First Year Student Reflections 2020 Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project by Avila Publications

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2020 STUDENT REFLECTIONS Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project First Year Experience Truman Lecture Series

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2020 STUDENT REFLECTIONS Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project First Year Experience Truman Lecture Series

Introduction TIKKUN OLAM The Hebrew phrase tikkun olam (pronounced tee-KOON oh-LUHM) was referenced many times in Avila University’s selected common read, Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project by Jack Mayer. This phrase suggests that humanity has a shared responsibility to heal, repair and transform the world. In modern Jewish circles, tikkun olam has become synonymous with the notion of social action and the pursuit of social justice.

ach year, Avila selects a common reading for our first year students. Students have the summer to read the selected book and respond with an essay prior to the start of fall class. Additionally, the University dedicates the Harry S. Truman Distinguished Lecture to the selected book. To compliment these experiences, all first year students enroll in a fall semester class, First Year Seminar, which provides an opportunity to expand on the global topics within the book. The subject of this year’s common read was timely as it allowed our first year students to learn and discuss topics of social justice and unsung heroes. As our students gathered for the fall semester to begin, students were impacted by the death of George Floyd which spurred events and unrest in most of their communities. As stated in our mission, Avila prepares learners who will contribute to the global community and our values state the importance of the worth, dignity and potential of each human being as well as right relationship with self and others. Justice for all is a topic of global concern and importance and was studied throughout the fall semester by our first year students. This publication serves as the culmination of multiple experiences shared among our first year students (Appendix A) on issues of social justice and how they can celebrate or become an “unsung hero”. Within this publication are the Culminating Projects of several of Avila’s first year students. It is our hope that through the curriculum in first year seminar, students have developed individualized and educated thoughts and opinions on the subject and will become change agents for the world. Below outlines some of the experiences that led to these Culminating Projects. The book selected for 2020 was Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project by Jack Mayer. In this book, we learned of the story of a high school history teacher, Norm Conard, and three of his students (Megan Stewart, Liz Chambers and Sabrina Coons) who in 1999 embarked upon a life changing project for a National History Day competition. This project led them to Irena Sendler who they discovered was a true unsung hero and was alive and living in Warsaw, Poland. During WWII, Sendler, who was a Polish Catholic social worker, organized a rescue network to save 2,500 Jewish children from certain death in the Warsaw ghetto. She remained virtually unknown for over 60 years. Through Life in a Jar, Sendler taught us the principle of “tikkun olam” which suggests that humanity has a shared responsibility to heal, repair and transform the world. It was necessary for The Harry S. Truman Distinguished Lecture to pivot from original plans in light of the pandemic. Regardless, Avila was honored to welcome Norm Conard of the Life in a Jar Foundation and Megan Stewart Felt of the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes to our desktops and phones via Zoom on October 22, 2020 as our Harry S. Truman Distinguished Lecturers (Appendix B). With the event live-streamed we welcomed not only Avila students, faculty, staff, alumni and donors but also interested parties from around the country including high school students and retirees. The experiences and lessons shared by Conard and Felt were

Avila Community Values

countless but one of the messages was on target with what everyone was currently living. Felt shared that Sendler never believed she was a hero and often asked herself, “Am I doing enough?” In turn, Felt asked the audience, “Are you doing enough?” Other highlights of the semester included classroom discussions on how Life in a Jar and Sendler’s story connects with other historical and current day social justice movements including Black Lives Matter, LGBTIQA Rights, Women’s Rights and many others. We discussed the danger of being indifferent on topics of social justice and shared details about heroes in our own lives. We realized that heroes are ordinary people who make a difference and that we can all be a hero. We learned how to respond to challenges and social justice initiatives with peace and nonviolence. One of the most effective ways to make a positive, sustainable change is to use a well-informed, logic-based approach to problem solving without resorting to violence in any form. We learned how to do this by navigating through components of a problem tree and a solution tree. We also heard from David Radasky who is a second-generation Holocaust survivor. We learned of his father’s amazing life story including the atrocities he witnessed and endured during WWII. But we also learned about many of his life philosophies including the belief that tomorrow will be better, look forward and not backward, learn tolerance, forgive, have faith, possess courage and be resourceful. Students are encouraged to be creative with The Culminating Project in First Year Seminar. Students can write a traditional essay or create a unique personal project such as a poem, song, piece of artwork, etc. The project helps students explore the complex issues surrounding our topic of social justice and explore their role and responsibility in resolving the issues through a peaceful and nonviolent means. These projects are a direct reflection of the multiple experiences in First Year Seminar including the classroom curriculum as well as the common reading and the Harry S. Truman Distinguished Lecture. This publication is a compilation of several projects submitted and an opportunity for first year students to share lessons learned from these experiences. I hope it can move us closer to the Avila mission and values by contributing to the global community and underscoring the importance of the worth, dignity and potential of each human being as well as right relationship with self and others. Tikkun Olam, Paige Illum, Ph.D., CSJA Director of Student Engagement and Success Adjunct Faculty Avila University

