It’s Time To Have Some Fun
So much has been on my mind in the last few days that I think it has all caught up to me.I haven’t been feeling myself lately, but I am positive things will turn around.
Saturday evening I will be in NY for the annual Bubbafund Dinner Dance in honor of my close friend, Scott Pollock’s life. This night is going to be filled with many different emotions. On one hand I am so excited to see all of our old friends (some I haven’t seen in four years) and his family, but I think what is turning me for a loop is the mere fact that we are celebrating his life without him. I have felt a bit numb after all the constant motion of this past month, in awe of the fact that one person has had such an impact on my life and now many others. I am beyond pleased that we as a University were able to support such a cause and raise $725.00
Now, I really want to be focusing on the Residence Hall Association (RHA). Last week we had a great meeting, the attendance was awesome and the atmosphere seemed to be in good spirits. Our first movie on the wall was a great success!(duh, it was the hangover!), but we need to keep it up. Our next event is on Nov. 13th and we are bringing back “Flash Back Friday”. This event is alot of fun!! Who doesn’t love to play games from their childhood?– I know I do! I think many organizations have lost the spark that was once on campus, and I think this event will help bring that back for RHA. I am also really excited because we have begun to create many new aspects to RHA such as a new website, and Hall Councils!–which are just an extention of the voice for RHA within the Res. Halls. These students are able to create their own programs in order to have more social interaction within each building and get the word out about RHA. We have new students who have taken these positions and will definitly be able to bring some awesome energy to our table. RHA Meetings are every Monday night @ 7 p.m. on the lakeside patio (right outside the caf) I would love to see you there. It is never too late to be involved in creating FUN events!
That’s all I have for now.
Happy Reading!
A Year of Planning for a Month of Success!
Yesterday was the last day of events for disability awareness month 2009! I would have never imagined last year at this time that I was truly capable of putting together an entire month of events and having them go as well as they did. The month was a bit stressful at times and I would have loved to see more faces at some events, but overall I cannot complain. I am extremely happy with what I was able to accomplish with the help of many amazing people. The “world with wheels” experience went very well. We had about 40 people in total participate and from what I have heard everyone now has a new prospective on what its like to live your life with a bit of a challenge Matt Glowacki also came to speak about diversity, and what it was like for him to go up with the challenge of being born with no legs. I thought his presentation was awesome and I think alot of people learned through hearing him speak. I am hoping next year we will be able to bring him back to help put on an amazing wheelchair basketball event.
The iniative was even addressed by President Ross during his State of the University Address. I am so glad that people were so open to this iniative and extremely thankful for everyone’s support. We have raised over $600 for the bubbafund as a University and for that I am so proud and I hope you are too!
This weekend is parents weekend and with no parents coming to visit I am going to take this weekend to truly relax, and catch up on some much needed sleep and homework. Thanks again to everyone who made this month of events a success! Look out because it will just be bigger and better next year! “We’ll be D.AM’d if we can’t prove it!”
That’s all I have for now,
Happy Reading!
Discover The Unseen!
October is a jam packed month loaded with so many different kinds of awareness events. You all know about Disability, Breast Cancer, and Alcohol awareness events, but there is another awareness event that occurred on campus last night that I would like to give a spotlight to because it is much deserved.
Last night, Omar Herrera who is president of Rotaract, and our Rotaract Club had the great privilege of hosting the National tour of “Invisible Children” in the Green Center. Invisible Children was started by young adults who saw a need to do something about the on going war in Northern Uganda, Africa. Thousands of children are abducted and killed each day. We learned that because of this horrible war many innocent people have been deprived of stability within family, home, food, education and over all a normal life.
At this event we were shown a video and it was about a HUGE project that was put together to get this issue seen by the media and government. Young people from all over decided that they would put themselves in these children’s shoes and feel what it was like to depend on others to be rescued. Their mission was called the “RESCUE”, it was truly amazing to see how many people came out from hundreds of different cities, not ever meeting before some people became the closest of friends. It was overwhelming to see the number of people that had true passion and actually took pride in bringing awareness to such an issue. One of the rules was that in order to be rescued someone of a high status such as, a Governor, or celebrity, or some form of media had to come and promise to help get this mission on a higher priority list. In the end their time and endless effort paid off because as of now they are trying to get a bill passed through congress to start to end this war.
It’s crazy how an event like this can truly make you realize how lucky we are. As a society I think we take so many things for granted, and the idea of people actually committing such horrid acts is beyond most people’s thought process, but they are happening and will continue to happen if we don’t take it seriously and do something about it. Everyone should take a minute or two to visit www.invisiblechildren.com there you will be able to see how doing something as little as signing a piece of paper can help change millions of people’s live’s in the future.
It’s our turn to change the world.
That’s all I have for now,
Happy Reading!
More Than Meets The Eye
As Disability Awareness Month is in full swing, I am trying to sit back and look at all the positive things that have been going on. Our Kick off was a success, the showing of murderball was good, the different abilities dinner was fun, and we have raised over $500 for the Bubbafund, these are all great, but I still feel like a lot more could be done within our own campus.
