 school year, the sisters hosted a variety of social events and completed "some charity work".
Sigma Omega Sigma created a chapter in late 1932; their members hosted many social events- no mention of charity work was made in the article.
There were also several non-Greek letter groups: Collette, T.N.T., Entre Nous ("a purely social organization"), Cavonelle, Tarantula, and Sub Debs (high school sophomores).
Zitella Coterie had members in high school and junior college. They were formed in 1932 to "help less fortunate people and to promote friendship among the members." They co-sponsored a dance with the junior college's Pyramid Club.
Co-educational Who's Who formed in August 1933.
Boys' groups included the national fraternities Zeta Kappa and Tau Eta Tau (formed from Merrymen's), Corsair (included high school graduates), and the "most exclusive" S club.
References
Ricker, Dorothy. Teen-age Mail. Wants to Join Sorority, Mom Says No. Saint Petersburg Times, p. 22. Nov. 21 1956
St. Petersburg Times, News of St. Petersburg Schools and P.T.A., Pearl Shepard (ed.), High School Clubs Afford Students Social Outlets, Apr. 29, 1934, p. 4 section 2.
copyright 2014, Alpha Chi Notes
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