AWW GT!

Those memes that show people dancing like crazy people at 8am? Thats my life for the first six weeks of the summer the past two years as an Orientation Mentor. Last year, I thought my love for being an Orientation Mentor could not grow stronger, but at the end of my second season of Orientation, I can say I proved myself wrong. This year I was student mentor for the Pepper Team. This meant I was a flex team, and helped students with advising in different college locations every day. I also held a leadership position this year in Orientation being a Central Stage Director with two other mentors. The three of us worked together in the month leading up to Orientation to write Central Stage and brainstorm what we wanted our vision to look like. Central Stage is a portion of Orientation where we offer students and supporters a fun performance and highlight different resources on campus and bits of campus culture.

Orientation offers me leadership development in so many arenas. I get the opportunity to expand my public speaking skills through giving daily hour-long presentation about academic requirements and speaking in a microphone on stage in front of 600 people every day. I am able to share my experiences as a CMU student and connect with students in order to help answer the questions and calm them with their nervousness of starting a new journey. I am able to connect with the professional staff that work Orientation and learn from them. I love this job, and I love the memories it gives me. I love seeing students make friends in my teams each day, and I love seeing them get excited about what their time at CMU will bring.

Orientation gives me a glow and confidence that few other things do. I have an incredibly strong support system from the other mentors, and I form some of my strongest friendships. Orientation staff is like family. This summer I am continuing to work as mentor for Transfer Orientations, and I will be ending my time at CMU next summer, the same way I started it, with Freshman Orientation, it just looks a little different for me this time around.

Power, Privilege, Oppression, and Intersectionality

In December, I was able to site lead an Alternative Break through CMU.  I site lead the Youth Development AB that went to Omaha, Nebraska to work with Youth Emergency Services, a non-profit organization that provides resources to homeless and nearly-homeless youth in the area. This AB challenged me in ways that other ones had not yet. Being a site leader, I had extra responsibilities, such as making sure everyone arrived safe, communicating with community partners, and facilitating community building and reflections with my group. I did this with a co-site leader, from who I learned from and problem-solved with. This AB also helped understand the depth of intersectionality more than my previous ABs had.

Through service we helped sort through donations, deliver donations, set up for a Christmas Service with the members of YES!, and help run the Christmas Service. Through working with the donations I learned a lot about how much privilege I have by having easy access to everyday products that I use and need. Specifically, I looked at this through the lens of being a woman. During service, I spent lots of time going through feminine hygiene products and was surprised at how many donations of tampons and pads there were. I then realized that if I had no income or way to pay for these necessities, I would have no way of getting them. Females NEED access to these every month, and it is something that is not often donated because it is overlooked. So, if you are looking to donate to a shelter, consider donating feminine hygiene products. I also learned from my community partner the terrifying statistic that once a female is homeless, within 90 minutes 43% will be a victim of sex trafficking. This AB made me think deeper about my privilege to have access to things that keep me safe and healthy but also how much of a privilege it is for me to even go on an Alternative Break. The ability to take off time from work and serve for a week is privilege. To have access to education is a privilege.

The Christmas Service was set up with donations from members and organizations in the community for those who utilize YES! to come and take what they need. This included, diapers, baby clothing, cooking utensils, toiletries, blankets, hats, gloves, coats, and clothing. Everything in the Christmas Service was brand new, it was a gift. This made me even more aware of my privilege because when I saw individuals coming through to take what they need, when given the choice of perfume/face masks or toothpaste/blankets, they chose the toothpaste or blankets or soap, because it was what they needed. They had the opportunity to take things that aren’t a necessity, and they would get excited about soap or diapers, because it was something they needed. I had one girl who was about 13 come up and ask me what all she should take in order to take care of her hair. In that moment, I realized that not everyone has access to learn about different elements of what we consider everyday actions, let alone have the materials to be able to do them.

I also learned how those in power are implementing policies that are harming these individuals. In Nebraska, one is not able to sign a lease for their own home or apply for a loan until 19. This means that the task of going to college or moving out is extremely difficult. This puts a large number of individuals without a home unless their parents can afford to help them once they are done with high school. It is disproportionately harming families from lower socioeconomic status areas and putting them in danger. This harm increases for communities of color, woman, and individuals with disabilities. This is one example of the way those in power have the ability to shape the lives of individuals.

