Sydney White

In the film Sydney White, directed by Joe Nussbaum, college freshman Sydney White (played by Amanda Bynes) is a bright and ambitious young woman who has just arrived at Southern Atlantic University, eager to start this new chapter of her life. Her mother, a member of the Alpha Beta sorority, had always instilled in her the importance of sisterhood and unity. Determined to carry on her mother's legacy, Sydney sets her sights on joining Alpha Beta and pledging, hoping to create meaningful connections and find a sense of belonging. Upon her arrival, however, Sydney is dismayed to discover that the sorority has undergone a drastic transformation. Gone is the camaraderie and shared values of her mother's generation. Instead, the Alpha Beta sisters (led by the uptight and snobbish Jo (played by Rachel Koch) are now more concerned with social status, looks, and partying, than fostering meaningful relationships. Sydney's attempts to connect with the current Alpha Betas fall flat, and she is, subsequently, rejected by the sisterhood. Devastated, Sydney is banished to a condemned and run-down sorority house, Delta Nu, which is comprised of misfit "rejects" and outcasts. Among the seven women living in Delta Nu are: Sadie (played by Jamie Lee), the president of the house who tries to keep the ladies together despite their differences; Joss (played by Kristen Ruhlin), a sweet and vulnerable young woman who has been bullied by her peers; Tiffany (played by Monique Coleman), a bubbly and charismatic free spirit: Whitney (played by Laura Ramsey), a quirky and artistic young woman who struggles to express herself; Gwen (played by Jessica Lucas), a feisty and outspoken student body president who challenges authority; and Maggie (played by Danielle Panabaker), a witty and sarcastic student who often clashes with Sadie. Determined to rebuild her shattered dreams, Sydney decides to join forces with Delta Nu's misfit members, sharing a vision with Sadie to challenge the status quo and push for change at Southern Atlantic University. Together, they devise a plan to disrupt the power structure and shake up the establishment. Under Sydney's leadership, the outcasts come together to form the "Lanterns" - a coalition of students seeking equal rights and a voice for the underprivileged. Sydney uses her outgoing personality, natural charm, and quick wit to bring the disheveled group together and motivate them to take action. As tensions rise between the Alpha Betas and Delta Nu, Sydney and her new friends find themselves at the center of controversy and rebellion, forcing the entire university to confront its social hierarchy and outdated traditions. As the semester wears on, Sydney finds herself increasingly drawn to her new friends and allies, discovering that there is more to life than her initial pursuit of membership in the elite Alpha Beta sorority. She also grows particularly close to a charming and intelligent young man named Blake (played by Matt Long), who is equally passionate about social justice and supports Sydney's mission to bring about change. The stakes are raised as the university administration, led by a stubborn president who resists progressive change, attempts to shut down the Lanterns. Undeterred, Sydney and her team use their creativity, resilience, and resourcefulness to rally students across the campus, leveraging their individual talents and strengths to push forward their cause. Meanwhile, Sydney's relationship with her mother, through whom she initially measured her success as a member of Alpha Beta, slowly changes as she discovers more about her mother's motivations and sacrifices. Sydney realizes that her mother's experiences and the values she instilled may not be exactly what Sydney thought they were, allowing for a deeper connection and a sense of understanding that goes beyond just superficial sisterhood. In the end, Sydney and the Delta Nu sisters emerge victorious, as the university administration finally agrees to acknowledge and support social diversity and equality. Sydney finds a new family among her fellow misfits, realizing that true sisterhood transcends social status and conformity to traditional expectations. As the movie concludes, Sydney is seen standing alongside her new friends, the "rejects" who had become her closest allies, symbolizing a newfound sense of belonging and purpose that extends far beyond her mother's dreams for her.