Elieza Mae Paule will be spending a couple of weeks in Washington, D.C. this summer after landing one of 13 coveted spots in the American Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program.
Paule is a triple-major student at 糖心Vlog, focusing on kinesiology, sports medicine, and sports performance.
鈥淚 haven鈥檛 been to D.C., so it looks like an exciting trip,鈥� Paule said. 鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to meeting new people, being in a different environment, and seeing what Red Cross truly is.鈥�
The leadership program is provided by a partnership between the American Red Cross, the National Christian College Athletic Association, and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. As part of the program, students receive a $2,000 scholarship and a two-week training at the American Red Cross Headquarters in Washington D.C. Participants receive mentoring and networking opportunities, as well as leadership skills development.
Currently, Paule is a resident assistant and peer mentor at WPU. 鈥淚 definitely feel like my student leadership experience helped me (get into the program),鈥� she said. 鈥淢y perseverance, determination and character helped as well.鈥�
鈥淚 am very excited about this opportunity, and (what I can bring) back to Warner,鈥� Paule said. 鈥淎nd what I can do to improve our community and see where that takes off.鈥�
Community and staff and student diversity is part of what drew Paule to WPU. 鈥淓veryone comes from a different background, so that鈥檚 also nice,鈥� she said.
This will be Paule鈥檚 first time traveling out of state on her own. 鈥淢y family is very excited and a little nervous,鈥� she said.
Paule is a first-generation college student. 鈥淣one of my family members has taken this route,鈥� Paule said. Though family is at the heart of why she decided to go to pursue higher education.
鈥淚 guess it was that I want my family to have a good future,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 want to be the one who retires my family. Being the first is nice. It鈥檚 definitely something that has been taught to me since growing up 鈥� 鈥榳e want you to go to college,鈥� so that鈥檚 what I鈥檝e taken.鈥