Below is a submission by our 2012 Community Service Grant Recipient:
"My name is Stephanie and I am the Chief Executive Assistant for FISH (Fellowship for International Service & Health). I am also a member of ALD|PES, and I applied for the Community Service Grant on behalf of FISH last year. As a freshman at UCLA, I was fortunate enough to find two awesome student organizations dedicated to community service, Alpha Lambda Delta/Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society and FISH (Fellowship for International Service and Health). FISH is a completely student-run 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded at UCLA. Every other Saturday, we send three cars full of our trained members to a small village in Mexico called Maclovio Rojas, and we set up a free health clinic in a local marketplace. Our members perform BMI calculation, blood pressure, and other clinical services, as well as give consultations to provide health advice and free medications and vitamins. We are consistently looking to expand the efficacy and variety of services we can offer the people of Maclovio Rojas, which of course, requires funding. In that search, I reached out to the officers of ALD|PES and applied for a Community Service Grant I heard about through email. When I met with the officers in person, they were so enthusiastic about FISH's mission and what they could do to help out. The money graciously provided by ALD|PES was put towards a large clinic trip during the Spring called "La Clinica." In addition to the regular services we offer, we were able to bring down a physician to perform additional check-ups and prescriptions. On behalf of everyone in FISH and the people of Maclovio Rojas, I'd like to sincerely thank ALD|PES for their contribution towards our work."
Friday, October 19, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Reading to Kids on May 12, 2012
This past Saturday I participated in Reading to Kids for my very first time. I volunteered at White Elementary School, and enjoyed the (bumpy) bus ride and the lovely scenes as we drove through Los Angeles. I rarely leave campus so enjoyed seeing sights like the La Brea Tar Pits, many parks, and a few museums. I chatted with some volunteers about what the experience would be like and I realized that kindergarteners were one of the rowdiest groups of kids -- Uh-Oh, I had chosen kindergarteners! This worry was still in the back of my mind as I went to the new volunteer orientation and had breakfast with others who were also volunteering with kindergarteners. Our book was Larry Gets Lost in Los Angeles, by John Skewe, which is about a dog Larry who travels to Los Angeles with his owner and friend Pete. The two get lost and Larry tries to find Pete while venturing through the bustling city of LA. The arts and crafts project we decided to have the kids work on was to have them draw maps and pictures of their favorite places.
My reading partner was Michelle, and we worked very well with each other. The three kindergarteners we had were Stephanie, Alex, and John. Stephanie was a very bright, friendly, and enthusiastic girl, and she was always asking us questions and answering our questions about the book. Alex was a very shy but engaging kindergartener, and I remember his face with a constantly shy smile as we went through the book. John was the one who made this experience very memorable because midway through the book he began to scoot his chair away from the table and giggle. Michelle and I, and Stephanie too, gave him friendly invites back to the group so that he can finish the book with us. But, John kept his distance, and he moved further and further away. And then, his giggles turned to silent tears! Michelle and I were very surprised. We had definitely included him in our discussion as best as we could, so we did not understand why he was so sad. So, Stephanie, Alex, Michelle and I brought over the book and activities to John, so that he sensed that we wanted him included in the activities. This brightened him up almost immediately, and he was back to his old self! We were able to finish the book and move on to the arts and crafts activity with all three kids happy and satisfied!
This was an unexpected turn of events, but I did enjoy reading with these bright kids! And, I would love to read to kindergarteners again next month when I go!
My reading partner was Michelle, and we worked very well with each other. The three kindergarteners we had were Stephanie, Alex, and John. Stephanie was a very bright, friendly, and enthusiastic girl, and she was always asking us questions and answering our questions about the book. Alex was a very shy but engaging kindergartener, and I remember his face with a constantly shy smile as we went through the book. John was the one who made this experience very memorable because midway through the book he began to scoot his chair away from the table and giggle. Michelle and I, and Stephanie too, gave him friendly invites back to the group so that he can finish the book with us. But, John kept his distance, and he moved further and further away. And then, his giggles turned to silent tears! Michelle and I were very surprised. We had definitely included him in our discussion as best as we could, so we did not understand why he was so sad. So, Stephanie, Alex, Michelle and I brought over the book and activities to John, so that he sensed that we wanted him included in the activities. This brightened him up almost immediately, and he was back to his old self! We were able to finish the book and move on to the arts and crafts activity with all three kids happy and satisfied!
