Since the Fall of 2014 my lovely sisters of Alpha Omicron Pi have changed me forever. AOII's everywhere have taken my life and shown me how to be more confident, and how to make a name for myself. I have met so many amazing sisters and they are there for me whenever I need them. These pandas have changed my life for the better, and I will always love being an Alpha woman.

Sisters, here's to you.

Sisters,

When I was invited to your sisterhood, it was one of the best days of my life. I met so many people on that Fall 2014 bid day that changed my life forever- and they are some of the people I cherish greatly. When I joined, I had no idea what to expect and what I got was better than my biggest dreams. See, when I joined I thought I would only be a member in my single chapter- but that is not the case. I have sisters from states I have never been to that talk to me on a normal schedule and these sisters are extremely special because they have never met me before in person. I am a sister though and they love me no matter what and they want to hear the amazing things happening in my life. I love that you always feel like you have someone to see when you go anywhere and the truth is, you will always be able to find an AOII wherever you go. I promise they will greet you with a hug and a smile.

My specific chapter has been with me through my whole college experience, and honestly I would never want to find out how my college experience without them would be like. These ladies have been there for me when I was a completely different person, and they have sculpted me to be confident. They have taught me so much about love, friendship and being a family. Honestly, you really get to know people when you spend a full two weeks with them, preparing yourselves to help your new pandas feel like they are at home during recruitment. You start trusting them when they are there for you at all hours of the night when you feel like you are alone. You start to think of them as family when you get super excited about telling them something that is happening and you know that they are going to support you. Everything that they bring to my life has been such a great installment, though some times I take them for granted- but I love them so extremely much.

It is great to sit back and think of all of the amazing times I have had in AOII, and its sad to think that all too soon my years as an active member in a chapter will come to a close. The thing about Alpha Omicron Pi, is that you will always be a part of it, and nothing can take that away. One of my favorite quotes from one of our founders that really speaks to me is:

"Humanly speaking, you are all founders of Alpha Omicron Pi, today, quite as truly as you were in the beginning. We know that you will always lay the same eternal foundations and that you will build upon them with constancy, patience and unfaltering faith." Stella George Stern Perry

Remember, pandas, you are absolutely wonderful. You have changed my life for the better, and I will always love you.

ALAM,

A Panda