I am so proud to say that at my school, and so many others across the country, we have taken a stand against hazing; but unfortunately, that isn't the case yet everywhere.

I've heard countless horror stories about girls and guys alike who so desperately wanted to be a sorority woman or fraternity man, become a member of an organization, or just be a part of something that they went through whatever means necessary to gain that title; I've even heard from some of my own friends about the hazing that they have endured. It's a real thing, it still happens today, and we have to do something to stop it! I'll never understand how these organizations built on principles of value turned to such crude ways of allowing members to be included. But how it started isn't what I'm concerned with; I just want to stop it!

Ever since I went Greek, I have gained a community of loving, encouraging, and empowering people. THAT is what every person should experience whether they go Greek, join a sports team, or become a member of a club.

We need to build each other up, not tear each other down.

We must fight for what we believe in, not fight against each other.

We should walk through trials together, not be the trials that each other face.

I think an anti-hazing community is possible at every campus, in every state, across the nation. Maybe it's too much to ask for world peace, but is it too much to ask for this? I certainly don't think so.

To those campuses that have taken the stand against hazing, I applaud you and thank you. These are the schools where the members feel safe and protected, and that's the way it should be. People tell me all the time that I can't change the world. One person can't make a big enough difference to matter. How wrong they are! One person can make a difference. All it takes is one person brave enough to stand up against hazing on his or her campus. One person, one campus, one major difference.

According to hazingprevention.org, all but six states now have anti-hazing laws in place. While this is incredible progress in just a few short years, there is still so much more to do before hazing can be abolished completely. I don't want to read articles about settlements against schools that got rid of hazing. Instead, I want to read that a campus is doing something to end hazing before any lawsuits even have to happen. We college students have the power to end this. Do your part.

(For more information about hazing and how to do your part in bringing it to an end, visit stophazing.org or hazingprevention.org.)