¡Ay Yi Yi!

I apologize for not keeping in contact with you recently. The last few weeks have been pretty insane, as is customary for this time of year. Right before Thanksgiving break, I had my Spanish Capstone that took a lot of my time and energy. At Rockhurst, students complete a senior Capstone project in order to earn their degree. Each program has different Capstone requirements. For Spanish, it consists of a 15-page paper and 30-minute presentation on a topic of your choice, all in Spanish. To say that I was nervous for the presentation was an understatement. My Capstone supervisor and the other students in my class were very helpful and supportive, though, and that made it so much easier.

I have to say that I have really enjoyed the Spanish program here at Rockhurst. After the few basic grammar classes, the rest of the classes are really awesome. For example, I have taken two different film classes, one highlighting movies from Spain with the other showing films from all Latin American countries. I also took “US-Latino Literature”, and I thoroughly enjoyed that class. In addition to reading about the US-Latino experience, we also had local authors come in to class and talk about their personal struggles and triumphs that came as a result of being torn between two very different cultures.

During these classes, I was exposed to two great artists that ultimately ended up being the subjects of my Capstone. For my Capstone project, I chose to research Francisco de Goya (a Spanish artist from the 1800s) and Isabel Allende (a contemporary Chilean author). While these two artists represent very different countries and types of art, they are both connected by a profound theme. Because of political reasons, each artist was forced to leave their homeland. When they were in political exile in other countries, they created their most famous works. The theme of my Capstone was to show how political exile can be very inspiring instead of just oppressive. I really enjoyed the research, and I was very inspired by these two artists.

(The poster for my Spanish Capstone presentation)

After the presentation was over, I obviously felt very relieved to have survived through the stressful experience. However, I felt more than just relieved… I truly felt a great sense of pride in both the university and in my accomplishments. Because of the support I received from all of my Spanish teachers during my time at RU, I knew I was more than prepared for such an endeavor. Hearing their positive comments at the end of the presentation validated my hard work and also increased my appreciation for the Spanish program and professors. I have genuinely enjoyed that part of my RU experience. It will help me so much in my future career, and it will also provide me with great memories of everything I have learned.

Truly Grateful

This past week, I was fortunate enough to find multiple ways on campus to commemorate Veteran’s Day. Last Wednesday, there was a card-making night hosted by Panhellenic, the organization that oversees all of the sororities on campus. We were able to meet some of the new freshmen while bonding over card-making. Some girls made Christmas cards for a retirement home, while the rest of us made Veteran’s Day cards for a local Vet hospital. This past Saturday, SAB hosted a Christmas-themed Second Saturday event, and we also asked students to write Holiday cards for those currently serving overseas.

Every time I write a card to a Veteran or a member of the active military, I am filled with a sense of true gratitude. My stepbrother, Jesse, is currently serving in the Army in Afghanistan. Every single day I think about him and his friends, and I hope and pray that they are staying safe.  Before my stepbrother was deployed, I did not feel connected to the war because it seemed so distant. Knowing that someone I love is actually there shed a whole new light on the situation. I have always been grateful for our military, but this has deepened my appreciation. They have made such a great sacrifice for all of us, and it is something that I hope I never forget.

(My stepbrothers, Lucas and Jesse)  

(Lucas, me, and Jesse last November)

A few months ago, my sorority sisters and I devoted an entire day to making cookies and cards for my step brother and his troop mates. It was an awesome experience to have my sisters helping me to make things a little bit more like home for my stepbrother in Afghanistan. Our package made it over there surprisingly fast, and Jesse said that he and his friends truly appreciated it.

As Thanksgiving and Christmas draw near, I find myself filled with sadness for those serving in the military because they will not be able to spend the holiday season with their families. I am reminded of a familiar Christmas song: “I’ll be home for Christmas… if only in my dreams.” As we prepare to gather with our families around a table full of home-cooked food in a warm house, let us take some time to remember those who are sacrificing their holiday get-togethers with their families in order to serve our country.

Regardless of your opinions of the war itself, I think we can all agree that the individual people in our military need our support. When you are with your family the next few weeks, take a minute or two to write a few letters to our troops.  There is a great organization called “A Million Thanks” (http://www.amillionthanks.org/) that will mail your letters for you. Such a simple act of kindness will have a huge impact on a deserving soldier.

