A Little Bit About Me...

Want to get to know me better? The following are a few links to projects I have created that show my personal background, values and personal qualities. Enjoy!

My Shameless Plug:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-xplFlPMBA

An interview I was asked to do:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB3BHWek6ko

My online resume:
http://www.visualcv.com/users/218540-madelinelloyd/cvs/261806

Fall Break Plans!

Shorter holidays are always slightly awkward for out of state college students. Being from Chicago, I am only given the chance to go home twice a year. My first homecoming is for Thanksgiving and the second is for Christmas. I don't know if it's a personal thing, but whenever shorter holidays come around I always feel a bit uneasy.

Will a friend invite me to come home with them? If so, is it out of pity or friendship?

Last year I went home with my friend Elizabeth to Baton Rouge, La. This year, however, my sister and I decided to just stay in Waco. Maybe a part of us wants to avoid the intrusive feeling we get from going to other people's houses. Maybe we just want to eat, watch movies, and sleep in our own home.

Whatever the reason, we will be living it up in the Wack this weekend. Come by the Pink Door House on Bagby if you're staying on campus too!

Chi Omega Chili Cookoff Advancer

Every forty minutes Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wish of a child living with a life-threatening medical condition.  This one granted wish gives strength and hope to those children as well as their family. 

Recognizing the good and compassion associated with Make-A-Wish, the Theta Kappa Chapter of Chi Omega at Baylor University established it as the Chapter’s philanthropy in 2000.

Chi O’s President Kelsey Riley stated, “Make-A-Wish Foundation is such a wonderful organization for Chi Omega to support.  In interacting with them to grant wishes for children in Waco, I have no doubt that we are making a difference in the community. The granting of a wish may seem so simple, but it makes a world of difference for that child and their family.”

One of Chi Omega’s main events is its annual Chili Cookoff.  All proceeds go directly to Make-A-Wish.

This year Chili Cookoff will take place at 6:00pm on November 12 at Fountain Mall.

All Baylor students are encouraged to participate.  The cost is only $5 at the entrance and this includes unlimited chili!

It is $25 to enter a team into the chili competition and teams can have a max of 5 people.  They are given the opportunity to create their own, unique chili recipe.

The following is the link to sign up a team for the competition: http://www.baylor.edu/studentactivities/campusprograms/index.php?id=73952.

Recipes over the past years have included an odd assortment of ingredients.  Some teams take trying new things to a new level.

“Last year I tried chocolate chili.  It was actually really good! The team used chocolate and graham crackers.  Needless to say, they won,” said Emily Lloyd, a member of Chi Omega who was a tester for the competition last year.

Other than eating Chili, the public may attend a free concert given by a student band or participate in Bed Races made available by Alpha Tau Omega.

“The Bed Races are my favorite part!  I love seeing what teams dress up as, it’s hilarious.  It definitely makes for an enjoyable night,” said ATO member Austin Klarich.

This event is a great way for Baylor to give back to the community of Waco.  In 2008, Chi Omega raised $12,146.27 through this event.  Two wishes were granted to children in the Waco area.

One of these children was Ernesto, a five-year-old boy who wished to go to Disney World.  Chi Omega was able to send Ernesto and his family on this great vacation.

The first wish to ever be granted by Make-A-Wish was to Christopher James Greicius, who dreamed of becoming a police officer. 

In 1980, 7-year-old Chris was being treated for leukemia.   Tommy Austin, a U.S. Customs Officer who knew the boy, wanted to find a way to make his final days joyful.  Chris was taken on a ride in a department helicopter and was then sworn in as the first honorary DPS patrolman in state history.

            When Chris passed away, his parents’ anguish turned into a hopeful sense of acceptance after seeing how happy their son was during his final days.  This led to the development of Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Chi O strongly supports Make-A-Wish and encourages everyone to come out on November 12 for the Cookoff.  The goal this year is to raise $15,000 but that all depends on the participation of Baylor’s Student Body. 

Make yourself happy by eating unlimited chili and spread that cheer to a child by granting a wish!

Alex Benda: Semper Fidelis

The Marine Corps has made three commitments to America.   They promise to make Marines, win our Nation’s battles, and develop quality citizens.  These commitments alone give great sight into the characters of the Marines themselves.  I am proud to say that I know a United States Marine and I believe she personifies every commitment made by the Corporation on a daily basis.

Alex Benda is not only a Marine, but she also represents a “quality citizen” who values persistence, respect, and faithfulness.  She has embodied qualities of a Marine ever since she was young.

“I always tried finding ways to test my limits.  I think that’s one of the most important things to do in life – test your limits.  You never know what you’re fully capable of until you actually put yourself to work,” Benda told me over dinner on Sunday.

Currently a senior at Baylor University, she spent the summer enduring intense training in order to obtain this credible title.  Not only did she have to get accustomed to early morning workouts, but also early nights.

“Life as a Marine is just so different,” Benda said with a smile.  “It’s not anything like college life.  It was definitely a wake up call.”

Although one might think that spending an entire summer in the Marines and then proceeding to start senior level college classes might warrant a break of some sort, Benda has already committed herself to studying for the LSAT.  Law school is also in her life plan.

Upon asking Mccall Benda to describe her sister, she replied, “There is no single word to describe Alex. Well rounded is too vague.”

I full-heartedly agree with Mccall.  Not many people today have the privilege of saying they are a Marine, a soon to be Law student, a member of Chi Omega, and a member of the Baylor Club Soccer Team.

As captain of Baylor’s club team, Benda is able to give light to her leadership skills.  She is also Chi Omega’s Intramural Chair and oversees all of the sorority’s competitions.

“She does an incredible job of motivating the team.  We play so well when we’re all together…We’re like a family,” said teammate and fellow Chi O Amy Wofford.

Although I am not on the club team, I am one of Benda’s sorority sisters and I agree with Wofford.  We are a family.  Maybe not by blood, but by compassion and faith.

In 1883 the Marine Corps adopted Semper Fidelis as its official motto, meaning “Always Faithful.”  Benda embodies this statement.  She constantly uses her talents for the good of others, whether they are teammates, sorority sisters, or common American citizens.  She is not only a role model, but a prime example to all of what hard work and respect can accomplish you in life.