Guess Who’s Back: Spring Semester Kick off

Hey everyone!

Hope you all had a glorious winter break and aren’t too stressed yet with the beginning of a new semester. Spring break is only a month away right? Anyways, I’m glad to be back but there are a couple changes with the blog this semester. Due to ongoing projects and my new schedule, yes I do have a life too, the blog will be updated on Tuesdays rather than Mondays. If you want to see me on Mondays swing by the MUB either 2nd or 3rd floor 11-3 and you can see me in action. This semester SHARPP will be putting up a Consent Wall on the 3rd floor and WE NEED PICTURES!! So if you want your couple minutes in the limelight say a little blurb about consent, and yes examples will be provided if you wanna copycat them, and COME ON DOWN. We’re trying to fill the wall with all your beautiful faces either take one solo or with your partner, think of it as an anniversary/valentine’s day picture if you want. We would love to have so many that we just won’t know what to do with all you guys. So if you’re interested Mondays and Thursdays I will be in the MUB come find me I’m sure you can’t miss me (girl with the camera bag, today in blue moccasins). I hope to see you all there.

Another change is I want to make this blog a little more interactive, I received a recent article from one of my bosses about what to write on this week and it made me think. What if you guys did the same?!?!?! Current events in the news or an event you saw on campus you want to ask about, Anything! I want to see what you guys want to hear, typing articles for myself is only so much fun. So try your hand out at a comment on the page leave your name or don’t either way try to get the word out!! I want to hear what you guys have to say agreeing or disagreeing. I’m an open book so I invite you guys to add to the pages.

Now my message for you all today is pretty simple. Get Involved. Yesterday I took part in the MLK Spiritual Celebration and hearing the music and the readings of other students and members of the community really showed me how important it is to give back and be a part of your environment. We are all lucky to be a part of UNH and for those of you reading this who aren’t you can learn how to get involved in your own community. Go to an event you wouldn’t typically attend, talk to someone you want to get to know, go to a food drive, drop off clothes at Salvation Army. The pearl of wisdom I received yesterday from this celebration was one I know we have all heard but don’t think about often, and that is to Love and spread that Love. I’m not a very spiritual person but by attending this event I realized I didn’t need to be. You are who you are and to grow as a human being we all need love and interaction. So go try something new this semester and see if you can give back in whatever capacity you can, big gestures are unnecessary just do what you can to be truly present in this community. Below I listed the events for the MLK events happening around campus and I know there are other events going on as well, so look into something new and get involved.

MLK Forum: Public and Private Schools:What’s Working . . .What’s Not

Wednesday, January 30, 4:00 – 5:30 PM

Memorial Union Building, Strafford Room

Commemorative speaker Rob Dixon and visiting professor Winston Thompson join community leaders to ask what freedoms and responsibilities serve us best as we strive toward the building of MLK’s beloved community. What do we need to know about education underserving some of us? How are some initiatives working? How are other, well-intentioned programs not achieving their goals? What are the personal impacts of poorly performing schools? How are after-school programs working? How do we continue to build community in our educational institutions?

MLK Commemorative Address : Are You Making Your Mark?

Tuesday, January 29, 7:00 – 8:30 PM 

Johnson Theatre, Paul Creative Arts Center

Reception to follow at PCAC

Rob Dixon will speak about his transformative work in Boston and how he believes everyone can carry out the legacy of Dr. King. Dixon, a record-setting UNH basketball player and former professional athlete, became an educator and community activist following his graduation from UNH in 1983. He organized the Boston area establishment of the non-profit Project RISE (Respect, Integrity, and Success through Education), which has the impressive record of a 96% high school graduation rate. His program asks students to focus on their life experiences and to consider how they may be leaders in a world of challenging realities. A nationally recognized youth advocate, Dixon was named an “All-Star Among Us” by People magazine for his commitment to bettering the lives of children. Presidents Obama, Bush, Clinton, GHW Bush, and Carter celebrated Dixon’s work at the 2009 MLB All-Star Game.

Taking Action: Change as a Calling – UNH Inspires

A Campus Activism Fair
Tuesday, February 5
12:45-2:00pm
MUB, Strafford Room

PUTTING YOUR COMMITMENTS INTO PRACTICE: WHAT CALLS YOU TO CREATE CHANGE?

Hear UNH students talk about their favorite service orgs and how they got involved. Join UNH’s outstanding social justice activists in roundtable discussions on how the work sustains them as individuals and their surrounding communities.

          This student-centered conversation will feature local service opportunities that can build both professional and personal skills.  Come see how your life and career paths can change when you do life-changing work with others!

ALSO tune in to the Vagina Monologues coming in March!