An Early Christmas Present

Three words: World Cultures Day. It is an annual campus event, and it is truly one of my favorite days of the entire school year. Students and faculty take over the convocation center to bring fresh and diverse perspectives to RU. They present information on different countries throughout the world, and many of them prepare dishes native to that specific country. You can virtually travel the world in one hour. My favorite part is to see the faces of the newer students who have not yet experienced the awesomeness of World Culture Day. The sights, sounds, and smells are overwhelming… but in the best way possible.

(My friend Claire serving a traditional Puerto Rican dish)

Each year, the event kicks off with a touching prayer service. Sadly, there are many disagreements between countries in today’s world. During the prayer service, we come together to ask God to help us heal those broken relationships and to bring peace to all, in effect making God’s good world better (another important Jesuit ideal). Additionally, there were dancers who performed cultural dances. My favorite one was a traditional Philippine dance in which they welcome the rainy season. I always enjoy this day of festivities, and I will definitely miss it when I graduate.

(The dancers performing a traditional dance from the Philippines)

As an International Business student, I have always been interested in different cultures and customs throughout the world. Due to a number of factors, mostly cost and time, I have been unable to study abroad during my time here at RU. That is probably one of my biggest regrets of my undergrad time. I’ve known a ton of students that have travelled abroad through RU and have absolutely loved it. One of my sorority sisters will be spending a year between Spain and Argentina. I would love to go to a country where I could actually practice my Spanish. I will be staying at RU for my MBA, so I hope to finally take advantage of the business school’s trip to Spain. The first step in making God’s good world better is to experience all that it has to offer.

Impressionists, Poets, Penguins- Oh My!

It has been quite an eventful week. Thursday- Sunday, I was in Tulsa for NACA. We saw some pretty incredible acts. We are bringing Melissa Villasenor to campus in April during Hawk Wild Week. She is a hilarious impressionist whose impressions are spot on. She did Wanda Sykes, Justin Bieber, Christina Aguilera, and Owen Wilson… and all of them sounded perfect. What a wide range! I remember seeing her on America’s Got Talent this summer, but when we saw her in person, we were dying! She was SO funny. I can’t wait to share her with the campus in April.

(With Melissa Villasenor)

We also booked a few comedians and a spoken word poet for the fall semester of 2012. It was so strange to book acts for after I graduate. It’s sad to think that I won’t be here anymore to see the talent that we book. It really put things into perspective on just how close graduation is. I am disappointed I will miss the poet. His name is Carlos Robson, and his poems were just incredible. I remember being really touched by one about the challenges our soldiers face. My stepbrother is currently serving in the Army in Afghanistan, and I really connected with this poem. Carlos was able to beautifully tell a story without being political, which I think is rare. Look out for Carlos, coming fall 2012.

I had a blast at NACA. It was great to pass the torch onto our younger members of e-board. Upon our return to campus, it was time for me to prepare for my sorority’s philanthropy week. The philanthropy that we sponsor is the American Heart Association. We had some great events planned for the week to raise money for AHA. My favorite was Hoops for the Heart, a student vs. faculty basketball game.

(The penguin suit at Hoops for the Heart)

The mascot of our sorority is the penguin. I was a co-host for this event, and I wore the penguin suit. It was really a freeing experience.  When you’re in a costume, you get the courage to do things you might not normally do. My penguin disguise allowed me to come out of my shell. I was dancing like it was nobody’s business. We had a really great turnout, and we raised a lot of money for AHA. As a senior, I was happy to see the success of the event. Our sorority is still learning the ropes here on campus, and I think we did a great job. I have absolutely loved my experience with RU Greek Life. I will miss this part of RU so much, and I can’t wait to see how much our sorority continues to grow in the future.

NACATTACK!

It’s that time of year again. Every October, SAB prepares for the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) Regional Conference. This conference serves as an opportunity for members of SAB to interact with students from the programming boards at other schools, network with professionals in the talent business, and watch performances by countless musicians, comedians, poets, and magicians that we hope to bring to RU’s campus in the future. I, along with 5 other members of the SAB e-board and our advisor, will be traveling to Tulsa, OK tomorrow morning for a three-day whirlwind of educational sessions, showcases, and meet and greets.

