I wanted to take the time to personally thank all of those involved with the 4th Annual Athens Beautification Day. After being appointed Off Campus Life Commissioner of Student Senate, and thus becoming the Director of Beautification Day, the idea of organizing such a mass community service event, especially one so highly respected among members of the community, was a challenge that I welcomed and feared at the same time. Without the help of so many others, Beautification Day would not have been what it was on April 18th, and I cannot personally take credit for its success. I have to especially thank the sponsors of this year's event including Student Senate, Power 105, 970 WATH, The Athens News, VP of Student Affairs Kent Smith, iOU, UpTown Dog, Mayor Wheil, Paw Purrs Bar, the Marching 110, Athens City Council, and myself. When the poor economic climate threatened to cost Beautification Day several sponsorship dollars, dollars we had expected and seen in the past, these businesses, individuals, and organizations pulled together last minute to ensure Beautification Day's success. Seeing the months of careful planning and hard work of several members of the University and community come to fruition would not have been possible without their generous financial contributions. It was the look on the faces of members of the community that made this entire event worthwhile. Though only 250 volunteers originally registered to participate (excluding members of Student Senate who took part in the planning process and directed the projects), well over 300 students from the University took part in this event making it the largest Beautification Day volunteer turn out to date. Organizations in particular that I would like to thank include the following: RJSC, Hillel, Beta Alpha Psi, Delta Sigma Gamma, Sigma Gamma Rho, Kappa Delta Pi, BackDrop Magazine, Students for a Democratic Society, Ohio Swimming and Diving, Alpha Phi Omega, iOU, Student Alumni Board, Phi Alpha Delta, Shades, NPHC, Arts and Sciences Student Ambassadors, LGBT Affairs Commission, Department of Off Campus Living, Hip Hop Congress, Honors Tutorial College, Omicron Delta Kappa, various students with RA Prep classes, the Community Service Leadership Council. I would also like to especially thank the Off-Campus Life Commission of Student Senate, but more specifically Megan Burke for her tireless efforts in assisting me with planning. Although not a volunteer or member of Student Senate, my good friend Tim Samson also deserves special recognition for not only volunteering his time and vehicle to transporting supplies, but for being the only other person awake with me at 6 am on Saturday the 18th assisting me with set-up. Max Laird, a former Beautification Day director, also volunteered his time and knowledge to the planning of the event and my appreciation for this should not go unnoticed. I think it is important to know that regardless of the role you played, your participation in Athens Beautification Day made a significant impact to the Athens Community, which is of course the events intended purpose. Students should always remember that while we may be here to attend Ohio University we are part of something much bigger: Athens, Ohio. It will remain one of the greatest pleasures and most rewarding experiences of my entire life to have served as its director, and for all those involved I cannot thank you enough. However, just because Beautification Day has ended does not mean that your involvement should. There are still other opportunities for students to continue to give back to the community and make an impact while here at Ohio. On Thursday at 7 p.m. at West Portico there will be a rally and march for Take Back the Night, where for the 30th year Athens will take part in an effort to raise awareness for sexual assault and violence against women. You can also get involved with Relay For Life, which is taking place May 29th beginning at 5pm. If you would like to get more information please contact Killian Evans (ke329406@ohio.edu). Again, thank you all so much for your role in Beautification Day.
Michaela Hahn-Lawson is a senior studying political science and pre-law.
4 Opinion
