“Some people think they are in community, but they are only in proximity. True community requires commitment and openness. It is a willingness to extend yourself to encounter and know the other.” -David Spangler

How is your involvement on campus, in the Chicago community, or in the greater global community reflective of your interests, passions and values?

            My involvement on campus, in the Chicago community, and in the greater global community actively reflects my interests and passion. On campus, I am involved with Christmas on Campus, which is a campus-wide event that I helped start with a small group of friends. During this event, we bring in children from Chicago Public Schools to be paired up with a Loyola student to experience a day of individualized attention and Christmas joy. Additionally, I am involved with the Chicago community. As a leader for the organization Loyola4Chicago, I am in charge of leading a group of five students to tutor children at Jordan Elementary School each week. During this time, we work one-on-one with students in order to help them develop basic literary and math skills. Lastly, I led a Global Medical & Dental Brigade to Ghana in August. While in Ghana, I led Loyola students in setting up a medical and dental clinic, where we served over 700 patients who otherwise would not have received any medical or dental care. Thus, my involvement in campus, the Chicago community, and the greater global community reflect my interests in both education and global health, along with my passion for serving children.

At this stage of your experience, you may be living off-campus as a member of the surrounding community. How will you engage with your neighbors and work to create a sense of community? As an engaged citizen, how will you use your knowledge, skills, and passions to address issues globally or in your community?

            I will engage with my neighbors continuously in order to create a sense of community. I will reach out to them in order to gain a sense of trust and friendship. I will make an effort to get to know them, and offer neighborly assistance when necessary. I will use my interpersonal skills to become an active and friendly member of my neighborhood – a person who others feel they can come to and trust. I will use my passion for serving children to create events and initiatives in order to serve the children of both our community and the greater Chicago community. Lastly, I will work to create a safe and friendly neighborhood for all members of my surrounding community.