Thoughts on the Heber J. Grant Program (from Christine Velasco, Regional Rep for the West Region)

Heber J. Grant Scholarship
Hello fellow BYU-I Alumni Ambassadors! I am Christine Velasco, your regional representative. I started just like each of you--with a desire to share the excitement about BYU-Idaho to those who live in my area and now we have the privledge of getting a polo shirt and some pass-along cards to make us look more official! :)

Today I had an "Aha! Moment" and thought I'd pass it along to you. Today's plug is for the Heber J. Grant Scholarship at BYU-Idaho. Please check it out at www.byui.edu/heberjgrant. This scholarship seeks applicants who:have low income,whose parents who didn't graduate from college,were raised in a single-parent home,whose parents are not active LDS members,were raised in an area where few attended college,or have overcome other long-term disadvantages.

The "Aha! Moment" came when I realized that anybody as young as 13 years old can apply for this scholarship. What a brilliant idea! Once these young students are accepted for the scholarship, they are eligible for individual advisement in admissions, financial aid, and contact from current students, alumni (like you and me), until they are old enough to actually apply to BYU-Idaho. They still have to apply and be accepted to BYU-Idaho, but imagine the difference this can make in a teenager's college planning knowing that they already have a scholarship waiting for them IF they keep their grades up, continue attending seminary, etc.So my PERSONAL VISION FOR 2009 is to find FOUR youth in my stake and help them apply for the Heber J. Grant Scholarship.

I have typed up the HBJ essay questions on a separate word document. If you would like them, simply email me at losvelasco@gmail.com and I will pass them along. This way the youth can prepare their answers before actually going online and applying for the scholarship.We have a unique opportunity to be sharing the excitement of BYU-Idaho with these youth.

Now, more than ever, we need to be enlightening them on the benefits of having a solid education to back up their marketable skills.Sincerely,Christine Velasco, San Jose, CA

Thought I would Share

BYU-I is great to give cute bibs to our new babies! Here is our little Emma modeling a bib. As I understand you can let the alumni office know of those alumni that have had babies and they will mail a bib to them.
Have a great day!
Cyndee

Resources for Alumni Ambassadors (from Audrey Martinez Midwest Region Area Rep)

In the process of learning what our roles are as Alumni Ambassadors I have come across some valuable resources that might help make your job more effective. First, if you are planning to host a BYU-Idaho event in your stake, whether it be an information night, fireside, etc, please contact the BYU-I Admissions Office Area Representative for your state. Your representative has access to the official printed materials, pamphlets and catalogs you might want to use at your event.

To find the Area Representative for your respective state please click here. They also enjoy knowing what is going on in each state and how BYU-Idaho's name is being received. Also, if there is anybody in your stake even remotely interested in attending BYU-Idaho please direct them to this website: http://www.byui.edu/prepare/. This is new website developed specifically for prospective students trying to get a feel for what BYU–Idaho has to offer them. Finally, there are BYU-Idaho Student Ambassadors assigned to your area, who are current BYU-I students that have volunteered to connect with prospective students and help them get a student’s perspective on BYU–Idaho.

You can contact your Admissions Area Representative to find out the name and contact information for these student and how they can help you in talking with prospective students. Some of us haven't been on the BYU-Idaho campus recently and this might be helpful in informing potential students what Rexburg and BYU-I are like today.

An Idea form the Midwest Region -- Pass along your Scrolls

Derek and Audrey Martinez, AA Regional Reps in the Midwest Region mentioned that they pass along their weekly copy of the Scroll to youth in the ward and stake who may have some interest in BYU-Idaho. What a great way to bring up BYU-Idaho in conversations with young people and to get more mileage out of your weekly Scroll mailing.

Thanks Derek and Audrey

The Sunshine State

I technically graduated from BYUI in August of 2006, although I left the good campus grounds in July to go traipsing around South America as a foreign exchange student. So I walked the semester before and got to hear from Elder Russel M. Nelson at the graduation speech. I actually started school the same semester that Pres Hinckley announced the change from Ricks to BYUI and was also able to participate in the Innauguration of Pres Clark. I do consider myself lucky. It was fun to watch the changes. I spent a lot of time with Activities (Bro Shaum, Sis Lovell, Bryce, etc etc) and also worked with the choirs and music dept.
Before I left Rexburg, I spent a year teaching there as a vocal coach/professional accompanist. It was such a great experience to work with the students and share in something that I love as much as they do.
I moved to Orlando on Sept 10 of this year. I now work in management for American Eagle and plan on keeping that job as I work through Grad School; UCF is on the horizon for me starting this fall and I will be studying Social Work. (You are most likely reading this random assortment of jobs and interests and wondering just what I am really interested in. I will tell you, it has been hard to narrow things down to one major for Grad School.)
What I love about Florida-- the sunshine, the temple, the beach, the Disney parks, free entrance into said parks, the ward, the BYUI alumni, and my roommates/house. What I don't love about Florida-- the fireants and the drivers. Cheers!

John and Alicia Cutts ~ Birmingham, Alabama

My husband John and I had the fun privilege of going to both Ricks and BYU-Idaho! We both graduated in April 2006. John with a BS in Chemistry/Biology and I with a BS in Earth Science/American Government. We met at the opening ward social in Bishop Craig Carters ward and the rest is history! While at BYU-I John worked in the Chemistry department and I worked in the Alumni Office (hi Kathy, Steve, Val and Gracie!). We also participated in many extracurriculars, nearest and dearest to my heart is the Leadership and Service Institute (I love you Brother Schmidt!). BYU-I was wonderful and I miss it very much but I don't think anything could get me to go back to another Rexburg winter!

We now live in Birmingham, Alabama, which we LOVE! John is getting his PhD in Biomedical Research from UAB but really I think his true major is keeping up with SEC sports. I stay home with our almost 10 month old daughter, Maggie. This photo was taken a few days ago and it was 70 degrees outside. Gotta' love the south for the weather not to mention the BBQ. :) John is a Stake Clerk and I am in the YW Presidency. We don't have many youth but I love helping them apply to BYU-I. It brings back so many good memories and makes me excited for the memories they will make while they are there.

Some of my blogs are set to private but the following are blogs and sites of mine that I welcome anyone to come and visit!

http://www.aliciacutts2.blogspot.com/ (craft and food blog)

http://www.thecheapskatemom.blogspot.com/ (tips on how to save money)

http://www.cuttscreations.etsy.com/ (craft items I sell)

I'm excited for another blog to keep up with. So fun! I've probably shared too much but if there is something I missed that you would like just let me know!

Redge and Cyndee Bodily

We just moved to Apex in August. We are really excited to be here! We are in the Apex ward. Let's see... We have four kids - Rhett, 10, Megan, 8, Eli, 5 and Emma 2 months. I am originally from Rexburg. Went to school from 1994-96 and then worked in the Music Department until April 1998. My husband attended in 94 and then when he returned from his mission to Mexico from 96-98. We then finished at BYU in Provo. I think this sums up what you are asking for???