National Be Your Best Self Week - Be Involved - a video from Christina

This week, April 22-26, is National Be Your Best Self Week! Christina Maxwell, Distinguished Young Woman of America shares her thoughts on being involved, one of five elements that make up the Be Your Best Self program. Check back throughout the week for more videos from Christina!

Christina Maxwell is a college freshman at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan majoring in Musical Theatre. Originally from Asheville , North Carolina, Christina was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of North Carolina for 2012 and the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2012. Learn more about Christina here!

I Don’t Do Parties - by Chloe

Last Monday, my Facebook Newsfeed was flooded with numerous posts about the Inauguration Ceremony that was held to swear in President Barack Obama for his second in the White House. Now, I go to a very conservative Wesleyan school and live in a very Republican state, so you could probably guess that many of the posts I read were not entirely positive. I am also a music major, so I also read many humorous posts in debate about who was or was not lip syncing, and whether or not Beyonće and Kelly Clarkson were appropriate Inaugural choices. I hate to admit that I did not watch the inauguration ceremony, because I was in class, so I cannot voice my opinions in that debate…sorry Beyonće and Kelly. 

Though I missed the ceremony, I did read President Obama’s speech and the Oath of the President and I found myself struck by the sentiments. Regardless of political stance or personal feelings towards our current government leaders, I think anyone could feel the power behind a ceremony of this caliber. The man standing on stage swears to “preserve, protect, and defend” the country for the next four years. He swears to dedicate his life to the good of the country and the people of America. What a powerful thing to swear to more than 300 million people.

President Obama emphasized the power of community and the necessity of unity in his speech, and I found myself troubled by that necessity. I read through my Newsfeed and saw no unity.  I saw negativity and debate. The President said “America’s possibilities are limitless, for we possess all the qualities that this world without boundaries demands:  youth and drive; diversity and openness; an endless capacity for risk and a gift for reinvention.  My fellow Americans, we are made for this moment, and we will seize it -- so long as we seize it together.” How are we supposed to seize such wonderful possibilities, if we are a divided nation? Can we not stand up behind a President regardless of his political party?

It was truly ironic and appropriate that Monday was not only the Presidential Inauguration, but also Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Power of Unity has never been so well understood as it was in the Civil Rights Movement. Now is a time in the history of our country when we truly need to band together in the face of our trials and stop being “Republicans” or “Democrats” and start being Americans. Whether we agree with the actions of our President we must agree that we should share in the responsibility to better our country and improve the current problems we are facing. It is our right to disagree, but also our duty to support and respect a man or woman who is willing to dedicate his or her life to trying to make our country a better place to live in the best ways they know how.

The President is right. If we are going to grasp the reigns of our potential in this moment, as a country we must “seize it together.” We do not always have to agree with our leaders, but we must respect them. We must stand behind them in the pursuit of finding solutions to the issues we face and pray that their decisions will be honorable. The President will do his best to “preserve, protect, and defend” the law and the country, and sometimes we may not agree with the ways in which he chooses to up hold that oath but he is attempting to up hold it nonetheless. We should strive to be Americans not defined by our parties, but rather defined by our love for our country. We must seize this moment and become a unified country of Americans who love our neighbors and our leaders not because they share our views, but because they too love their country.

Chloe McLaughlin is a college freshman at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana majoring in Church Music and Christian Worship. Originally from Frankfort, Indiana, Chloe was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Indiana for 2012. Learn more about Chloe here! 

Light up the Night - by Julia

NASA recently released captivating new satellite photos of the Earth at night.  These new photos show the light that illuminates our planet when the sun goes down.  It is funny how, even without the presence of the sun; we, as a human race are capable of illuminating the world we live in.  There is something to be said for the ability to create light in the absence of that which is supposed to illuminate the world.  Without a doubt, the sun is a wondrous thing that I am sure we are all thankful for.  On the other hand, the ability to create your own light is an invaluable skill.