e Excellence in teaching and learning e The worth, dignity, and potential of each human being e Diversity and its expression e The development of the whole person e Right relationships, with God, self, others, and creation e Service with the dear neighbor

Acknowledgments This publication is dedicated to those who endured the unthinkable during WWII. The first year experience takes commitment and collaboration from both Avila and our outside community. This is an opportunity to thank all of these dedicated people. A special acknowledgment and many thanks to Jack Mayer, author of Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project, and Norm Conard and Megan Stewart Felt, the 2020 Harry S. Truman Distinguished Lecturers. Thank you for sharing Sendler and her story. A heart-felt thanks to Bill and Jean ’76 Buchanan and the Buchanan Initiative for Peace and Nonviolence. Your generous spirit and support helped the issues of social justice permeate through the curriculum of first year seminar. Avila is forever grateful to you! The Truman Lecture would not be possible without the support of our presenting sponsors Joe and Sue Fahey, Kevin and Connie Fahey and the J.M. Fahey Construction Company. We appreciate and value your support of this event. Thank you for allowing our students the unique opportunity to hear first-hand from those who knew and loved Irena Sendler. With your support Avila was also able to donate $5000 to the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes to continue the legacy of honoring and showcasing those who make a difference in the lives of many. Thank you to the Avila University Common Reading Program Committee led by Dr. Paige Illum. Members were Dr. Sue Ellen McCalley, Dr. Abigail Lambke, and Dr. Natalie Cobb. We appreciate your time and dedication! A special thanks to Jerra White who read Life in a Jar and recommended it to the committee. When we realized the Harry S. Truman Distinguished Lecture would need a pivot from the planned live theater performance due to Covid-19, the Truman Lecture Series Committee moved quickly and successfully to coordinate a small in-person experience offered through many forms of technology including Zoom, Facebook and YouTube. A huge thank you to the Truman Lecture Series Committee including Aaron Bennett, Dr. Charlene Gould, Dr. Paige Illum, Darren Roubinek and the leadership of Dr. Sue Ellen McCalley.

