Ramapo’s Alpha Phi Omega Hosts Big/Little Reveal

---

BY ISABELLA SANTOS

MAHWAH, NJ—On Feb. 28, Ramapo College’s co-educational, community service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega, held their Big/Little Reveal in the H-Wing Auditorium.

Greek Life at Po

Ramapo College has 25 Greek Life chapters on campus, made up of nine fraternities, 13 sororities, and three professional fraternities. While other colleges and universities have different social or professional chapters, a common factor across the board is the support provided by the current brothers or sisters to their organization’s new members.

Alpha Phi Omega  following the tradition, pairs these Brothers with New Interest Members (NIMS), marking the beginning of the Big/Little relationship.

“I remember how it felt being in my Little’s shoes last year and how excited I was to meet my Big,” Rachel Lim, sophomore, said. “It was like a step into becoming a real part of APO and the fact that I get to share that with someone now is pretty great.”

The Big Day

Members of Alpha Phi Omega’s Alpha Sigma class stood behind the curtains on stage as music filled the room. Prior to the event, each NIM was given the title of a song. When they heard the song begin to play, they were instructed to stand in in front of the curtain. On the opposite side, their Big, also given the same song, waiting for them with open arms, funny poses, and  welcoming gifts. Ending the suspense, the curtain was pulled revealing to the NIM who they were matched with.

“I’m most excited to build a relationship with her,” Lauren Robertson, freshman, said. “She’s extremely caring and I’m excited that I’m lucky enough to call her my Big. I can’t wait for all the memories we’ll create.”

The Little Things

A few weeks before the reveal, potential Bigs and NIMs attended Big/Little socials. Set up like speed dating, Brothers and NIMs were randomly assigned to different tables. Every eight minutes, the NIMs would move to a different table, getting to know their possible Big.

At the end of the night, rankings were made, marking the start of the pairing process. NIM educators Emily Kramer and Dominique Torio sorted through each of the Brother’s and each NIM’s top six choices and matched Big to Little. The following day, Brothers received emails with the names of the newest addition to their respective family lines.

“When doing matches we made sure that either they high on each other’s lists, or that we paired people we knew would be welcoming no matter what,” Emily Kramer, NIM Educator, said.

The following Tuesday, Littles were given letters filled with clues about their Big. Unaware that the reveal would be the following Sunday, NIMs guessed who their Bigs were while Bigs began collecting some of their Little’s favorite things to give to them as gifts. Though some Brothers were adding a third or fourth Little to their family, others were preparing to welcome their very first.

“With every Little I get, I feel excited that I have the opportunity to help another new brother grow in the organization,” Beth Jukuy, junior, said.

You Get a Little, and You Get a Little!

The Alpha Sigma class is the largest pledge class Alpha Phi Omega has had during their time at Ramapo with 39 NIMs. Due to their large size, some Brothers were matched with not one, but two Littles, becoming Bigs to twins. Typically, Brothers do not typically receive twins from the same pledge class. However, this semester’s increased average of NIMs invited the change in the chapter’s norm, many Brother’s excited about the opportunity to grow their family lines.

“I’m just really excited about building a stronger relationship with my organization, growing with them, and also making memories with my Littles,” Chris Catiis, junior, said.

The Future

The night was an overall success as Littles finally discovered their Big’s identity, while also being welcomed into the larger family. As their process as NIMs continues throughout the next few weeks, Alpha Phi Omega eagerly awaits for the day that each new member officially crosses as Brothers themselves, their respective Big’s guiding them throughout the process.