Justin “Zotch” Zeringue, emergency medical services senior from Thibodaux, knows exactly how many friends he can trust. At last count that number was 240. But, he expects his circle of friends to grow each day.Zotch’s Circle of Trust, a group that Zeringue created on Facebook, is one of the largest groups on Nicholls’ section of the Web site. Having people know who he is and having one of the biggest groups on campus is not something that he intended to happen.

Zeringue said he registered on Facebook because most of his buddies were on it. He joined over a Memorial Day weekend.

Zotch’s Circle of Trust was created when Zotch and his buddies, Zack Laster, communication information systems senior from Destrehan, and Randy Dow, mass communication graduate from Chalmette, wanted to see who could get the most friends. Dow created People Who Love Randy Dow. Laster created People Who Love Zack Laster. Although it is undeniable that Zeringue’s group has the largest number of members, the competition between his friends still remains.

“The competition will never be gone. We joke about it all the time now,” Zeringue said.

Although Zotch’s Circle of Trust is nearing 300 members, Zeringue has only invited about 10 percent of the members to his group. When deciding whom to invite to join his group, he simply looks to see if they look interesting. If he meets someone new, he will send that person an invitation to join. Most of the members have joined the group without invitations. About 90 percent of the people who are in Zotch’s Circle of Trust are people that he has met before or at least seen around campus.

“I have so many officers because it makes people feel wanted. If you were part of an organization, wouldn’t you want to be an officer?” Zeringue asked.

Zotch’s Circle of Trust has about 50 officers. Zotch said officers are usually his closest friends, but lots of people usually just ask. Two officer names that Zeringue has come up with are Zotch Farted On Her Pillow, Lori Harrall, and Zotch Farted On My Girlfriends’ Pillow, Buddy Boudreaux.

“If you are an officer, it helps if I know you so that I can think of something funny to be the name of the officer,” Zeringue said.

Group meetings are at any random times, but they are usually Fridays at midnight at Rox’s. About 50 members show up at weekly meetings. At the meetings people just talk and dance.

“The best part about Facebook is networking with friends,” Zeringue said. “I like to be able to keep in touch with my fraternities. I am really involved in my chapter.”

“If you are not in Facebook, you should join the club; it is sweeping the nation. After you join, sign up to be in my group,” Zotch said.

Zeringue said he checks his Facebook twice a day, once in the morning and once at night.

Zeringue said he likes to hunt, fish, hang out with friends and do things with Tau Kappa Epsilon. He loves the outdoors.