Fast forward to the first week of sophomore year of college. I was featured in a diversity exhibit in the student union. My picture was HUGE as you can see.
So, I'm at this exhibit with my parents and Genevieve, my sister. We're enjoying ourselves and talking to Eileen, the Dean of Students. My mom in her usual fashion is taking a bunch of pictures of the event. Dr. Ray, the esteemed presid
ent of the university who I talk to on a frequent basis comes over to talk to me. I ask how his three kids are doing and look at the little wallet size photos and commenting on how cute they are and exchanging pleasantries with one another. This continues until he brings up the student government. His "personal hope" for me is to be on the student government. I respond by saying that this was flattering. Dr. Ray responds by saying, he really wants me to do it. In addition to him, a handful of administrators asked me to be on student government association (SGA). So, not only do I have the administration saying I should do this; I now have my parents wanting me to do this. Oh, and I forgot, my very good friend and role model, Hannah is pushing me also. My parents and I went out to dinner after the exhibit and you bet we talked about SGA. I get home from dinner and I don't know what to do. I was hesitant for several reasons.The first reason was that it was a time commitment. Did I have time and for that matter, energy to do this?
The second reason is a bit more complicated to explain. See, in the past my peers have ignored me and to be honest, I never really liked them. But these were the Elmhurst students. I had them on very high pedestals. I loved them. I wanted to keep them on pedestals. I knew that someday they would have to be tested. It was inevitable. This election would test if they thought I was good enough to lead them despite my physical condition. Good enough. Pretty scary words.
Those were the two major reasons that I just did not want to be on that ballot. So, it's two days until the election. I would have to get 50 signatures in twenty four hours and write a 75 word personal statement. I thought about it that night. As I was falling asleep, one of my last thoughts included the question, why would God put this many people in my life pushing me to do this? Especially a peer.
I woke up the following morning and the first thought that pops into my head is: I have to get those fifty signatures! I go get that application with fifty blank lines on it. I was going to get those signatures! First, I asked my literature class to sign by asking them before class began. They all signed the petition. It got me to thirty something signatures. Then I went to the Frick Center which is our student union. Not only did people sign the petition, they gave me genuine words of encouragement. I called my mom to tell her that I had gotten thirty something signatures. She was surprised that I had decided to do it and encouraged me. By 5:30, I had gotten 50 signatures. This was a big confidence booster. My next task was to write a personal statement. My personal statement was:
Acceptance and unity are the words that come to mind when I think of Elmhurst College. I think of acceptance because from when I arrived, I was accepted despite my appearance. When I serve on the Association, I want to give that feeling of acceptance back to students. Unity comes to mind because while we are diverse, we have goals that unite us. When I serve, I will enforce these two essential feelings on campus. Now, that's a personal statement!
I did get elected.
A few hours after I knew I got elected, I get a knock on the door and it is Jake, a Lamba Chi (a fraternity) and an icon on SGA. Thankfully, I was still dressed appropriately to see a guy. I let him in my room and I am thinking what? He starts telling me about the drama that SGA has had. To be truthful, I was hesitant even after I was elected. I am a girl who is all heart and don't want to be hurt by the game of politics. Trust me, it may only be college but you bet people play games and such. Jake stopping by didn't help this feeling of hesitancy. The last thing I need is more drama in my life but, I must say it's wonderful for blog purposes.
I ended up really enjoyed the first meeting. I felt quite empowered. This is the time where I have to confess something. I have always wanted to be on student government. Yea, I know. It isn't like me to wait for people to push me towards my dreams but I had the right people steering me in the right direction. So, I really wish I could hug that little 6th grader in that purple Gap sweatshirt and promise that everything was going to be all right because her dream never really disappeared.
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Stories That I Just Have to Tell:
We have a program for cognitively challenged young adults at Elmhurst. The student body gladly accepts these students. There is one student in particular that has a place in our hearts, his name is Andrew. He can sit at any table at lunch because everyone makes room for Andrew. All of us watch out for him since he's Andrew and loved by all. Well, Friday night Elmhurst's Union Board is hosting a comedian and I decide to go. I get there and park myself in a great spot, all ready to go, going to be a great show. I see Andrew there which is very common. I'm sitting a few rows behind Andrew. The comedian starts to do his thing. Andrew spontaneously decides to leave which is completely normal. We're used to this. The comedian starts making fun of Andrew for leaving the show so early not knowing about Andrew. We all start laughing because of the comedian's complete blindness to the situation. It was our way of saying, you idiot, he's our Andrew. Eventually, the Union Board president runs up there and explains Andrew's situation. I thought that this showed that the students knew the situation well enough to be able to laugh at a genuinely funny thing that has happened. I think it increased our acceptance of Andrew even more. I hope this short story is taken in the right manner, we were not laughing at Andrew in any way, we were laughing at the comedian's ignorance.
So, here's another elevator story. I stepped into the elevator that already had a passenger in it. The passenger was a woman-probably a professor. It is about 4:00. Here is our dialogue:
Passenger: Going to class?
Me: Yes.
Passenger: I'm done with my classes. You must have a late class.
Me: Yes. Passenger: I'm better off than you.
Me: Yes.
Passenger: Oh God, I didn't mean it that way (referring to my physical situation), sorry.
I'm thinking, really, it's OK to say that. I knew exactly what she was referring to. We are so politically correct in this nation. Now that I look back on it, it was really funny!
The beginning of the school year started off with a bang! This particular bang has made me love my friends and Elmhurst and in Minnesota even more. My friends in Minnesota were checking in on me during this process. My friends at Elmhurst do deserve a lot of recognition for seeing past everything and saying that not only do they love me, they want me to lead them as a representative in student government. This student body is truly amazing.
Your Student Government Representative,
Hannah!
P.S. Do you like the new layout and color scheme of my blog? I chose pink and white because those are the colors of Phi Mu and colors of success to me.
P.S.S. My mother and father put up with my indecisiveness constantly, I want to thank them for always being supportive no matter what.
