How I’ve grown, what I’ve learned.

     I have grown in many ways throughout this semester at Iowa State. I have learned to become more independent, by registering for my own classes, learning new study habits, learning to teach myself, and learning the ins and outs of college. I register for my own classes, which is unlike high school, where they pretty much give you the classes you're going to take. I have to think of the future and what classes will be relevant to my major and what classes are required. I also have to be punctual by not missing my registration date. I have to learn new study habits such as studying more and learning to study with distractions. I have to teach myself some things because the professor will not cover everything, and I have to study more which is a huge change for high school. I also have learned to be; better prepared, more reliable, independent, and more well-rounded. What I want to learn is how to be better prepared for a career opportunity related to Agricultural Biochemisty.

The Hixson Scholarship

     The Hixson Scholarship means a lot to me for many reasons. What is the Hixson Scholarship? The Hixson Opportunity Award is a half-tuition grant (estimated value of more than $15,000 over eight semesters) to be used at Iowa State University. One hundred high school seniors from across Iowa will receive the award each year. Each recipients will represent each county in the state.
     The Hixson Scholarship means so much to me because it identifies me in a positive way. Most people around campus know what the Hixson program is, and it is the biggest in-state privately funded scholarship in Iowa. It also means a great deal to me because of how the hixsons are treated in the hixson building, and they are treated as respected individuals with mostly all the help they can get. I also like being a hixson because of the hixson classes which are great in informing students in the necessities of college and importance of leadership.
     Some important information about Christina Hixson. Christina Hixson never had the opportunity to go to college, but thanks to her, and the Lied Foundation Trust that she administers as its sole trustee, approximately 100 young Iowans every year since 1995 have had their opportunity. And 100 young Iowans each year from now on will have theirs as well.

Social Media Week-Linkedin

     This week was social media week which means I get to go to a social site such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or Linkedin. Since I am pretty familiar with with all those except Linkedin I decided to give the Linkdin a try, which I had no idea what it was before I got there. Well what is Linkedin? LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 120 million members and growing rapidly, with users in some 200 countries since its launch in 2003. LinkedIn connects you to your trusted contacts and helps you exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities with a broader network of professionals. The firm operates an online professional network designed to help members find jobs, connect with other professoinals, and locate business opportunities.
     So what did I do with this Linkedin, well first I established my professional profile such as my contact information and previous jobs. Then I set up my resume and put it on the website, so people, companies, and business can see it (Which I have yet to do). I also connected with Debra, Silas, Allie of the Hixson Leaders, although as of now Silas has yet to accept me as a connection. I have also connected and followed many companies that are interesting to me and relate to my field of study. I have connected with some business leaders who post job opening in their companies, so its pretty interesting to see all these companies online and updating their job listings regularly. I will to continue to use this site to get many connections and to see the business world online.

Make-A-Wish Foundation

     My sister had a life threatening disease called cancer. What began as a suspected "pulled muscle" in her back, has become a diagnosis of cancer. After treatment by a chiropractor and for a couple months for the pulled muscle, Brenna begin to experience numbness radiating around her ribs to one side. We then went to the doctor. An MRI was performed and the tumor was found. It is on her 8th rib between her ribs and lung. She proceeded to have a CT Scan, a Chest X-Ray, an Ultrasound, and a Biopsy after the MRI showed the tumor. 
     Then began the "long" wait for the results of the biopsy. About 10 days later she was diagnosed with a type of bone cancer called Ewing's Sarcoma - Askin's Tumor. The doctor said it was very rare, only about 200 cases in the US a year. But also a very serious form of pediatric cancer. We were referred to Mayo Clinic in Rochester to begin treatment.

     After many treatments and surgery, and lots of chemo. Brenna is finally back to health.  She started school a normal sophomore this year, having caught up on all her schoolwork from last year.

     So how this all relates to Make-A-Wish Foundation is Brenna was selected to have her wish granted. By these steps that the Make-A-Wish Foundation follows:

 

Step 1: Referral

They rely on medical professionals, parents and children themselves for referrals. Children who have reached the age of 2½ and are under the age of 18 at the time of referral who have not received a wish from another wish-granting organization may be eligible for a wish.

Step 2: Medical eligibility

They determine a child’s medical eligibility with the help of the treating physician. To receive a wish, the child must be diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition – i.e., a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition that has placed the child’s life in jeopardy.

Step 3: Finding the true wish

They send one of our enthusiastic wish teams to learn the child’s one true wish. These passionate volunteers connect with wish children and help explore their imaginations for the experience that will delight and inspire them.

Step 4: Creating joy

Their wish granters create an unforgettable experience driven by the child’s creativity. It’s an incredible experience that enriches not just the lives of the children and their families, but often an entire community.

     My sister chose to go to Europe with her family. So we are going to Paris. My whole family is excited especially my sister who gets her wish granted.

Diversity Event

I went to the "The Mystical Arts of Tibet" lecture at the Memorial Union last Wednesday, September 21, 2011. It was a diversity event because it was about the Tibetan Monks, something which I had no idea about before I went. I found out from the speech that creating a Mandala is a religious practice for the monks, which is a form of relaxation and meditation. Also for the monks this form of art improves mental health and reduces stress and anxiety. One of the most interesting aspects of the mandala is that every piece symbolizes one of their beliefs. By going to this event I learned that the Tibet Monks create some amazing Mandalas and that the Mandalas have some deep religious and spiritual meanings. The only thing that could have been better was if they spoke better english.