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Show "1 -- Continued from page 1 David Smith, director of child life and volunteer services at Primary Childrens said, the common denominator for volunteers from Westminster, is that they all bring a smile and try to make a childs day a little bit brighter. He went on to describe the students as both committed and reliable. Tille said, The students are making a difference. I try to tell them that as often as possible, but I dont think they realize how much they are doing. Tille said CCE at Westminster seeks to provide students with an outlet to or resource for those who are interested in making an impact on the community. One of the goals for CCE was to increase student learning with activities. The SLICE program has been a part of the Westminster community for the past three years and represents what the center CCE is all about, said Tille. With a number of different projects throughout the garden to dental hygiene years ranging from an education to a $1,000 dog house, SLICE encourages students to spotlight an issue, plan, then address the issue in a constructive way. SLICE gives students the opportunity to solidify and reap the benefits outlined in learning goals as a secondary effect. It fits very nicely with those goals, said Tille. Goals students can expect to work towards or with by getting involved with SLICE include: the college-wi- de . Global consciousness . Social responsibility self-motivat- ed, 0 Ethical awareness and . students refine not only their reflective abilities, but their communication skills as well. Although only a slice of students are leaders now, if you have a personal commitment to solving community able to keep commitments problems, are and have had previous community service you are welcome to apply, according to the SLICE web site. Its hard for me to not want to be a part of SLICE, said Tille. A. Creative and reflective abilities & .jtL- - W Global consciousness is obtained by encouraging students to engage in their community outside college walls. The projects students work on involve diverse members of the community. A sense of social responsibility fostered through the students embark communal on. same engagement An ethical awareness is harbored through some of the dilemmas students face and the choices they will have to make as a result. And by writing a reflection piece at the end of the term, on-camp- us is .A A V Senior Amanda Ruiz brings SLICE to life Student activist encourages others to serve the community Laurel McLane StaffWriter The Center for Civic Engagement, at Westminster, the Social Science Club, Girl Scouts of the USA, the Salt Lake City Rape Recovery Center This is just a taste ofwhat Westminster senior Amanda Ruiz has undertaken in her four years at Westminster College. Her service and activism both on and off campus is dizzying, but extremely admirable, says Westminster Professor Kim Zarkin. But for Ruiz, her involvement is simply an oudet for her passion making a difference in the lives of others. V-D- ay V-D- ay At the end of her freshman year a friend approached Ruiz about getting involved with the Westminster Committee. Her eagerness to become active on her new campus led her to immediately accept the opportunity. She began in Aug. 2007, the beginning of her sophomore year, as the publicity chair for the Committee. That first year was an incredible experience. I just learned - Background Ruiz grew up in the small Colorado town of Franktown, population 120. During her senior year of high school, Ruiz received Westminster College scholarship information in the mail and immediately began learning more about the school. I loved the small campus and the honors program, and so I decided to attend. Ive never once regretted my decision. During her sophomore year, with the deadline to declare a major fast approaching, Ruiz decided to take her own route and mold her academic interests together to form a Spanish &. Latin American Studies major one that had not officially existed at Westminster before Ruizs presence. In fact, only one or two students had ever completed this contractual major in the past. Through her persistence, the College recognized that there was an interest in the subject, and Ruiz worked with faculty and administration to create an official Spanish &, Latin American Studies major. I spent a horrifying time getting it past a bunch of committees, Ruiz says. But it was well worth it. I love interdisciplinary work being able to apply knowledge learned from one class to many others. Ruiz is currendy finishing a double major and plans to graduate this spring with a Bachelors Degree in Philosophy and Spanish 8c Latin American Studies, as well as an Honors degree. For more information about the Spanish & Latin American Studies major, contact Assistant Professor at 801.832.2386. DeyaniraAriza-Velasc- o ua)i iv VOLUME XUII: ISSUE 13 V-D- ay , . so much, Ruiz says. The next year Ruiz ran the program. She also started the at Westminster Committee in order to change the atmosphere at Westminster. Men should be involved in this fight, and it shouldnt be scary, she says. Committee, During Ruizs first year with the $10,700 was raised for the Salt Lake City Rape Recovery Center. The next year, proceeds increased, totaling $12,700. It was a lot of work, but it was a great experience in motivating people as well as learning how to work and adapt with such a sensitive subject, says Ruiz. This year Ruiz acted as a mentor to the new Stacy Blaylock. Ruiz was also the arts and design chair. For more information about ay at Westminster , contact V-D- ay V-M- en V-D- ay co-cha- ir, V-D- Stacy Blaylock at sjblOl 7westminstercollege.edu. Social Science Club During her freshman year, Ruiz was contacted by the founder of the Social Science Club (SSC) and asked if she was interested in restarting the program. Upon her acceptance, Ruiz became involved with publicity for the club. She was elected as Vice President her sophomore year and as President her junior year. One of the most successful projects that Ruiz was involved in during her time with the SSC was tided Swim for Sudan, The ultimate goal of the project was to start a school program in Southern Sudan, where formal schooling is nonexistent. The SSC funded efforts to send school supplies to villages in the region with the knowledge that the more educated the youth are, the less likely they are to become soldiers in the civil war. $8,200 was raised during a fundraising swim that took place on a morning that turned up two feet of snow in the city. We knew we had to go anyway, and people actually showed up! It was one of those moments that make you if'fifttKMi. Wrtnri really believe in what youre doing, Ruiz says. Other projects that Ruiz has been involved in with the SSC include Chocolate for Children, Two Dollar Challenge and Darfur Dye-I- n. For more information about the Social Science Club, contact Raquel Gabbitas at ragll05westminstercollege. edu. Center for Civic Engagement Ruiz became involved with the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) after a friend mentioned a job opening. Ruiz says she signed up without hesitation. During her junior year Ruiz worked doing publicity and planning service projects. This year she runs the program Student Leaders In Civic Engagement (SLICE). Im so excited to have the opportunity to run SLICE, says Ruiz. Im feeling my own undergrad mortality, and I want to make sure that activism stays alive on the Westminster campus. Ruiz says that SLICE has allowed her the opportunity to pass on knowledge and mentor students who will play a major role in shaping the future of the College. The Next Phase As for Ruizs future, she plans to attend law school in the fall of 2010. Although she has not yet chosen a school, she plans to receive a J.D. (a professional doctorate and first professional degree in law) and a masters degree in womens studies. Although Ruiz seems to have succeeded in her mission to increase service and activism among Westminster students, its safe to say that her physical presence on campus will be missed. There will never be another Amanda, says Kayla Conover from the background of Walker 1, home of the CCE. Conover has been working for the CCE for several semesters and will be running the SLICE program next year. Ruiz replied with a smile, Change is good, change is good. For more information about the CCE and the SLICE program, visit www.westminstercollege.educivic engagement. O J |