This years J-term I am taking the opportunity to go to NZ on a leadership training experience. I am really excited about this trip and going to make the best of it but knowing that some do not fully believe that I am not physically capable to complete this trip makes me a bit annoyed. On this trip they have decided that it is a necesity to send a medically qualified person who will have the authority to say what activities I should or should not participate in depending n how physically demanding it is. I understand why this needs to be done I just wish it would have been approached differently.
One part of this conversation that has stuck with me is when I was explaining that I never look at myself as disabled, and neither do my friends, once you get to know me I am not the girl who walks with crutches or the girl using a chair, I am Steph. And the one response that makes me wonder, and only want to work harder was “I hate to say this Steph, but I see your chair.” This one line only pushes me more to want to go on this trip and complete each activity even if it takes an extra minute or two.
I have worked way too hard to gain the independence I have for people to look at me and stop and my physical differences rather than see me as a person and all the great things I have accomplished on this campus. Yes, I am medically Diagnosed with a “disability”, but I know full well that I am capable of completing this trip successfully. I will get to learn about a whole new country and it’s atmosphere and be with my friends. What could be better?
On a final note, I think it is wonderful that we are being offered the opportunity to have the experience, my only hope is that after this trip it will be realized that this addition to our trip will not have to be made. All in all I can’t wait for this trip, Who ever is chosen to join this trip with us I hope they are ready for a great time. Who know’s what will happen when you get 12 student leaders together on an adventure in another country…I guess we’ll have to wait and see!
That’s all I have for now,
Happy Reading!
An Experience That Will Never Be Forgotten
I can’t even begin to describe how elated I am that our kick off event went so well! I was a bit nervous to begin, but as i began to speak I felt as comfortable as could be. Tonight’s event wouldn’t have gone so well if it wasn’t for a friend like Omar Herrera he has always been like my partner in crime, but tonight he went above and beyond because like myself he has a passion for this whole initiative. It was really hard for me to talk about my close friend Scott Pollock and him being the whole driving force of why I felt the need to go through with this, but his story is one that needs to be shared and I think tonight that took place within a lot of people. I cannot believe we have raised over $200 already for the Bubbafund!
I want everyone to know how amazing I feel after tonight and that I could never imagine being anywhere else and having as much support as we have here at Lynn for something like this. This was only the first day and it will only get better from here. I have a personal goal that i believe we will have no problems reaching, I want to be able to give Scott’s family a check of at least $1,000 on behalf of our University..I really think we can make this happen!
We will be tabling all this week so please stop by the D.A.M table and sign up for future events like the different abilities dinner, and the world with wheels experience. We will also be selling the “Failure is not an Option” Bracelets for $2.00 and the “D.A.M” t-shirts for $5.00
thanks to everyone who made tonight a success!
Bubba I hope you realize all the people you continue to touch!
That’s all I have for now,
Happy Reading!
Knights are full of Determination!…We’ll Be D.A.M’d If We Can’t Prove It
Today marks the first ever DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH initiative that will take place on this campus. Our mission statement reads: Lynn University’s Disability Awareness Month is designed to educate and motivate our community by the simple idea that people who live with disabilities truly do have other abilities. “We’ll Be D.A.M’d If We Can’t Prove it.”
I had done some research about a year ago, and saw that this month was nationally recognized so I thought it would be great to bring it this campus because we are so open to new and innovative ideas. I can’t believe my small thought has turned into this wonderfully recognized initiative.
Tonight is our Kick-off event and I thought it would be most appropriate to begin the month with interactive educational forum. I never realized how many students would be willing to express their personal stories and the struggles they face as a result of some different ability. These students that have volunteered will be answering questions from the audience as well. My hope is that people will be honest and not shy to express the thoughts and questions they have about different disabilities.
I must say I am a bit nervous, but I feel prepared for it so what ever the result of night I have to remind myself that this is the first time our University has seen anything like this. with the t-shirts distributed, Scott’s bracelet on wrist, banners up, and the chalking about to begin all I can do is stay positive that this kick off event will go out with a bang!
I don’t even have the words to express how happy I am that everything has come together and how excited I am to have so much fun with the events. I hope everyone who reads this comes to the Green Center tonight at 7 PM, come with an open mind and many questions. The Panel and I can’t wait to here from you!!
I guess I need to get a few hours of sleep!
That’s all I have for now,
Happy Reading!!
Let’s Put some Frog In It!
This past weekend has been great! Yesterday the RHA eboard and Dominic had the opportunity to attend our first conference of the year. Mini- FARH (Florida Association of Residence Halls) was hosted at Nova South Eastern. This conference gives the executive board the opportunity to meet all different students who dedicate their time to their campus’s RHA or RSA organizations. It also gives us the time to see the different types of programs, ice breakers, and advise that work for other schools so we can bring it back to our campus to help our organization grow. Even though the conference was short and went by very quickly I was able to make some great connections with people and cannot wait for the big FARH conference in February.
With the conference passed I am ready to focus all my energy toward making Disability awareness Month the best it can be. Thursday is the big Kick off event, I must say I am really excited but nervous at the same time. I just hope i am able to express myself clearly and that people will be interested in participating in a discussion. Tonight I will be sitting down to complete my speech. Here is the schedule of events, I hope everyone is able to make them.
