Missing My Roommate 'Across the Pond'

PBA student Chloe Westrich studied abroad in London, England.

What would you do if your roommate got accepted to a study abroad program halfway through the school year, which also meant he/she had to leave you? One of my PBA roommates for the fall 2011 semester was Chloe Westrich, from St. Louis, Mo. She had the awesome opportunity to participate in PBA's London Semester Program during the spring semester. According to pba.edu, The London Semester Program was the result of a partnership between PBA’s Center for Experiential Learning and Roehampton University, located in southwest London.

Chloe's PBA suitemates bake her a cake. 

Although it was easy congratulating my amazing roommate last fall for this incredible opportunity, it was disappointing to know our time as roommates was coming to an end. Chloe was definitely the glue that held all us suitemates together in the Flagler Towers dorm at PBA. She brought a special something to our suite with her bright smile and genuine personality. In celebration of her acceptance to the program, we baked a going away cake. It was difficult letting her leave, but throughout the semester we viewed her Facebook page, updated with happy photos and messages. Also, our entire suite contacted her through Skype on her birthday, which she spent in London, as well.

Chloe recently arrived safely back to the U.S. with lots of stories and experiences! Last weekend, I caught up with her after she settled down, back home, and she filled me in on her time in London. She explained:

Chloe in a London phone booth.

“Studying abroad in London was unlike any other experience I’ve had before. There were some real struggles in the beginning, but by the end of the semester I had fallen head-over-heels in love with the culture, the people, and all the exciting events happening around the city every day.

I was stretched in absolutely every way possible including: physically, emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. I became familiar with another culture, but was also able to understand my own culture even better. I feel like I am walking away from this experience as a changed person: my mind has been opened to even more possibilities around the world and a brand new sense of adventure has been cultivated within me.

I have also been able to escape the typical American lifestyle of constantly rushing from one event to another, and really embrace a more slowed down lifestyle where I can really appreciate the people and events I encounter each day.

Some days I wake up and think to myself, 'Did that semester really just happen, or was all of this just a dream?' I am beyond thankful for the opportunities that I had, the people that I met, the breath-taking places I was able to see, and the once-in-a-lifetime experiences I had over the past four and a half months. I would highly recommend studying abroad to everyone.”

Although I had to share my roommate with London, I'm happy she had such a great life experience.

Have you ever thought about spending a semester abroad?

Knowing President Fleming Through 'Development'



President Fleming signs the hat of a new PBA student during Welcome Week '11 fesitvities.

 

Mr. William M.B. Fleming, Jr., Palm Beach Atlantic University's newly selected president, is the epitome of “development” here at PBA. As many of you know, President Fleming was interim president for more than a year before being selected this week as eighth president by PBA's Board of Trustees at the recommendation of the presidential search committee. However, I came to know President Fleming through his other service position at PBA.

I met him my freshman year when I got accepted as a work-study student in PBA's Development Office in Sachs Hall. In addition to taking on the role of interim president during the past year, he was also vice president of development, for many years. Working in the department, I not only had the wonderful opportunity to introduce myself to President Fleming, but he got to know me personally, as he does with many PBA students. Working with him for two years, and experiencing how smoothly the office ran with him as vice president, gives me great confidence in his tenure as president.

Additionally, as interim president, I have seen President Fleming's interest in the school skyrocket. Outside of being a student taking classes and working at PBA, I am involved with several student organizations as well. It has definitely been a great college experience seeing President Fleming meet and engage with my fellow peers throughout the year.

For instance, this semester he came to several “end of the year” student meetings.   At my weekly Impact Leadership Team (ILT) meeting, President Fleming observed our entire meeting and then was introduced, individually, to the 12 assistants and six interns for ILT.  I also heard that he did the same for this year's Welcome Week Steering Committee, which is in charge of introducing this fall's freshmen to PBA through Welcome Week. Also, as I am involved with the PBA Ambassador’s program, I saw President Fleming at this end of the year meeting, as well.   He not only already knew the majority of the 14 ambassadors by name, but also unique facts about their lives, providing many laughs and surprises.

