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Month: August 2015
Year in Review
For the Service Project this semester, I worked alongside a group in need of volunteers in my hometown. This group takes in stray animals and sterilizes them so they may be released into the wild and not lead to further overpopulation. I was originally introduced to our SNAP (Spay and Neuter Assistance Program) director, Chris Cozza when I had to complete a senior seminar project during high school.
The program addressed awareness of the issue and the application as they collected donations to provide services for low-income families with pets. While I cannot provide financial means to fund surgeries, I can continue spreading awareness through spoken word or by spreading the pamphlets I created with the assistance of Chris Cozza. I had expected working with this program to be very demanding physically, intellectually, and emotional. It was all of those things but was still very rewarding. Seeing people being grateful for the help, or seeing fewer strays on the streets knowing that you played a role in that.
During my experience I learned so much about how nonprofit organizations are built to prosper and a lot about the actual sterilization procedures as I was there through every step of the process. If I were to redo this experience I would only spend more time with the project. The people working for the program and the people who have been helped have been wildly responsive and grateful for the program. We hope with each person who comes into the program, they will help spread awareness to some that we may not be able to reach or that are not as receptive. I also learned that men are most often less likely to agree to sterilize male pets as though they feel an attachment. This is a stigma the program often tries to break.
Some of the most difficult parts of participating in the program were handling human clients. Animals are unable to speak and can usually be pleased with a treat and a belly rub. Humans are complex beings with complex emotions, especially when you as an outsider are recommending surgical procedures on a member of their family- their pets. This was all worthwhile when the animals were returned back to their owner as healthy and as happy as possible and the owner was not grieving over a large financial debt.
As did my career experience, this solidified my path in life. I want to be the one to look at animals and know how to help them in almost every situation imaginable. Although it is the downfall of the job, I want to be the one to be there for the emotional demands of each client to help them through.
So to continue spreading awareness and helping out groups all around the country and the world like this one, please get your pets spayed and neutered! If paying for the procedure is a problem, reach out to a local veterinarian or a humane society for assistance. Be a part of the solution and not the problem.
“There is no magic wand that can resolve our problems. The solution rests with our work and discipline.”- Jose Eduardo Dos Santos
G.O.A.L.S.
Music has always been my lifeline. Whether it’s playing music, listening to it, or learning about it. There is something about the creation and the emotion involved that has always been moving to me. Asking me my favorite genre is nearly impossible, so it only seemed fitting to do my Columbus To Do list project on music.
Throughout my music loving career, concerts have always been the most beautiful part. At a concert, you witness first-hand the emotion that someone feels during a particular point in a song. These opportunities are also excellent ways to get closer to the artist and know them as more than just an artist, but as a person.
Columbus does a fabulous job of being an opening and welcoming city and, as the capital of Ohio, it has many bands and artists come through at many different venues.
The first concert I managed to see was Twenty One Pilots at the Schottenstein Center. This being right on campus was convenient and simple, but it was also the largest (and most expensive). If you already had tickets, as I did, the organization was fine. Otherwise, you probably stood in a line for hours. The time spent during the concert was wonderful. The members, if you aren’t familiar with the band, are from Columbus. It was almost like a “coming home” show for them, which made it all the more emotional.
My second concert not too long after was to see a band from New Jersey, gates, whom I had known of before but had never seen them live. When these bands come through, the concerts are smaller and much more personable. The concert was held at the Woodlands Tavern and the crowd was very responsive. I had never been to this area of Columbus before, so it was a learning experience for me. The members of the band were receptive to our feedback, and even planned an unscheduled encore when we chanted for one. The humor amongst the crowd was excellent.
The third concert I attended was the Misfits at Alrosa Villa, on the opposite end of Columbus. This venue, though poorly taken care of, is quite possibly one of the most “historic” ones we have as the Guitarist of Pantera was shot several years ago, along with other fellow concert-goers and was killed tragically. Thankfully, during my time there, we were all safe and enjoying the music. I was able to bring a friend who is not from the Columbus area with me so she too could enjoy what it had to offer. This concert was much more energetic and active, as the music matched that.
The fourth concert I was able to experience was held by a close friend of mine at Ruby Tuesday’s Live on Summit Avenue. It was a 2-day heavy metal Halloween festival (a bit different than the other concerts I had seen). I was able to help him advertise and prepare for the show, which was a new experience for me. We explored the majority of High Street together hanging posters and then I was able to familiarize myself with more local music at the concert itself.
The fifth concert I was able to attend was one in which a favorite of mine would be performing. In The Basement, a “ska” band known as Foxing performed with a band called The World Is a Beautiful Place and I’m No Longer Afraid to Die. Though this venue is far from my favorite as it is incredibly small and is a bit pricey, the show was phenomenal. The emotion of the band members made me overwhelmingly emotionally. The crowd was amazing and they encouraged the members to perform at their best. Possibly one of the greatest things about musical shows is seeing how people react to situations and getting a sense of their character. After questionable events that night, both bands responded properly and noted that our safety was of utmost importance to them. They wanted to ensure that we were always comfortable and having a good time.