October 1st: Kick off 7 PM in the University Green center
October 8th: Different Abilities Dinner 5 PM in the Cafeteria
October 9th: Friday Knight Flix, (Murder Ball and Radio) 8 PM up in Knights Court
October 21: Matt Glowaki Will speak about diversity 7 PM in the University Green center
October 21 & 22: World With Wheels experience, Pick up Chair at 9 am in the student center
We will be tabling for these events from the 2nd to the 8th during lunch so please stop by if you are interested. We will also be selling black rubber bracelets with white lettering that say “failure is not an Option” for $2.00 and all the money will be going to a close friends foundation called www.thebubbafund.org) this foundation was created to help children with physical disabilities when it comes to schools, recreation, and scholarships. I am so excited for this initiative to take place and i can’t wait to see you all there!
that’s all I have for now
Happy Reading!
So Grateful!
This week has started off on a great foot. Yesterday was the first RHA meeting of the year and although we didn’t have the greatest attendance that I had hoped for, it gave us something to push for. Last night, we as an e-board had to think of ways to do some quick advertising because we had our first movie on the wall at 9 PM! With the weather already planned against us I wasn’t sure if this event was going to go well, but I was definitely wrong! Everyone did a wonderful job and it shows because we had a great turn out for Terminator Salvation! Everyone should be excited because the next M.O. T.W will be the HANGOVER sometime in October!
Tonight I wanted to talk about something a little more personal. As everyone is pretty aware of now, Disability Awareness Month is coming up quite soon. I am so excited for this whole event because I have so much support behind me for it to be nothing but a fabulous success. Today this became evident when President Ross came up to me at lunch and told me that he had read the email I had sent him asking for his participation in our “world with wheels” experience. This meant so much to me because I know how busy he must be but despite that he made sure to take the time and recognize my vision and agreed to be part of it.
That is just one example of how unique we truly are to any other university. On the average university campus I doubt the majority of the student body even knows where to look for their president let alone talk to him in the school cafeteria. So I just wanted to send a thanks out to President Ross, and all the other people that have made this small idea into a pretty big vision. I am hoping October is the month that leaves a profound effect on this campus. You will hear more details about the entire month as we get a bit closer.
That’s all I have for now,
Happy Reading!
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
I apologize I have not written in quite a while. My days have been pretty busy with classes, meetings, and events. This week has been recruitment for Tri-Sigma. It has been nice to see the new types of girls that are interested in joining Greek life. I think it is amazing that the new students have a passion for expanding our Greek life. A group of about 30 guys are trying to bring Pi Kappa Alpha to our campus, and my lovley friend Becca is trying to get girls interested for the Kappa Kappa Gamma chapter. Being part of Greek life brings something unique to your college experience and I am extremely excited to see our university’s Greek life begin to grow.
Tonight was also a bittersweet night. Tomorrow we will be commemorating the 8th anniversery of 09-11-01 and in honor of that the Chabbad Student Center put on the first ever inter-faith program. It was a very moving experience and during people’s speeches about how it had affected everyone so deeply it reminded me to worry more about the big things in life rather than fret about the miniscule things that life presents. Each day we should be thankful that we live to see a new sun rise. I hope everyone reminds the ones they love how much they mean to them on a frequent basis because you never know the last time you may get the chance. This event also showed how amazingly diverse and open our community is to all different types of people. Tonight was a first for me and it is something that I will never forget.
That’s all for now.
Happy Reading!
Getting back Into the Swing of Things
After a fun filled 9 days of orientation leader life, meeting all the new faces and getting to know many of them it is now time to get back to the hustle and bustle of my everyday life here. Classes began today and I must say I love that I finish all my classes in the morning because it gives me a good amount of time to balance everything that needs to be done. The first thing on my list today was to make sure I got my J-term application in. I was the first student this semester to sign up for a J-Term class and I am so excited because we are headed to NZ!!!! Once I was able to complete that whole process today I had a couple very sucessful meetings. One was with Dominic to talk about our first RHA meetings and the other was with Jen to talk about Disability Awareness Month. I am extremely excited for both of these because they both give me the opportunity to perfect my leadership skills. For those of you who are unaware of what D.A.M is I will explain;
Throughout my entire life I have been able to meet many different influencial people who live with a disability. Each person I would meet would talk about how many people would smypathize rather than empathize for them until they conqured an obstilce that the average person would deem to be impossible from their eyes . After being on this campus for about a year and seeing how people react to my different abilities I realized I had a great amount of support behind me to bring awareness to this campus. I never want people to feel bad for me, and I don’t think anyone, disability or not wants to be pittied. This is why I have come up with many different educational activies that will be done throughtout the entire month to hopefully bring awareness and change some of the preconcieved notions people have about people who live with a disability.
As for RHA we have a few changes that have occured. We have a brandnew E-Board, and advisor, and a new location for our office! We are now on the first floor of Trinity Hall. This location is going to be great because it gives us much more space to work and it is more visible for students to come in and join us!
It is only day one and things are already off to a wonderful start.
That’s all I have for now.
Happy Reading!