This was an unexpected turn of events, but I did enjoy reading with these bright kids! And, I would love to read to kindergarteners again next month when I go!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Laser Tag :)
On last Saturday (4/28), 8 other ALDPES officers and members and I had great fun playing laser tag games in UltraZone in Sherman Oaks. Before heading to UltraZone, I had no ideas what laser tag was. However, since I know ALDPES social events must be fun, and I've also finished all the midterms, so I decided to RSVP for this activity.
We were late because of the traffic, so we waited for awhile before we went into the room where we played laser tag. When I went into the room, I was surprised to see a lot of kids (well, this made me feel kind of old and, thus, embarrassed haha) because I thought I would see teens instead of kids, literally kids of like 8 or 9 years old. But it didn't matter because we all just wanted to have fun (and gun, for "shooting" people haha)!! We went through a 15-minute instruction before starting the game. The rules are no people are allowed to run, no unsportsmanship, etc. After listening to the instruction, we headed to the game finally! We were divided into 3 teams - team red, team blue, and team yellow. We were team red, and of course, we shot people from other teams. I felt really good because I could finally relax (and release my inner child) after stressing out during the midterm weeks! I couldn't care less about getting the lowest score on my team, I had so much fun shooting around and this is the most important since I could escape from my notes and homework.
I have just signed up for Jump Sky High. Hope to see you guys there! :)
We were late because of the traffic, so we waited for awhile before we went into the room where we played laser tag. When I went into the room, I was surprised to see a lot of kids (well, this made me feel kind of old and, thus, embarrassed haha) because I thought I would see teens instead of kids, literally kids of like 8 or 9 years old. But it didn't matter because we all just wanted to have fun (and gun, for "shooting" people haha)!! We went through a 15-minute instruction before starting the game. The rules are no people are allowed to run, no unsportsmanship, etc. After listening to the instruction, we headed to the game finally! We were divided into 3 teams - team red, team blue, and team yellow. We were team red, and of course, we shot people from other teams. I felt really good because I could finally relax (and release my inner child) after stressing out during the midterm weeks! I couldn't care less about getting the lowest score on my team, I had so much fun shooting around and this is the most important since I could escape from my notes and homework.
I have just signed up for Jump Sky High. Hope to see you guys there! :)
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Hiking Day!
So on April 22, which was a Sunday, I participated in my
first ALDPES event! We decided to go hiking near the observatory at Griffith
Park. I was really excited because, being from San Diego, I haven’t really
explored any of the Los Angeles hiking areas. Also, I was ready to get to know
some new people!
I met a few girls on the way up and we ended up talking about
majors and careers the whole way. The hike went by so quickly just because we
were so in to our conversations. We had lunch at the top after taking tons of
pictures with the Hollywood sign and the rest of LA in the background.
Unfortunately, it was a smoggy day, so we weren’t able to see the ocean or
anything super far away. However, the weather was pleasant enough!
On the way back down, we ended up taking the completely
wrong trail! We went a pretty good distance without anyone noticing, which I
guess is good because it probably meant everyone was having a good time talking
with their friends. We had to walk all the way back up to get to the right
place again! It ended up being fine though, and we finally made it to the cars!
Our car took the scenic route through Hollywood back to the dorms, which was
totally awesome.
All in all, a great day!!!
