Hoo-rah-ray, Hoo-rah-ray, ray, ray--U-Va!

The Good Ole' Song.

It was something that I was supposed to have memorized it in my first year. However wanting to buck authority, I skipped out on a lot of traditions at UVa. Instead, I've made great memories in replace of them and I don't regret not going to the traditional events my first year.

Why? I can argue about the utilitarian exchange of going to the better experience (which is my opinion and very subjective), but I won't. Instead I will say---because now I am a fourth year and I'll be going with first, second, third years, exchange students, transfer students, friends, acquaintances and it'll be a richer experience than if I had gone first year with the few hallmates that I knew.

Speaking from an anthropological view, I am amazed at how much pressure there is to share in a common experience, if you are considered "in the group." For example, traditions at UVA serve to unify a university of 14,297 undergraduate students. These range from participating in sport events to the 112 Things To Do Before You Graduate List to the ritual of passage called convocation. When you do not participate in these traditions, people are surprised, worried, and even alarmed. That is because you are now a "black sheep" and thus people do their best to bring you back in the fold. If you resist, then you will be considered odd and perhaps even ostracized from future events. If you do participate in these events, then you are rewarded socially with friends, future invitations, and affirmation.

So as I sit in my grey silk dress (with no pearls) and the Good Ole Song in front of my desk with the words "Start Memorizing :)" handwritten on it, I have come to terms that I am going to my first UVA American football game. Hoo-rah-ray, Hoo-rah-ray, ray, ray--U-Va!

the good ole song of wa..hoo..wa

I was walking past old dorms today with my tour group when an alum brought up the good ole song. Of course, once it's been brought up, I had to give an impromptu performance. Thank goodness I pulled it off, haha. I hadn't thought I'd sing our school song during the summertime, it was a nice touch that capped off a really wonderful tour (great people, asked lots of questions). It's an amazing feeling to put your arms around the shoulders of the people next to you during football games and sing our song whenever we make a touchdown. At that moment, everyone in the stands of Scott Stadium (alumni as well) are singing the same words, and we all yell the same cheer at the end. It always gives me the shivers, and I'm so proud to be a part of the UVA community whenever that happens.

One of my favorite memories is during first year orientation - we were sitting the Old Cabell auditorium when all of a sudden, someone's cell phone rang. The ring tone was the good ole song. The orientation leader with that phone promptly stood up and started singing along and walked down towards the stage. All of a sudden, people (other orientation leaders) started rushing in from all parts of the auditorium and sang together on the stage. That was such a funny introduction to UVA (and hopefully I didn't spoil too much stuff for you guys!).

Another interesting encounter with the good ole song was with a friend's bottle opener, of all things. His bottle opener would play the good ole song whenever a bottle was opened. I think he got it from the bookstore... I'm not quite sure. Unfortunately, that rendition quickly got really annoying as around 20 bottles were opened over the course of the night. *facepalm*