Hi there!

My name is Valentina Cossio and I am currently a sophomore acccounting major at SBU. This is my second year participating in Friends with Sisters and despite the circumstances, it has been a very fun and rewarding experience. I had kept in touch with my Sister over the summer and despite her not continuing with the program, we still talk often. In fact, the day before I left for winter break this year I got a letter from her wishing me and my family a happy Thanksgiving. It is my wish that other students can experience that same feeling of excitment and joy when they get to know their sisters and form a bond with these incredible women.

That is one of the main reasons why this club is so important to me; the relationship made with your Sister is long-lasting and fulfilling in more ways than one. Meeting other students that are going through the same program and being able to write letters together or go visit (up until last year) is also what makes this program special. It has a prominent feeling of conmunity. For example, last year I had the priviledge of meeting my friend's Sister and the three of us sat and talked and laughed for a while; it has since become a cherished memory of mine.

I plan on being in this program for as many years as I have left at Bona's, but something that I've learned over the past year is that this program isn't confined to the academic year, and it will definitely transcend my time here as a student.