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Pledging a Sorority. I am thankful to my sister-in-law Ethel Merritt for loaning my mother the
money for me to pledge Delta Sigma Theta Sorority during my senior year at Talladega. It was a

fantastic, wonderful, super-dynamic experience. I was the Choral Director for my Pledge Line,

although I have no idea how that happened. I assumed it was because I had been a choir soloist and
had my music major experiences. Thank God we crossed over the burning sands, making me so very

proud to be a Delta. My mom was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority. She was

disappointed, but she told me, “At least you are a member of one of the Big Two.” It was a surprise
to her other sorority sisters, as well, because, as I mentioned, in high school, I was Miss Fashionetta,

which was a junior fundraiser scholarship event sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority.

My grandmother sold her chitterling dinners, and I won again!

Learning to Graciously Accept Constructive Criticism, No Matter How Harsh. At Talladega,

seniors graduated after they made an oral presentation of their thesis. Just before my oral, I
asked one of my classmates to assist me by asking questions addressed by my thesis. I believe

the topic was either “Peer Students Teach Other Students,” “Students Learn Better from
Their Peers,” or “Teaching Reading Through Music.” I had done my research and felt I was

ready for the drill. As my classmate asked the questions, the answers I gave were either

inadequate or incorrect. My classmate said, “You do not know this information! Your
internship may have been successful, but your presentation of the material is lousy. Girl, you I went home for the holidays

better go back to the library and study.” I was offended, but I marched right over to the library after completing my initiation
and engaged in intense studying for the next week. I spent hours upon hours trying to read into Delta Sigma Theta

and comprehend the information. Sorority, Inc.