Alumni

April 23^rd, 2007. It’s a typical Kirksville night in a typical Missouri town. However, a group of very a-typical individuals are preparing to take another huge step in their lives: Graduation.

One thing that this diverse little posse shares is their affiliation. They are all brothers. Not in the sense of my grandma is your grandma, sitting by the fire… Oops, different story. They are all members of Phi Sigma Pi, a national co-ed honor fraternity. Some of them met while joining this fraternity, some were friends long before, some will even be fortunate (or unfortunate depending on how you look at it) to spend the rest of their lives with someone they met in this organization.

Before this group can graduate they must complete one thing. To become alumni of Phi Sigma Pi. Apparently it is written somewhere that only people still in college can be an active brother. I use the term “active” loosely you know what I mean.

The specifics of the night are lost. This is done purposefully as ceremonies are not something that is talked about after the fact. But I’d like to give you a little snapshot and as a parting gift into what it’s like to be around this people. Read this, while taking it slow and looking over one of the best pictures I’ve ever seen.

I’ll move from left to right and introduce you to some of the greatest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

Chad, Bethany and Heath. Obviously, something has just happened that has shocked Chad, amused Bethany, and caused Heath some level of consternation. I am willing to bed that Heath’s little (I will leave her nameless) just flashed them. Yep, that is probably what happened.

Next you will see two observers. Amy and Andrew. Amy is most definitely spying on the ruckus in another part of the crowd. Andrew is laughing as his girlfriend makes a hefty proposition.

What would that be? Well, that’s easy. Erin, Matt, and Plog are posing for some candid shots for their ménage.

Behind them is Jared, he’s the only person in the entire picture actually doing what he’s supposed to be doing: posing for the picture takers.

Slightly hidden are Casey and Jeff behind her. The two of them are watching the theatrics of another group very close by…

Abbie is so obviously turning to get her revenge on David who definitely copped a feel. It’s a good thing these two are getting married because I don’t know anyone else who could handle their level of craziness.

Directly to the right of this couple is Kalen. She has got to be wondering two things: 1) How can I keep Abbie’s hair from hitting me in the face when she turns really fast again, and 2) Why are these weirdoes behind me laughing so loudly?

Those weirdoes behind her happen to be Alan and Jennifer. They are obviously having a good time and this is why. Moments before, Alan’s nose somehow ended up in Jennifer’s eye… Yeah, that’s what I thought too.

The next three people in the back are Josh, Jenna, and Eddie. Josh is obviously trying to maintain his badass reputation by avoiding smiling at all costs. Jenna and Eddie are both just wondering what the hell could be so funny with Alan and Jennifer.

The last three ladies are Mandy, Lauren, and Amanda. These dames are doing some suggestive poses for the cameras and the paparazzi. Watch out world, they might be too hot to handle.

So, I hope you enjoyed my little story about one of the best pictures I have ever seen. It's time for a new chapter to begin for all of these folks and by golly, they are more than ready for it.