An Unexpected Ending

When I walked by the fishbowl on Thursday afternoon I was surprised by the number of people that were packed inside. I was excited to see so much support for our men’s soccer team! It made me feel like school spirit is climbing back up to something big here at Rockhurst. I thought it was really neat that SAAC and Sodexo catered the watch party and that it was free for students. I feel like Rockhurst is doing everything in their power to get behind our athletics. It is something that I am noticing a lot more on campus, and something that I know our athletes love and appreciate. I wish that we could have been in Georgia with the soccer team to cheer them on because I feel like having fans cheering for you helps the team morale. I don’t know who had the idea to throw a watch party for the game but I think it was a good idea, in lieu of having a bus that would take us to the game. The match was intense and I could feel the excitement and tension throughout the room as we all watched nervously to see how our Hawks would do. The game was so suspenseful, but it was nice being with others who were feeling the same way I was. We all know the outcome of the game, but it was sad seeing how close we had come to being 1^st in our division. It still was a feat to get as far as we did, especially since we have never made it to the final four before. That means that we can only go up from here! I hope that our soccer team keeps getting better, so that one day we will be number one in our division not only in Men’s soccer, but our other sports as well! Go Hawks!

Thank You For a Fulfilling Break

I squirmed in my desk as I kept glancing at the clock. There were five more minutes of class until I was free to do what I wanted for the rest of the week. All throughout Class I had been drifting back and forth between paying attention and thinking about all the time I would have over the next three days. My leg kept tapping the floor in restless anticipation. Three minutes. Break was knocking on the door. I drifted back into my plans for the week. I had three main things I needed to do, sleep, work, and planning. All three needed special attention to help me be a successful student and to prepare for the future when I graduate. I drifted back to class. Two minutes. As, my thoughts drifted off again a thrill came over me when I thought of black Friday. Not because of the deals, but because I could start playing my Christmas music and decorate my hall for the holidays! After Thanksgiving, I wouldn’t get dirty looks for playing my Christmas music too early! I looked at the clock we are in the final countdown! Now don’t get me wrong I love school, and have very few absences, but when a break is around the corner it is hard not to be excited to change up the pace and break the monotony of class, homework, eat, sleep routine. I was pumped and ready for break to begin! And so it did, I can honestly say that I was able to accomplish a few of the things on my to-do list. For that I feel accomplished. I enjoyed the time with family and friends and ate until I was stuffed. I couldn’t feel more thankful for everything! I hope that everyone had an enjoyable break with friends and family and if you haven’t started your homework yet, you have one day left!

We Came. We Played. We Conquered.

     

           The game was coming to a close; I shivered in anticipation as I looked out from my seat on the top row of bleachers. My hands were freezing from being outside for so long, but with adrenaline pumping through my veins I couldn’t be bothered with the chill. The clock kept ticking and still no one had scored, and then at the 80 minute mark, a goal! The crowd erupted into cheers as the Hawks, scored the first goal of the night. That goal made sitting in the cold much more worth it. As I cheered on the Hawks I looked around, and was impressed with the number of people that I saw at this game. There were a lot more than I  usually see at Rockhurst sporting events. Rockhurst University was chosen as one of the host schools for the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen. I kept thinking to myself that I wished that it was like this all of the time, I could feel the excitement in the air and a desire  to win and progress to the next level. I was startled out of my thoughts, as the crowd cheered again, we had made another goal! We were going to the next round! Everyone’s enthusiasm could not be contained. There was cheering and jumps for joy and I felt like I was at a school that was excited about their athletics. I will be at the quarter finals game tomorrow against Lindenwood cheering on the hawks and hoping that we make it to the final four. I am sure all of you have heard it again and again, if we make it to the quarter finals that will be the farthest that we have ever gotten in the tournament. I don’t know about you, but I feel like we can win!

Beyond Words 2013

                Yesterday was a long and laborious day, but I am proud to say that we had record attendance at Beyond Words. The tunnel had over 200 people attend. For those of you that have never been I recommend that you go one year because it is an experience unlike any other. You may be touched on a personal level by it, you may act cool and pretend that it didn’t shake you, but in the end you will take something away. I honestly hope it is a message for magis, and a call to live greater..

