Members' Stories http://www.apo.org/join/memberstory en-us Tue, 11 Jun 2013 08:24:12 -0700 Alpha Alpha Delta http://www.apo.org/join/memberstory/alphaalphadelta Alpha Alpha Delta Chapter at Salisbury University in Maryland and members of the SU Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) held a 10-hour donation drive at Walmart in Salisbury to benefit Operation We Care.

Founded in 2007 by the Eastern Shore Chapter of Harley Davidson Owners, Operation We Care sends care packages to deployed military troops worldwide and provides support for local families dealing with challenges while their loved ones are deployed.

The students collected a van-full of donated items and sold 100 military-themed rubber ducks to help defer the cost of overseas postage. SU's New Student Reader Program donated some 150 books for the cause, while the Education Specialties and Social Work departments also made financial contributions. In all, Alpha Alpha Delta raised more than $680 to help offset postage costs. The Fraternity also assisted with Operation We Care's November packing event and is planning another drive for Operation We Care in May. 

Those interested in more information, please contact e-mail Claire Williams, APO advisor, at clwilliams@salisbury.edu.  

For more information about Operation We Care, visit www.operationwecare.com.

]]> Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.apo.org/join/memberstory/alphaalphadelta David Lai http://www.apo.org/join/memberstory/davidlai


Brother David Lai Recognized as Finalist in Maryland Governor's #MDForward Contest


Brother David Lai, Epsilon Mu '08, was named a finalist in Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley's first #MDForward Contest, which invited Marylanders to share their stories about how they're "moving Maryland forward."


In his entry, David, a 7th grade science teacher at Thomas Johnson Middle School in Lanham, Maryland, describes how he works to inspire his young scholars to become the "doctors, lawyers, scientists, and entrepreneurs [of] the state's future," community leaders, and good citizens. As a teacher, David incorporates the ideals of servant leadership within his classroom. He hopes to produce scholars that are proficient scientists and citizens who are willing to serve their communities and inspire consequent generations. David finds that the most enjoyable aspect of teaching is seeing the students grow as people and as scholars. "There is nothing like the look on a child's face when he or she is excited about learning. Additionally, I enjoy learning through teaching. Every now and then I notice details that I've forgotten from when I was in school. With the influx of educational technology, I've also found myself finding and learning how to incorporate these resources in class." At the University of Maryland in College Park, David pledged Alpha Phi Omega during his first semester and remained active until his graduation. He took particular interest in serving the community's youth during his time as an active volunteering with afterschool programs and supporting youth initiatives. This experience with Alpha Phi Omega was part of his motivation for applying to Teach for America, from which he accepted an offer to teach in Prince George's County, Maryland. David earned the Epsilon Mu Chapter's Distinguished Service Key in 2011.

]]> Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.apo.org/join/memberstory/davidlai Madison Mellish http://www.apo.org/join/memberstory/madisonmellish Brother Madison Mellish Gives Back to Orphanages Abroad

During summer 2009, Madison Mellish, service vice president for Zeta Upsilon Chapter at Boston University in Massachusetts, worked more than 75 hours through APO and with Orphanage Outreach in the Dominican Republic.

During her junior year of high school, Brother Mellish's school organized a spring break community service trip to the Dominican Republic through Orphanage Outreach. "That was the first time I had ever seen extreme poverty, and it had a lasting impact on me."

For her senior project the following year, Brother Mellish returned to the Dominican Republic for a month, again through Orphanage Outreach. Since then she has volunteered eight times through this organization. 

Brother Mellish said, "With each trip I fall more in love with the country and the people, and every trip is completely different. One trip I might be teaching English at a school, the next I might be helping run a summer camp, and on another I might be tutoring the kids at the orphanage." 

While talking about ways for others to get involved, Brother Mellish said, "I think APO is a great organization, and I'll always shamelessly promote it. Since our service events are one time, it is easy to get involved, no matter what your schedule. We accept new members every semester, and we accept everyone as long as they fulfill the requirements (which include 20 hours of community service a semester). It's a great way to give back and to meet some great people."
]]> Mon, 27 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.apo.org/join/memberstory/madisonmellish Sam Lustgarten http://www.apo.org/join/memberstory/tytuswalker Brother Sam Lustgarten honored for an excellent Mental Health Scholarship Fund

Sam Lustgarten, Epsilon Xi Chapter '07 at Colorado State Univershity in Fort Collins, became an advocate for suicide prevention after dealing firsthand with the death of a friend. 