Alternative Breaks never fail to make me realize my privilege and give me a resurgence in my belief that it is my responsibility as a person who has privilege to do my best to help those who have not had the privilege of being given access to the same things I have. I look forward to site leading another Alternative Break this summer.

Leadership Safari for Leadership Development

I have been involved in the Leadership Safari program heavily throughout my time at CMU. It has given the the opportunity to develop into the leader I am today, and it has opened my eyes into new experiences and involvements I would not have had without it. This year, after my second Fall Leadership Safari and my experience as a Spring Leadership Safari last year, I was able to be the Spring Leadership Safari Staff Assistant. In this role, I was able to plan the conference for incoming transfer students and second semester freshman. I did this through programming elements of the conference, working with campus partners to build a service project, and utilizing campus partnerships in different offices to recruit students for the program. This was only the second year of Spring Leadership Safari, and my GA, Haley Anderson, and I were determined to make it a great experience for the students.

 I have grew through this experience in ways that I did not imagine the role as a Staff Assistant would bring me.  I developed my own sense of authentic leadership, and furthered my discovery of what being a leader means to me. One of the best things being a Staff Assistant for Safari gave me was working with Haley. Through my relationship with Haley, I have truly learned what mentorship looks and feels like. Haley was always there for me as a human, a student, and a leader on the campus. She sought my opinion and insight on elements of the program, and she guided me on things I had no previous knowledge of. I was able to receive incredible amounts of professional development, and I gained a resource to help as I anticipate through the journey of post-grad life as well. She has given me incredible support in things that have occurred in my life this past year, and she helped me learn how to use my values and heart in my leadership. Now that my role in Safari is done, I no longer consider Haley my GA, but a good friend. I could not replace my relationship with Haley and the support and guidance she has given me for anything.

Through the development of my leadership, I learned how important it is to be critical of the programs and institutions you are a part of in order to make change. Through my high leadership role, I saw not only the incredible parts of the program, but also the parts that I thought could improve for the well being of the student leaders involved. I was able to see things through a lens, and use my voice to try and make change for the future in this program and campus. This position brought me a lot of stress, but I am grateful for the experience because I would not be the leader I am today without it.

As I enter my senior year, my journey will the Leadership Safari program is done. I look back on my safari memories with joy, but I have realized that sometimes things help you grow to a limit. Once you have experienced the growth you can in a program, it is time to move on to things that can further your growth beyond what staying with where you are comfortable can. I look forward to the growth I will experience, and I look forward to using the skills that the Leadership Safari program has given me.

Seasons of Service

Throughout my time at CMU, one of my favorite things I have been involved in is the Alternative Breaks Program (AB). The AB program provides students with issue education, service, and reflection with social justice issues through weekend and weeklong breaks that travel to different communities and assist them with whatever the community says they need. We are there to serve the communities.

When thinking about what the AB program means to me the one word I can use to describe it is community. The community comes from both the service we do with our community partners and the people that you meet.  The people that I have met through this program have become some of my best friends and support systems. The support doesn’t stop with just things occurring within the AB program but has brought me people and support that stretches outside of the AB web. I have gotten so much support in trying to figure out my professional goals and what I want to do with my life while also supporting any personal struggles I have faced while at CMU.  One of my friendships from AB, Shannon Dent, and I even made a remix to the song “Seasons of Love” about how much we love AB and Board. I wouldn’t trade our Thursday evening meetings for anything. These friendships all developed because of the sense of community and the conversations that Alternative Breaks starts. You are surrounded by people who have similar values to you and genuinely care about the people around them. Through office hours, long van rides, and service you gain the opportunity to be completely yourself and be extremely goofy at times and incredibly intentional at others. When going through an experience of growth with other people you create a bond with them that sparks that friendship and support, and I cannot imagine my time at CMU without the community that AB has helped build. It is because of the growth and community that the Alternative Breaks program has given me that I applied to be a part of the Alternative Breaks Advisory Board. This year, I was able to serve as a Site and Service Development Chair  (SSD) and a Site Leader and Orientation Chair (SLOT).