                This year our tour had several very well done rooms. The entire experience was something to be remembered even as an RA. For me it was awesome seeing how all of the RA’s came together and brought volunteers with us to help out. At the end of the night the RA’s had a small session where we reflected on our experience with beyond words, and in that moment while I was sitting in the basement of Corcoran I felt a huge weight lift off of everyone’s shoulder and a mutual respect for everyone for having toughed out the entire day. The tour through all of the rooms this year was a good chance for us to see the work that other RA’s had done and to get the same experience that everyone else had when they came through the tunnel. We heard a lot of positive feedback from the program and I am sure there are naysayers, but right now the praise is louder than the groans. I am sad that this is my last beyond words. It is kind of bittersweet end because I feel like that was a huge hurdle to cross and this semester is downhill from here, but at the same time, I am crossing off programs on my list that I won’t ever do again.

Leadership: Is It in You?

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. John Quincy Adams 

           

This quote is one of my favorite ones about leadership and I love that it also incorporates this year’s theme of magis. I think that leadership is something that is promoted very strongly on campus. As such, student senate was challenged by Father Curran to create a week dedicated to this value. Student senate invited several other organizations to help form this week including Delta Sigma Pi, Student Alumni Association and Order of Omega! This upcoming week will be filled with lots of different activities highlighting the leadership that we have at Rockhurst, from a current perspective and an alumni perspective. Come to the events to learn about the many faces of leadership. It is something that will be eye opening and hopefully an awesome learning experience! Here is the schedule of the week’s events:

Monday: Tom McDonald, CEO and President of the Kauffman Foundation at 7pm in SCI 115

Tuesday: Alumni Leaders Panel- 4pm Fishbowl

Wednesday: Karen Haran, former CEO of Harvesters 4 pm Fishbowl and SAB Turkey Dinner

Thursday: Senate Town Hall 6:30 pm Fishbowl

Friday: Beyond Words- come anytime during 4- 6pm in Corcoran Hall

Try to come to as many events as possible because there will be a punch card that will put your name into a drawing for some awesome prizes. Our goal with this week is to make it a successful as possible so that it can become an annual thing, especially since leadership is something that is very important to all of us in our future careers. I am excited for this week, and ready to see all of the hard work and preparation pay off to create this time of learning. Make sure you block out some time this week to bring out the magis in your leadership. 

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Picking the Right School

This past weekend my hall was filled with young and eager women. High school juniors and seniors were at Rockhurst to spend the night. The excitement in the air was palpable and the expectations were set high. My floor did an awesome job of helping out the rock viewers get a true feel for what life is like here at the rock. I hope that all of the students left with a new idea of what they are looking for in a college and what they aren’t looking for in a college. I honestly believe that the best way for anyone to know if they are at the right school for them is to visit and spend some time thinking about what it is that you want from your school. Their time here made me sit down and think about why I came to choose Rockhurst.

When I was looking for a college to go to I looked at the things the school could help me with as well as the things that I could give back to the school. I wanted somewhere that felt like home, where I didn’t feel like a number, somewhere that teachers would be willing to share their time with me, and a friendly community environment. I think that looking into different things that you want from a program and making sure the school that you want to attend has majority of those wants if not all of those wants is something that will enhance your college experience. The high school women who stayed in my hall have a new perspective on things that they want in a college and things that Rockhurst will make them expect in a college. For me Rockhurst was an easy choice for undergrad and it fit all my criteria, and I feel like in the end I made the right decision for myself and for my future. I have never felt so much support from a community before; I feel it even more now as I prepare to graduate in May. I feel comfortable using the resources that I have been provided to help me figure out what next year will look like for me. Even though the future is uncertain, I feel like I am not alone in the fight to become successful, but that I have an army of blue behind me helping me up the ladder to success, and helping me to stand on my own two feet.  

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Balance: The Key to Enjoying College Life

This break has flown by! Every year I always make these extravagant plans of getting so much work done and every year, I get sidetracked and it doesn’t happen. I wish I could be like some of my friends who can plan their week and actually stick to it! Alas, I just have to make do with my extravagant planning self. This week wasn’t a total bust, I did finish my event hours for ambassadors this weekend, showing prospective students why I love Rockhurst so much made up for the lack of things crossed off of my to do list. I did enjoy being able to wake up on my own time schedule and the break from classes, and the demands of majority of my time commitments. Another good thing that came out of my fall break was a realization that I don’t sit and smell the roses. Usually, I rush past them, note their coloring and then think of the twenty million things that I have yet to start and needed completed yesterday. Therefore, I made a pact with myself this week that I need to start making time to sit and smell the roses or read a book. This is my senior year, and I want to look back on the good time as well as the times that I just sat down and wasted two hours lost in conversation. Honestly, I would rather have things like that filling my memories of Rockhurst than of the sleepless nights I spent doing homework or studying for a test. I wish I had made this realization sooner, so I hope some of you can learn for me. Take time to smell the roses in the time that you have free from doing homework. The life of a college student can be busy but it also should be fun. Balance is the key word to a great college life. Never, putting too much of one thing on your plate so that you can always keep the balance that will keep you sane!

