Pine Mountain Settlement School

I am currently a member of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority. Our National Philanthropy is Pine Mountain Settlement School in Harlan, Kentucky. It is a school for the community to come and learn about the area, participate in events, and attend day camps.

Over my spring break, I had the amazing opportunity to go there and volunteer my time. I spent five days there. Those five days changed my life and grew my love for Alpha Sigma Tau. I got to work with their archival work and learn more about the school, paint a farm house to host more visitors, and talk to adults who spent their lives at the amazing place.

The view and people were amazing. I cannot explain how thankful I am that I got to volunteer and experience that amazing place. Now I am counting down the days until I get to go back.

Connections Conference

Being a Leadership Advancement Scholar, I got the opportunity to travel to Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City, MI during my first semester. This was my first formal conference I have ever attended. In the past I have been to conferences where we got to dress in crazy costumes or all out in school spirit. Here I got to dress up and learn how to present myself professionally. I went to sessions that I felt I needed to improve my leadership style the most. I attended a session that was about how to manage time and add more to my plate effectively, how to include people in the group once I’m in it, and how to perform well in a job interview. Over all the point of the conference was to make connections with people around campus. I got the chance to meet people and see mutual friends! It was very interesting to see how everyone is connected in some way.

One of my roommates and I at the Connection Dinner.

Two of my Alpha Sigma Tau sorority sisters and I.

A friend and fellow Leadership Advancement Scholar from high school and I.

In addition to going to sessions to improve personal development, my LAS cohort had the chance to bond in our own sessions, rooming with one another, and going to the waterpark. We know that we are far from perfect, but we also know that each one of us will put in the effort to improve and become the best that we can be. We see room for improvement instead of the bad and we see inspiring in the good. I couldn’t imagine sharing this experience with a different group of individuals. (Side note, I won the Connections Instagram Challenge and got a Leadership Institute cup. I couldn’t be more excited).

My Leadership Advancement Cohort!