Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / Nov. 17, 2010, edition 1 / Page 18
Part of Elon University Student Newspaper / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
PAGE 18 // WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 17. 2010 STYLE the pendulum Freshman recognized for community service Caitlin O'Donnell News Editor Elon University fresliman Kendall Crouther may not have been able to spend time outside or play sports because of her asthma, but that did not stop her from pursuing her dreams - no matter the challenge. “One of the greatest gifts 1 was ever given is the wisdom that I am only limited to my imagination,” she said. “So with that bit of wisdom and my ever growing imagination, I decided as a child that 1 would change the world." Crouther was awarded one of 10 “Will to Win" scholarships, sponsored by Merck Respiratory, which recognizes exceptional high school seniors with asthma. “It was more of, despite having asthma, what I had done with my life," Crouther said. Winning the scholarship was an honor because she was chosen out of such a large applicant poo], Crouther said. “I didn’t think 1 would win, simply because 1 feel like there are so many great people out there in the world accomplishing incredible feats,” she said. “To be considered one of these people blows my mind." The scholarship aims to encourage young people with asthma to “lead active, healthy lives and pursue their dreams.” “Every ‘Will to Win’ recipient is an outstanding e.xample of the accomplishments made by people with asthma," the website for the award said. A total of 10 scholarships were awarded in the categories of community service, which Crouther entered, performing arts, visual arts, athletics and science. Crouther was encouraged to apply by her high school career center specialist, Alice Robertson, who posted scholarship lists every other week. “She advised me to see scholarship applications not as a chore, but from the perspective of opportunity costs," she said. “I spent four to five hours working on that scholarship application, which was worth $5,000, so I was earning about $1,000 an hour.” Each application required a list of accomplishments, an official high school transcript, letters of recommendation, a “story of excellence” and pictures. “I added a little extra to my scholarship application by including scrapbook pages with photos from my community service activities,” Crouther said. Some of these service activities included a trip to Cuernavaca, Mexico, where she worked with children, the elderly and a project addressing plastic waste, for which she was awarded the Gold Award, the highest Girl Scout honor. In her “story of excellence” for her application, Crouther explained that while asthma has been an obstacle in her life, it was never something she couldn’t overcome. “Instead of outdoor tea parties on pollen-infested days, I completed Girl Scout badges. Instead of running, soccer and kickball, 1 read about politics (which) later led to working for Congress on Capitol Hill," she said. “I did not let what I could not do inhibit what I could do. I said to myself that I would change the world - and I meant it, asthma or no asthma." Though she applied and was accepted to a total of seven colleges, Crouther said that after thought and prayer, she knew Elon was the school for her. “In addition to having all the academic and social programs I enjoy, it has a remarkable down-to-earth community that 1 knew I could thrive in," she said. Though college is more work than she expected and she has been homesick, she said she has enjoyed Elon since she first arrived. She is currently involved with the gospel choir, InterVarsity and Affinity Bible Studies. JUUA MURPHY I Staff PhotograMw Freshman Kendall Crouther was awarded one of 10 “Will to Win” scholarships sponsored by Merck Respiratory, which recognizes exceptional high school seniors with asthma. “Every day I get a little bit more confirmation that this is where I am supposed to be," she said. “I've already established some great, meaningful relationships with professors and friends, and I’m enjoying my classes.” Though she said she will still work to help pay for school expenses, she’ll now have to worry about $5,000 less. “1 do work, I can put the money toward studying abroad or savings for after college,” she said. According to her “Story of Excellence,” Crouther hopes to make a difference through her writing, speaking, documenting and teaching others about diversity on a global scale. “Diversity of people, of ages, of talents, and even, yes, abilities,” she said. “Because even those who are limited in life can still have a “will to win” - a will to change the world.” Semester abroad becoming more popular, up 40 percent for fall 2010 3 months more cost effective, deeper cultural experience than WinterTerm Lauren Townsend Reporter Elon University junior Meghan Shapiro is studying at Scotland’s University of St. Andrews this semester. She said wanted the opportunity to immerse herself in another country’s culture, something she would not have the time to do during a three-week Winter Term program. Like Shapiro, many students are now choosing to go abroad for a semester. Heidi White, the associate director of study abroad said that there has been a significant increase in students studying abroad for a full semester. “Semester programs are generally more cost effective,” White said. Instead of additional cost for only three weeks of travel, most semester programs cost about the same as a semester at Elon. Some students go abroad for a Winter Term and love it so much that they want a second, longer experience. White said. Going abroad for a semester sometimes offers additional opportunities , including internships and research. Students are able to take multiple courses when they go abroad for a semester and sometimes get to take courses that offer a different perspective than the same class would offer at Elon. Studying abroad has become more popular with a strong push on campus. Students want to study in more non-Western countries in places like the Middle East, and Elon is making arrangements for locations that students want to go to. With the addition of these new programs, there is something for every student who might want to go abroad for a semester. Some students worry about missing an entire semester of campus involvement. White said, but students who have gone for a semester say that it is worth it. “It’s not something they regret,” she said. Why? “You get to meet a ton of new people at the university you are studying at,” Shapiro said. “You get to experience a new culture and you get to see a new country. It’s an amazing experience." Being abroad at another university helps Elon students create friendships with students who are native to that country and students who are abroad from other countries. Winter Term programs may not offer the same opportunity, because students are abroad with other Elon students. Some students even choose to stay for a full year instead. All of the programs outside of the three Elon centre programs offer applications for a full year abroad, but most students apply for each semester individually. White said. A few students in China this semester have already expressed interest in staying for the rest of the year. An increase in students studying abroad increases the work load for staff in the study abroad office. There’s more to work with, White said, more orientations and paperwork, but it is very exciting for the study abroad office. They are starting to use students who have returned from being abroad to help students who are getting ready to go so that they can take some of the pressure off of the study abroad staff. Despite the increase in work. White said those in the Isabella Canon Centre are excited by the rise in numbers of students going abroad. “We want more students to study abroad," White said. SPRING 2011 1. Elon in London, Elon Centre, 48 students 2. Elon Centre in Italy, 25 students 3. Elon Centre in Costa Rica, 23 students 4. Dublin, Ireland, affiliate program, 12 studentrs 5. Paris, France, affiliate program. 9 students FALL 2011 1. Elon Centre in London, England, 54 students 2. Elon Centre in Florence, Italy, 45 students . Beijing, China, affiliate program, 25 students 4. Dublin, Ireland, affiliate program 24 students 5. Denmark, Copanhagen, affiliate program, 19 students SARAH BETH COSTELLO I Graphics Edito Study abroad facts • App,oxima.ely seven ou, of ,0 studentt wi. have studied abraad before graduatton. in contrast tonSn*'^'' Programs was up by 40 percent «»npetiti«, Ecotourism. Ghana, Ireland, New Zeala^Australia rec^^ 50 to eo ^ * Mon^ Oy ™ from ^
Elon University Student Newspaper
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Nov. 17, 2010, edition 1
18
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75