CHI Making Impressions
A Freshman Reflects on Her First Experience with a Longwood Tradition
Issue date: 9/17/08 Section: Features
By Nicole Dales
Reporter
10 a.m.: I had heard that flowers were always on the Joanie statue the day after the walk so I was disappointed because I thought I missed it. After clarifying with some upperclassman I was reassured that I had not missed it and it was going to take place that very night. I am guessing this is a freshman move, because I saw no one else do it, but I of course started texting people and calling people and finding people on campus to alert them of the night's event. I felt like it was my duty to make sure that the other 1,064 freshmen did not miss the opportunity.
11:00 p.m. : People were very excited for the CHI walk. Everyone in my hall was in the hallway chattering and roughhousing, just trying to pass time until the walk. Well, those are activities that go on every night in my hall, but tonight a layer of CHI excitement was hovering as well,
11:30 p.m. : The signs said the CHI walk was at the Colonnades, so my hall decided to go over to get a good spot. As I descended the hill from the Cunninghams it looked like a scene from a movie. People were spilling out from all corners and swarming to the Colonnades. By the time we reached the Colonnades there were already hundreds of people there waiting.
11:55 p.m. : Some lights flickered off, and although people continued with their conversations their voices got lower, and a mood of excitement with a dash of uncertainty filled the atmosphere. Well, at least that is how I was feeling.
12:04 a.m. : I thought the CHI walk started right at midnight. Then people started running, and I became very confused. I did not understand where everyone was going and why it had not started yet. Then I heard the foot stomping and saw CHI making its way down the Colonnades.
12:09 a.m. : CHI starts making their way down the stairs towards the street. Maybe it is because I am a naturally clumsy person, but I was very worried that one of them was going to trip and fall. I pretty much held my breath the entire time.
12:13 a.m. : The members of CHI make it down the stairs successfully, and I am left feeling sort of guilty for ever doubting CHI's ability to walk down the stairs. They enter a van and drive off in the sunset. Actually it was midnight, so it was pretty dark. Also, they really just turned the corner.
My first CHI experience was a very memorable one. It was awesome and exciting and thrilling and terrifying and a whole bunch of other adjectives all at once. Many people had told me about CHI, but I do not think it is the kind of thing that can be put into words. I encourage all Longwood students who have not yet gone to a CHI walk to take part in this tradition. Now if I could only figure out how one gets in CHI I would be good to go.
Reporter
10 a.m.: I had heard that flowers were always on the Joanie statue the day after the walk so I was disappointed because I thought I missed it. After clarifying with some upperclassman I was reassured that I had not missed it and it was going to take place that very night. I am guessing this is a freshman move, because I saw no one else do it, but I of course started texting people and calling people and finding people on campus to alert them of the night's event. I felt like it was my duty to make sure that the other 1,064 freshmen did not miss the opportunity.
11:00 p.m. : People were very excited for the CHI walk. Everyone in my hall was in the hallway chattering and roughhousing, just trying to pass time until the walk. Well, those are activities that go on every night in my hall, but tonight a layer of CHI excitement was hovering as well,
11:30 p.m. : The signs said the CHI walk was at the Colonnades, so my hall decided to go over to get a good spot. As I descended the hill from the Cunninghams it looked like a scene from a movie. People were spilling out from all corners and swarming to the Colonnades. By the time we reached the Colonnades there were already hundreds of people there waiting.
11:55 p.m. : Some lights flickered off, and although people continued with their conversations their voices got lower, and a mood of excitement with a dash of uncertainty filled the atmosphere. Well, at least that is how I was feeling.
12:04 a.m. : I thought the CHI walk started right at midnight. Then people started running, and I became very confused. I did not understand where everyone was going and why it had not started yet. Then I heard the foot stomping and saw CHI making its way down the Colonnades.
12:09 a.m. : CHI starts making their way down the stairs towards the street. Maybe it is because I am a naturally clumsy person, but I was very worried that one of them was going to trip and fall. I pretty much held my breath the entire time.
12:13 a.m. : The members of CHI make it down the stairs successfully, and I am left feeling sort of guilty for ever doubting CHI's ability to walk down the stairs. They enter a van and drive off in the sunset. Actually it was midnight, so it was pretty dark. Also, they really just turned the corner.
My first CHI experience was a very memorable one. It was awesome and exciting and thrilling and terrifying and a whole bunch of other adjectives all at once. Many people had told me about CHI, but I do not think it is the kind of thing that can be put into words. I encourage all Longwood students who have not yet gone to a CHI walk to take part in this tradition. Now if I could only figure out how one gets in CHI I would be good to go.
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