Spring 2017 – First Scholars

Hello First Scholars! The school year is almost over and we have some students to highlight who have accomplished a lot this year. There are extraordinary student recipients, a McNair Scholar and students who have taken exciting trips out of the country. The #22untilnone service learning project is still going strong and everyone is preparing for upcoming finals. As you read through the newsletter keep in mind all the cool things that these students are doing and how you can also accomplish something amazing this year.

McNair Scholar Coraima Yanez

Coraima is a McNair scholar! McNair Scholars is a program designed to help advance students into graduate level programs. McNair scholars conduct their own original research, write reports, make presentations and have to opportunity to attend research conferences. Coraima wants to go to graduate school for cancer biology and immunology to focus her research on helping cancer patients.

Extraordinary Student Recipients:

Congratulations to Ashley and Simran who have been named Extraordinary Students this year. The Extraordinary Student award is only given to six undergraduate students each year. First Scholars is proud to have two of them! Ashley Coleman is a junior from Colby, Kansas majoring in computer science. Simran Malhi is a junior from Overland Park majoring in computer science.

Ashley’s Trip to Japan

Ashley went to Japan over spring break. He wrote about his experiences and shared some pictures.

“I went to Tokyo, Japan over spring break. It was a awesome experience to explore a culture vastly different from my own. While in Tokyo, I did many touristy things such as visiting Shibuya Crossing and Akihabara, the electronics district of the city. I also visited 3 different shrines and 4 different parks. The shrines were beautiful and enveloped with cultural traditions. I even wrote on my own Ema and hung it next to the shrine. My favorite day during the trip was a rainy day where most people decided stay inside so the Ueno park was empty. I was able to spend the entire day alone in a large beautiful park with a number of shrines, and that was truly wonderful.” – Ashley Coleman

Dining Etiquette Workshop

The junior First Scholars participated in a dining etiquette workshop with Dr. Kevin Roberts from the Hospitality Management department. This etiquette workshop is designed to help students with their job and internship searches as many employers take prospective employees out to dinner during interviews. The students went to JP’s where they learned how to lunch professionally for all of their future business lunches.

Parent Reception

On April 22nd First Scholar parents attended a reception to celebrate the First Scholars. All parents are invited to visit. Recognition will be given to students who have excelled in academics and leadership.

Tips for Finals

Finals are coming up soon you can find some great study tips at the links below:

https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/how-to-study-for-finals?exid=7b26665f-0dd7-4563-8a2b-3f1aa0871411

25 crucial study tips for finals week

http://time.com/3854469/college-stress-exams-tips/

http://www.businessinsider.com/study-hacks-for-final-exams-2013-12

Upcoming Events

May 8th-12th Finals Week

April Birthdays

Jerrod Conley April 4th

Denisse Reyes April 4th

Ansley Herzog April 27th

Essence Rush May 1st

Karina Michel May 7th

Noah Aeillo May 13th

Montezia Shakespear May 15th

Lexie Broeker May 29th

February Newsletter

The new semester has started and the First Scholars are already on a roll with a new service learning project. We kicked off this semester with a retreat to teambuild and learn about the new project #22untilnone. This project will focus on helping veterans and brining awareness to those with PTSD.

Spring Retreat

This year’s spring retreat took place on the 21st and 22nd of January. The sophomore students learned about effective communication and attended a lecture from Dr. Goff about PTSD. These students also started planning their service learning project #22untilnone. Check out the pictures from the Sophomore retreat below.

The freshman and junior First Scholars went to their retreat on Sunday. Dr. Kliewer talked to the students about adaptive leadership and how they can use those skills in their own lives.

Service Learning Project #22untilnone

This semester the sophomore First Scholars have organized a service learning project focused on military veterans and PTSD awareness. Every month they will chalk sidewalks on campus with the #22untilnone hashtag. #22untilnone references that staggering statistic that every day twenty-two service members commit suicide each day. These chalk hashtags on campus will be put out to encourage others to look up the hashtag and learn more about PTSD and how they can help others. The sophomore students will also be helping out current service members on Fort Riley through out the semester.