Pop Quiz and a Name Game
Next, the boys were unpleasantly surprised by a pop quiz on fundamental Gamma Delta facts. At first, the boys felt a flicker of confidence. They could surely recall some of the basics about Gamma Deltaâs founding, traditions and alumnae.
Before starting the quiz, however, the Big Sisters had the boys sit in a neat little line in the center of the study lounge on a row of dainty white stools. These glossy white painted stools were just a little too low for them, with hard seats and no backs to lean against.
The boys, dressed in their pretty study outfits, looked even more diminutive and sweet as they settled onto the undersized stools. They had to adjust themselves delicately, smoothing their skirts over their laps, knees pressed together, hands folded primly atop their pleated skirts. The awkwardness of their posture made it impossible to forget just how exposed and childlike they seemed, lined up in their girlish outfits on display before the sorority sisters.
The sisters surveyed the scene with delighted amusement. The contrast was striking: the sisters exuded easy confidence and authority while the boys looked like bashful pupils in an unfamiliar classroom. The boysâ cheeks reddened as they sat, backs straight, acutely aware that their every move was being watched. The sisters seemed to enjoy the moment, exchanging knowing smiles as their charges squirmed.
The first questions were simple: âWhat year was Gamma Delta founded?â Owen, eyes wide, blurted â1928!â and earned a point for the group. Milo correctly named the first Gamma Delta President and netted another. The group celebrated these early successes with cautious smiles, savoring the momentary sense of victory after the debacle of their Alumna Spotlights. Julian correctly managed to recall Gamma Deltaâs five core values without stumbling and got them two more.
âHereâs a neat one with nice points on the line,â Cassidy said teasingly, âYou learned that boys like you have several formal and informal names and nicknames. I can think of at least seven weâve told you about, not including âRosebudsâ which we just discussed. You can take turns naming them by saying âI love being a Gamma DeltaâŚâ and then fill-in-the-blank.â She looked at Milo. âMilo, why donât you go first, and remember to phrase it right!â
Milo, reddening slightly, said âI love being a Gamma Delta Delta Darling.â It was somewhat of a tongue-twister to say the two âDeltasâ in a row, but he was afraid to leave one out.
âNice. Now Owen,â Cassidy said, âand say it like you mean it!â
It was immediately obvious to the boys that the point of this exercise was both to test their knowledge and also make them verbally reaffirm their new status. They saw Brianna had whipped out her phone to record them. Everyone in the study lounge seemed to be enjoying this one.
Blushing, Owen said softly but clearly, âI love being a Gamma Delta Little Sister!â
âLovely,â Cassidy smiled, âNate youâre next.â
Nate nearly stumbled. The two âeasyâ ones had already been said. Then he recovered and managed to get out, âI love being a Gamma Delta Alexion!â
âOf course you do!â Cassidy said brightly, âJulian?â
Julian was frantically stretching his brain. What were the other names? They had only been mentioned in passing, and most of them were not in the study guide. Then he said tentatively, âI love being a Gamma Delta member of the Alexionian Society.â
âWell,â Cassidy said, âThatâs technically right and certainly a mouthful, but itâs sort of the same thing Nate said.â She looked back to Milo, âDo you remember one of the others, Milo?"
Milo suddenly remembered an additional term from Tuesday. He cringed as he forced a smile and said, âI love being a Gamma Delta Petal Boy!â
Cassidy grinned, âAww, thatâs so sweet! Iâll bet you do!â Then she said, âYou learned about a few more. Letâs throw it out to the group. Anyone.â The boys tried to remember what the others were, but they all drew blanks.
Then, Julian was able to recall one more. Despite his nerves, he said as nicely as he could, âI love being a Gamma Delta Delta Doll!â The double âDeltasâ rolled off his tongue adorably as he tried to mimic how Milo had done it a few moments earlier.
Cassidy giggled at him, âThatâs right sweetie! You really are a Double Delta Doll!â She looked around expectantly, âTwo remaining. Who else?â
Owen had his face scrunched up trying to recall. They all knew every point counted. He thought it was âLittleâ something or other, but his memory failed him. He took a chance and guessed, âI love being a Gamma Delta⌠Little Gamma?â It came out sounding more like a question than a statement.
Cassidy chuckled, âI think you made a lucky stab, but thatâs right. Why donât you say it again properly?â she prodded.
Feeling the heat rise on his cheeks, Owenâs response this time sounded almost singsong, âI love being a Gamma Delta Little Gamma!â
âAdorable,â Cassidy said as if talking down to a child. âThereâs only one left,â she said sweetly. âAnyone?â she asked. Silence. She seemed amused as she watched them struggle to think of the last one. âDoesnât anyone remember?â she persisted. Seeing they didnât know, she gave them the answer, âItâs Little Darlings⌠from the old days! Letâs all say that one together.â
As they collectively cringed, she coached them all to repeat together in a lilting way reminiscent of a nursery rhyme, âLittle Darling, Little Darling! I love being a Gamma Delta Little Darling.â All the Big Sisters chuckled as she had them all say it several more times to lodge it nicely in their brains. Brianna got it all recorded on her phone.
She closed this little game by having them repeat the terms after her one by one as a sweet little call and response: âDelta Darling. Little Darling. Delta Doll. Little Sister. Alexion. Little Gamma. Petal Boy.â Then she added âRosebudâ for good measure.
They repeated the cutesy Gamma Delta termsââPetal Boy,â âDelta Doll,â âLittle Gamma,â and âLittle Darlingââwith palpable discomfort. As they were led through these elaborate recitations, their voices mimicked the sweet tones expected of them. They struggled to maintain their composure, shifting nervously in their darling skirts and snug tights, the unfamiliar garments only amplifying their discomfort. The heat rose on their faces, turning their cheeks a soft pink as they blushed, acutely aware of the amused scrutiny of the sorority sisters. Despite their obvious embarrassment, they obediently followed along as Brianna recorded the bashful proclamations of their love for Gamma Delta.
After âRosebudâ rolled off their tongues in unison, Cassidy exclaimed, âWhat fun!â Then she added, âHopefully that will help you remember better the next time! You did manage to get six out of a possible seven points!â