Through my involvement with Alternative Breaks this year I grew an immense amount in my knowledge of both the program and social justice. As an SSD I was given the task of planning the weeklong service experiences. This meant finding service and housing, writing Site Agreements, receiving Insurance from community partners, and making loads upon loads of phone calls. One of my favorite aspects of Alternative Breaks is the community partners we work with. I love being able to interact with them and learn from them. On all of my AB experiences I have been able to form connections and learn about different ways people are working toward social justice. As a Winter SSD during first semester, I had the opportunity to learn more about the community partners we work with beyond the scope of the ABs I have participated on and connect with them.

This year I also had an opportunity to experience the work that SLOT does.  SLOTs role is to train and prepare site leaders to lead their weeklong and weekend service experiences. This included writing trainings, writing weekly newsletters, and presenting trainings to site leaders. I was able to learn how important the role is to support site leaders and help them feel prepared to site lead their Alternative Break. I know for me through my site leading experience the time leading up to the break can be stressful, and I know I felt inadequate within my role at times. I utilized SLOT at those times and was able to have a resource to help me feel prepared. I was grateful to be able to use my experience to help prepare site leaders to have a successful, intentional, and growing experience while on their AB.

This program has helped me realize how strong my passion for social justice is, and it has helped me better understand the intersectionality of social justice issues and the importance of being an active citizen. I am extremely excited to complete my final year at CMU as a member of the AB Board as a returning SSD, and I am excited to continue to connect with community partners.

 

Veggie life, part 2

Last year, I joined Student Advocate for Vegan/Vegetarianism because I had just begun my journey as a vegetarian. I had started restricting meat from my diet due to hearing about the health benefits of being vegetarian.  I joined the Student Advocates for Vegan/Vegetarianism (SAVV) because I wanted to learn more about not only why I should be vegetarian, but also better tips and tricks to making food while vegetarian that I did not know.

Throughout my second year as a member of SAVV my love for being vegetarian and knowledge of how the meat industry negatively impacts our environment has grown immensely.  Every meeting I learn more about how making a small change in my daily life, I am able to impact the world on a larger scale.  Not only do I have the opportunity to learn inefficient meat production is, but also how harmful meat production is to the environment.  The amount of chemicals that are pumped into meat to make it taste better and last longer in storage are harmful to the environment, and these chemicals are taking the nutrients that are meant to be “good” for our body away.  Also,  the way animals that are raised for meat production is cruel. My biggest takeaway from my second year as a member of SAVV is that there are additional ways that I can be conscious of the environment while being vegetarian, such as limiting my amount of food and plastic waste. Often foods that are convenient to buy as a vegetarian are packaged in insane amounts of plastic that are harmful to the environment. Additionally, when buying fruits and veggies it is not difficult to not eat them before they go bad. I learned ways to better manage my food waste and limit my plastic use as well. I also have become more aware of how where I spend my money is impacting the environment as well. If I am buying and giving money to companies that are harmful to the environment, there will not be change. It has given the knowledge and power to vote with my dollar!

SAVV has given me the opportunity to constantly learn and become more conscious of how the way things are sold, not just what is being sold, matters too. I am grateful for my growth into a conscious consumer.

The Saddest Cancelled Trip in History (not to be dramatic)

Last year I had to the privilege of going on the LAS in the D trip with my freshman cohort.  As members of LAS we serve on a LEAD team, and I was super excited when I found out I would be returning to Detroit as a member of the LAS in the D lead team.  As a facilitator of the Detroit Service Trip I would get the responsibility of being paired with another member of the LEAD team to help facilitate a group of freshman.

Through planning this trip, the LEAD team was getting really excited because we were working with our three LEAD team co-chairs to help them make the trip the best and most service and education oriented trip yet.  We had a chance to meet with the freshman who were going to be in our groups for the week to do pre-trip reflections to get their minds in the right mindset to learn and help foster change. Things were looking great, and we were ready to go.