My final experience that I will write about, but certainly not the last I will attend, is the concert of a band called Title Fight. Their concerts are known for the energy and the adrenaline, and because of this I was very excited for the experience. If you aren’t familiar with the punk rock genre, it would be helpful to know that stage diving is an all too common process at these concerts. Now, I never saw myself as one to run off of the stage into a crowd of people, but when the music takes over, you become unpredictable I guess. After stage diving, and letting the “punk rock spirit” overwhelm you, you feel rejuvenated, believe it or not.
To recap, there is plenty to learn from a concert, plenty more to learn from multiple concerts, but there is also so much to learn from the venues. With each concert, I went to a new venue and tried a new restaurant. I was able to explore some obscure areas of Columbus with good friends, and was able to fully connect with artists whom I enjoyed prior to seeing them live. While driving to a venue, I learned how to navigate my first traffic circle and managed to avoid highways in most cases. The most enjoyable part, however, was not the music or the food. It was sharing my experiences with friends, whether it was learning more about the city from them or sharing the knowledge I had with some of my friends from home.
Columbus, as one of the most welcoming cities in the world, has quickly become my home and my favorite place to spend my time. The musical experiences I have had and will continue to have will only make me more comfortable with the city. Music has the ability to bring people out of their shells in order to stand out. Who knew it could have the same effect on cities as well? If you haven’t ever been to a concert in this area, I highly recommend any that take place at Strongwater and The Basement.
The Misfits at Alrosa Villa
Heavy Metal Halloween at Ruby Tuesday’s Live
Foxing at The Basement
gates at Woodlands Tavern
Twenty One Pilots in the Schott
Title Fight at Strongwater
Career
I chose to shadow Dr. Angela Shelton from French Town Veterinarian Clinic in my hometown along the Ohio River. Dr. Shelton has been my family pets’ veterinarian for some time now, and I have worked under her for several other projects. Through this time, I have seen her handle extremely stressful situations such as an overflowing clinic and even very somber scenarios such as putting down very young kittens. I have observed her doing many surgeries and just as many “routine” procedures from vaccinations to check-ups. She has managed to juggle her personal life and a very demanding job and through this, has not only inspired me but has also given me a great deal of hope for myself and my future.
As I have witnessed most of the things that deter people from veterinary medicine, such as euthanasia and surgeries, firsthand, I am confident that this path is what I want to choose for my lifetime career. All of my experience with Dr. Shelton, including this most recent experience, has taught me that being a vet is a stressful, hard job that takes continuous learning and quick decisions. Dr. Shelton continues to read and keep accurate records of each experience so that she may refer back to it later. One of the hardest parts of the job, I have realized, is working with each client to provide timely satisfactory results. It is rather difficult to be the bearer of bad news when most families love their pets as though they are children. In those situations, I have witnessed Dr. Shelton keep a calm and sincere sense of professionalism about her.
She has expanded the knowledge I have about the veterinarian medicine field a vast amount and gave me plenty of opportunities to work hands-on whether it be by seeing how her very own vet clinic was run, or by animal experience. Under supervision, I have done things from routine grooming procedures, sanitizing the clinic, providing dosing information, dispensing medicine, and drawing blood on Dr. Shelton’s own dog solely for the experience.
It was recommended by Dr. Shelton to not only continue my studies at OSU but to continue expanding my knowledge on veterinary medicine as it can only prepare me better for vet school. She also instilled in me the need for a backup plan, as things do not always go as intended. Dr. Shelton has proven to me that dream of building my very own vet clinic and operating it successfully is not too far-fetched, as she has done so for many years. The attached photo was taken during my shadowing experience and further proves the need for continued knowledge, even after you’ve gotten the job. Dr. Shelton keeps many books pertaining to her practice and procedures in order to provide the best service to her clients.
Every shadowing experience I have with animals further deepens my desire to become a veterinarian as I see animals that are constantly in need and so few people to help them in some areas, like my hometown. Aside from this experience with Dr. Shelton, I have worked with local organizations such as our shelters and our local Spay and Neuter Assitance programs to raise awareness to problems such as overpopulation and have also interviewed other veterinarians and prominent people in areas such as Animal Welfare. Dr. Shelton and her staff were extremely helpful in developing some of these connections with these people that have helped broaden my knowledge from not only a veterinarians side but also a concerned citizen standpoint. Not only the animals deepen my desires, but seeing the people who give so much time, effort, and money to make a difference truly inspires me to continue down my path no matter how hard it may get. I truly believe I am on the path I was destined to travel down because of those who have guided me along the way.