NACA is one of my favorite things about SAB. This will be my 6^th NACA during my time here at RU. I have been to three national conferences in Nashville, Boston, and St. Louis, as well as two other regional conferences in Texas. Even before I was a member of the executive board, I was chosen to attend a NACA conference my freshman year. It was a huge honor for me to be selected by the upperclassmen on the executive board who saw enough potential in me to believe that I could contribute to the conference delegation. Choosing to get involved on campus right off the bat truly paid off. I showed my dedication to a campus organization as a freshman, almost from day one, and was rewarded with this honor. NACA is what inspired me to run for Concert Chair, VP, and eventually President.

My biggest piece of advice: find an organization that allows you to do what makes you happy. Then, put your heart into it, and you will get so much more out of your college experience. You will meet great people with whom you will form lasting friendships. You will be given opportunities to foster your own leadership abilities while also helping others become leaders as well.  You will create memories that will hold a special place in your heart.

 (NACA Nationals in Nashville- February 2009- my freshman year)

(NACA Regionals in Arlington- October 2010- the conference was right across from the baseball stadium, and the World Series was there the same time we were.)

This will be my last NACA conference. I have so many great memories from past conferences. One year, while on the shuttle from the airport to the hotel in Arlington, TX, I found a sweet potato. Yes, a yam. I took it into the conference with me. For the whole weekend, our group of students played practical jokes on each other, such as putting the yam under each other’s pillows, or slipping it into each other’s backpacks. I will never forget times like this one.

(The infamous yam)

I recently purchased a framed piece of artwork from a local craft fair with the quote, “Enjoy the little things in life… for one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.” Even seemingly insignificant things, like finding a yam under your hotel pillow, have now become memories that I will treasure for many years to come.

For the Love of the Game

Last week was quite exciting. I am a huge fan of the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team, and as of last week they were still in the playoffs. Even though I now live in St. Louis, I am not a Cardinals fan. I am originally from the East Coast, and my mom’s entire family is from Philly. Growing up, we frequently visited the City of Brotherly Love, and my childhood is filled with Philly memories: running up and down the stairs of the Art Museum like Rocky, being downtown for the St. Patrick’s Day parade with my grandfather dressed like a leprechaun, and, of course, eating Rita’s water ice and Pat’s cheesesteaks until I could no longer move. To me, being a Phillies fan isn’t just about baseball. It’s about holding onto a part of my childhood that seems very distant now that I live in the Midwest.

(The St. Pat's Day Parade in Philly in 1994. I'm the one in the front right. I know you're jealous of my bowl cut lol.)

Before the big loss to the Cardinals on Friday the 7^th, it still seemed that the Phillies might go all the way. My family was fortunate enough to come across tickets to the NLDS game on Tuesday the 4^th. My boyfriend (who is a Cards fan) and I drove out to STL after class on Tuesday for the game. This was my first Phillies playoff game, and I was overwhelmed. It was incredible just to be in the stadium while my favorite team battled to continue on the journey to the World Series.  It was an amazing game, and they won that night. My mom and I had to quietly celebrate the victory since the stadium was filled with Cards fans. 

(My boyfriend and I at Game 3 of the NLDS at Busch Stadium.)

Unfortunately, the Phils ended up losing the series on Friday. It was pretty upsetting. Contrary to what Tom Hanks might have said, there is crying in baseball. It was hard to understand why the team with the best record in baseball wasn’t going to the World Series. Like Charlie Manuel, the manager of the Phils, said after the loss, “I feel empty inside.” It was a difficult loss to say the least, especially since I had no other Phillies fans with whom to commiserate. However, I look forward to next year, especially Spring Training. This will be my third year in a row going to Phillies Spring Training in FL.

Many students at RU are from St. Louis, and it is difficult to find support from other Phillies fans in the middle of KCMO. However, there is at least one other Phillies fan at RU to whom I can always turn when it is time to celebrate our victories or lament our losses. That fan is Father Curran, the President of the University. When I think about my RU experience, I can’t help but realize that RU is truly a special place. How many schools have you heard of where the President of the university regularly interacts with students, eats at their lunch tables, and helps carry their fridges and microwaves on move-in day? Fr. Curran’s involvement with the students is truly unique to RU. It is one of my favorite things about Rockhurst, and our shared love of the Phillies is something I will always cherish.

