Selfies. Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Glitter. Chipotle. Sisters. All of these are what people think of when they hear the words "recruitment" or "sorority." And yes, they do describe me and my amazing sisters. But I just want to say that we are not the stereotype. We are people.

Before I go into anything, let's set aside what a stereotype is. The Merriam-Webster dictionary describes a stereotype as "an often unfair and untrue belief that many people have about all people or things with a particular characteristic." This, I believe, is fairly accurate for what some people think about Greek life in college.

I went to college with no desire to join Greek life. For me it was all about Quidditch and hanging out with my roommates and people I met through classes or my major. All I wanted to do was have people to marathon Netflix and study in the library with me (throwback to the Quidditch empire in Alden during finals week). But then, second semester of sophomore year came.

Many people I had met freshmen year had graduated or were super busy with their major. I had just returned from a semester of working at Disney World and felt like a new freshman on campus again. There was something missing, and I decided to try something new. So, I went to the Greek fair in Walter Rotunda and met some amazing girls at the AOII table. After five minutes of talking to them, I knew I had to get to know them more. They were all so friendly and quirky that it was as if I had known them for months.

Our sorority is founded upon the ideals of inclusion for everyone, of being a place where anyone can feel welcome. We exceed the expectation. I have seen my sisters go above and beyond in doing everything in their power to make sure everyone has a place and is treated fairly. Whenever anyone is having a rough day there is someone to lift up their spirits. They will say hi to a stranger on the street. There is a place for everyone in our sisterhood.

Yes, we do like Pumpkin Spice Lattes -- they are delicious. Yes, we call Chipotle "Chipotbae," and I have had it multiple times in the past week. Yes, we marathon Disney movies -- who doesn't? Yes, we take selfies -- they can make anyone look fabulous. Yes, we use glitter -- it's sparkly and distracting. But we are nothing like the stereotype of a typical sorority girl. We are girls who have found sisterhood in a sorority with people we love and will do anything for.

My sisters have become my best friends and I would do anything for them. And I want to thank them for everything they do. You are the best decision I have made in college, and I couldn't have asked for a better place to call hOUme. Thank you, AOII. I love you all! ALAM <3

Go Greek!