Hallmark Awards Resources
Sample of a 2002 Fellowship Hallmark Award-Winning EssayMu Delta Chapter
Kansas City Kansas Community College
Kansas City, KS
With a late April breeze blowing through the Kansas prairie grass and the
excitement of summer approaching, the newly elected Mu Delta Chapter officers began
to create magic. A spark from this magic ignited a common drive for self-discovery
and understanding, while exploring the borderless world of customs, traditions and
celebrations. The officers recognized their special connection and set their goal to
build and expand this relationship to include the entire chapter, campus, local and
international communities. Together we began our journey, seeking fellow travelers
to join in fellowship.
The catalyst for our plans was an officer retreat designed to integrate the team.
The four-day venture in early summer had all eleven officers and our advisors make a
habitat of a bunkhouse in the woods. At the retreat, our first test as a team was to
build a bonfire, but that was nothing compared to the high ropes course we would all
endure. We worked together to conquer our individual fears and learned to trust one
another-musts for a successful group. The rest of the retreat included planning the
projects for the year. Our retreat ended with us knowing that our lives will never
be the same again.
The intriguing culture and people of Africa attract many who seek adventure and
knowledge. Rather than dream of the day when Mu Delta could learn more about it, we
sought to live our dreams by sending two of our officers and an honors faculty
member to the "land of safaris." The officers, their family and friends, all toiled
this past summer in temperatures above 100 degrees to raise funds for this trip. In
Africa, our officers met with David Ntete, a Maasai tribesman and magical soul, who
we hoped would someday join us in America. David and the officers explored
Maasailand together and their ethnographic study fostered exceptional camaraderie
with the Maasai community and the subsequent arrival of David to our campus.
David is living with one of our dedicated advisors and attending Kansas City Kansas
Community College alongside us. He has become a member of our family and has helped
us expand our knowledge of the Maasai and the international community. His presence
enriches our lives. David, who was raised in a close-knit community, has shared
ideals with us that have long since been lost by the American community. The
exchanges that we have had with David have changed us all. We could not be selfish
though. We wanted to share Africa with everyone. Throughout the semester, we were
able to offer many presentations for community groups---grade schools, girls' clubs,
boys' clubs, retirement homes, teachers' organizations, churches, and community
groups. We did not feel that was enough.
We recognize that cross-cultural learning should begin at a young age. While in
Africa, our officers were deeply touched by the curious minds and twinkling eyes of
the Maasai children. Upon their return, we realized that interaction between Maasai
and American children would be a wonderful launching pad to breaking down cultural
biases. When we brought the idea of a pen pal project to an area elementary school,
the children took advantage of this unique opportunity and excitedly grasped onto
the adventures that lay ahead. The correspondence among the students has ignited a
passion, in the search of knowledge about their counterparts. At a time when the
young are often ridiculed for their lack of intellect, these children have proved us
wrong. The questions that were brought up by the students have given us hope that
someday we may achieve peace and understanding among all walks of life. The success
of the pen pal program signifies a complete exchange between the two groups of
children, and we hope that the fellowship formed through letters will continue.
As we learned about Africa, Mu Delta was curious to learn more about the
international community, and so we initiated an American Friends Program. The
program focused on fostering relationships and cultural exchanges and sparking a
bond among the international students and the American students at Kansas City
Kansas Community College. The American Friends project has inculcated a greater
cultural understanding among the students and faculty involved. Throughout the year,
friendships developed and a more in-depth discovery of individual cultures was
experienced. This event led to a year filled with "Customs, Traditions, and
Celebrations: A Human Drive for Community."
We are very proud of all of our projects, but we tend to stand a little taller
and smile a little broader when someone talks about our monthly panel discussions.
Our purpose for hosting these panel discussions was to show that culture is not
restricted to race and religion. During the fall semester, we compiled discussions
about college life, homelessness, gay and lesbian lifestyles, social justice, and
also pop culture. Students from Phi Theta Kappa led the panel discussions, which
included faculty and community members and fellow college students from neighboring
universities. Professors went beyond the call of duty to encourage their colleagues
and students to attend these multifaceted discussions.
As part of our monthly panel discussion series, we were very thrilled this year to
co-sponsor with several other campus organizations, A Day of Peace and Social
Justice, which was an enlightening event for us as future leaders to sharpen our
critical thinking skills. This interaction between students, faculty, administration
and members of the community occurred in October to help answer the questions and
confusions brought about by the events of September 11. In attendance was John
Swomley, a social justice advocate, author and community member who spoke at the
Gandhi lecture series in India. The impact of the discussion really hit home when a
student challenged us all to arm ourselves with education and to look beyond media
as our source of information.
When we began our journey, our aim was to challenge our intellect through
fellowship. Once in a while, though, we felt it necessary to just have fun. This
year several Mu Deltans thought we should return to our Kansas roots. Known around
these parts as "Moo Delta" we headed out to cow country in Belleville, Kansas. In
Belleville, we held the first ever Kansas Regional Campout. Members from several
chapters braved the coldest and rainiest weekend in October to participate in the
event. Besides camping out and having bonfires, participants journeyed to a local
museum to view a special exhibit entitled Landmarks, Legends, and Lore and
enjoyed football and the scenery at a local pond. The weekend continued with a hike
in the country hills, viewing remains of Indian landmarks, and unlocking the magic
of Mother Earth.
Despite having a full plate with many activities of our own, we had the opportunity
to explore a magical connection with our sister chapter, Alpha Iota Gamma, of
Johnson County Community College. Throughout the semester our two chapters have
hosted and attended many different events. One of our most exciting activities
together is to send two candidates, our own vice-presidential hopeful and an
international presidential hopeful from Alpha Iota Gamma. In the spirit of
sisterhood and fellowship, one of Mu Delta's officers is serving as the campaign
manager for Alpha Iota Gamma's candidate.
Throughout the year we have shared with many the strength, support, and fellowship
of the Mu Delta family. In reaching out to those around us, we have found ourselves.
The magical spark that was ignited at the beginning of the year will remain in our
hearts and we hope to those who traveled with us in our journey of fellowship.
