M3C Fellows
Congrats to the Fellows Who Have Finished Their 300 Hours!

Raise Your Voice Fellows 2005-2006

Brief Statement about Civic Engagement as it applies to our request to be a RYV Fellow
2005-2006

Melissa Cook – McKendree College
Civic engagement to me is being informed, using what I know to help inform, and use service and service-learning to help other people.

Jesse Gibbs – McKendree College
An attitude of general community and global well being put into organized action is the heart of civic engagement.

Kari Jennings – McKendree College
Civic engagement is recognizing the inequalities and problems in the world, and working towards a resolution.

Jacob Thornton – McKendree College
Civic engagement is learning, serving and educating. It is also doing acts of service, giving back, learning about social issues, and passing on your knowledge to others.

Lindsey Kight – Rockford College
Civic engagement can be defined as participation within the community with the goal of sharing ideas and improving the community. As a RYV fellow, both service and political involvement are important aspects. It is through these two aspects that the community is improved.

Quint Allen – Rockford College
Civic engagement is being consciously aware of the rights and needs of community. It can occur on many levels and facets, but the most important part is that it occurs. Being aware brings responsibility for change or improvement.

Ashley Kehoe – Roosevelt University
Civic engagement requires awareness and enthusiasm. To be engaged civically is to be both knowledgeable and passionate, to devote oneself to a cause in order to benefit the community. Civic engagement requires community consciousness and the willingness to act. Ultimately, through civic engagement, an individual has the opportunity to foster personal growth and to make a lasting impact on the world.

Meredith Murray – Southern Illinois University Carbondale
My generation has become disengaged from civic duties, engagement, and their own communities. To be part of this country and able to use one’s own voice and actions to influence it is truly a great thing and a privilege. It is important to keep that knowledge alive, and not only that, but influence others to use it.

Katherine Lauher – Southern Illinois University Carbondale
I am very interested in obtaining a service-learning endorsement, which does not exist here at SIUC. I am very excited about bringing information about civic engagement and civic engagement action to campus.

Leah Orwig – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Civic engagement is the utmost concern from individuals who are emotionally involved and committed to their country, state, or community. Individuals, who are civically engaged, perform a number of different activities that showcase their drive to make things right for all. These activities, like the people that perform them, come in many styles and have many purposes. Only when individuals contain these altruistic purposes
at their core, can civic engagement occur.

Melissa Troncale – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Civic engagement is involvement in one’s community by taking action and making changes. Someone who is civically engaged may volunteer at a community shelter, attend town meetings, or vote in an election. With the actions of being civically engaged, one must also hold true feelings of belief and commitment in their pursuit for betterment of the community.

Erin Blecha – Augustana College
Civic engagement is the concept of being actively involved

Jennifer Romaniszak – Trinity Christian College
Civic engagement is best manifested for me at social justice. In my campus community there is a dormant passion for change and necessity for leadership. The Raise Your Voice Program will help start the ball rolling.

Kristin Bolan – Trinity Christian College
The reason I find civic engagement essential to my life is based in my faith. The principle to love your neighbor was Christ’s challenge to us to bring His peace to others. Love is a verb in my book and I do not fulfill my purpose if I do not show others love. In the lifestyle I am in it is my soul’s desire to speak for those who can not speak for themselves. How am I supposed to bring Christ’s kingdom if I don’t know what is wrong to fix, and to love you need to be involved with the world around you.