Until next year, I have chosen to be a fan of the game, recognizing that anything can happen in baseball. Only 4 months until pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in Clearwater :-)

Bittersweet Symphony

I knew that my senior year would be filled with bittersweet moments. I didn’t anticipate them quite this early in the school year, though. Last night, SAB sponsored the annual homecoming dance. It’s similar to most high school homecoming dances. Everyone gets dressed up and grabs a group of their friends to celebrate school spirit with a night of dancing and fun. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening, but there were multiple times when I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed.

One such moment occurred during the Run DMC song “It’s Tricky”. Since I was a freshman, this song has been very important to my friends in my sorority and me. It has become more or less “our song”. When the DJ played this song last night, all of us gathered in a big group and shouted the words like we have always done. The same feelings of excitement and belonging rushed over me. However, a new emotion was in the mix as well: sadness.

(At the dance with some of my sorority sisters)

In the middle of the song, I felt sad that this would be the last time I would get to sing this song with my friends at homecoming. I became incredibly nostalgic for the girls that had graduated last May and were no longer there to dance with us. I realized that, next semester, I would be one of those girls. All at once, I felt happy and sad; happy to be able to enjoy another moment like that with my friends and sad that we probably won’t get the chance to do it again.

Toward the end of the dance, other members of the SAB executive board and I were sitting at a table waiting for the last few songs to be played. As usual, the DJ played “Don’t Stop Believin’”. Watching the students, many of whom were freshmen, belt out the song with their friends brought a smile to my face. I couldn’t believe that I had been in their shoes just a few short years ago. My time here at Rockhurst has gone by way too fast. I find myself lost in my life’s timeline, wondering where the last few years have gone. However, my time has not been filled with regret. Quite the contrary.

The biggest reason I am going to miss Rockhurst is that it has become home to me. In this school, I have found a place where I truly belong. I’m not referring to membership in a particular club or organization but to the school as a whole.  I know this would not have been possible if I had gone to a larger univeristy. Because of RU's size, I have really been able to find my place and to grow as a person.

Throughout my experience here, I have been blessed to make strong connections with other people in the RU community. The friends I have made will forever have a place in my heart. I am so thankful for the staff members who have watched me grow as a leader and who always encouraged and supported me. After the dance last night, I have been reminded of the importance of treasuring my time here at Rockhurst. May is going to be here before I know it, and I plan to cross that stage at graduation knowing that I took advantage of all RU had to offer, most especially the relationships I formed with others.

Finding God in a Hammock

Without delay, I have to share the exciting news of the newest addition to the RU campus: hammocks. Today, they popped up all over campus, and they are a thing of beauty. I’m not sure who was behind this, but I definitely approve. On my way to class this morning, I saw Physical Plant setting them up outside of Corcoran. They were directly across the sidewalk from the hospitality tent that is being set up for the upcoming Family Weekend events, so I didn’t really think anything of it. I thought they were part of the weekend festivities. I also had a big exam on my mind and that hot new song by Pitbull and Neyo was playing on my iPod, so, needless to say, I was a little distracted.

On my way back from class, around 3:00 this afternoon, I saw more hammocks outside the back of the XL dorm. The icing on the cake occurred when I got down into the Townhouses (THVs). There, in all its glory, was an oversized hammock not 20 steps from my front door. It’s almost as if it were meant just for me. I looked around to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. I ran into my THV, dropped off my backpack, and then ran back out to inspect the hammock, afraid I would miss my chance to enjoy it if I didn’t hurry.

Now, I must admit that I am not the most graceful person and I had had a challenging experience with a hammock at a family reunion about 10 years ago. I had never seen a hammock this big, so I was analyzing my best entry strategy. I found the perfect balance right in the middle of thing, and I took a deep sigh of relief. This week has been difficult. I had two pretty challenging exams, and my car had broken down. Lying in that hammock with the late September breeze blowing on my face made all of that disappear. I put Bruce Springsteen on my iPod and closed my eyes, enjoying the opportunity to slow down for the next half hour.

I couldn’t help but think of the theme for this academic year: finding God in all things. Today, I found God in the middle of a hammock after a challenging week. Where have you found God this week?

Leading by Example

SAB has had some pretty big events the last few weeks that went so incredibly well. When I reflect on Fall Concert and the Hawks & Buckets game show, I feel very proud of not only the attendance at the events but also how the executive board and general members have been positively affected by these events. An important ideal held by the Jesuits is that every single person can be a leader. Additionally, each person has the responsibility to help develop the talents and gifts of others to help them become leaders, too.