But, weather in Michigan does not always let us get what we want.  The Thursday before the trip we found out the Detroit Service Trip had to be cancelled due to weather.  This was extremely shocking and disappointing. I was not only sad that I would not get to experience and grow from this trip, but I was also sad that there was a cohort of freshman who would not get to have the eye-opening experience that I had the year before.

Out of this happening I learned mostly that there are things out of our control.  I had my time to be bummed, but there are ways to learn outside of going on this service trip that I should embrace.  Others may not have been able to go on the exact trip I did as a freshman, but in that in no way means I cannot encourage others to take initiative and try to educate themselves.  I hope next year I get the opportunity to serve on the Detroit Service Trip LEAD team, so I can help make the difference I want.

Which one is the Mentor?

As a member of LAS, during my sophomore year I mentor one of the members of LAS in the freshman cohort.  I had the absolute privilege of having Julie Martin as my mentee.  I have a great relationship with my mentor, Stephanie, and I was worried that my relationship with Julie was not going to be as strong.  I felt like I still relied on Steph a lot, and was nervous that I was not going to be ready for a mentee of my own.  Despite these initial fears,  I did know that I had a lot of love for CMU to share and I was going to be able to care for my mentee and help them with whatever I was able to.

From the start, I started learning more from Julie than I think she even knows.  Even as a freshman entering college,  I have never met a stronger human.  With all of the stress and things that were thrown her way from the very beginning of her college career, Julie showed the ultimate definition of maturity in handling everything.  I have never met a person in my life who can truly take a situation and look at it from every side the way Julie does.  Her strength does not even begin to compare for her heart.  Through getting to know Julie, I have learned that she has the biggest heart of anyone I have ever met.  This is what makes Julie such an amazing leader.  She cares about the people around her and making them grow.  She is the definition of authenticity and servant leadership because she is putting everyone around her first, but she does not lose who she is in the process.  When I am around Julie, I want to be a better leader.

One of the ways I have grown in terms of my leadership skills with Julie is my communication skills.  I have learned to ask what she needed. Feedback is a large part of being successful in any capacity, and our mentor-mentee relationship does not end here.  I have asked her what I have done that has helped her and what hasn’t.  This way in the future I will be able to help her in whatever way is best fit.

I know through these next years at CMU Julie and I will continue to have a close relationship, and I know that I will continue to grow and learn from her as I hope she is learning from me as well.

Animals are Friends, not Food

For the past year I have been vegetarian.  I started restricting meat from my diet due to hearing about the health benefits of being vegetarian.  I joined the Student Advocates for Vegan/Vegetarianism (SAVV) because I wanted to learn more about not only why I should be vegetarian, but also better tips and tricks to making food while vegetarian that I did not know.

Throughout my year as a member of SAVV my love for being vegetarian has grown immensely.  Every meeting I learn more about why I should not eat meat.  The biggest take away I have learned from this experience is how inefficient meat production is, and how harmful meat production is to the environment.  The amount of chemicals that are pumped into meat to make it taste better and last longer in storage are harmful to the environment, and these chemicals are taking the nutrients that are meant to be “good” for our body away.  Also,  the way animals that are raised for meat production is cruel.

SAVV is an involvement I plan on staying involved in because I am constantly learning more and becoming more passionate about the topic of eating a plant-based diet.  I plan on being vegetarian the rest of my life, and this involvement has encouraged me to pursue being vegan at some point.

 

 

Future Dr. Varney

One of my involvements at CMU is the Pre-Medical and Osteopathic Society (PMOS). PMOS is an organization that helps provide students with the information and knowledge needed to be prepared to enter medical school.  I joined this organization with hopes of being on the right track to get accepted into a medical school.

From this involvement I have learned about the aspects of an applicant that medical schools look for beyond grades, and I have also learned about the skills that will make me a better and more effective medical professional in the future.  PMOS provides it’s members with lots of volunteer and primary care opportunities.  However, what I got most out of this involvement was the interactions with representatives from different medical schools.

