Kayla Raab is the first student to earn a badge and has received the Rising Star Community Impact. She is a junior accounting major, a student coordinator for the Institute for Nonprofit leadership, and is a Haverlack scholar.
Kayla earned this badge by engaging in civic responsibility by executing a community event, receiving a testament of her work from a community partner, and reflecting on her experience. The event she was in charge of planning and implementing was the county-wide food drive, Stick a Fork in Hunger.
From this experience, she learned the importance of communication with diverse people of all different backgrounds, early planning and research, and outreach efficiency. Also throughout her three years of working in the Institute, she has found value in the people that she has met along the way. She said that she has "learned something different and valuable from each person and will carry those things with me for the rest of my life."
The second badge awardee is Italia Romano, a sophomore sport management major. She earned both the Rising Star Community Service and Excellence in Service badge for engaging in civic responsibility by completing 150 hours of service. She said the most valuable thing she has learned from her volunteering experiences and community service is the importance of giving every project and experience her full and undivided attention and effort.
The most rewarding and impactful community-engagement experiences for Italia were the ones involving students and athletes with disabilities. These engagements better prepared her for her future career. She now has a greater appreciation and understanding for student athletes with disabilities, many of whom are often unseen. Italia said that volunteering "is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the world around you, the people in areas you are interested in, and most importantly, to do some important self-reflecting."
Look out on our social media for upcoming badge awardees!