(Hawks & Buckets the Game Show. Students had to pick randomly numbered buckets in hopes of finding the bucket with fake cash. The other buckets included items like evaporated milk, baked beans, and BBQ sauce. The buckets were dumped on the heads of the students. Prizes included an iPad, a Wii, and cash.)

I see this at every event that SAB sponsors. Not only are the members of the executive board settling into their new leadership positions, but they are helping the general members (most of whom are freshmen) find their place here at Rockhurst while encouraging them to develop their own interests and talents. I have been pleasantly surprised by the number of freshmen that consistently come to our meetings and events with a willingness and passion to help the event run smoothly. They probably don't know it yet, but they, too, are taking the first steps to becoming leaders here at RU.  I truly believe that many of these enthusiastic freshmen will be the ones that comprise the executive board next school year.

On a side note, I have to take just a minute or two to celebrate a personal accomplishment that came with Fall Concert. Since freshman year, I had made it my personal goal to book the band Ha Ha Tonka (HHT) to play at Rockhurst before I graduated. Every time a new concert chair was elected in SAB, I made sure to forward them as much information as possible about the band in hopes they would be added to the bill for one of SAB’s major concerts. Sadly, this was not an easy task. Even when I held the position of concert chair in the 2009-2010 school year, I was unable to bring the band to RU. Many things stood in the way of accomplishing my goal- conflicting schedules, genres that didn’t match with HHT’s sound, etc. When we were planning this year's Fall Concert, I once again threw HHT’s name out there. With a little luck and some strong convincing, we made the band an offer which they later accepted. My dreams were becoming a reality. The true icing on the Ozark rock cake came when I got to personally introduce the band before their set. Seeing Ha Ha Tonka play some of my favorite songs on my school’s campus made me so proud, and I was so glad to finally be able to share their music with my classmates. I had waited three years for this to happen. It was definitely worth the wait.

(Ha Ha Tonka playing at RU's Fall Concert on 8/27/11)

In conclusion, being involved with organizations on campus has given me the chance to become a leader in my own right. I have learned how to work with all types of people, and I have been able to see my dreams become reality. Even more importantly, I feel like I have had at least a small influence on others, hoping to help them realize their own potential and dreams. And that is a legacy I can feel good about :-)

Please allow me to introduce myself

For my first blog entry, I would like to give you all a little background information about who I am. I am currently in my senior year at RU. My majors are International Business and Spanish, and my minor is Nonprofit Leadership Studies. I am originally from Laurel, Maryland, but I have lived in St. Louis for the past 13 years or so.

I have absolutely loved my Rockhurst experience thus far. Since I was a freshman, I have been very involved with Social Activities Board (SAB), an organization that puts on free or cheap events for RU students. We try to do 1 event a week to help students meet one another and to give them some options to fill their free time. This year, I am the President of SAB. My past executive board positions include Concert Chair and Vice President. For the past 3 years, I also served as an Orientation Leader. Orientation is a 5-day program that helps freshmen and transfer students get acquainted with the campus, meet each other, and have fun. I am also involved with a social sorority on campus, and Greek Life has been an awesome part of my RU experience.

I have been on two service trips with Rockhurst. My freshman year, I traveled to Baltimore, and our group of students and faculty served at a variety of venues, including women's shelters, inner-city day cares, and drug rehabilitation centers. This past January, I participated on the Service Immersion Trip to New Orleans. We worked on a house that was rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina. The memories I made on these service trips have been some of my favorite memories of my time here at RU. They are a great way to meet new people, to be in fellowship with those we serve, and to put the Jesuit ideals of our education into practice.

(NOLA Service Trip Group)

The title of my blog ("Go forth and set the world on fire") is a quote from St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). I first heard this quote last summer when I went to Fordham University in NYC for the annual National Jesuit Student Leadership Conference, and I was very inspired by the message. One of the main reasons I selected Rockhurst was because it is a Jesuit University. I strive to incorporate the Jesuit ideals and teachings into my everyday thoughts and actions. Reflection is an integral part to the Jesuit experience. As I reflect on my RU experiences, I felt this quote would be a good title for my blog.

That about sums it up. I am very much looking forward to sharing my experiences with you all from my time here at Rockhurst. As I begin my senior year, I would like to fill these entries with fond memories and bright hopes for my future.

-Kelsey Lee Evans