hours of dedicated work to make The Harry S. Truman Distinguished Lecture a success. Also to Maureen Reardon and Mary Sommerhauser who designed this reflection book with wonderfully creative and on-target project management skills. The members of the Office of Marketing and Communication, the Advancement Office, the Theatre Department, Information Technology Services and Campus Services helped implement a stellar Harry S. Truman Distinguished Lecture. Thank you for your excellent attention to detail and expertise in your respective areas. Through the tireless efforts of our First Year Seminar Instructors our students were able to gain important worldview lessons through the First Year Seminar curriculum. You led students through multiple experiences and made the First Year Experience come alive through projects and discussions. You also were willing to take a leap of faith to teach during a pandemic that required countless alterations throughout the semester. You were cooperative and dedicated. You all DID make a difference! Thank you to Dave Armstrong, Jason Baldwin, Sara Eckinger, Darby Gough, Paige Illum, Alexis Johnson, Anissa Martinez, Arica Maurer, Anna McDonald, Alicia Murillo, Tremesha Robinson, Shawn Summe, Paula Tarwater and Daniel Weigel. We also thank those who helped educate our first year students in unique and meaningful ways though the First Year Seminar curriculum. A sincere thank you to David Radasky for speaking to our students about his amazing father, Solomon Radasky. We are so grateful to have learned more about Solomon and the important messages regarding friendship, tolerance and self-respect. We are also appreciative of Jessica Rockhold and Shelly Cline from the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education (MCHE) for connecting Avila to David Radasky. And, to Avila’s own Dr. Ron Sleptiza, Avila President, who connected the First Year Seminar to those at the MCHE. Many thanks to Arica Maurer, Coordinator of the Buchanan Initiative for Peace and Nonviolence, who helped students understand that social justice problems can be solved to create a more peaceful world and one of the most effective ways to make a positive change is through a nonviolent, well-informed, logic based approach to problem solving. Lastly, thanks to the Avila University first year students. You also took a leap of faith! You headed to college during a pandemic and adjusted to a new style of learning. Avila is proud of you! We thank you for your commitment to your continued learning of social justice. We challenge you to live the mission and values of Avila University as you learn more about how you can contribute to our global community. Be a hero! Thanks to our presenting sponsor

Many thanks to Maggie Mohrfeld, Interim Vice President of Advancement; Darren Roubinek, Senior Director of Marketing & Communications; and Aaron Bennett, Events Coordinator, for their countless

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4 Introduction 5 Acknowledgments 7 Student Reflections & Projects 21 Photos from The Truman Lecture Series 26 Student Reflections & Projects 40 Appendix A: Avila First Year Students 41 Appendix B: Harry S. Truman Distinguished Lecture Program 42 Appendix C: Anticipation Guide Perspectives 43 Past Common Reading Programs & Harry S. Truman Distinguished Lecture Programs

Student Reflections & Projects e Tim Menejias

his piece of artwork is one that I made with a dual meaning. It represents the duality of what Jewish people were going through during World War II and what Jewish people are still widely going through, along with other minority ethnic, racial, and religious groups in today’s world. It represents Jewish people’s fight through the Holocaust and how through it all they still looked out for one another and depended on their faith to get through it. The eyes represent duality as well, both the watchful eyes of the angels, the guardians of man, and the watchful eyes of a fascist government. While I myself am not a religious person, as a Jewish person I find it incredibly impressive and moving, that through it all many Jewish people kept their faith and it helped them get through one of history’s most horrifying events.

While I already knew of Irena Sendler, hearing the story more recently and far more thoroughly has really shown me what it means to be a hero. To be someone so selfless, and to help so many is something truly amazing. Many people face social justice issues, even in today’s modern world there is ignorance and hate. As a Jewish person I have faced some discrimination in school when I was younger for being different, and even for looking different, even when I appear to be white. Because of this, I can only imagine how difficult it must be for people of color. Social justice issues occur across the world, and while they may vary from place to place, it is overwhelmingly clear that we could use more heroes like Irena Sendler. I hope to be an agent of change through actual activism, not just performative activism that we see many people participating in today. I will attend protests and help people in any way I can. I hope to help the world, and I hope other people wish for the same thing.

Major: Art - Graphic Design Hometown: Joplin, Mo.

