YEARS OF TRADITION Ju Go Ju celebrates its 90th anniversary, and Iota Chi celebrates its 10th. By Toria Parl'ett I Michalie Brown I Anna Winchester During Harding University's Homecoming festivities, women's social clubs Ju Go Ju and Iota Chi celebrated monumental anniversaries. Ju Go Ju celebrated its 90th anniversary, and Iota Chi celebrated its 10th. Senior Hannah Ponder, vice president of Ju Go Ju, said the anniversary brought a new respect and a sense of tradition as the club began to look back at its long history. The club was founded in 1925, making it the oldest club on campus. "I think it instills more pride in Ju Go Ju and a motivation to keep Ju Go Ju going," Ponder said. "It is neat to see all of the traditions that we have kept since 1925, like wearing purple, bows and pearls. Members need to keep putting a lot of effort, time and love into Ju Go Ju because we have seen how long it has lasted, and we want it to keep going another 90 years." The club held a come-and-go brunch on Oct. 24 during Homecoming weekend, inviting alumnae from the past 90 years of Ju Go Ju history to share stories and meet current members to celebrate the milestone anniversary. Across campus that same day, Iota Chi also celebrated a milestone in its own club history. Current members oflota Chi and alumnae partook in an anniversary lunch. Members of women's social clubs Regina, Ko Jo Kai, Shantih and unaffiliated freshmen founded Iota Chi in 2005. Cha1ter member and sponsor Katie Ramirez said the thrill of starting from the ground up motivated her to join Iota Chi a decade ago. "That was one of the reasons that I was drawn to it as a freshman," Ramirez said. "It was new, and I thought that was interesting to be part of something that wasn't anything yet." Senior Bren Grymes, president of Ju Go Ju, said the reunion was a way for members to gain even more respect for their club and to connect with former members to see how the club had evolved. This induction class was also important to members as they strove to keep the club strong. Grymes said she thought this was a big year to be a new club member because of the challenge set in place to continue the traditions that had lasted for so long. "We want them to carry on the legacy of the club, be all about sisterhood and unity and show Christ to each other," Grymes said. "I think they will see how important it is to be active in the club, be a leader and push for good things." Junior Brooklyn Billner, Ju Go Ju historian, said the anniversary instilled a sense of nostalgia among members as the realization of the milestone set in. "It was great to see girls say, 'I want to be a part of something that has been around for so long,"' Billner said. "We have 38 great girls that are going to represent Ju Go Ju as our 90th (induction) class. We are celebrating a legacy and a tradition." Senior Iota Chi member Carrie Wingfield attended to the 10th year reunion lunch and compared Iota Chi's history to that of Ju Go Ju. "It gives me hope that when I come back in 10 years I will see how the club has grown," Wingfield said. "I am just excited to see how Iota Chi has grown and to have a historical presence like Ju Go Ju." .3 '• S O C I A L C L l' B S
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