-Ariana
Monday, April 30, 2012
ALDPES Hiking 4/22/12 :)
Last Sunday (April 22, 2012 a.k.a. Earth Day) a few of ALDPES's members went hiking in Griffith Park. We loaded up the cars and drove to the base of our destination (after a few wrong turns here and there courtesy of google maps) and proceeded to hike to the top of the mountain/large hill formation. It was quite the grueling experience as the sun finally decided to show itself after hiding behind gloomy clouds all morning, but it was also a time to bond as members exchanged stories as usual. There were quite a few steep areas to overcome but we finally made it. We saw the Hollywood sign from a distance and took our pictures with it (regardless of how far it was from us, it was still the Hollywood sign and that was enough for us...). We continued our trek up the mountain, remembering to keep hydrated and protected from the sun's harsh UV rays with plenty of water and sunscreen.
After finally making it up to the top of the mountain, we all settled down for lunch, had a good time, and take a group photo. It was then time for the downwards descent. We were all relieved that we wouldn't be walking uphill anymore. But just as my friend Joyce and I were discussing how we were happy about not having to walk uphill, someone realized that we had gone down the wrong path. A collective sigh went through the group as we prepared to walk back up. We made it back to our lunch area and proceeded to go down the right path this time. There were a few close calls here and there as people nearly tripped over rocks and the sheer steepness of some areas (I was one of them of course). We made it back down and got loaded up in our respective cars, enjoying the amazing feeling of cool AC air on our sun-kissed skin after walking under the intense heat of the sun.
It was my first time hiking and I definitely had a good time. I felt good about myself (a feeling which continued throughout the day as my friend and I enjoyed Yogurtland, an amazing treat, after our hike...) and accomplished. I would recommend those who haven't gone hiking or seen the Hollywood sign or even been outdoors in a while to go on the next ALDPES hiking trip.
There's a bonfire coming up in a couple of weeks and more fun activities (check out the facebook page for event updates); looking forward to seeing you guys there! Until next time :)
P.S. Sunscreen really does make a difference....
After finally making it up to the top of the mountain, we all settled down for lunch, had a good time, and take a group photo. It was then time for the downwards descent. We were all relieved that we wouldn't be walking uphill anymore. But just as my friend Joyce and I were discussing how we were happy about not having to walk uphill, someone realized that we had gone down the wrong path. A collective sigh went through the group as we prepared to walk back up. We made it back to our lunch area and proceeded to go down the right path this time. There were a few close calls here and there as people nearly tripped over rocks and the sheer steepness of some areas (I was one of them of course). We made it back down and got loaded up in our respective cars, enjoying the amazing feeling of cool AC air on our sun-kissed skin after walking under the intense heat of the sun.
It was my first time hiking and I definitely had a good time. I felt good about myself (a feeling which continued throughout the day as my friend and I enjoyed Yogurtland, an amazing treat, after our hike...) and accomplished. I would recommend those who haven't gone hiking or seen the Hollywood sign or even been outdoors in a while to go on the next ALDPES hiking trip.
There's a bonfire coming up in a couple of weeks and more fun activities (check out the facebook page for event updates); looking forward to seeing you guys there! Until next time :)
P.S. Sunscreen really does make a difference....
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
ALDPES Reading to Kids 4/14/12 :)
Reading to Kids is an amazing and fun program that ALDPES participates in on every second Saturday of the month where members get the opportunity to travel to White and Esperanza Elementary Schools and read to children. Transportation's provided! The bus rides are bumpy but generally amusing and you get to know your fellow ALDPES members as you swap stories of your reading to kids experience and daily life in general.
This past Saturday (4/14/12) I had the chance to go to Esperanza Elementary School and read to kindergarteners with my friend Divya Gupta as my reading partner. Once we got to the school and were debriefed as to what to do, we were given our group of children. These 4 and 5 year-olds got me from the get go with their cute smiles and spunky attitudes. We finally reached the classroom and I went to sit on the carpet with the book we were going to read to them, Little Night Owl by Divya Srinivasan (yes she and my friend had the same name), as Divya got supplies out.