This quote further explains how I feel about my chosen path, in ways that I could not say myself:
“It’s like Forrest Gump said, ‘Life is like a box of chocolates.’ Your career is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re going to get. But everything you get is going to teach you something along the way and make you the person you are today. That’s the exciting part – it’s an adventure in itself.” -Nick Carter
I have dreamt for years to have an adventurous life and a successful career. Having them both intermingled seems like the perfect explanation to me.
Dr. Angela Shelton’s work area as she furthers her knowledge in her field.
Artifacts
Mentor Information:
Marissa (Ris) Twigg
Rank 2
Environmental Policy and Decision Making
Journalism
Questions:
- Where is the best place on campus to study (in your opinion)?
- What type of volunteer hours, internships, etc. have you done since you have been a student at OSU? How did you first get involved with them?
- What advice do you have formaking the most of the ENR program?
- What is your back-up plan in case your first plan does not work out for some reason?
- How do you balance academics and involvement? Do you have any tips?
Summary:
During my interview, we had a few constant themes to every question. The ones that appeared most often were that ENR connected Ris with many of her involvement activities that she is a part of now and that I should not spread myself too thin. Her involvement began when she became a part of the ENR Scholar Leadership Council. From there, during her second semester she was selected for an ENR CFAES Council Position where she learned parliamentary procedure and how to conduct formal meetings. While being on that council, other opportunities came about and she also became the president of CSO (Coalition of Student Organizations). As she is also a full-time student who writes as a Campus Reporter for the Lantern, she is incredibly busy. She can speak from experience when telling me not to spread myself too thin amongst clubs/organizations. Ris recommended that I should find my passions and balance them to see what you really want to pursue the most in the future, but academics should always come first. It works perfectly if your passions align with you major, as hers do with the ENR Scholars group itself.
Ris also taught me that it was important to think on my feet because as much as you plan, there will always be unexpected things come up, especially in college. Finding a balance between intuitive decisions and ones that need to be thought over well is important. When planning, though, I should be sure to plan time with my fellow ENR scholars into my schedule where I’m not with them in Morrill Tower or even on campus all the time. This will help me from feeling disconnected like she felt last year and will help to develop a stronger since of community or family among us, as it should be.
In the past, I have been known to spread myself incredibly thin and to take on many leadership roles. I was always able to come through with my academics as well as taking care of all my responsibilities, but it weighed heavily on my health and stress level. When making the transition to Ohio State I didn’t want to bog myself down like that again but I also didn’t want to miss out on the college experience. Ris also offered very helpful studying advice by recommending I study in natural sunlight as it is rejuvenating and makes you feel recharged. For this she suggests I go to the Agricultural Administration Library as it is new, quiet, and has a lot of this natural light.
Overall, my interview with Ris was incredibly helpful to me and provided me with solid advice to start my first year out in a positive direction. I am very thankful to have someone as much like me as Ris is as my Sapling Mentor Leader.
Annotation: My interview with Ris not only helped me see my habits and preconceived opinions about college but studying and class work as a whole. She helped me identify good and bad habits in order to succeed academically and overall in life as a whole. This foundation I have established with her is truly the groundwork of my next for years at OSU.
About Me
Hello! If you were looking for Hailey Wallis, you’ve found me! If you were also looking for someone who is goal-driven, ambitious, intuitive, and is a very hard worker; you’ve found her too!
I come from a small town in Southeastern Ohio where I learned social, academic, and life skills. We were a small rural community that was extremely tight knit. Everyone knew everyone, which isn’t always a good thing. I have had many obstacles to overcome through my past, but I am happy to say that I am here to introduce myself to you today.
As this is my first year at OSU, I can tell you a little bit about the obstacles I faced and overcame in high school. Our class sizes were incredibly small as we had a graduating class size of only 53. My class was extremely competitive in our class ranking and we worked hard for our ranks. I graduated Valedictorian of our 2015 class at South Gallia High School and was also awarded the Delma R. Roush Scholarship through OSU which has been an amazing opportunity that I am very grateful for as it will allow me to further my education towards my Animal Biosciences degree and help me strengthen my foundation for my intentions of attending the Ohio State University College of Veterinarian Medicine in the future.
I love to be outdoors whenever I can and spent a lot of my time at home on a farm. I am incredibly concerned with animal conservation and I have been since a young age. When I found my love for the Giant Panda, I also found a passion for environmental conservation. The environmental branch didn’t hit me until I read something so striking. It said, “The Earth is 4.6 billion years old. Let’s scale that to 46 years. We [humans] have been here for 4 hours. Our industrial revolution began 1 minute ago. In that time, we have destroyed 50% of the world’s forests. This isn’t sustainable.” As a 12-year-old reading that, you can only imagine how shocked I was and how terrified I was that this number would continue to rise. Since then, I have advocated to help save our Earth within my home and within my old High School. I was lucky enough to start up a recycling system amongst both places. Though it may be small, I am still trying to do what I can. This is me in a nutshell, I hope I have the opportunity to get to know you, too!