Picture yourself in a remote forested area, the sun is setting, your time is limited, and before long you will be left in not only the dark, but the cold as well, and without much shelter.  You’re best option is to use the remaining time you have with the sun to create a fire.  As time goes by you frantically scavenge for bits and pieces, which could help you build something; anything at all that could be used to produce even the smallest light.  It is the final few minutes of light, and as you scrape sticks together over a pile of twigs, you see a spark, and then another, and another until you have built a somewhat measly but present fire.  You wait a few minutes and allow the fire to strengthen before you add some more sticks and even a few large branch pieces you have been able to find.  As the fire gets larger you are able to see more of what is around you and you are able to gather a pile of wood to use when the fire needs to be replenished.

The setting in the forest is not so foreign to most as it may seem.  For anyone trying to find his or her way in this world, doing it without the comfort of the “sun” is neither a small or simple task.  For me in particular this situation is relatable to my college transition.  I knew my time in the comforts of my home, city, and even state were coming to an end, and so as the clock ticked I did my best to prepare myself for the unknown by building my best fire.  It just so happened that I found the best quality about fires; they help you see the things around you so you can find other fires.  As I discovered other people that were struggling to do the same thing that I was, we were able to form quite the light!

Moving out of your comfort zone where your worries are minimal and you know what is coming can be extraordinarily scary.  At the same time however, it is the moments in life that force you out of your comfort zone that allow you to see all that you are capable of, and discover new experiences and people.  My hope is that we would all get the courage to step away from our comfort zone and see what we could accomplish when the sun goes down.  My bet is we would be able to make our world so bright it wouldn’t even compare to NASA’s satellite photos.

Julia Carlson is a college freshman at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota majoring in Biology with a minor in Management. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Julia was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska for 2012. Learn more about Julia here!

Now What? - by Chloe

As human beings we are often left asking the question: “Now what?”

“My home work is done.” (Haha, yeah right) “Now what?”

“I graduated from high school.” “Now what?”

“I dropped my earring in the drain.” “Now what?”

Well, some of those “Now Whats” are easier to answer than others. Done with your homework? Start tomorrow’s homework, or go to bed. (I always advocate for the nap!) You’re a high school graduate? Awesome, now its time for college or a job. You dropped your earring in a drain? Find a new earring, because that one is GONE. But how do we answer the more difficult questions?

“My house burned down.” “Now what?”

“My mom has cancer.” “Now what?”

This week, I found myself asking again, “Now What?,” as I watched hurricane Sandy barrel across the Eastern Coast. I sat in my cozy dorm room in inland Indiana looking at the pictures of devastation and flooding. They left me wanting to do something, but all I could do was ask “now what?”

I felt like there was so little I could do, and for the time being, that might be true. There isn’t much we can do, because the wind is still blowing and the power is still out all over the Eastern states, but helplessness never lasts forever.

Every time I think about hurricanes, I remember Hurricane Katrina and the mission trip I took to Waveland, Mississippi in 2008. We went to answer the question “Now what?” Then our answer was, “Now, we serve.” For ten days in the heat of late June, my youth group hung dry wall, put in insulation, painted, and built stairs and hand railings.

That trip has stuck with me strongly, because we finished one of the houses we were assigned to. We put up the last pieces of shelving and were present when the electric company came and turned on the family’s electricity. We watched a mom and her 4 year old daughter run through their newly finished house turning on all of the lights and faucets. The little girl hugged each one of us and screamed with delight. She probably never remembered spending the night in the house that was destroyed by Katrina, so the place she was standing in was the first Home she had ever known.

Every time I think about that trip, I see that little girl’s face. I can think of no better answer to the question “Now what?” Her face said it all. We could not have found a better way to react to Katrina than by helping to put that look on that 4 year old’s face.

So how do we react now? Now what? Hurricane Sandy is not the first hurricane, and we can be certain it won’t be the last. The feeling of helplessness will soon evaporate with the rain and we will be left with the question to answer. These questions are hard to swallow, and even harder to answer, but sometimes the answers will change our lives.

“Now What” questions are chances for leadership and service. With every hard question comes an answer with great rewards. Even if you really cannot do anything about Hurricane Sandy, or an illness in your family, or a tragedy in your own life, you will soon have the opportunity to grow and help others to grow with you. Use those hard questions. Become a servant leader. Your answers might change your life, or the life of someone unexpected.

So, you’ve read this blog, Now What?

