SPRING 2009

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Pop Quiz

We asked Embry-Riddle students: Why do you volunteer?

KRISTINA HUTCHINS

Hometown:
Dover, N.H.
Major:
Aviation Meteorology, Daytona Beach campus
Year:
Junior
Involvement:
American Meteorological Society - At Science Day every year I teach children about weather safety.
Relay For Life Club - I co-led a committee that raised $22,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Silver Wings – I do highway and beach clean-ups, volunteer at a children's shelter, and raise money for Ronald McDonald Fund, Cellphones for Soldiers, and anything else happening.
When did you start?
Getting involved was definitely gradual. I have always been a shy person and I learned to overcome that when I started taking leadership roles for community service. I love helping others and seeing progress or change in community because I made a difference. I started becoming more involved with cancer events as I got older. Two grandparents, a family friend, and my Big Sister from the Big Brother & Big Sister program died of cancer. Cancer has been a huge part of my life. I actually grew my hair out for three years and just recently cut it off to donate to Wigs for Kids.
What’s the greatest challenge facing our generation?
I sometimes see a lack of involvement in community service. We have become very busy with our day-to-day lives. To contribute, people just donate money or things, not necessarily their time. In order to be a successful leader and take leadership roles, you have to donate your time and energy.

ALEX CARNES

Hometown:
Hilsboro, Ore.
Major:
Space Physics, Prescott campus
Year:
Sophomore
Involvement:
Big Brothers, Big Sisters program of Yavapai County, Arizona
When did you start?
In my sophomore year in high school, I was the class president and because of that I was required to do volunteer work. Afterwards, though, I continued to do volunteering through school and our wrestling program. I am involved because I want to see man at its best. By volunteering, I am contributing to something greater than myself. My volunteerism was gradual, but being in BBBS was a big step. I am surprised I didn’t do it sooner.
What’s the greatest challenge facing our generation?
It seems that our generation is very focused on themselves. They feel a sense of entitlement and cannot face the challenges of life. They believe life is supposed to be fair, which just is not the case.
AMY LUCKETTE
Hometown: Canastota, N.Y.
Major: Engineering Physics, Daytona Beach campus
Year: Freshman
Involvement:
  • Volunteer Network – I’m the special events coordinator
  • Student Government Association – I’m the student representative for the College of Arts and Sciences
  • First Generation Club
  • Alpha Xi Delta
  • Society of Women Engineers
When did you start?
I got involved to be a part of something that could make a difference in other people’s lives. I put all of my energy into my classes and goals of maintaining a high GPA, but I was forgetting how important it was to help others obtain their goals. We are all working to improve the same planet, so the goal to plant a tree, take a break from raising a child, or help the elderly are all just as important as the goals we have as students to obtain our degrees.
What’s the greatest challenge facing our generation?
Unraveling our country’s economic mistakes of the past, while taking preventive measures for the future will be our generation’s greatest challenge.

BRETT WATTS

Hometown:
Norco, Calif.
Major:
Global Security and Intelligence Studies, Prescott campus
Year:
Sophomore

Involvement:
Big Brothers, Big Sisters program of Yavapai County, Arizona
When did you start?
I have been volunteering from a really young age. My induction into it has been gradual, beginning with following the examples set by my parents and mentors. I have participated in Air Force Junior ROTC, San Bernardino County Sheriff volunteers division, Boy Scouts, and community organizations. Because I feel it is an able-bodied person’s responsibility to assist those who are unable to assist themselves.
What’s the greatest challenge facing our generation?
To overcome our instinct to live a self-centered life. We have been raised to believe that everything is a competition, not a group effort.

DANIELLE SANDS

Hometown:
Pembroke Pines, Fla.
Major:
Computer Engineering, Daytona Beach campus
Year:
Senior
Involvement:
  • Air Force ROTC - Vice wing commander
  • Relay for Life – President and event chair
  • Eagle Wing - President
  • Silver Wings - Vice president
  • IEEE - Treasurer
  • Cheerleading
When did you start?
I started volunteering in middle school at my local church but my volunteering really started in high school when I had to complete a minimum number of hours for the National Honor Society. After volunteering at the local veterans hospital, I decided this was going to be something I make time for in my life. It was an amazing feeling to give just a couple hours to those people who fought for our freedom. Some of them had no family and friends, and it was so fulfilling to sit and hear their stories. I began to get very involved in the American Cancer Society, because when I was a high school freshman my godmother was on her death bed from cancer.
What’s the greatest challenge facing our generation?
I think our generation will have a big problem with being thankful for what we have, because life is so much faster now with technology. We need to remember what our grandparents and great-grandparents went through and be grateful for what we have. I think family values will continue to stretch thin and I hope our generation does not get caught up in work and success and forget about family.

Interviews by Heather Owen, a senior majoring in Communications at the Daytona Beach campus