Service Learning Project

Over Thanksgiving break I had the pleasure of presenting to my high schools senior class about why a higher education is important and informed them about the Hixson Opportunity Award.  I was worried that I would not be able to keep the students attention but they seemed to be very interested.  The first thing that I touched on was why I had chosen to further my education and told them that to excel in life any more it is almost mandatory to get a degree.  Second, I shared my experiences at Iowa State including on campus activities and activities that pertain the Greek Community.  I wanted to share my Greek experience with them as it has been one of my best decisions.  Second to last I included the importance of applying for as many scholarships as possible and how to go about doing so. Lastly I opened the discussion up for questions and was able to have a positive effect on these kids. 

Final Blog

As a Hixson scholar I have already grown in academics. My mentors in recitation have given our class several tips to being successful in college.  Also having one free tutor a semester is a great opportunity to raise your grade in a class.

Learning how to manage play with school has been a large struggle this semester and I feel that through discussion in our classes I have the methods to help manage my time.  I have also learned how to work together and manage time to make a movie and blog although I do not like blogging I now know how to.

Diversity Event

Diversity Event

For my diversity event I was able to listen to Iowa’s Governor of Agriculture Chuck Grassley talk about the struggles in third world countries.  It was interesting hearing how he is helping in struggling countries.  Also discussed was the fact that Americas portion sizes are clearly too large.  I remember from high school that a great amount of food was thrown away.  Being that I have a past with world hunger it was hard for me to see this so I personally would not take more food than I could eat and I would eat everything on my plate every meal. One of Chuck Grassley’s proposals was to limit portion size in America and use the extra food to feed starving people in third world countries.  

What the Hixson Award means to me

Receiving the Hixson award has relieved a lot of pressure off both my parents and my life.  I have also learned so much from previous Hixson scholars, the information that I have retained will help me greatly in the future.  With this award I was able to receive a tutor for my math class with no charge and I am offered a quite place to study and do homework away from all of the distractions that college can offer.  It has been a tough transition to college but I have learned how to study and manage my time a lot better all thanks to the Hixson program at Iowa State University. I would like to thank Christina one more time as I would not have this opportunity without her. 

ENFJ

Completing this MBTI activity reminded me of how I think and act.  Before this activity I never really thought about how others viewed life so this as an eye opener and I respect other people’s opinions much more now.  After taking this test I found out that I am an ENFJ personality type which stands for being an Extraversion, having Intuitive Perception, Feeling by Judgment, and Judging

Before I didn’t think that I was very organized but now I can see that I am actually very organized with my time and day to day activities. But I did already know that I like to have a schedule for everyday otherwise I feel lost. 

I was very aware that I had intuitive perception.  I have always tried to look at the bigger picture and let my “mind tell the eyes”.

Also I knew that I tend to apply personal priorities before others on some occasions.  In high school I was very stressed with taking dual credits and participating in athletics so it came to the point where I would have to stick up for myself and put myself first for once. 

I was not shocked by any of the results but I was definitely reminded of the way I look at life and how I make my decisions.  Being aware of these attributes I have been able to put myself in others shoes now that I know that there are several different types of personalities. 

Social Media Twitter

This week I participated in the Twitter activity and noticed the extreme potential that this social media has to offer.  I enjoyed this activity and will definitely use Twitter in the future for job search, and networking.  Social media could help me reach my goals by the networking possibilities.  As I network with organizations from around the United States an Internship or possibly even a job could approach me with little work. 

By reading these articles I learned that opportunities can arise at any time so you have to be prepared to sell yourself.  I was also thinking after I read the articles about Twitter and how fast these social media’s grew and linked it to its users.  If the users of Twitter took full advantage of this social media their life could grow just like the creators of the social media. 

Nathan Pech

My Bucket List

Life is full of opportunities and those opportunities that one takes advantage of will make them into the person they desire to be.  When I pass away I want to leave a positive legacy for my children and grandchildren to follow.  One of my smallest goals in life is to make at least one person smile everyday and help them see the brighter side to their troubling situation.  My largest goal over my lifetime is to make an impact on third world countries and help those who are less fortunate and unable to escape their problematic life.

To accomplish all my goals in life I will need an education, enabling me to understand others situations and how to solve their problems.  While attending school I want to join at least two clubs that support my lifetime goals.  Also while at Iowa State I want to build my networking skills so some day I will have many options for career opportunities and internships. 

Being involved with the opportunities that ISU offers will shape me into the person I want to be so I will be able to complete my future goals and dreams. 

At My Best

Outreach International

            Last October I attended the World Food Prize in Des Moines.  This is a convention bringing in world leaders all having one goal in mind, and that is solving world hunger.  After attending this three day event I was motivated to make a difference in the world.  So I traveled back to Buchannan County, Iowa to be at my best. 

            Once I did return home I had a long discussion with my mother about a food packaging event that I participated in while at the World Food Prize, and then we both agreed that I should contact the same organization and organize my own food packaging event at my high school.

Outreach International was the organization present at the World Food Prize, so I called their main office and asked to talk to someone about scheduling an event.  They connected me with the desired contact.  I introduced myself and cut to the chase of what my goal was, “I would like to make a difference in my community and the world and bring the awareness of world hunger to my school”.  Her response was terrifying as I was unsure of my ability to fulfill the requirements to hold a food packaging event.  The terrifying information was that I would have to raise a minimum of $2,500 dollars to package 10,000 meals. 

            I had little confidence in myself but I was up for this tremendous task.  I started asking for donations from local businesses, family members, my high school, and the local churches.  Suddenly my initial goal of $2,500 was obtained and I was well on my way to $5,000.  Raising $5,160.66 was very complicated on top of being an honor roll student and an all district athlete, but the reward was well worth the time . 

            On March 17, 2011, 21,000 meals were packaged at Starmont Community Schools.  This was a time in my life that will remain at the front of my mind for the rest of my life.  I feel like I was at my best my senior year as I challenged myself to escape my comfort level as I completed twenty one college credits, participated in several clubs and organizations, lead the football team as captain to a 10-1 football season, and raised $5,160.66 voluntarily out of the good of my heart.  Yes, 21,000 meals were shipped over to starving children in Africa but over 925 million people are going hungry around the world every day.