DAVID HARDEN/Arizona Daily Wildcat Speech and hearing sciences junior Sarah Peeples sits outside her sorority house. She says that sorority members are too often negatively portrayed.

The greek system might be getting a lot of bad press, but greeks like junior Sarah Peeples are working to make sorority stereotypes a thing of the past.

As a member of Blue Chip, Blue Key honorary and as the executive vice president of Sigma Kappa sorority, Peeples says she loves changing others' ideas about sorority women. Too often, she says, she feels only negatives about the system and how members are portrayed.

"We try hard to benefit society and not just go out and party," Peeples said.

A native of Tuscaloosa, Ala., Peeples said she decided to join a sorority to meet new people and to find a stable environment since so much in a college student's life is temporary. Since she joined, she said, she has also found her sorority house as a place she can go to relax and be among a "family" away from home.

In her third semester as executive vice president of her house, Peeples carries a lot of responsibility. Her duties include working with committee heads, risk management, making sure Sigma Kappa follows Panhellenic Council as well as university policy and paying attention to the needs of the sorority's members.

The sorority has committees for things ranging from recruitment to scholarship and everything in between, and Peeples makes sure they have the resources they need to do their jobs, she said. As the head of risk management, Peeples also makes sure the chapter stays clear of hazing and underage drinking.

Peeples also ensures that the Code of Conduct is up to date and that everyone follows the standards program. This includes making sure her sisters' grades stay up, and taking any necessary disciplinary action.

Another part of Peeples' job is to schedule programming for chapter meetings. Past events have included scrapbooking and yoga. Every year, the sorority also hosts speakers from Oasis, the on-campus center for sexual assault and relationship violence. Although Peeples loves her position, she says she probably will not run again and is looking forward to a restful senior year.

If I didn't keep busy, I'd feel like I was missing out - Sarah Peeples speech and hearing sciences junior

Peeples, who is minoring in Spanish, said she came to the UA because she wanted to live where she could practice the language and witness Mexican culture. She said she also loved the people and the campus, and she felt the UA was just the right place for her.

Peeples chose her major, speech and hearing sciences, because she has a brother who is mentally retarded and she has always wanted to help others with disabilities. Although she admits math is not her strong suit and her major requires statistics, she says she benefited from math tutoring at the sorority and everything is going well.

Peeples is also trying to become involved with the H.O.P.E. Group, which provides assistance and services to children whose disabilities are attributable to autism. Peeples said she thinks H.O.P.E. will help her learn more about her chosen field, and receive training that would

better allow her to work with those with disabilities, particularly speech disorders.

When she's not at the sorority house or in class, you might find Peeples at the Student Recreation Center, where she works in the business office. She said she likes her job because it gives her the opportunity to meet people and learn workout tips.

As a member of Blue Key National Honorary, which sponsors the annual 'A' Day, Peeples was allowed to go on the football field to help announce the 'A' Day king and queen. Peeples loved the chance to be on the big screen, and values her involvement with Blue Key because she is able to support such a strong UA tradition.

This is also Peeples' third year as a member Blue Chip Leadership Program. She likes the chance the organization gives her to meet people. She says she met some of her best friends in Blue Chip her freshman year.

Although all of her activities keep her busy, Peeples is having a great time.

"If I didn't keep busy, I'd feel like I was missing out," Peeples said.