As I was getting ready to read, one of the little boys, Ethan, came up to me and sat really close to me and I thought "awww, he really wants to listen to the story!" But this adorable little boy kept coming closer and started to pull on my braids (why I wore braids that day is beyond me....) in various directions and wouldn't let go of me. Another boy, Blutee, soon followed Ethan's lead and full-on tackled me and the two boys together succeeded in sending me flying backwards. I was laughing and having a good time while in shock at the fact that I had just been attacked by two 4 year-olds. I didn't mind being attacked until one of their elbows was pressing down on my throat and my air supply was compromised. With the kids finally off me, I decided it was time to start reading. (There was a whole ordeal involving name tags in which we weren't sure if the names that the kids told us were really their own or each other's...) Divya and I finally got them to sit down for a little bit and I started to read this simple but lovely tale about an owl visiting his little woodland creature friends at night. As I read, some of the kids would wander off while others attentively listened. One of the boys, adorable and shy little Edwin, primarily spoke only Spanish and I realized that I actually remembered quite a bit of Spanish from high school. Another one of the boys, Jorge, did a good job in helping to get Ethan and Blutee to behave and was quite mature for his age. At one point, Divya was also brutally attacked by these energetic munchkins as I repeatedly pulled Ethan off of her. After reading the story, we had crafts time where we built little fences out of popsicle sticks and drew little owls to perch on them (well, the kids colored materials while I got rubber cement and glue all over my hands and made a mess of myself). Divya and I had the situation under control.
Towards the end of the session, Ethan and Blutee needed to go to the bathroom and so I went with them to prevent them from getting into anymore shenanigans. Poor Ethan couldn't reach the sink or soap (it took a while to convince him to even wash his hands in the first place...) and so I had to go into the boys' bathroom and lift him up to the sink as he washed his hands. Meanwhile, Blutee had come into the bathroom again and stood underneath the hand dryer. Up until now, he had had his hoodie on so I hadn't noticed his mohawk until I looked over and he was standing underneath the hand dryer happily saying "Looooook!! My hair's flying!!" Both boys and I exited the bathroom only to find one of the girls Belinda waiting outside. I was surprised and asked her "Belinda! What are you doing here?? Does Divya know you're here!?" She just shook her head and started running off to play on some statues that were in the middle of the courtyard and the boys proceeded to follow her. It took a good 5 minutes to convince them to stop climbing the statues and come back with me as we raced back to the classroom. Div and I were already late bringing them back. We finally got everyone back in the classroom, handed out their prize books (books that they receive at the end of each reading session to add to their libraries at home), and took them back to the main hall. Some crafts had fallen apart on our way back so while everyone else was attentively paying attention to someone speaking, I was fiddling with tape and trying to fix the kids' crafts which was an interesting task. They soon all left to get picked up by their parents. Divya and I just looked at each other and high-fived each other on handling energetic seven 4 (or 5) year-olds.
We had a fun bus ride back (after missing it once or twice since we hadn't reached the bus stop in time) and there was storytelling galore. I had a really fun time running around like a child again and I definitely want to participate in this program again! :)
This past Saturday (4/14/12) I had the chance to go to Esperanza Elementary School and read to kindergarteners with my friend Divya Gupta as my reading partner. Once we got to the school and were debriefed as to what to do, we were given our group of children. These 4 and 5 year-olds got me from the get go with their cute smiles and spunky attitudes. We finally reached the classroom and I went to sit on the carpet with the book we were going to read to them, Little Night Owl by Divya Srinivasan (yes she and my friend had the same name), as Divya got supplies out.
As I was getting ready to read, one of the little boys, Ethan, came up to me and sat really close to me and I thought "awww, he really wants to listen to the story!" But this adorable little boy kept coming closer and started to pull on my braids (why I wore braids that day is beyond me....) in various directions and wouldn't let go of me. Another boy, Blutee, soon followed Ethan's lead and full-on tackled me and the two boys together succeeded in sending me flying backwards. I was laughing and having a good time while in shock at the fact that I had just been attacked by two 4 year-olds. I didn't mind being attacked until one of their elbows was pressing down on my throat and my air supply was compromised. With the kids finally off me, I decided it was time to start reading. (There was a whole ordeal involving name tags in which we weren't sure if the names that the kids told us were really their own or each other's...) Divya and I finally got them to sit down for a little bit and I started to read this simple but lovely tale about an owl visiting his little woodland creature friends at night. As I read, some of the kids would wander off while others attentively listened. One of the boys, adorable and shy little Edwin, primarily spoke only Spanish and I realized that I actually remembered quite a bit of Spanish from high school. Another one of the boys, Jorge, did a good job in helping to get Ethan and Blutee to behave and was quite mature for his age. At one point, Divya was also brutally attacked by these energetic munchkins as I repeatedly pulled Ethan off of her. After reading the story, we had crafts time where we built little fences out of popsicle sticks and drew little owls to perch on them (well, the kids colored materials while I got rubber cement and glue all over my hands and made a mess of myself). Divya and I had the situation under control.
