An Advocate for Community by Caralyn

An Advocate for Community by Caralyn - July 2018 Scholarship Essay

Education and success should always be the primary focus for a student, but the environment of a college is what attracts potential freshman. When I was applying for my university, I made an instant decision to attend it when I was met with kindness and a safe environment shown by the people on campus. The community there before and after I began my education, continued to be a place full of new experiences and relationships. I desire that first and lasting impression of a quality college community to be continued at this university for other incoming students. If I could impact my campus in one positive way, it would be to promote community on campus.
My university is a melting pot of culture and diversity that makes my campus alluring. I want to unite the students by holding more events to represent the different cultures and beliefs that make up the student body. Incoming freshmen play the biggest role in the change of demographics on campus, and they should be represented! However, an easy trap that freshmen can fall into the first year of college is to stay unconnected and not being involved. Campus clubs and organizations are quick to help the incoming student get connected to a community. These campus communities are not only a safe place to help students become connected, but they are also tools. The people that make an organization can help other students become more familiar with directions, events, and resources offered by the university. Community helps organize others and offers relationships that can equip students for a better educational experience.
Sororities and Fraternities do a great job of promoting community during rush when drawing new students for their households. Organizations need new and fresh students to stay alive on campus and that requires bringing new people into their groups. My campus will not have a lack of applicants, but I believe active promotions would be more helpful in bringing a wider span of diverse students to the campus. In high school, I played violin with a fantastic group of students. One class period, our teacher arranged for a small classical ensemble of instruments to play a piece for us. This ensemble group attended the school that I am now attending myself. Even though my teacher had organized this ensemble to play for us, the group was advocating their university by just being there. They were recruiting future musicians to attend this school with an amazing program! This active way of promoting education should be used as a tool to attract surrounding schools to attend college. As student body president, I would organize these promotional events for high school students to become aware of their option in education after high school. The next generation of high school seniors are the future incoming freshman that will change the diversity and community on campus. It is never to early to be an advocate for community or to represent your goals. I want to be an advocate community on my campus!