e Isabelle Brogoto

lthough the term "unsung hero" is relatively new, the concept of unknown or forgotten heroes has been around since society has been established. In oppressive and archaic societies, many people did brave and heroic acts for others in the shadows. Even today in our modern world, people are still putting themselves before others when they see injustices being committed. As with Irena Sendler’s story, many unsung heroes’ stories are erased and hidden by the oppressors. Their stories may have been lost because people feared the consequences and thought that sharing a courageous story was not that important. The book, Life in a Jar, shows how a hidden story can be told many years later and still hold importance and inspiration for everyone. It is evident that many people are working towards equality and equity for all, but we are still in desperate need of people who value justice, kindness, and fairness, and choose to act when they see others suffering. It is everyone’s responsibility to actively work towards bettering the world, whether it be donating millions of dollars to charities or volunteering at a homeless shelter. Another responsibility we have is sharing people’s inspirational stories with those around us. Although it seems like a menial and futile task, the act of sharing unsung heroes’ stories is very important and transformative for everyone. For example, three girls from rural Kansas, Megan, Liz, and Sabrina, discovered Irena Sendler’s amazing story and decided to make it known. Little did they know that they would change so many people’s lives and bring to light a story that needed to be shared. They understood the gravity of Sendler’s story, and knew it was up to them to tell the world. While many of us will not have the opportunity to discover an unsung hero, it does not mean that we are not responsible for sharing their story. Although Megan, Liz, and Sabrina told Sendler’s story, it is our job to continue their mission. Some people know about Irena Sendler because of their play and the book, but sadly a lot of people have never heard of her. I did not know anything about Irena Sendler before I read Life in a Jar. Now, I try to live by the message of the book and help everyone I can. I also have recommended this book to my family members and friends. Even though this seems like a futile act, we are not aware of how much Sendler’s positive message can impact someone’s life.

Another unsung hero who has a story similar to Sendler’s is a Dutch teacher named Johan van Hulst. According to History.com, van Hulst was a principal and teacher at a college before the Nazis invaded the Netherlands. After the invasion, a theater across from the school became a deportation center for Jews. Jewish children were taken from their parents and sent to this place. Van Hulst secretly collaborated with the workers at the center, and smuggled a total of six hundred children out of the city. They were smuggled out in similar methods used by Sendler. The children were passed over hedges and then hidden in baskets and sacks. Van Hulst and his collaborators smuggled the Jewish children to the countryside where they could hide for the rest of the war. Walter Suskind, a Jewish man who did the record keeping at the deportation center, would then erase the children’s names from the records. This operation only lasted one year because the man organizing this, Henriette Pimentel, was sadly sent to Auschwitz. For Johan van Hulst’s incredible work throughout his life, he was named Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem in 1972. A few years before, in 1965, Sendler was also named Righteous Among the Nations. Just like Sendler, he regretted not saving more people. He told Yad Vashem, “You realize that you cannot possibly take all the children with you. You know for a fact that the children you leave behind are going to die. I took twelve with me. Later on I asked myself, ‘Why not thirteen?’” This quote reveals how similar his values were to Sendler’s. Even though both van Hulst and Sendler went above and beyond to save people, they still felt as if they could have done more. Their characteristics of selflessness, courage, and empathy are deeply reflected in their actions and words. Today, you can visit the Dutch National Holocaust Museum, which was previously the school that van Hulst worked at. In conclusion, unsung heroes are an important and necessary part of history. People like Irena Sendler and Johan van Hulst changed the lives of so many people and inspired even more. Their great sacrifices and accomplishments created a minimal obligation for everyone to share their stories and live by their values. Even though unsung heroes are hidden and erased, it is still everyone’s responsibility to find their stories, as the girls did for Sendler, and share it with the world.

Like Sendler, many unsung heroes are forgotten, erased, or hidden. Some people, like the Nazis and Polish government in Sendler’s case, tried to erase the heroes, because they knew the importance and ripple effects of their stories. When the girls interviewed Holocaust survivors in Poland, they said no one was allowed to talk about the Holocaust, or even build memorials honoring those who have suffered and died. Just like unsung heroes’ stories, the government wanted to erase the events that took place. They also threatened Sendler and forced her to go into hiding because of the amazing work she did. While trying to understand why unsung heroes are hidden, a quote by Erin Gruwell rings true: “Silence ensures that history repeats itself.” By silencing unsung heroes, the oppressors are ensuring that what happened is unknown or forgotten by everyone. It is an ancient and effective tool that people use to conceal the truth.

Major: Professional Health Sciences Hometown: Kansas City, Mo.

e Aaliyah Abernathy

Blacks have lost their voice within the community due to racial injustice

Lost the lives of so many due to police brutality Always accused and never trusted due to the color of our skin Confusing as to why we are treated as less than human in a world that voices justice and equality

y project is based upon black lives matter and all the injustices we face as a whole community, while also touching on how we are treated in society today and historically. A lot of things have not changed for African Americans. History seems to repeat itself for us. My place in this issue would be me being an African American young lady experiencing a lot of different things. Constantly being judged and wondered about. People trying to take me out of my element to prove a point. Being this skin color definitely opens my eyes and makes me wish to be heard and actually see some improvement.

