Tell us about yourself:
I’m a senior majoring in environmental studies. I’m not sure what I’ll be doing after graduation, but I’m up for the adventure! Some of my favorite things include Brussels sprouts, “Send Me on My Way” by Rusted Root, the movie Matilda, authors Dan Brown and Jodi Piccoult, cheesy jokes, and people.
What is APO?
APO stands for Alpha Phi Omega, a national community service fraternity. Members get together in the spirit of brotherhood in order to serve the campus, community and nation.
What made you decide to run for president?
Becoming the president is a testimony to the encouraging atmosphere of APO. I never thought I’d be where I am today: I believed an executive board position was out of my league. I have come to realize, though, that the success of everything I do really has to do with the attitude with which I experience it. I approach my life with a “live and learn” mentality, and I can’t learn unless I try. With that in mind, I decided to run for an e-board position last year because I wanted to give back to the organization that had given me so much. I knew that the least I could do as the president was serve as an example for the rest of the chapter.
What is your favorite memory of APO?
APO often volunteers at the United Methodist Church across the street from SIS for a project called Metro House Overnight. The church houses four homeless men throughout the winter months and volunteers stay with them from 6 p.m. until 7 a.m. During my first time volunteering for this project, we had just finished dinner and I was beginning to clean up. Before I could even start, one of the men said, “Let me help. You’re not here to babysit me.” I didn’t have much detail about his circumstances, but I admired his positive outlook despite his unfortunate situation. This powerful experience made me realize that we’re all just human and we’re all in this together, as cliché as it may sound.
What kind of legacy do you want to leave with APO?
I don’t just want to do something in order to be remembered, my goal is to be remembered for representing leadership, friendship and service.
Any final words of wisdom?
Keep things in perspective: with everything going on in life, it is easy to get overwhelmed. It is my personal philosophy to take step back once in a while to remember that the only thing that’s going to live on after I’m gone is my impact—and I’m going to make it a positive one.