Towards the end of the session, Ethan and Blutee needed to go to the bathroom and so I went with them to prevent them from getting into anymore shenanigans. Poor Ethan couldn't reach the sink or soap (it took a while to convince him to even wash his hands in the first place...) and so I had to go into the boys' bathroom and lift him up to the sink as he washed his hands. Meanwhile, Blutee had come into the bathroom again and stood underneath the hand dryer. Up until now, he had had his hoodie on so I hadn't noticed his mohawk until I looked over and he was standing underneath the hand dryer happily saying "Looooook!! My hair's flying!!" Both boys and I exited the bathroom only to find one of the girls Belinda waiting outside. I was surprised and asked her "Belinda! What are you doing here?? Does Divya know you're here!?" She just shook her head and started running off to play on some statues that were in the middle of the courtyard and the boys proceeded to follow her. It took a good 5 minutes to convince them to stop climbing the statues and come back with me as we raced back to the classroom. Div and I were already late bringing them back. We finally got everyone back in the classroom, handed out their prize books (books that they receive at the end of each reading session to add to their libraries at home), and took them back to the main hall. Some crafts had fallen apart on our way back so while everyone else was attentively paying attention to someone speaking, I was fiddling with tape and trying to fix the kids' crafts which was an interesting task. They soon all left to get picked up by their parents. Divya and I just looked at each other and high-fived each other on handling energetic seven 4 (or 5) year-olds.
We had a fun bus ride back (after missing it once or twice since we hadn't reached the bus stop in time) and there was storytelling galore. I had a really fun time running around like a child again and I definitely want to participate in this program again! :)
Saturday, April 14, 2012
ALD & PES Induction Ceremony
Last night, ALD & PES held its induction ceremony for the new members of the 2011-2012 academic year in the Ackerman Grand Ballroom. I have to admit that before coming to the event, I thought I knew what to expect. For the most part, I think that all of us have been to our fair share of honors ceremonies. They're all pretty much the same, right?
Actually, it was refreshingly unique. In size alone, I was astounded. Needless to say, the turn out of both students and parents was immense. Also, we were able to enjoy the musical performance of UCLA's very own Cadenza A Cappella. Modern music at an induction ceremony? That was a nice surprise. Following this performance, we were introduced to the leaders of ALD & PES, leaders who I am sure will become our mentors and our friends over the years to come.
Next we had a quite wonderful speech given by Youlanda Copeland-Morgan. Her speech was extensive, yet at the same time it was effortlessly articulate, and many of her words still resonate with me even the next day. She spoke of the success that we all can achieve, the success we must choose for ourselves. It was all very powerful, and I think her speech offered a very inspiring message, especially for us first-year students.
After this came the history of ALD & PES, where we learned what each organization stands for (and also why we get two certificates and not just one!). The history of these organizations led right into the actual induction of the students. Here's where I was caught off guard the most: we each got to go up on stage to announce our membership into the organizations! Once we had gone through the new inductees, we got a taste of the other members' contributions; the ceremony concluded with a presentation of awards and scholarships in recognition of the efforts of our (now) fellow members. All in all, I felt that this was rather an exciting and unique ceremony that I'm glad I decided to come to (the sandwiches helped too), and I'm sincerely excited for the years to come with ALD & PES!
-Elliott Lucas
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