Overall, throughout this year President Fleming has already demonstrated to me and other students his care and concern for bettering the purpose of the school – its students' education, environment, and overall development.  Congratulations to President Fleming, and congratulations to Palm Beach Atlantic University.

What has been your experience when interacting with President Fleming?

Fun During Finals Week at PBA

School’s out, so it’s time to pack up! Those familiar red “smart box” storage units appeared once again all over campus sidewalks and parking lots, signaling campus students to start gathering everything together for checkout.   Many of them were lined up with students' names, especially on the Pembroke green for Baxter residents!

Checking out of campus is probably the most dreaded job students have to do, but there is always the summer to look forward to. However, the fun, cool RAs we came to know and love are required to transform into "The Cleaning Police." Most students were up until the late hours of the night during finals week finding creative ways to clean their rooms and dorm halls, and we did a good job!






 You can also definitely tell that it was exam week because of the papers being proofread, the exams being crammed, and the two main food groups being Red bull and Ramen. The best thing that college prepares us for is learning how to balance working, cleaning, and having fun...not much time to eat though.  "Cram Jam's" breakfast for dinner this week served by PBA staff and faculty was probably our most nutritious meal!




 Despite all of the work from finals week, or just the end of the year in general, PBA students definitely like to have fun, as you all can see from the photos of everyone's version of coping with finals week.  As you can tell with these pictures, the "Instagram" photo app on students' phones was definitely a hit for taking cool pictures with to capture the best moments of final's week.





 As much as I enjoy living in dorms, sitting in classrooms and being in PBA buildings every day, it is a relief to be able to settle back home. The amount of relief that it feels to have a whole second semester, and an entire year as a sophomore completed is almost indescribable.  Now it's time to move on to summer and have some well deserved fun...maybe more than we had finals week! ;)





Tell me about your experience finals week and how you were able to incorporate fun into working!

 

PBA Students and the World LEADERS Conference


Last week, students had a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet, hear or even just catch a glimpse of some of the most influential leaders around the world.  The World LEADERS Conference took place the morning and afternoon of April 18 and 19 in the DeSantis Family Chapel at Palm Beach Atlantic University.  Through PBA's event coordinator, students were invited to volunteer for the conference.

Early morning volunteer group of PBA students

 
PBA Students Volunteer and Attend

I decided to volunteer April 18 helping out in the front of the chapel by checking attendees’ name badges, as well as working with the backstage production crew.  Throughout the day, I was able to catch a glimpse of many of the speakers. While volunteering, I had a blast with the other volunteers.   Plus, it was great to see that the attendees and staff were grateful for our presence and assistance with the conference. 

 Besides students who were volunteering for the conference, there were several other students who attended the conference with seating.  Through hearing a variety of speakers, PBA students gained a deeper understanding of the meaning of a "leader."  I know that students who attended the conference will apply these skills to their lives at school, as a majority of them are already currently student leaders on campus.

Blair speaks at the World LEADERS Conference

Former Prime Minister of Britain Tony Blair

Luckily, as a student volunteer, I was selected along with one other student to work during the afternoon when Former Prime Minister of Britain Tony Blair gave his speech.  I worked with the production crew, and then attended a reception in the Rotunda of the Warren Library for a photo opportunity with Former Prime Minister Blair.  Although it was a rare experience to introduce myself to him, it was his words of advice during the conference that was a gift beyond compare.

There were three aspects of Former Prime Minister Blair's outlined seven steps for leaders that stuck out to me as goals for improving my own leadership. For example, he encouraged the audience to use problems for motivation, instead of frustration.  He also suggested using a balance of humility and self-belief in leadership. Finally, he asked us to remember to always thank God for the blessings in our life.   

These three small examples of leadership advice have deeply pierced my heart, and will help me with my leadership journey at PBA. Overall, it is encouraging to see how an experienced world leader, such as Former Prime Minister Blair, is willing and able to express leadership advice in a way that is relatable to those who have yet to gain his experience. 