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Servant Leadership: The Call to Service

As a Jesuit University, Rockhurst has inspired me to do many different things and to explore myself to a deeper level. The lesson that has had the biggest impact on me so far has been the call to being a servant leader. I feel like this is one of the ways that I can give back to others. This is something that is important to me because I have been blessed with so much I feel the need to give back. I applied for a service trip and had my interview this past week. I am excited to see where I am placed and whom I will get to help. This year has helped me to see where my potential lies. I am very motivated when it comes to helping people and I am excited every opportunity I get to help someone. I think the thing I am most excited about is possibly getting to go on a service trip. I really want to go to a country and help for a change. Every time that I have been out of the country, it has been for enjoyment or education. Never to help someone who might need it. I think the service immersion trips are the perfect example of servant leadership. Thinking on the reasons behind wanting to go to one of the under served regions is to help people and to teach them to become self-sufficient. I think that this idea of servant leadership also ties in with my desire to be a physical therapist. Recently, I have been bouncing around the notion of joining the Peace Corps after I graduate and working with that for two years before returning to school to complete my physical therapy degree. This path seems like it would suit me just fine, and I get excited thinking about the freedom that, I would have to help others by spreading friendship and aide to countries that need the help. I think that everyone is called to be a servant leader, but not all accept the call. I want to be one of those that accepts the call to service.

Midterms: The Delicious Ice Cream Center of your Semester

October is here and is almost gone and subtly my midterms have blown right in with the chilly fall winds. As my residents paced back and forth in the hallway wondering about the outcome of their tests, I just chilled out in my room. Going about my day-to-day activities not worried about tests or projects. I didn't think too much of why they were pacing back and forth and then it hit me! Midterms were here. Fall break was upon me and I had not even begun to study. I proceeded to throw myself in my studies, reviewing for this test, going to that professors office hours. I was doing everything and anything that I could to feel like I had control over my situation. It is enough to say in the end I was adequately prepared, but I feel like this happens to me every semester. I don’t know about the rest of you out there, but I feel like during the beginning of the semester I have so much free time and I don’t know what to do with it. I just go about my business happy as a fat cat, and then midterms hit and it all goes down from there. Suddenly, I’m not finding enough time to get everything done, I need to get done, including studying, talking to my residents, having somewhat of a life. It all becomes too much, and on top of all that midterms, which are both good and bad because of the amount of extra stress they put on me, but good because they make me feel accomplished when I get my grade back. Once, midterms are over there are big projects to complete, pumpkins and turkeys to carve and then come back and it’s time for finals. Then Christmas break! The semester flies by after fall break and I feel like it is a bittersweet end, because it was over too soon. Oh, well I always have the spring semester to look forward to and graduating!

Family and Alumni Weekend

If you didn’t realize it, already this past weekend was Family and Alumni weekend! The weather couldn’t have been worse… or better. The families were able to experience all that the Midwest has to offer when it comes to weather in the weekend was jam packed with lots of family events, and Rockhurst spirited events. I went to the men’s soccer game on Friday and it was a great! The game was one of the most well attended games that we have had so far this year. I wish that attendance at our soccer games were always as well attended as the one on Friday. My friends and I painted our stomachs and rooted our team on to victory. The hawks played a great game and I was on the edge of my seat at some points during the game because we were so close to scoring. I was impressed by the performance at halftime by the cheerleaders and the dance team. They both seem like they are going to have a great year and I hope that this will be a big step into promoting more school spirit on campus. The rest of the weekend went by in a blur after the game. I heard many positive comments from my resident’s parents. The Office of Student Life and the family and alumni weekend coordinators did a great job with the weekend. There were plenty of things for families to do. I love how soon they have this weekend in the school year. I think that for my residents this is something that they really enjoyed this weekend. My residents enjoyed being spoiled by parents, taking a break from all the schoolwork, and being able to enjoy the family time that they may have been missing. This was a great weekend, and I feel like it brought families closer together.

