President’s Scholars Program Newsletter

California State University, Fullerton Spring 2015

In This Issue…

Message from the PSSA President………………...1

Service Event Timeline………….…….……………2

Giving Children Hope……………….....................2

Habitat for Humanity…………...….……………...2

Graduating Class of 2015……..………………….3-4

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LOCATION:

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Center for Scholars and Scholarships

Page 1

A message from the PSSA President As  the  spring  semester  comes  to  an  end,  I  reflect  fondly  on  my  experience  as  President.  It  has  been  an  honor  to  serve  such  a  wonderful  and  brilliant  group  of  people.  This  past  year  has  been  filled  with  life  changing  service  events  and  fun-­‐filled  socials.  

 This  semester,  we  had  the  fortune  of  fostering  a  new  partnership  with  Giving  Children  Hope,  a  local  organization  dedicated  to  alleviating  poverty  locally  and  globally.  We  were  able  to  assist  them  with  packaging  medical  supplies  to  send  internationally  as  well  as  packaging  backpacks  with  food  for  local  children.      We  also  worked  with  the  Fullerton  Arboretum  and  Habitat  for  Humanity,  along  with  many  other  organizations.  It  was                                                                                    the  Executive  Board’s  goal  to  broaden  the  range  of  service  events  we  endorsed.  I  am  happy                                                                                      to  report  that  the  President’s  Scholars  Student  Association  was  able  to  foster  five  new                                                                                partnerships  with  local  organizations  in  the  last  year  alone.  

This  semester  15  of  our  wonderful  scholars  will  graduate  and  begin  another  successful                                                                                                              chapter  of  their  lives.  We  wish  them  nothing  but  the  best  in  all  of  their  future  endeavors.                                                                                                      As  we  transition  into  the  next  school  year,  we  will  welcome  15  new  incoming  Freshman                                                                                                        Scholars  and  two  new  Veteran  Scholars  into  the  PSSA  family.  

I  am  so  excited  to  see  what  the  next  year  holds  for  the  President’s  Scholars  Program.  It  has                                                                                        been  an  incredible  privilege  serving  as  President,  and  I  wish  the  next  year’s  Executive  Board                                                                                                a  fantastic  year.  Have  a  great  summer!          -­‐Nikki  Knapp  

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February 20 Giving Children Hope

February 21 Big Brothers/Big Sisters

Campus Tours February 28

Grandma’s House of Hope

March 14 Fullerton Arboretum

March 21 COTA Collage Concert

March 28 Habitat for Humanity

April 11 Welcome to CSUF Day

April 24 Giving Children Hope

April 25 Craig Park Cleanup

May 1 Special Games

May 9 Beach Cleanup

Scholars Serving the Community Scholars Package Medical Supplies with Giving Children Hope Organization On February 20, 2015, about 20 scholars volunteered at the Giving Children Hope warehouse in Buena Park, CA. Giving Children Hope is an organization that delivers medical supplies to developing and disaster-stricken nations around the world and also provides food for local low-economic families. For several hours, the scholars helped count, organize, and package various medical supplies for Malawi. In addition, some students also assisted with cleaning up equipment for local orthopedic clinics. Freshman scholar Laura Fong said, “It was such a blessing to work this event because it was clear we were making an impact…[in] need-based places around the world!” The President’s Scholars had such a wonderful time working with the organization that the students came back to the Giving Children Hope headquarters in April and assisted them with assembling lunches for local families.

Helping With Habitat for Humanity (By Guest Writer Isabel Serrano) With the Habitat for Humanity organization we were able to

help build homes with the purpose of supporting families in need. As our crew leader stated, “our mission was to lend a hand to help families back up.” Alongside our sister program, the Guardian Scholars, we were able to help finalize homes for incoming families by

landscaping, cleaning, and painting among other activities. While helping gave us a sense of purpose, we were lucky to work alongside individuals who would be residing in the homes. The families were incredibly grateful for our help and urged us to continue volunteering as every bit of help means more than we can imagine to them. As we were able to give back to the community, we were able to do so along our peers and make new friends among the scholar community.

TIMELINE

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Issue #: [Date] Dolor Sit Amet

“I’ve had an amazing experience at CSUF filled with rewarding opportunities, lifelong friendships, and unforgettable learning experiences. All of this was because of the program and I’m honored to have been part of it and soon to be a Scholar alumna.” - Neha Ansari

“My favorite memory was a day in University 100 class when a girl sat next to me and whispered uncomfortable things to me. She’s been my best friend ever since and will be for a lot longer. P.S. It’s Neha Ansari.” –Leah Espinoza

“My favorite memory was participating in the CHOC Walk at Disneyland in my freshman year because I enjoyed walking around the park and getting to know the other scholars.” –Alison Fukano

“My favorite event in President’s Scholars is the Boys and Girls Club Christmas service project; I love seeing my fellow scholars come together to bring holiday memories for families in Fullerton.” –Linda Hoang

“My favorite memory is our Showcase because this event always reminds me that I am surrounded by very intelligent and talented Scholars who I am so lucky to know.” –Janelle Gumayagay

“While each experience was valuable and memorable, what will stick in my memory from this group of amazing people is the countless smiles and genuine care that greets you regardless of the time of day, busy schedules, and any type of stress that may be going on; this group has true character!” –Samantha Galarza

The Graduating Class of 2015 As they prepare to leave CSUF, we asked the graduating scholars to reflect on their favorite

President’s Scholars memory…

Issue #: [Date] Dolor Sit Amet

“My favorite memory would have to be the 1st time I came to the Hello/Goodbye Brunch at Mama Verne’s house in 2012 because it was this event that I got to meet everyone for the 1st time and introduce my wife and children to the President Scholar family who have been nothing but caring, supporting, and encouraging throughout my journey at CSUF.” –Michael Jenkins

“My favorite memory is when we teamed up with the Guardian Scholars to work Habitat for Humanity. I like that our program is so diverse that we can work with other groups to accomplish big things.” –Tabatha Maddox

The Graduating Class of 2015 As they prepare to leave CSUF, we asked the graduating scholars to reflect on their favorite

President’s Scholars memory…

“ I have always enjoyed the positivity of the President’s Scholars group. Whether it was attending a social event or working a service event, I always left in a better mood that when I arrived.” –Alexandra Lithgow

“What I appreciate most about President’s Scholars is the way the group members reach out to each other and form a personal community against the larger backdrop of the university. I’ve been blessed by the people I’ve come to know and by the place I’ve found for myself as part of the group.” –Hannah Martin

“I’ve enjoyed meeting some truly wonderful people in the program, and spending time with them at events like Concert Under the Stars has been particularly memorable for me.” –Cynthia Washicko

*** Not pictured: Alexis Bueno Correa, Tyler Kaplan, Jason Khoo, and Jason Sterris***