'Last Blast Weekend' Starts Thursday

Thursday, April 19 will be the start of “Last Blast Weekend” at PBA.  Every student is ready to celebrate before final exams with concerts, games, food, sports and fun. 

 

Weekend relaxing at the dorms

Thursday Happenings: You can start shouting for joy at 8 p.m. at the Todd Agnew concert at First Baptist Church. Or, if superstar Christian worship singers aren’t enough, you can go to the Spring Dance Concert featuring the PBA Dance Ensemble 7:30 p.m. at the Crest Theatre in Delray Beach.  Plus, there is another event at the Norton Museum of Art from 7 to 9 p.m. featuring PBA Alum Kristen Alyce to advocate her Garbage Gone Glam cause. I will be there, along with 20 other girls modeling her dress creations.   

Friday Events: If you’re not worn out from Thursday, start your grills up for the annual Burger Cook-Off at 4 p.m. on the Rinker Green.  Of course, the event is always busy with hungry college students.  Then at 5 p.m. you can work off that food by watching the annual Strong Man Competition outside the Green Complex – with ladies competing, too!  To wrap the Friday up (yes, this is still Friday’s activities), hundreds of students will get washed up, dressed and out with their friends by 8 p.m. for the Spring Fling dance at the Box Event Hall. 

With all these amazing activities Friday, I can't make it to any because I will be spending that afternoon in the car with my family.  This is not too unfortunate though as I headed to my older brother’s Flagler College graduation ceremony early Saturday morning celebrating the weekend in St. Augustine, Fla. My older brother and I have been great friends since diapers.  We have a lot in common being only three years apart. Though, I often forget how three years makes a huge difference with wisdom and experience, especially now that he is graduating.



Weekend exploring wonders of West Palm

This will truly be a “Last Blast Weekend” for me because I will be celebrating the “Last Blast Weekend” of my brother’s undergraduate life, even though I have to miss the actual events at PBA. Moreover, this “Last Blast Weekend” talk is a constant reminder that the end of the school year is approaching here at PBA, with finals right around the corner. For me, going to my brother’s graduation is a reminder of why we celebrate these weekends at PBA.  As students here, we work hard in college each year to reach the ultimate “Last Blast Weekend” of our graduation from Palm Beach Atlantic University.

So while I’m celebrating at my brother’s graduation, what are your plans to celebrate “Last Blast Weekend” at PBA?

 

'Feeding Children Everywhere' Event April 14

This semester at PBA never stops rolling with student events and activities. 

Last weekend at the Refresh Leadership Retreat put on by Palm Beach Atlantic University's Center for Campus Connections at the Life for Youth Camp in Vero Beach, I learned about a food packaging event coming to PBA Saturday, April 14. A food packaging event is where volunteers package raw food products to create nutritious meals to feed the hungry.

As stated on its website, Feeding Children Everywhere “...is a social charity that empowers and mobilizes people to assemble healthy meals for hungry children.” According to PBA student Matthew Langford, who spoke about the event at chapel this week, the goal is to pack 50,000 meals that will be sent to churches and orphanages in the horn of Africa, where there is currently a huge drought.  Each meal contains rice, lentils, vitamin blend and dehydrated vegetables, and costs only 25 cents.

The campus as a whole is really getting fired up about helping out from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Mahoney Gym at PBA's Greene Complex for Sports and Recreation.  In a listserv e-mail to students, Matt shared, “We have roughly 1,000 students that live on campus…if each student on campus gave $10, which would be $10,000.”  However, not only is this event for students who live on campus, but for commuter students and the community of West Palm Beach. 
It is amazing to think that at least one thousand PBA students as well as residents of West Palm Beach will have the opportunity to practice servant leadership. Matt also wrote, “The number one thing I want to happen through this event is for the heart of our campus to break for the needy in this world.”

Watch the video below "What is a Packing Event?" to see exactly what will be going on at PBA Saturday, April 14. Will you be joining?