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Saying Goodbye to Friends

Saturday I said goodbye to one of my closest friend. We just met last year, and it’s crazy to think how well we hit it off. The whole time I have been here, we have been involved in many of the same things, but we just never talked. Last year, we were put on the same staff in McGee and it was a blast, I didn’t know at the time how much we would help each other make it through last year. She left on Saturday to go to China for a year and I am sad to see her go, but I am so happy for the new chapter she is starting in her life. It makes me nervous for the next part of my life. Where will I be in a year, I know that I want to go to graduate school, but I don’t know if that’s what is meant for me. I am scared for the future, because I feel like it is too soon to be taking care of myself, making money, and paying bills. I am too young to be an adult; it was just yesterday that I was walking onto Rockhurst campus for the first time getting a tour about campus. Now, I am giving those tours, and very much a part of Rockhurst life. Seeing my friend leave on Saturday made me question myself more about if I am going to the right field am I doing what I was meant to do. I have always been dead set on my path, and now I feel like I am at a crossroads and whichever road I pick I won’t be able to turn back and press a restart button for a while. This is part of the stress of senior year. I like to know what is going to happen and being in control of my future, but right now, I feel like the future is something I have to wait out and see if I made the right choice.     

Senior Year Salvation?

I don't know if you have ever heard of the saying Senior year salvation, junior year jail, sophomore slump, and freshman frenzy. In high school my friends and I always referred to the stage s of high school as thus. We felt that Senior year should be a breeze because we were finishing off an old chapter and starting a new one. The way I feel for college is a little different, I feel like Senior year = stress. Right now is a very stressful and busy time in the life of a senior. Well, the life of a senior who is interested in Physical Therapy school. I am sure that it is just as difficult for everyone else, but seniors planning on going to graduate school have it rough. There are so many hoops to jump through to complete your application. Once you finish the process of filling out all of the paperwork then you have to play the waiting game to find out if you will be accepted. Once you get accepted then you have to figure out financial aid, or lack of financial aid. Honestly, I feel like a senior in high school overwhelmed by all of the choices that I have to make and by how much each decision will affect the final outcome of my application. Despite being so hectic and crazy this year, I have enjoyed my time here at the rock. I feel like senior year is the year that you try to get right. Everything, that I have wanted to do in years past and just never put in the time to do, I am forcing myself to do it. I am participating more in different activities around campus, I am going to more SAB events than I have ever done before, and I am cheering for our team at majority of the home games. I think the lesson that I have learned so far, is that even though I want to live out the motto and do more I have to do more within reason. I can’t do too many things at one time because then nothing will get done to my standards. I am going to continue studying for my GRE this Friday wish me luck! 

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All- Greek Service Project: Squash Hunger

I feel like this year has flown by so quickly! It feels like just yesterday my residents were rushing off to orientation events with palpable excitement as they began their year. As I walk around campus I can feel a shift as the weather changes and I began to get into the rhythm of school. The hot summer weather is slowly becoming cool fall weather. This week I had a meeting with Order of Omega and we decided where we wanted to do the All Greek service project. We chose to work with John Hornbeck an alumni of Rockhurst University & Episcopal Services to do the event Squash Hunger in November. We picked his organization because they help the community in a lot of different ways. Also, helping out his organization indirectly helps out Rockhurst indirectly, because some of the soup kitchens feed Rockhurst students who can’t afford to buy food for whatever reason. We felt that this project can help to give back to an organization that gives to our students. For the squash glean we will be driving out to Liberty to collect squash off of a huge farm, the squash will go to food banks and feeding agencies in Kansas City. If you are interested in volunteering at one of the soup kitchens around here you can always talk to Julia Vargas to get more information. Service is something that I feel is a very big part of who we are on campus, so you will never be denied the opportunity to serve. I f anything you will be encouraged to participate in service projects throughout the year, because it is something that is important to the Jesuits. Remember the theme this year, and do more when it comes to giving of your time. Always strive to be servant leaders to others.

Go Hawks!!