Knowledgeable of the fact that people already have premade perceptions of how we are

Living in a world where we fear the police because we believe they are not always on our side

Interrogated because we can drive nice cars but interrogated because they seem out of our reach

Violent, loud, dangerous is what people think of us Eventually people will understand why we protest, or why we feel so unsafe in certain situations

Some will never experience the things we experience because they will never be our color

Majority of people overlook us because we were never a factor in this world

As a race we stick together because when the world is against us we will always lift up our own

Together as a family related or not, we stand together as a unit Together we try to make a difference, we try to be heard and understood

Everyday we spread love because we never know when our last day will be In this world

Racially profiled just because of our attire, or our body language

Major: Nursing Hometown: Grandview, Mo.

e Sofia Cucar

ife in a Jar illustrates the true story of a courageous unsung hero who in trying times risked her whole life to save the lives of those who were not given the same opportunities and chances as she. Irena Sendler’s acts of heroism saved the lives of thousands of Jewish children who would not have had a second chance at life if it were not for her and her colleagues. By learning about Sendler’s story, inspiration has filled me to go out and use my voice, and to stand up and make a change. Like Sendler, we can all be examples of leaders in our community and stand up against racial injustices when we see them. During these times especially, we should all stand up in unity against racial injustices and treat everyone with the human dignity and respect they deserve. During WWII, members of different groups, especially people who were Jewish, were persecuted and discriminated against because of their beliefs or race. They were tormented in unimaginable ways. Although WWII and the evil practices that were inflicted on millions of Jews during that time were later abolished, discrimination and racism towards certain groups of people was never resolved. To this day, we can see many accounts of discrimination and racism towards those who have been labeled as having less value, or even as not being seen as equal to everyone else. The unfair treatment towards someone because of their religion or the color of their skin is what Sendler fought so strongly to end. It is something that we, as people, should follow suit. Sendler risked her own life on numerous occasions to give those who were being persecuted another chance to life. In the world today, I have witnessed many accounts of unfair and cruel treatment towards my friends who are people of color. Before this year, I was rather sheltered to the harsh reality of the world and its cruel treatment towards people of different groups. Hearing and witnessing the unjust treatments towards my friends and the ones I love brings about feelings of great sadness and anger. It leaves me feeling unsettled and eager to make changes in the world. These strong emotions are ones that Sendler displayed throughout the story and acted upon by saving others. After reading and learning about Sendler’s courage and of how she stood up against those who were oppressing others, I felt compelled to act in the same manner. Reading about Sendler’s mission and how fearless she was made me realize how I possess the same power as she does. In fact, each of us possesses the same power to go out in the world and use our voices to help put an end to racial injustices.

Throughout Life in a Jar, Sendler emphasized the importance of living fearlessly and standing up to those who do harm to others. This mindset is one to which I aspire to achieve. To replace fear with courage and to use emotions of anger to drive your passions and beliefs until the end is something that Sendler advocated for, and something I aspire to do. Sendler advocated that instead of aiming your anger towards something negative, direct it towards an issue for which you are passionate about changing. As Sendler herself once quoted, “Fear makes you weak; anger makes you stronger.” Sendler’s acts of courage stand as a beacon of hope and inspiration to all people, despite the color of your skin, beliefs, or religion. The story of Sendler has inspired me to go out in my community and be a voice for those who are in need. Her story and other stories of unsung heroes have opened my eyes towards injustices that are taking place all around me. Reading about fearless people who used their voices and their presence to bring justice to the world has encouraged me to go about doing the same. Life in a Jar is a story of courage that brings about hope, especially in the society that we live in today. Sendler’s story shed a light on the tragedies of the Holocaust and racial injustices that are still seen in the world today. Not only did Sendler’s story illustrate the tragedy of oppression and discrimination, but also showed the strength of an unsung hero who was willing to risk her life so others could live freely. A major theme that I have taken away from reading Life in a Jar is that you should always help people when they need help. No matter the consequences. One aspect that was emphasized was that you are the only thing stopping you from being heard. The only limitation standing between you and giving your all to make a difference is yourself. As Sendler’s father once said, “If you see someone drowning, you must save them even if you cannot swim.”

