Bow Down & Round Up

It is one of the most highly anticipated weekends at The University of Texas at Austin. Not only does this event draw thousands of UT students together, but also individuals from countless other schools. College students from all over text their friends months in advance in order to secure a sought-after guest band. They pile in each other's cars and make the journey to Austin, Texas in order to have one heck of a spring weekend. From sororities designing outfits and selecting the most fashionable attire to fraternities searching for the wildest performers, this is one unforgettable experience. If you have yet to attend Round up, you may want to mark it on your calendar for next year. 

        The madness begins Thursday with fraternities hosting crawfish boils in their lawns and

at bar tabs scattered across the infamous 6th street. Although it is one late night of blasting music and flashing lights, it is the only way that Texas students know how to kick-off the renowned weekend. UT students not only have the brains, but they also

know when it is time to drop the books and have the time of their lives. If you think your

school knows how to throw the best parties, think again. Round up gained its wild

reputation for a reason. For me, it was a weekend I will not forget. From getting ready

with friends by covering our bodies in brightly colored clothing, glitter, flash tats and

words/symbols written in sharpie, it was crazy to say the least. This was also a time to

really test your stamina. After ending Thursday night with a bang, the hype returns

around 1pm Friday and Saturday and continues until 2am both nights. It is possible to

take naps in between fraternity parties, but most of your brakes consist of eating with

friends at whatever place you are closest to. Thank goodness Austin is flooded with the

absolute best food in the nation. After you refuel, you go again. You continue jumping

up-and-down to the most desired performers and rappers, taking one too many pictures with friends, and simply having the absolute time of your life. 

         Since I was in high school, I have heard stories about Round up but never thought I

would get the chance to experience it for myself. And wow was I glad I did. Attending

such a prestigious school is an honor, but going to a top-ranked University that also

throws some of the most renowned parties...now that is something to talk about. The

University of Texas at Austin really does have it all and for those who have yet to

experience it, you are missing out. 

        However, all good things must come to an end. And Sunday was a bitter end. As

students sadly have to come back to reality and return to their busy/stressful lives, at

least we can look forward to next year. Round up 2018 will be nothing less than the best weekend of your life. Guaranteed. 

ZLAM!!

Madison Hildreth PC '16

A Weekend for the Dads

Texas Zeta Dad’s Weekend was nothing short of entertaining. The weekend of February 10th, dads came from across the country to get a glimpse into what these sorority bills actually pay for. Luckily, not one dad seemed disappointed. All walked away with a smile on their face after a weekend well spent with their little girl.

For me, Dad’s Weekend had a bit of a different perspective. I, along with my big, Hailey, was in charge of planning the weekend. Plenty of brainstorming went into finally deciding what the agenda was. We initially thought a casino night would be fun. We then contemplated bringing in a vendor to do a ‘family feud’ style game. We even thought about getting tickets to a local sporting event. However, after many conversations with our advisors as well as some polling of girls in our pledge classes, we thought bringing out the dad’s competitive spirit through putt putt golf and some country line dancing sounded like a great time. As the weekend neared with the agenda concretely set, the pressure was on. Trying to make sure things went smoothly, while still making sure my dad had a good time was a bit of a stressful task, but thanks to such an awesome partner, a great executive council, and such great vendors, everything was seamless.

Dads arrived Friday afternoon “ready to party,” according to my dad. From five to eight at night, girls went in small groups with their dads to Peter Pan mini golf for a (way too competitive) game of putt putt. The group I golfed with barely finished the first hole before the dads were ripping each other’s golf abilities, laughing like they are all old college friends. Girls then had Friday night and the majority of the day on Saturday to explore Austin with their dads - my dad and I went to Hula Hut, a Tex-Mex must, on Friday night, then spend Saturday afternoon at my roommate’s lacrosse game.

Saturday night was the big event: Zeta Dad’s Night at Rebel’s Saloon. My friends and I took our dads to Chinatown before, where they all had a little more fun than we anticipated. All of the dads laughed and shared stories, leaving possibly closer than my friends and I even are. Once we got to Rebel’s Saloon, the night was in full swing. The line dance instructors were leading the crowd in some popular country dances, while some people chowed down on the pulled pork sliders. The real fun came when the first brave dad got on the mechanical bull. Riding the bull became almost a masculinity competition; as one dad saw another dad get on the bull, he felt like he had to try it, and then another dad just had to try it, then another and another until all of the dads were surrounding the bull trashing each other, trying to see who could stay on the longest.

When Sunday morning came, my dad told me that this weekend was the most fun he’s had in a long time, and I’m sure many other dads could say the same. Waving bye to my dad as he hobbled over to his car, bruised from his many attempts to stay on the bull, may have been one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. So thankful to have such a fun loving dad and so thankful to be a Texas Zeta.

ZLAM!

Caity Callan, PC 16