Multiple medical schools send representatives that come and present on the school.  Before seeing any of these presentations, I assumed it would talk mostly about what type of applicant they want in terms of GPA, MCAT score, and list of involvements.  I have learned that the biggest thing in terms of medical schools is not the numbers of anything, but instead the values that each medical school holds to a high priority.  For example, I put a high value on leadership and community service, and not every medical school focuses on those two values.

The average medical school applicant applies to 16 medical schools.  40% of those applicants gets accepted into even 1 of those medical schools.  Pre-Med and Osteo Society has helped me feel prepared that I know what I need to do to pursue my dreams of becoming Dr.Varney.

 

 

Serving in the Mountains

This winter I had the opportunity to go an another Alternative Break through CMU.  Due to my summer job at the assisted living home, I had a large interest in the Elderly Alternative Break.  I was nervous when going into this Alternative Break that I was going to be constantly comparing my experience on this Break to my previous Alternative Break in the summer.  However, the experiences and services were so vastly different that there were very few ways that I could even put the experiences next to each other.

11 other students and I traveled in two minivans through the mountains to the small town of Waynesville, NC.  The town was one of the most interesting towns I have ever visited due to the large amount of economic inequality that was present.  There were trailers on the bottom of the mountain, but once you tilted your head up there were multiple million dollar houses.  Due to this, a lot of the population we were serving were those who were elderly and living in a state of fiscal disadvantage.

The first day we spent working with a center in Haywood County that serves the population of Elderly in the surrounding area.  We packaged over 300 holiday care packages for members of the Elderly community because due to the difficulty that living in the mountains adds to travel, they are unable to leave the house often to get food and other necessities, especially in the winter months.  The experience of packing the holiday care packages was further influenced by our service Wednesday, where we were able to personally deliver these packages to residents in the Haywood County and surrounding areas.  I will never forget one of my experiences with delivering one of the packages.  I knocked on the door and lady took a while to come to the door.  However, when she opened the door she was smiling from ear to ear. After giving my spiel about how I was a volunteer, and her exact response was “This is the highlight of my holiday season, and I look forward to it all year.”  The rest of the week I constantly thought about that interaction and how the small work we were doing was actually having a large impact on the people we were helping.

On Tuesday, we split into two groups and my group got to work with a man named Richard Reeves.  Richard Reeves is a man who I will remember for the rest of my life because of his ability to be selfless and give to others no matter what the situation.  Richard supplies wood to the people in the county who do not have the ability to heat their homes themselves.  He is retired and could be making an estimated million dollars off of this, but he spends all of his days doing this with no external rewards.  He does this all out of the kindness of his heart.  Richard is also one of the most humble people I have ever experienced.  While we were doing service with cutting and delivering wood with Richard, he insisted on buying us lunch, and was constantly thanking us for volunteering.

On Thursday and Friday, we got the chance to spend a lot of time with members of the Elderly community.  We visited centers in two counties that provided a place for those who are elderly to meet and eat breakfast and lunch.  One of my favorite experiences of the Alternative Break was being able to learn their favorite game, Joker.  This game is very similar to the game Sorry, only it is played with a wooden board and marbles.  The people in the senior centers were so competitive, and they made playing the game so fun.  When we were about to leave, one of the men at the senior center approached us and shared that his wife had recently passed away the week before.  His wife and he used to play Joker together a lot, so having a board in his house made him sad, so he wanted to give us some of his marbles and one of their Joker boards because he wanted us to enjoy it the way him and his wife did.

On top of the amazing service that I was able to experience on this break,  I also loved getting to know the members of my group through hiking and exploring downtown Asheville.  This break has taught me a lot about what type of leader I want to be due to the differences in leadership styles of my Summer Alternative Break site leader and my Winter Alternative Break site leaders.

Overall, this Alternative Break made me think deeply about how under-looked the issue of ageism is.  People stop thinking about giving to those who are elderly because it is not an issue that people find themselves being super passionate about.  For example,  even people on my break who knew about person-first language did not realize that this too applies to members of the elderly community.  This summer especially I am going to use my free time to assist members of my community who happen to be elderly to make sure they are able to meet all of their needs since they are not always able to do this on their own.

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