Sendler used the privilege that she had, as an Aryan woman, to help those who were not viewed as having the same “value” as she. This same privilege that Sendler had during WWII is something that I can use and follow her example by helping those whose voices have been silenced. Not only can I use my voice to help those who are silenced by society, but to speak even louder to make their voice heard and mine as well. To stand up against oppressors and use my voice and privilege in ways that help others has been something that I have been gradually learning. Especially this year more than ever. Learning to use my voice and stand up for those being oppressed has been a life changing experience. Reading about accounts such as Sendler’s has been a major wake-up call for me and many others in the world today.

Major: Psychology Hometown: Belton, Mo.

e Kaitlyn White

y culminating project is a piece of digital art, depicting several social justice movements and their leaders, with the central theme of coexistence and tolerance. There are seven sections, and they all meet in the center. Each section has a different color. There is red, blue, green, yellow, black, white, and gray. At the center is the word “coexist”, made up of different cultural, religious, and other symbols. I chose to place the three movements having to do with oppression of Black people in the black, white, and gray sections. In the black section is the Black Lives Matter symbol and “#BLM”. In the white section is a silhouette of Martin Luther King Jr. In the gray is a silhouette of Nelson Mandela and the symbol of Anti-Apartheid. The colored sections have little significance to the movements they are paired with. In red is a silhouette of Mahatma Ghandi. In blue is the star of David, and silhouettes of Anne Frank and Irena Sendler. In green is the pride flag and a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community, two hands holding. Finally, in yellow is a symbol of women’s equality and a silhouette of Malala. I wanted to have all of these movements be separate, but also come together on one point: coexistence. World peace does not have to be that everybody loves everybody; just that nobody hates anyone for being who they are. Coexistence is saying: you are different than I am, and that is okay. I believe that that is our role in society. Only when someone begins to hate is it our responsibility to stand up for those being oppressed.

Major: Theatre - Design and Technology Hometown: Paola, Ks.

e Riley Taranto

He was gay

His name has been heard but not by many Under appreciated, underpaid, unrecognized, and not very well known Yet he walked beside Martin Luther King Jr. and yet not his name in sight Bayard Rustin, was his name. Stood up for the Civil rights movement One of the organizers of the Washington jobs and freedom march Segregated public transit Not only was he arrested for his beliefs he was punished And pushed, felt compelled to stand up for what he believes in . . . He was gay, not only is there very little to no record of him loving a man But because of it, he was introduced to no fame or fortune in his day. Bayard Rustin to say his name out loud, to carry on his fortune 100 years later and doing what he was doing, Bayard Rustin his story of being gay and what he believed in will be lived on.

Unique Hero

ayard Rustin was a gay man who got no attention because of his sexuality. It really hit home for what this country is going through, with history repeating itself. He stood up for Black Lives Matter walking with Martin Luther King Jr. getting no spotlight for his actions, barely known. I believe he worked hard for what he believed in and I always looked up to that. I definitely want to work hard and be able to make a change not only in the world and even if it is for just one person. Reading about Irena Sendler really made an impact on me. Knowing she worked hard no matter the consequences, being the person on the opposing side from the Germans, but still doing what she could to help others, really opened my eyes. Opened my eyes to how willing I need to be in my life to help other people. Having integrity is so important to me. I believe Generation Z is already doing as much as possible to help each other and help their peers by guiding them through the protests of Black Lives Matter. I know I can do the same right where I am standing now. I think that is why I have chosen to become a therapist. Gay rights have been changing lately, slowly moving forward with how we continue to express ourselves and that means a lot. I think that is why I chose to do a poem. Knowing Bayard Rustin stood up for what he believed in, and it was not for nothing, shows we as a generation are doing something right. Here is to moving forward as a generation and as a psychologist to helping people and remaining on the right side of what I believe in as a human.