PBA Alumna to Show 'Garbage' Glam April 19

It's not difficult to "go green" and practice sustainability at Palm Beach Atlantic University. I found my way into the green theme when I first started working with the company Garbage Gone Glam.  When I learned about the company, I didn't know that I'd be working for a cause that would eventually make a huge impact around Palm Beach County and other parts of the country. 

Earth Day Fashion Show downtown WPB 2011

Garbage Gone Glam is a company founded by PBA alumna Kristen Alyce, who studied Fine Art and Education.  I met Kristen while she was working at a CityPlace store. She came up to me and asked me if I would be in the first fashion show in 2009 at the Braman Motorcar Porshe dealership. Her latest show in the area was in February of this year at the E4 Sustainability Summit, put on by the City of West Palm Beach at the weekly Saturday Green Market. The next show will be minutes away from campus, featured at the Norton Museum of Art's "Art After Dark" on April 19. And following that, a showcase in downtown Palm Beach Gardens at the Green Energy Council's annual "Earth Day."

Kristen's bio on GarbageGoneGlam.com states, "Being a true artist, Kristen knew her collection of Vogue & Elle magazines along with large amounts of plastic grocery bags could be put to use again."

That is where the concept of Garbage Gone Glam began, and it has been growing ever since. Kristen makes her creations out of donated or recycled materials.  The main focus has been creating dresses to promote "bettering the environment and saving the earth one piece of art at a time," according to the site. Her dresses are exhibited live by girls who walk down her "magazine cover" runway, modeling creative works of art.  What I love about this cause is the inspiration it shows not only by recycling ordinary and odd materials, but turning them into works of art.

"My designs and shows are meant to do more than make you look beautiful," Kristen said. "They are meant to make over a community and set trends that will last forever. After-all, green really is the new black."

When I walk down the runway during these events wearing the recycled dresses, I love being able to advocate how a little change can make a big difference.  I especially love the time during the fitting appointments for actually making the dresses, where I watch Kristen use material deemed "garbage", and piece by piece use it to form a creation to fit my body.

Check out how to join the cause and attend the events here: http://www.garbagegoneglam.com/

How are you making a green impact?

The Benefits of PBA 'Workship'

With the days getting warmer down here in South Florida, it's time to get your plans heated up for completing your Workship hours for this semester at PBA.

Workship has always been a great tradition at Palm Beach Atlantic University, ever since its founding as a college in 1968.  PBA's Worship department has many opportunities for students to complete their required community service work.  For instance, the Workship department online has tools to narrow down your service search to fit your interests.  They conveniently advertise work with local nonprofit organizations, schools and churches.

I usually complete my community service hours with various organizations and add up the amount of hours by the summertime.  However, since Workship is requiring hours to be completed by May 1 instead of August 1, there is an increased need to complete community service.  Most students who are going on mission trips this spring or summer feel more confident with this change.  Though, a lot of students who do not have extensive plans for volunteering are stressing about the deadline.


Volunteering at Christ Fellowship's Children Ministry with friends Jessie and Talley

In order to not get stressed about getting 45 hours due at the end of the semester, I began to volunteer with Christ Fellowship's children ministry.  This church is conveniently located in walking distance from PBA by CityPlace.  As a volunteer at the children's ministry on Sundays, I care for babies and toddlers while parents attend the services.  I really feel a purpose with volunteering, besides for the practical reason of getting hours.  What is more, I am able to volunteer with fellow PBA students at the ministry, which creates a sense of community when we're back at the school.

I've always enjoyed volunteering and serving in the community ever since high school when I volunteered with my church's ministries and work regarding mission trips.  There is such a nice, intrinsic value in community service I'm always able to find.  Though, as a busy college student, it is easy to forget the importance of putting others before yourself.  Overall, PBA's Workship tradition not only benefits the community, but benefits the character of its students.

