Common Book Convocation

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the Common Book Convocation. I thought it was very interesting. I am delighted to meet Tom Piazza, the author of City of Refuge.


I got the book late, because I didn't receive it during my orientation, and I was barely able to finish it in time for the convocation. I wish I had more time to sit down and read it because it was a very interesting book, and when Mr. Piazza spoke about it, things were much more interesting. I was also very happy to meet him.


Metting Tom Piazza helped me become more determined to become an author. I hope to someday write novels like Mr. Piazza does.

I Am Growing as a Leader

How do you lead yourself? That is, how have the speakers and readings influenced the way you are leading your life and thinking about leadership? Reflect on the influences of the speakers and readings on what you think, say, and do each day. What are some of the leadership lessons you have learned and that you are applying in your own life?

 Well, here are my answers to these questions:

I lead myself with a positive attitude. I look at everything with the 'glass half full' perspective, and I think that this helps a lot as a leader. I have noticed that I have gotten more confident in the things I say and do, and I have noticed that I have became more outgoing. Truth is, I think I have become more comfortable with myself. I think that leadership is extremely important. And, I didn't think that I was a leader, but now, I know that I am a leader.

Someone who really stood out to me was one of our first speakers. I remember her first name: Chasity. I remember the feeling she gave me when she was speaking. She helped me feel confident. I didn't have much confidence when I was in high school, or even my first year in college at UT.  Now, I hold my head high when I walk down the sidewalks, and I put forth my ideas and comments when I have them. I learned to take care of myself. I make sure I eat right, I exercise and I sleep enough to wake up feeling refreshed. Many of our speakers mentioned "Be aggressive, but not abrasive." I think I have been more aggressive than I was, but I know I definitely have not been abrasive.

Well, the semester is almost over, and I can't wait to see further change in myself, and possibly my classmates as we dive into the last stretch of the fall semester.

Nonprofit Organizations

The presentations on nonprofit organizations really spoke to me on Wednesday. I would love to volunteer at something where they promote literacy in children. That really stands out to me. I think standing up for something is extremely important, not just for leaders, but for everyone in general.

There was a time when my mom was thinking about adopting a child. I know that I was thinking about that a lot of Wednesday. I hope someday, that maybe I could adopt a child too, that way the child could have fun as a kid.

The Girl's Club starts soon. We have orientation next week. And then we have to get background checks. But as soon as all of that's over, the club will start. I can't wait! I can't wait to teach these girls life lessons in a way that they'll remember and hopefully they'll become leaders as well.

Friends for Success

Hello Everyone =D

I hope everyone is surviving during your college experience. I know my homework is starting to pile up to my neck, but nevertheless, I'm surviving.

This week's topic in Leadership class was about networking. We had chapters in our leadership book about networking. Personally, I thought the book described networking really well. It seems as if there if a thin line between personal and professional. I think the panel of speakers we had last night really described that line well. When I network, I know what topics to stay away from, and topics that are "ice breakers." Also, I really liked the ice breaker game that we did. We did something of the sort during colorguard camp last year at UT, and I want to try it with the middle school girls for our group project. I think that they would have a lot of fun with that.

Currently, I am nervous about my issue paper, I don't know if that's stupid of me. I usually get nervous when I turn something big in because I don't know how I did. Oh well, nevertheless, I have a week to wait. I hope everyone has a good week!

Be Confident

We just had our third Leadership class for the semester, and this class was a successful one I think. First off I think I should mention how thankful I am to be in this class. I know it took a lot of prepares to get all of the speakers and I know President Krendl doesn't have a lot of time already.

Moving on, I thought yesterdays class was very helpful. I know I learned a lot. I really liked Mrs. Chasity Kuttrus's presentation because I know that everything she said is true and very helpful. This class session was all about Resources for Leaders. I believe her presentation really fit that theme. Leaders all over the place use coaches to help them think straight, because having a third party help a leader make decisions is very helpful. It's always nice to have an unbiased opinion. Also, we talked about another very important topic which was nutrition. Now, I've had my fair share of heath classes, but every time nutrition comes up in a lecture, something has changed about it. This time, the food diagram changed. I have never seen the plate diagram before, and it was nice to see serving sizes and portions in a different way. Now, some people might ask: Why is nutrition important for a leader? What does nutrition have to do with being a leader? Here's my answer: Nutrition isn't just important to be a leader. It's important to everyone. And, if a leader eats well, puts on a good example, more people are likely to follow this leader. Eating right provides more energy and puts you in a better mood. I would rather follow this leader than follow the leader who is always cranky and unmotivated.

I took a lot of important information from this class. I like all of the mini tips that Mrs. Kuttrus had on her slides. And, one of those tips is be confident. So ladies, I think that we all should take that challenge and be confident. Also, at the end of the class, we were challenged to make a difference in someone's day everyday. I accept that challenge. =D

Anyways, I hope everyone has a good week. And see you all next time for the 'Networking for Success' themed class.

I Feel Good About Myself

The other day we had our first speakers come into class. I really like Melissa Gilbert's presentation. I went back to my days as a middle school and high school student. I remember how in middle school, I always felt lost in the crowd, like my opinion didn't matter. I had a small group of friends that were really close to me, and that's about it. I remember seeing a lot of girls play active roles in the Drama Club, Cheerleading Squad, the various sporting clubs and other extra curricular activities. And looking back, it makes me wish I did more as a middle school student. When we were talking about the different barriers that stopped us from getting to where we were, I realized that I had a lot of those barriers back then. And, I didn't do anything positive about it.


High School was a little better. I remember getting more involved with activities and becoming my own person. However, I remember girls becoming meaner. I believe that because girls were becoming meaner, I forgot how to use my voice. It felt like once again, my opinion didn't matter. There was always someone above me. When I was a freshman I had to listen to the upperclassmen. And when I finally climbed to be a senior, I had to listen to the captain of the cheerleading squad, or the valedictorian of my graduating class.

Personally, I am extremely excited to start this group project. I want girls to know what happened to me. I want them to realize that every girl goes through the same thing. I want them to realize that they're not alone. I want them to realize that they could become good people and good leaders as well.

First Week at Otterbein

This first week of school has been going really well. I have been keeping up with all of my homework as well as going to a couple of campus events. I went to the CardinalCorps Cupid Connection on Thursday September 1st. I found a couple of volunteer organizations that stood out to me. I signed up for Girl's Club, which is an organization that goes to a local middle school to talk to high risk middle school girls. I also am interested in the organization called "The Beat". This club brings music education back to the local schools by teaching the students about the instruments. I plan on doing that someday too.

I also stopped by the First Friday Festival. I met with some of the businesses around the area and got acquainted with more of the student activities here on campus.

Hopefully this next week will be as successful as my first week here!