Major: Psychology - Mental Health Hometown: Grandview, Mo.

e Jake Ekborg-Ott

hen it comes to social injustice, we all walk on a sensitive line. For my culminating project, I settled on a different kind of approach. Originally, I had planned on the gif containing phrases that would have changed with each frame, but I scrapped the idea because I thought that it would draw attention away from what was happening within the gif. Instead, the gif is meant to be interpreted uniquely by each individual. It is up to the viewers to understand how the gif is symbolic to them. Centered within the gif are two overlapping circles (very similar to a Venn diagram) where the right side is gradually distorted and broken. You could say that the circles could be symbolic of the world and how we are becoming more divided and how the splatters of the red could represent those that are further divided from a society. In the center of the overlapping circles, two figures can be seen on either side of a platform. The figure on the left pulls out and wears a top hat before flicking the figure on the right side off the platform. A few frames later, a new figure falls back onto the platform and assumes the role of the figure on the right side of the platform before the cycle repeats. The figure on the left of the platform could represent an individual that tries to ensure that he/she remains in power. The figures on the right of the platform could represent those that work hard and are treated poorly as they try to make a difference, and how if one-person fails, another is ready to take his/her place. In the bottom right, there is a silhouette of a traditional balancing scale. The scale will begin to tip as two individuals are kicked off the left side of the scale; this causes an imbalance where the left platform rises to a higher elevation while the right side lowers. The scale could be symbolism for the unequal distribution of wealth or power among different individuals and groups of a particular gender, race, or ethnicity. The ladder could represent an effort to rebalance the distribution of wealth or power. But ultimately, the endless cycle continues. The gif is composed of fourteen frames that were all drawn by mouse using an art software known as Fire Alpaca. The objects have a fluid like appearance with wavy outlines to resemble water. I used this style because I wanted to show how unpredictable it can appear. In conclusion, I find that my culminating project effectively uses symbolism to tell a story even with the absence of any words or phrases.

Major: Radiologic Science Hometown: Lee's Summit, Mo.

e Kiyah Neeley

his class first started when everyone had to read Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project by Jack Mayer. This multi-narrative book entails two stories, one about a woman named Irena Sendler and her network rescuing families from Warsaw ghettos. The other story described three high school teenagers’ journey discovering Sendler’s story and meeting her in Poland. In Sendler’s time, which is World War II, it was tough to speak against the central authority or the dominant social group. Hitler was making it very difficult for regular people to live ordinary lives, but the problem was that Hitler did not view Jewish people as typical. He was very adamant about Jews not being regular people; he decided to put them into concentration camps, ghettos, and kill them. His army was not terrible to just Jews, but to the LGBTQ community, the mentally and physically disabled, any person of color, and so many more. Sendler did not see race or religion; she truly only saw the good and bad in people. Her father taught her that you should not judge people by their race and religion, only if they are good and bad. He told her when someone is drowning; you save them. Sendler did just that. The best parts about Sendler were that she continued saving families even though she could have been killed herself and that she did not discriminate. The Holocaust is undeniably one of the most prominent examples of discrimination. The Holocaust ended seventy-five years ago, and discrimination still exists. People are still being discriminated against for their religion, race, sexuality, gender, etc. Muslim women cannot walk down the street without people staring at their hijab. Many Muslim men and women are still being blamed for the incidents on September 11, when they had nothing to do with that. Black men and women are being beaten to death by police officers. People believe that the LGBTQ+ community members should not have the right to love each other, and women worldwide are still being treated as less than by their male counterparts. As a young Black woman with a Black father and a Black family, it is genuinely frightening to see them being hated. Hate groups are still lynching African Americans. Police officers are still beating to death of our civil black people. I pray that no one I know must ever experience a terrifying situation like that. Too many names have already been hash-tagged.

