Bethany Germack
Year of the City Mission

            During Loyola's Year of the City, I would like be to become more involved in the Loyola Community. For the past two years, I have mainly kept to myself while constantly writing in my dorm. I have yet to experience all that Loyola has to offer from clubs to service activities. Loyola's mission statement says that Loyola is dedicated to “inspire students to learn, lead, and serve in a diverse and changing world.” The only part of the three objectives in the mission statement I have actually taken to heart thus far has been the learning aspect. I have yet to serve and lead, which I know is in my potential as I did my fair share of service and leadership at Maryvale Preparatory.

            After filling the high school required one-hundred hours of community service, I have yet to reach out to the community again. Service is definitely an important part of the Year of the City mission- if you will. Part of Year of the City is to see how Loyola's presence in the community shapes it and service is a huge part of shaping a community. In serving others, one gives hope and without hope, that person (or people) is doomed. The leadership aspect would affect the Loyola community more than the outside community like service would. This would be more of a goal for myself rather than a goal for the betterment of others. Getting out and actually assuming a leadership role would allow me to expand my social network which is currently limited to high school “sisters,” local music scene kids, and a good group of guys from Loyola's class of 2005. Assuming a leadership role would also allow me to share my experiences with others in order to help them in their lives. As of right now, the goal I am closest to achieving is the leadership role as I am currently taking Writing Center Practice and Theory. I hope that being a mentor in a “field” that I am absolutely in love with will not only inspire others to do the same, but also will better other students and help them be more confident in their work and themselves. This is my mission for the Year of the City.