tockwogh

Most schools partake in some sort of leadership field trip or retreat, and I am so lucky to have been able to attend not only one, but two in my high school career. Each year, a committee selects 140 students to travel to Camp Tockwogh. Tockwogh is a summer camp for kids approximately an hour and a half from my school, and pretty much in the middle of no where. As the buses traveled through the fields and woods, the cell phone service slowly decreased, but the chatter among the kids in the bus increased. Trees + outdoors + cabins – cell phone service = a lot of bonding and thinking time. Camp Tockwogh retreat is one of the most memorable and valued experiences I’ve had in high school. This is picture was taken on the second day of the three day retreat my senior year of high school.  Between sessions and activities, a group of friends and I decided to wander down to the lake to watch the sun begin to set, enjoy the peace of nature and each others company. It’s so rare that we get to experience times like these in our everyday life.

In addition to enjoying each others company, appreciating nature, and making friendships, Camp Tockwogh Leadership Retreat has the word leadership in it for a reason. The entire weekend has leadership based events, activities and sessions for all to participate in. This leadership retreat means so much to me because I have made some of my best friends through this retreat, and each time I’ve gone, I’ve learned something different and eye opening about myself as a leader and the world around us. Sometimes this generation can be so close minded, but going into the middle of nowhere for a weekend really opens your mind and changes your perspective on life and the things that happen to us.

Year in Review

[ “Year in Review”  is where you should reflect on the past year and show how you have evolved as a person and as a student.  You may want to focus on your growth in a particular area (as a leader, scholar, researcher, etc.) or you may want to talk about your overall experience over the past year.  For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

G.O.A.L.S.

[ “G.O.A.L.S.” is a place where students write about how their planned, current, and future activities may fit into the Honors & Scholars G.O.A.L.S.: Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, and Service Engagement. For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.

Global Awareness: Students cultivate and develop their appreciation for diversity and each individual’s unique differences. For example, consider course work, study abroad, involvement in cultural organizations or activities, etc .
Original Inquiry: Honors & Scholars students understand the research process by engaging in experiences ranging from in-class scholarly endeavors to creative inquiry projects to independent experiences with top researchers across campus and in the global community. For example, consider research, creative productions or performances, advanced course work, etc.
Academic Enrichment: Honors & Scholars students pursue academic excellence through rigorous curricular experiences beyond the university norm both in and out of the classroom.
Leadership Development: Honors & Scholars students develop leadership skills that can be demonstrated in the classroom, in the community, in their co-curricular activities, and in their future roles in society.
Service Engagement: Honors & Scholars students commit to service to the community.]

Career

[“Career” is where you can collect information about your experiences and skills that will apply to your future career.  Like your resume, this is information that will evolve over time and should be continually updated.   For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

Artifacts

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This may seem like a silly picture of three girls posing with their backs to the camera, attempting to act tough. However its much more than what appears to the eye.  You can’t tell just by looking at the photo, but my back is aching, my knees feel broken and my feet are throbbing. But, my face, along with the faces of my two friends besides me, is beaming a smile. This picture was taken on February 23rd 2016 in my high school’s auxiliary gymnasium, 5 minutes after the completion of my high school’s annual blood drive.  In high school, I was a part of the National Honor Society. Each year, NHS hosts a school and community blood drive. NHS members have the opportunity to sign up to work the drive, and provide aid in many ways; registration, “blood buddies”, or post donation care. My senior year, I was able to serve as a blood buddy. As a blood buddy, I was constantly on my feet running from patient to patient ensuring that they were comfortable, feeling ok, and distracted by the huge needle in their arm. In other words, I read children’s books to hundreds of my peers. Being active on my feet for 8 hours wrecked my body, but it was more than worth it. Not only did I get to put smiles on my peers faces by distracting them with silly books and lame jokes, but I got to see the pure joy that came from donating. As blood buddies, we try to make the experience as enjoyable as possible so that these donors will recall their experience with a smile, and hopefully encourage others to donate as well. It is such an easy and simple way to help save lives. I am truly passionate about helping give donating blood a good reputation because it is such an important service that is constantly needed throughout the world. But, in a broader sense, my participation in the blood drive, best highlights my true love of serving others in any way that I can.

 

Ever since the age of five, service has been a part of my life. Whether it be making meals in kindergarten for the homeless during Martin Luther King Jr Day of Service, or my participation in NHS, I whoeheartedly enjoy it all. That is why, being a part of Mount Leadership Society at The Ohio State University is perfect for me. With Mount, we have the opportunity to complete various service projects each month. I believe that the whole world is connected in one way or another, and that we all must help each other. We are all apart of one being. Knowing that I can make a difference in someone else’s life is the greatest joy of all. In my friend group, I am known as a jokester because I always make people laugh; that was my thing. Just seeing someone’s face light up because of something I said, made my day. The fact that I can do that with enhancing someone’s entire life is beyond fulfilling.

About Me

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My name is Lauren Jackson. I am from Media, Pennsylvania which is a small suburb 20 minutes outside of Philadelphia. I am currently a finance major in the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University. In addition to pursuing a degree in business, I would like to acquire a minor in french and am a member of the Mount Leadership Society, the Morrill Scholars Program and The Ohio State University Club Dance Team.  Prior to attending Ohio State, I was involved in a multitude of organizations that prepared me for my college experience.

 

In high school, I was a member of the National Honor Society, the World Language Honor Society, and the Math Honor Society. In addition, I participated in various community service projects and leadership opportunities such as a three day leadership retreat to Camp Tockwogh, the peer mentor program and the school blood drive. Being a member in many honor societies and participating in service projects, I have found the Mount Scholars Program to be a perfect fit for my development through college. Leadership and service is a principal role in my life and learning style. Volunteering to serve others is a wonderful opportunity that I am able to do frequently through this society. I am a strong believer in helping others who cannot help themselves.

 

In addition to my love for service, I grew up with a love of languages. My mother is a french teacher, so as a child, I was raised with American and touches of french culture. Through my  love of language, I developed a desire to travel. I was lucky enough to travel to France for two weeks with my high school, to fully immerse myself in the culture and language. I have been lucky enough to travel to five countries and I dream of exploring many more.

 

I have studied the art of dance since the age of three. I was a member of the Broadway Bound Dance Academy Competition Team for nine years, and received instruction from The Academy of International Ballet and Touch of Class Dance. Being a part of The Club Dance Team at Ohio State allows me to continue my training in hopes of future career opportunities in dance