Articles

STRIVE FOR THE HIGHBUSH

JOSHUA MILHOAN | NU

Vaccinium corymbosum, or as most people know it, the Northern Highbush Blueberry, is one of the few edible fruit bearing species of perennial plants native to North America. Native Americans have cultivated this plant as a significant source of food for generations, long before European settlers arrived in America. Today, this plant is responsible for producing hundreds of millions of pounds of delicious berries every year for people to enjoy throughout the world. As such, it is a plant that has great value to the agricultural community for its potential as a plentiful food source, and to consumers for its delicious fruit and ornamental shrubbery. It also has immense value to myself, as it happens to be a plant that I have a personal interest in given my background in food science and botanical molecular biology. I love a good plant, especially one that makes food. It’s pretty simple. I think we can all agree that blueberries are pretty cool, regardless of your scientific or agricultural background. What does this have to do with KKPsi? That’s simple too. The blueberry, or “Star fruit” as Native Americans often referred to it, is a fruit that embodies the imagery of KKPsi. A brilliant blue exterior encompassing delicate white flesh, sways on the branches. Each berry with their blossom ends pointed high to the sky, flashing glimpses of the unique five-pointed star emblazoned on the bottom of each fruit, sitting tucked among their ornamental foliage. A true illustration of the symbols we as brothers hold dear to our hearts on our mission in serving music and the bands however we can. An official fruit for the fraternity, if there ever was to be one, should be selected with no difficulty, as the blueberry is the clear choice.

More important, however, is what this berry means to me. Yes, this is a berry that I have some vested academic interest in, and yes, it is a fruit that happens to share imagery with KKPsi, but it is also more than that. This is a fruit that when I look at it, I can see the memories and experiences I have gained from my time with KKPsi, and with my fellow brothers. I think of all

the fun times, and stressful times, and confusing times, and social times, and of course, the musical times. I think of all of these different experiences we have had together as a group, and I think of them as being packed nice and tight in these little blueberries of brotherhood. Every time I see a blueberry, I can’t help but think of KKPsi and all of the brothers that made each minute worth it. One day I won’t get to take part in something like KKPsi, or the OSU bands. Certainly not in the same way as now, at least, and though my time at OSU isn’t over, I have realized that stuff happens and it happens fast; however, it’s the thought of knowing that maybe even though one day I will have to move on and actually live my life, it will happen with a berry bush by my side that reminds of the people and the experiences that make life worth living.