Chris Towns France Scholarship - 1st Place & Fellowship

Question: "Right now a moment of time is passing by! We must be that moment."
- Paul Cezanne
How does your involvement in extracurricular activities demonstrate this quote?

"We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill

There is no need to listen to music on the radio, for the sweet melodious tunes of the overpowering wind fills our ears. The engine of the new crimson convertible is effortlessly roaring, as we pick up speed. My mother is driving. A broad smile is flawlessly implanted on her countenance. I am in the passenger seat, comfortably enjoying the scenic view of the coffee colored mountains surrounding us. There is nothing more superior to the open road, eagerly awaiting our every movement.

"It will be a high of 64 and a low of 48 today, with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms throughout the evening." I awake out of bed to go shut off my ever-so informing alarm. Sigh. It was only a dream.

The unfortunate reality that has befallen upon me is that no, we’re not going on vacation any time soon. And no, we didn’t suddenly get a brand new car. In fact, my mom seems quite out of place. This is because three years ago, she passed away from pancreatic cancer.

Conversely, my overwhelming yearns for the past makes me overlook the present and future that lies ahead. Realizing that there is much to be grateful for is crucial in the course of coping with loss. An incident crammed with such a large caliber of loss allows for an influx of knowledge to arise. After witnessing death, I gained a fresh perspective on life. Everyone is dealt a certain deck of cards in life. Although you don’t have the ability to choose those cards, you do have the opportunity to decide how to play them, making you unique. If my experience with the death of my mother has proved anything to me, it is how incredibly short life is. Making the best of it by finding something you are passionate about and that makes you feel alive is crucial. For me, that has been community service. As an American citizen, it seems almost natural to be given the right to an education. However, in numerous countries, this is not the case. Last year, I volunteered at the Department of Medical Technology at my university. There, I participated in Project Have Hope, in which we recycled old ink cartridges to provide funding for poor children in Uganda who can’t afford to attend school. From the mere 25 or 50 cents received from each cartridge, we managed to send 85 students to school in 2008 alone. Due to our small efforts, a child is now getting an education he or she fully deserves.

We sip our coffee. We watch our favorite television shows. We surf the internet. And we are so far removed from the atrocities currently taking place in Darfur, Sudan. For the past year and a half, I have been a member of STAND, a student anti-genocide coalition dedicated to putting an end to genocide in Darfur. Efforts as small as writing to a local congressman can go a long way. Never underestimate the impact a few individuals who share a common goal can make in this world.

I strongly believe that we each have a moral responsibility to provide support for one another. Two summers ago, I volunteered to help out in New Orleans, Louisiana, after the destruction of Hurricane Katrina. I worked alongside people who work for both AmeriCorps and Habitat for Humanity to help insulate, paints roofs, and construct windows and frames. My love for both travel and volunteer work was magnified when I participated in an Alternative Spring Break trip through my university to Uruguay to build homes, paint playgrounds, and help out at a soup kitchen. I am also planning to go to the Ukraine this spring to volunteer in a similar program.

Although having thoroughly enjoyed my time away, I wanted to bring the opportunity of community service to those in my own backyard. A few other students and I have created a new organization on campus called Project CHANGE, which is a community service committee that helps promote the Jewish ideals of social justice. We are currently reaching out to the student body to help improve the world through various activities, including a food distribution service to the sick and elderly.

The Japanese author, Kenji Miyazawa once said, “We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey.” As human beings, we are often forced to endure tragedy in order to find such desired solace. Accordingly, my perspective on life has dilated. Hardships exist to make you stronger, and more ready to tackle on subsequent obstacles. Community Service has acted as my gateway towards a life full of journey and passion. I have certainly gained an understanding about others and a sense of human compassion.

Numerous morals and values that my mother expressed, are now embedded within me. Her spirit surely lives on in me internally. Prime Minister Winston Churchill argued that life is defined by what we give. My mother have me her influence and guidance, and I am giving the world my time and energy.

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