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Lauren lets us in on her outstanding experiences and work with Camp Kesem, as well on taking chances in life.
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Name: Lauren Elena McGrath (or Lo, or Minnie)
Hometown: Philly girl swag
The thing you miss most about home: My crazy fun parents (thank you JPW), amazing big sis and little bro, my pup, reality TV, & healthy food.
Major: American Studies, minor in Latino Studies
Dorm allegiance: Ryan Hall
Campus activities: Cheerleading, Camp Kesem ND
Service work: CAMP KESEM! I’m in charge of a group of ND students who run a week-long, crazy fun, free summer camp for kids whose parents have cancer. We hold fundraisers and fun events throughout the year to meet our annual fundraising goal of $65,000. We are just one chapter of a national nonprofit organization with over 40 campus chapters (and growing)!
Favorite Camp Kesem memory: Well, I’ll cheat and give you two. My favorite from camp itself would have to be my first-ever game of whipped cream wiffle ball, when the game fell apart into one huge whipped cream war. Counselors and kids alike were covered from head to toe, with the kids going wild for the chance to smear whipped cream into our hair. Hearing them laugh and jump around and be crazy is exactly why we do what we do. So many of our campers come from homes full of the hardships of parental cancer. Our campers are forced to grow up too quickly, and Camp Kesem is the one place where they get to forget about it all and just be crazy, fun, goofy kids. That’s the best part! From the fundraising end, we just hosted our first-ever Make The Magic in early February. The night consisted of a big swanky dinner and auction with performance from the Glee Club, speeches by campers and counselors, and a performance of The Penguin Song (join camp and find out!). In three short hours, we raised $22,000 – a total that smashed the standing record and blew us all away!!
How can I get involved?: Contact me at lmcgrath@nd.edu – we host fundraisers and fun bonding events all throughout the year. We’d love to have you on board!!
Favorite college memory thus far: Cheering my first football game this past fall, getting the chance to see that amazing undefeated season from the sidelines!
Post-grad plans?: Maybe San Fransisco with my sister to start a business, maybe nonprofit, maybe working for Nike, maybe more school? Does anyone really know?? Something amazing, I do know that.
Where do you see yourself in 20 years: Traveling the world with my sister and 41 years worth of crazy stories, great food, and happy memories with the people I love.
If you could change one thing about ND what would it be?: MEAL PLANS. Can a busy sista get some more flex points please???
If you could give advice for current students what would it be?: Get involved with things that are meaningful to you, otherwise they will just be commitments. And take big risks that could potentially lead to you looking really stupid or having the experience of a lifetime. Either way, you will be better for it.