As past president of the Hellenic Student Association, here at George Mason, I felt proud to represent the culture from which I come from and happy to see all other Greek students coming together. This was something that I did not see when I first came to GMU, three years ago, and I hope something that no other Greek student will ever have to see... The Greek culture has enhanced the culture of many, Greek and non-Greeks alike. For that we all want to continue to be a part of the Mason community, so as to continue to do what we have done for thousands of years. Displaying and exemplifying a culture so mystical and captivating, that everyone wants to have a part of it.

Many of you may wonder what the purpose is of having an HSA. "What is the purpose?" "What do I need it for?" "What can it do for me?" Look around you, in this room, in this school, at your church, the club you went to last weekend, the friends that you hang out with, the people that you talk to, the people you can best relate to... and then ask again "What is the purpose?" "What do I need it for?" "What can it do for me?" How many of you or your friends have joined a group of Greeks, befriended those people and called them your own? What made you do that? Then ask again, "What is the purpose?" "What do I need it for?" "What can it do for me?" Think back to the day you first came to this university. Think of it without a group for Greek students to get to know each other. Think of it with maybe one Greek you met or maybe not. What would it be like? Imagine, think, ask yourself again, and then speak with your actions.

-Sotiria Nikolakis-Hamilton (9/17/97).
(1996-97 President of the Hellenic Student Association at GMU,
1997-98 Vice President of the International Student Umbrella at GMU.)