My Day as an Ambassador for 'Women of Distinction'

The PBA event “Women of Distinction” not only has a lovely title, but a lovely purpose. I had the opportunity to attend this event Wednesday through the Presidential Ambassador Program at PBA. Ambassadors are nominated by a PBA staff or faculty member, and represent the study body at important University functions.  Not many students here are aware of this impressive annual awards luncheon at The Breakers in Palm Beach. It was a gorgeous warm, sunny day, and I had permission to "play hooky" from school to witness the event.

Debbie Levinsky and I take a minute before the awards luncheon to capture a photo of The Breakers scenery.

As an ambassador, my duties for the morning included greeting guests and assisting at the place card table.  Other than that, the day was pretty low key for the students working the event.  However, the amount of work, time and dedication of the University staff was clear by how smoothly the program progressed. After a greeting from PBA Interim President Fleming, the humble recipients of the Women of Distinction Scholarship, two PBA seniors, led the invocation.  Moreover, my taste buds were flowering after a delicious lunch of breaded chicken with a savory vegetable sauce, sweet tomato vinaigrette salad and a chocolate sailfish fin atop a strawberry and blueberry pound cake.

The two “Women of Distinction” awarded were Joyce Sang and Sally Soter.  These women have provided such a great service to the community.  When Mrs. Sang’s 24-year-old son died as a result of his bipolar disorder, she created the “The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation” to help suffering families. According to PBA.edu the foundation “established an educational initiative…that teaches high school students, parents and teachers to recognize bipolar disorder and depression [and] in August, the foundation brought this program to schools in Palm Beach County.” In addition, the other honoree, Mrs. Soter, has worked tirelessly to promote the arts, where she “established an endowment of photography, which supports special exhibitions, scholarship opportunities and educational programs at The Norton,” according to PBA.edu. Her second goal has been providing better heart health coverage to women, where she created the “first fully endowed chair exclusively for the purpose of women’s heart health in the United States,” stated on PBA.edu.

One part of Mrs. Sang’s speech I especially admired was she suggested all women in the room are women of distinction. This is inspiring as a college student. It is one of my aspirations to work in a way that serves the community, no matter what career path I take.  I could see how beyond all of the glamour of the event, there brightly shone the theme of women working to serve the community.

There have been many women in my life who have been examples of women of distinction.  When I moved to Florida in middle school I found a church where I was blessed to have such a wonderful youth minister who directed the middle school and high school youth group.  From my adolescent age to my adult years, my youth minister served me unwaveringly. Whether I needed a shoulder to cry on or a head to guide my spiritual journey, she was there making a difference in my life. I would name her, along with many other role models in life, as Mrs. Sang stated, “Women of Distinction,” in their own shinning way.

V-Day at PBA

Roses are red, violets are blue, and Valentine ’s Day at PBA, has a different view. Although there were many distinctive Valentine’s Day activities this week at Palm Beach Atlantic University, such as a “Sweethearts Dinner” by the Fresh Food Company (caf) for guys willing to dish out some cash, to the “I Hate Valentine’s Day Party” at the Southside campus for those bitter single upperclassmen.  The biggest hit for Valentine’s Day, for lovers and friends alike, was the epic love story in theatres called “The Vow,” with heartthrobs Channing Tatum (Dear John) and Rachel McAdams(The Notebook).  It’s no accident that "The Vow's" release date coincided almost perfectly with Valentine's Day.  Overall, most PBA students, usually girls, chose to enjoy Valentine’s Day in their own special way.

However, as I said before, whether or not you had a secret admirer, like my roommate who received a giant teddy bear and sunflowers, Valentine’s Day holds a greater meaning to most girls at PBA.  I actually enjoyed the holiday, with the majority of my friends and family sending appreciative cards or treats to brighten the day.  Most sailfish women try to ignore the stereotypical relationship PBA pressures, such as the traditional “Ring by Spring” standard.  There are definitely plenty of “sailfish” in the sea for the girls here at PBA.  Valentine’s Day at PBA isn’t just another holiday to celebrate or to hate. Valentine’s Day did have the typical events, along with both the sweet candy and the bitter thoughts. However, it didn’t end up being as cheesy of a holiday that it’s ordinarily made out to be.

How did you spend V-Day?