Gooooooaaaaaallll! I went to the tailgate on Friday and it was great! The soccer team did an awesome job and made it a game worth watching. My personal goal this year is to attend more Rockhurst games. I can feel the nature of this campus changing and trying to bring more school spirit on here, and let me tell you I have caught the Hawk fever! Tailgating was a fun experience and I hope they do them more often before different sports to increase attendance! The line to get free pizza and the free shirt was really along and a lot of people came out to support our soccer team. Going to the game reminded me of all the fun I had in high school when I went to basketball and football games. I want there to be pep bands and spirit sticks that are passed down the grades. I can see that it could happen. In years past, Rockhurst has been about creating a great reputation around the Kansas City area. Now, looking ahead I can see them doing more on campus so, that it becomes an all-around college experience for those who love sports and those who love education. Keep up the good work Rockhurst! Change is slow coming, but it is coming nonetheless. I would love to come back to Rockhurst 20 years from now and see the way our school spirit has become an integral part of the community. The theme this year is awesome because it makes me ask myself how I can do more for Rockhurst. In what capacity can I help to make Rockhurst better when it comes to school spirit? I think that by encouraging my residents to go and participating in the wear blue on Fridays I can help to spread Rockhurst Spirit! Go Hawks!

Hawks and Buckets

This week was very hectic! I enjoyed the three-day weekend, but it also drains me so much. I am ready for this year to calm down and get into a succinct rhythm. This week I had a lot of catching up to do and reorganizing! However, since this is my senior year, I put all that on hold Thursday for Hawks and Buckets. This is one of my all-time favorite events that SAB puts on, and you might be wondering why I enjoy people getting a whole bunch of gross stuff dumped on them. For me it’s the thrill you never know what will be in bucket number one and if it is the prize, you just got lucky. So, I patiently waited to see if my number would get called and when it did, I groaned inside because I saw some of the stuff that had been dumped on the previous contestants and I was not excited to have that dumped on me. There was doubt in my mind for a little bit, I kept telling myself I didn’t have to claim the ticket as mine, I could just let someone else go up there instead. My competitive nature took over and I stood up, took my rightful place in the kiddie pool, and waited. The whole time doubt and excitement ran through my mind. As people began to pour the contents of their buckets on my head, I began to wonder if I made the right decision.  The adrenaline began to kick in and I started calling out bucket numbers faster and faster, and then I saw the confetti dumped. Not, on my head but my components, I got out of my kiddie pool and shook my head in defeat; I looked up and saw all the remaining buckets being dumped on her head. At, that moment I was happy that I hadn’t won, and content that I was able to participate my senior year in my favorite event. If you have never done it you should, it is definitely a memorable experience!

Keep Calm and Live For More

                      Here we go again! The start of another school year, but this beginning is bitter sweet because it is also my last year as an undergraduate student.  This year we have all been called by Magis, which asks us "to do and be more" or as Father Curran defines it, live greater. I can't help but feel like there isn't a better theme for me to start my last year at Rockhurst with than this one! Along with this new theme, we welcome another large incoming freshman class to campus as well. I want to give a warm welcome to the class of 2017. Enjoy your time here because it flies by, try to make the impact you can but really take this time to grow and learn more about yourself. Become that man or woman you have always wanted to be! This year promises to be an exciting conclusion to my undergraduate time here, as well as an exciting time for Rockhurst!

 As the new president of Order of Omega, I am excited to help usher Greek Life into a whole new light on campus. Order of Omega is a leadership honor society for those that are in Greek Life, both sororities and fraternities. Here at Rockhurst we wanted members who care about Greek Life and want to see a community grow within Greek Life, but Order of Omega is not based on just Greek Life. The organization also wants to help benefit the school and those who are unaffiliated, by helping with different things that represent our three pillars of Learning, Leadership, and Service, something that is ingrained in the makeup of Rockhurst. When we looked at these pillars we tried to think of different things that we could do that would affect both the Greek Community and the Rockhurst student population. We decided on doing an all Greek Service Project, since the school already does Finucane, which is open to anyone to participate. We saw a need to create a project that would help to unify our different Greek organizations and we felt that uniting the chapters through service would be a great way to live out our Jesuit values and to create memorable experiences.

                This summer the Vice President of Order of Omega, Emily Mazzoni went to a meeting about volunteer services that are all located around the Kansas City area. Here she learned about lots of different projects that needed our help, however because we were looking at having a larger group her at the project we had to make sure the program could handle a large number of people. Emily and I talked about the projects and narrowed it down to three organizations that had the space we needed, and feasibility to create the project. Right now, the Order is finalizing plans to volunteer with one of the three options and we could not be more excited! Stay posted for more updates about my senior year, and how the All Greek Service Project is going!