What SIFE Means To Me!!!

I've been in SIFE member for 3 semesters now. Throughout this time I have come to realize that SIFE is probably the best single thing I have done in my collegiate career. SIFE has allowed me to realize my potential, develop a more caring attitude for the world around me and have a fun time at the same time.

A little over a year ago I volunteered to lead a project called Success for Teens. It all started when a high school teacher named Greg Schermbeck came to us with a problem that his students faced daily. The problem was some of the decisions that students were making. As a West Charlotte High School teacher he encountered a school where only 51% of students graduate. 20% of the students are considered homeless and about 80% are on free and reduced lunch. With the help of my co-project leader, Brittany Black, we were able to develop a program that spoke to students on a weekly basis about the decisions they were making. Aside from what we taught in the classroom I was taught how to logically think through problems and find a solution. At this point in my life I see Success for Teens as a turning point.

The culmination of our SIFE year comes at the SIFE USA National Exposition. As a member of the competition team I was able to experience the best that SIFE has to offer. We started our Journey to Minneapolis by competing in Regionals Competition which was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Concord, NC. Public speaking has never been a strong point of mine. However, the experience I gained with the competition team is something that will stick with me forever, and nobody can take that away from me. I recall being nervous at Regionals competition and actually forgetting a few of my lines because of nervousness. When the time came to present in Minneapolis at Nationals my emotions were the exact opposite. Surprisingly, I was excited to present. I recall the team getting hyped up and chanting less than two minutes before we walked into the room to present.

As a person that has been introverted my whole life SIFE has really signified a revelation. SIFE has given me the ability to truly believe in myself and express my passions. It has allowed me harness my creativity towards a central focal point. That focal point being empowering others.

Over the past month or so our SIFE team has engaged in Niner Night at SOAR, the freshmen orientation session. Our aim is to tell freshmen about our team with the hopes that they will join us in our endeavors. So far I have been inspired by talking to all these freshmen, which number around 170 at the moment. I hope that a decent number of these students decide to take their skills and passions to our team. With a good recruitment class our SIFE team can really turn the corner, excel to the next level and I believe finish in the top 4 at Nationals within a few years.

SIFE for LIFE,
-MGM