Chloe McLaughlin is a college freshman at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana majoring in Church Music and Christian Worship. Originally from Frankfort, Indiana, Chloe was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Indiana for 2012. Learn more about Chloe here!

Life Goals - by Ann

Ann Clancy is a college freshman at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama majoring in Political Science with a minor in Psychology. Originally from Ferrisburgh, Vermont, Ann was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Vermont for 2011. Learn more about Ann here!

Be an Iron Lady - by Rachel

The United States has come a long way since women were first given the right to vote in 1920, but it has been a long road. Even today women on average are paid less than men and a smaller number of women are employed.

Recently, I have been noticing a lot of jokes coming out about women; most of them are centered on us “knowing our place” and “staying in the kitchen.” People are beginning to feel like it’s OK to talk down to women, treat us like we’re inferior, and demand things of us again. And some women are letting them!

Guess what? It’s not okay! Susan B. Anthony did not fight for our rights just so a century later we would fall back into apathy.

My friends and I were bored the other night so we decided to watch The Iron Lady at the dollar theater. It was the best dollar I have spent in a very long time. I cannot tell you how inspirational that movie was. I highly recommend you rent it and watch it with all your best gal pals. It followed Margaret Thatcher’s political career from the beginning all the way until she was the first woman Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. She was not taken seriously until she made incredibly pivotal decisions for the country. She brought the UK into prosperity. My favorite quote (that actually brought me to tears!) was this: 

“I will never be one of those women, who stay silent and pretty on the arm of her husband. Or remote and alone in the kitchen doing the washing up for that matter. One’s life must matter, Denis, beyond all the cooking and the cleaning and the children. One’s life must mean more than that. I cannot die washing up a teacup.”

Margaret Thatcher, later nicknamed the Iron Lady, exceeded all expectations that the country had of her. She was determined and genuinely had her people’s best interests at heart.

The movie made me remember that all of these jokes, that I sometimes think are funny, are just fuel to a fire that women before us fought so vigorously to extinguish.

Ladies, do not allow anyone to make you feel inferior. We must remember that we are just as able and capable as any man to do anything we want.

On a side note, another thing that has become quite popular: do not immerse yourself in Hollywood portrayals of women that act weak and incompetent. Turn away from the character of Isabella Swan in Twilight, and embrace Katniss Everdeen in Hunger Games or Hermione Granger in Harry Potter. Although all three are wonderful stories; consider which woman you would rather aspire to be.

Aspire to be great. Leave behind a legacy that women of the future will admire. Assume the position of leader, doctor, engineer, or even President of the United States. As Margaret Thatcher said, your life must matter.

Be empowered!

Rachel Williams is a college freshman at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico majoring in International Studies. Originally from Kirtland, New Mexico, Rachel was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of New Mexico for 2011. Learn more about Rachel here!

5 Steps to Finding Your Personal Political Views - by Hannah

With so much going on in the media surrounding the upcoming political election, I feel that young people—especially juniors and seniors in high school—should begin forming their OWN political opinions.  If you are 17 or 18, it will be time to register to vote soon, and if you are voting, you should know about whom you are voting for and why you are voting for them!  Many young people don’t know their own political views and will sometimes simply vote for someone based on another’s opinion (ex. Parents, teachers, etc.).

 
So…. It’s time to figure out your own opinions!

Step 1: Start watching the news.

I recommend watching Fox AND CNN to get both sides of the story.

Step 2: Do a little research on who is running in the election. Learn their qualifications, views, etc.

Step 3: DO ask for others’ opinions!  

Just don’t base your thoughts completely off of someone else’s.

Step 4: Know that you DON’T have to be in a political party!  

I have never joined one and vote in every election!

Step 5: Register to vote ahead of time for the election and GO VOTE!

Hannah Roberts is a college freshman at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi majoring in Biochemistry with a Pre-medical emphasis. Originally from Mount Olive, Mississippi, Hannah was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi for 2011. Learn more about Hannah here!

Watch This Video...Change the World!! - by Kelsey

KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

Kelsey Quin is a college freshman at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana majoring in General Health with a Pre-medicine concentration. Originally from Peru, Indiana, Kelsey was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Indiana for 2011. Learn more about Kelsey here!