Brother Lustgarten coped with the situation by creating a scholarship benefiting undergraduate psychology students with an interest in helping people who suffer from mental health issues. As a psychology major himself, Lustgarten wanted to draw attention to the subject of suicide prevention.
 
"There's hope for people who are suffering, and there's hope for people who can help these people," said Brother Lustgarten. "We're always going to remember those who have passed, and at the same time, we're never going to stop fighting for them. Always remember, never surrender."
  
Created on April 19, 2010, the Always Remember, Never Surrender Scholarship provides support to students who are pursuing human service professions and making contributions to their communities. To date, the scholarship fund has collected more than $21,000 through donations.

The Jed Foundation, a national organization working to reduce emotional distress and prevent suicide among college students, awarded Lustgarten the 2011 Jerry Greenspan Student Voice of Mental Health Honorable Mention. This award was created to honor students who raise awareness and encourage dialogue about mental health issues on their campuses and in their communities.

Brother Lustgarten graduated in May 2011, with a bachelor's degree in psychology and is currently a graduate student at Colorado State University studying applied social psychology. His career goals include counseling psychology or public service.

For more information about Brother Lustgarten and the Always Remember, Never Surrender Scholarship, visit www.alwaysrememberscholarship.com.
]]> Thu, 21 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.apo.org/join/memberstory/tytuswalker Rosie Nelson http://www.apo.org/join/memberstory/rosienelson Brother Rosie Nelson honored for volunteer excellence by Deborah Bryant, the first lady of Mississippi.
 
Brother Rosie Nelson, Gamma Gamma '03, was selected by the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service (MCVS), in coordination with the Office of the Govenor and First Lady Deborah Bryant, as a 2012 Govenor's Initiative for Volunteer Excellence (GIVE) Award honoree.

Rosie was presented in the inaugural award for Outstanding Service by a National Service Participant at the GIVE Awards luncheon on April 16 at the Mississippi Museum of Art.The GIVE Awards celebrate ordinary people in Mississippi doing extraordinary things to improve lives and communities across the state.

Rosie Nelson joined Gamma Gamma Chapter at the University of California at Berkeley in 2003. She later transferred to the University of Mississippi where she revived Epsilon Omega Chapter. She continues to serve Epsilon Omega as an advisor. In addition, Rosie is a member of APO's Service Committee as the Region 7 Representative. 

Outside of APO, Rosie serves as an AmeriCorps VISTA member with the North Mississippi VISTA Project at the University of Mississippi. Her position helps the UM School Of Engineering to develop service-related initiatives and to provide support to faculty developing service-learning coursework. In addition to VISTA and Alpha Phi Omega, Rosie currently volunteers with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and 4-H in Lafayette County.
  
Congratulations Brother Nelson!
]]> Thu, 21 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.apo.org/join/memberstory/rosienelson Amanda Below & Andi Maddox http://www.apo.org/join/memberstory/amandabelow University of Virginia Brothers Receive Davis Projects for Peace Grant
Original article written by Matt Kelley, University of Virginia

Brother Amanda Below (left), Theta '09 at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, and her project partner, Brother Andi Maddox (right), Theta '09 received a $10,000 Davis Projects for Peace Grant for their El Agua es Vida (Water is Life) proposal. 

This grant will help Brother Below and Brother Maddox create a health education and water filtration program in San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala, a rural lakeside community. The young women are already familiar with the area, having spent time in the community last summer during a study-abroad trip offered through the UVAGuatemala Initiative. 

Brother Below said, "We applied for this grant in hopes of continuing our partnership in Guatemala and to return to the community with a tangible response to the concerns and priorities addressed in the community assessment conducted last summer."

The young women will collaborate with local health promoters, based on previous filtration projects in the lake basin. They plan to implement an education program for Guatemalans on water purification and hygiene. The courses will have a minimal fee and will conclude with the
installation of a water filter in participants' homes. The UVAGuatemala Initiative has set aside a supply of filters for use in the Lake Atitlán communities.

Congratulations to Brothers Below and Maddox!
]]> Mon, 27 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.apo.org/join/memberstory/amandabelow Submit A Story http://www.apo.org/join/memberstory/memberstorysubmission
 
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