Hallmark Awards Resources
Sample of a 2002 Leadership Hallmark Award-Winning EssayAlpha Epsilon Omicron
Trident Technical College
"Stretch your hands as far as they reach; grab all that you can grab." Yoruba Proverb
Leaders need to be able to recognize that, in order for them to succeed, they must first stretch themselves mentally, then stretch outside their comfort zones to grab all that they can grab. Alpha Epsilon Omicron (AEO) members recognized that need and established the goal of developing and strengthening their leadership skills to succeed-first within themselves and then within the college, community and beyond, and to develop as servant-leaders. As the chapter developed and implemented our projects through the year, AEO was able to stretch their hands to grow as leaders: to build leaders within our chapter, among the Trident Technical College (TTC) community and throughout the Carolinas Region.
AEO stretched members by inspiring them to become chapter leaders and co-chairs of an assortment of chapter projects. In addition, the chapter also stretched out their hands to a new advisor and challenged her to challenge us to strive for excellence. With new leadership and three experienced advisors, the chapter carried on with the Leadership Workshop for high school and middle school students. Paul Holland, a new officer, extended his horizon by accepting the challenge of leading this annual project, then pushed members to take leadership roles in the multitude of separate smaller projects that combine to make up the Leadership Workshop, including contacting the tri-county area schools, home-schooled children, and scout troops, providing food and snacks, designing a new set of activities for our participants, and supplying certificates and t-shirts for all the participants. During the workshop, the members served as facilitators. As they worked with the area students, they realized that they were enhancing their own leadership skills. In developing those leadership skills, they learned that by stretching themselves, they could become better and stronger leaders as long as they were willing to make the extra effort and look for the opportunities within their grasp.
This past year AEO extended its limits by undertaking the chapter's most ambitious project to date-"The Capital Experience." The goal was to take all three fifth grade classes from St. Stephen Elementary (SSE)-a rural elementary school where students might not have otherwise had such an opportunity-to visit Washington, DC. AEO realized that this project would unite two of America's Promise goals: mentoring and protecting.
At first, this project seemed an impossible undertaking, both for AEO and the SSE students. The planning included working with SSE teachers and parents, finding transportation, and providing meals and housing. After exhausting many possibilities, we chose the 4-H National Conference Center in historic Chevy Chase, Maryland, which provided a safe refuge, complete with meals, a game room, and sporting fields where AEO and the students had additional opportunities to bond. AEO raised nearly $4,000, and although chapter members promised SSE administrators and teachers that no child would be kept from attending because of financial difficulties, the chapter also felt that the students would benefit from taking ownership of the project by helping to pay their own way. AEO encouraged the students to stretch beyond what they believed possible by instigating a drawing for a Wal-Mart gift certificate. Students sold tickets for the drawing to cover any unmet expenses. Student sales went into their own individual accounts, and any money above the cost of the trip stayed in the account as additional spending money for the students.
While visiting the White House, many historical monuments and museums, and Arlington Cemetery, AEO saw firsthand the works of our country's leaders. Everyone learned that having a dream-even one that seems the most out of reach, such as Dr. King's-is the key to overcoming obstacles. The chapter members gained a true sense of leading others to accomplishment, grew closer together as a team, and reaped the rewards of leading the children to stretch toward their dreams.
As the year progressed, the chapter was approached about participating in a "Join Hands Day" project to bring children and adults together to achieve goals within the community. A new member, Jeannie Dooley, was mentoring a Boy Scout, Nathan Delph, in the implementation and development of his Eagle Scout Service Project. The chapter extended their talents and brought these groups together to join in mentoring Nathan by organizing a crew of volunteers, equipping them to first solicit donations from the community, and then building a handicapped-access nature trail. Chapter members submitted this project to the National Points of Light Foundation for consideration for the "Join Hands Day" award given annually to service organizations which combine their various resources to complete an otherwise-daunting project. The project received top honors and a thousand-dollar prize! The prize money was used for completion of the project and for recognition plaques for all of the donors. Nathan learned the value of reaching towards greater heights, and as he saw the project recognized on a national level, he learned what it means to take advantage of all of the opportunities life presents. The chapter grew not merely by taking the active leadership role in this project, but by teaching and coaching Nathan, who took the role of leader in this project, and also involving students from the Radiological Technology Student Association and the Hospitality Student Association at TTC. This project provided us with a better appreciation of our chapter advisors as well because members became advisors to Nathan and saw at firsthand the dynamics involved in being counselor and coach, rather than front-line leader.
By stretching as far as AEO could reach, the chapter also entered into the regional and international levels of Phi Theta Kappa. Chapter members ran for regional and international office, and the chapter also hosted the regional convention with sister chapter Alpha Zeta Sigma. Together they organized the opening show, modeled after what the chapter had seen on the international level-with music, a parade of flags, slide shows, the parade of advisors, a balloon drop, and lots of heart-pounding excitement. The chapter also implemented a mini-honors weekend where sister chapters could join us in completing some of the requirements for the Five Star Chapter Development Program, providing the Carolinas Region with an opportunity to explore some of Charleston's rich customs, traditions and celebrations.
AEO members also stretched out the hand of leadership by joining with other student organizations in organizing the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Symposium. A chapter member was asked to give the student address during the symposium. In addition, chapter leaders were pushed still further when they took leadership roles within the Unified Club Council and on the Harvard Model United Nations team. These positions gave chapter members the opportunity to lead the TTC community to new heights. The Harvard team brought home honors from this national competition, and the chapter members on the team learned the value of expanding their horizons as far as they could reach.
This year members have been able to build leadership skills, growing individually, within our chapter, college, and region; most importantly of all, we helped to create the future leaders of tomorrow in the youth of today. Dedication, motivation, and the discovery of personal power within themselves, as well as reliance on others, has stretched AEO and pushed its members to step outside their individual and collective comfort zones. In doing so, AEO learned that anything is possible-that we can "grab all that [we] can grab" by stretching with the careful planning and execution of projects.
