Big sis/lil’ sis program inspires sisterhood

Much like “Serviam” and “Global education,” “sisterhood” is an Ursuline buzzword. We’re not just classmates, we’re sisters.

For the most part, we find this to hold true. We all have our close friends, our ‘sisters’ in the most literal sense of the word. But after years of homework and construction, plaid skirts and chemistry goggles, school masses and service projects, Christmas talent shows and Peace One Days, the bond we all share is more than just casual.

That could be one reason why our class pride is so strong. At intramurals time especially, when we all come together to paint the mural, decorate the hallways, and cheer for our volleyball players, it becomes obvious how unified our classes are.

But intra-class unity is one thing; inter-class unity is another.

While there are plenty of opportunities for girls from different grades to bond – sports teams, clubs, the performing arts, and our day-to-day classes – none of these opportunities forces us to reach out to girls of different grade levels. Only the Big Sis/Lil Sis program does that.

While meeting your sister – big or little – can be awkward at first, it opens the door to a friendship that probably would not have happened otherwise.

You can ignore the opportunity, ditch your sister for your friends at big sis/lil sis events and walk past her in the hallways without saying hi. Or you can take the opportunity.

It’s often easier to start the friendship than sustain it. After the initial locker decorating and picnic, big sis/lil sis events are few and far between. When they do happen, it’s not uncommon for the sisters to say hello to each other and not much else.

At a previous Senior-Sophomore picnic, when the sophomores brought desserts and the seniors brought drinks, there was little interaction between the classes. Sophomores stood around in circles talking with each other, and the seniors did the same. Some did not even talk to their Big Sis or Little Sis.

But at the 2009 Senior-Sophomore picnic, things were different. The sophomores brought their individual sisters lunch, forcing us to sit and eat together. It made a difference.

Seniors and sophomores, usually the more apathetic set of sisters, talked, ate and generally had a nice time. The talent show the Seniors put on, “Sister Stock,” provided some entertainment. Natalie R. and Kelsey R.’s performance of “Party in the U.A.” − a parody of Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.” − provided some comic relief.

It might have been a little awkward still, but an awkward relationship is better than no relationship at all.

Let’s keep this new, positive direction to strengthen the intra-class unity.