Sorority: (noun) a society for female students in a university or college, typically for social purposes...also, something that a young woman hopes to eventually join someday. For me, I have dreamt of this opportunity since high school. The opportunity to be a part of something greater that has a rich history behind it made realize that I wanted to explore more of what college had in store for me. Being a part of an organization for its philanthropy, its vivid history, its values, and its creed is just some of the reasons as to why I wanted that home away from home. Being an older sister is very rewarding. I wanted to take that experience and inspire my future little. So when deciding on what organization to join, I had a lot to think about.

So when preference night came around, I was invited back to two organizations. In both of these organizations, I have fallen in love with the fact that the members wanted me, their philanthropy, and most importantly, the letters. I envisioned myself to be wearing these letters proudly and most importantly with the intent of giving back to my organization.

But then, I remembered one person that influenced me to go Greek. This person encouraged me to get out of my shell even before my fall semester started. I remember her messaging on Facebook saying: "I know you don't know me but don't be scared, I will be working alongside in University Ministry you when you enter into Saint Leo". This person knows she enlightened something inside of me to make a difference, not only being one of my best friends but in the near future being one of my sisters.

So telling my story during preference night, I told how this person influenced me. I cried and I didn't know if I could finish. But, something inside of me turned to my best friend, Kara Marino, and made me say thank you. Thank you for showing me what it means to be genuine, what it means to go outside your comfort zone, and what it means to be a powerful sorority woman.

I aspired to be like Kara. She was my role model and I didn't even know it.

So when accepting the bid from Alpha Sigma Tau, all I could remember is hugging Kara and thanking her repeatedly while bawling my eyes out.

I not only joined my organization because of her, I joined because of the person she had become, the person that I could become, and the person that I would be in the future; someone who is more confident and more comfortable in their own skin. Everything clicked and it was just simply amazing. I felt that home away from home feeling immediately and I still feel it even though it is summer and the fall semester will be right around the corner.

Even though she doesn't know...but she has made my college experience extraordinary.

Thank you, Kara, for showing me how to love my organization. Thank you for showing me the ins and the outs of Alpha Sigma Tau. And most importantly, thank you for not only being one of my many sisters but one of my very close friends.

Just like in the movie Bridesmaids: "You are more beautiful than Cinderella. You smell like pine needles, and you have a face like sunshine".