who firmly believes in equal rights for everyone, it is only right to make sure the people I converse and spend time with share the same loving ideologies. Social media is one of the most essential tools currently. Fact checking and making sure what I post and what others post could make a huge difference. Advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves will have a significant effect. For example, those detained by ICE and are being separated by their families need people to advocate and defend them. I can be that person. Being introduced to Sendler’s story has truly pushed me to be a better advocate for those being mistreated. When Megan Felt, one of the high school students that met Sendler and her old History teacher, Mr. Conard, talked to Avila’s freshmen, it was very eye opening. They were able to have conversations with Irena Sendler. They told us she was the most selfless person possible. She never took credit for the rescuing of the families. She always mentioned her team and said if it were not for them, those 2,500 children would not have been saved. One thing Felt said that stuck with me was that we must question if we are doing enough to make a change. That day, I wondered if I was doing enough to make an impact. First Year Seminar has made sure to let us freshmen know that we can truly make a change. This whole experience has allowed me to see the growth I still need to make. As I grow older, I will become more educated, empowered, and selfless to help those around me. Avila’s missions and values clearly state that they want students to feel included, understood, and be at peace. Avila has a peace initiative that encourages us “to interrogate harms and injustices, elevate the voices of the marginalized, and apply methods for building positive, sustainable relationships.” The Buchanan Initiative allows students and others to come together to build a generation that utilizes the nonviolent tools they need to make peaceful social change possible. We have a community that pushes for unity, and it is our job to understand and fight against social injustices.

As a woman now, it is scary to see higher powers wanting to take away decisions that I should be able to make myself. Women still do not earn the same amount of money as their male counterparts, which goes for any job or industry. These social justice issues are not just national; these are global problems. Quite honestly, America is one of the freest countries, and that is very ironic. In Middle Eastern countries, Muslim women are being forced to wear clothing because men say they must. In South Africa, racism was very legal, and it is still prominent today. Countries worldwide experience social injustices, and as a society, we must be able to reach everywhere. The most significant way to get people to understand is through education. In First Year Seminar when we worked with the “problem tree,” we were asked to come up with solutions. The most effective solution being education. There is such a thing as generational discrimination. People grow up racist or discriminatory because of how they were raised. Instead of being educated on America’s problems, these people are more comfortable in their “better than them” ideologies. Racism is taught; therefore, it is easy to learn to love others. With education being a solution, we must have informative conversations. Having those uncomfortable conversations with people that only think about themselves will genuinely make a difference. If you had one hundred people, and only three people developed an understanding, that is already making a difference. Sadly, violence is the first solution for most. Violence solves nothing, so conversing, educating, loving, and debating is one way to solve social justice issues. As someone

Major: Nursing Hometown: Grandview, Mo.

e Sarah Fuller

rawing is one of my favorite ways to digest the world. It is my way to analyze and represent my perception of reality. One of my favorite things to draw are people, so I connected the two together. I wanted to focus on the nation’s current racial and social justice issues and movements. I wanted the person I chose to draw to be just as determined, passionate, and intellectual as Sendler: An unsung hero. I found the perfect person, Alicia Garza. She is one of the three co-founders of the Black Lives Matter movement. The Black Lives Matter movement is an international social movement, formed in the United States in 2013 after the murder of Trevon Martin. It is dedicated to fighting racism and anti-black violence, especially in the form of police brutality. Garza is beyond inspiring, and an overall graceful and accomplished woman. In the picture, I wanted to portray her beauty and strong presence. I wrote “BLACK LIVES MATTER” in horizontal rows in the colors of the Black Lives Matter movement. I wanted the writing in the background to remind the viewer of the protest signs that flooded the streets after the death of George Floyd. While researching Garza for the project, I learned more about her specific views and opinions on the current situation of the nation, the 2020 presidential election, the Black Lives Matter movement, and other current issues such as climate change and women’s rights. This topic means a lot to me, because during May and June I participated in the local protest in Tulsa, OK. It was a hard time for my family and me due to opposing viewpoints on the situation. This time in my life and the situation America was facing caused me to think about

hard subjects and challenged me to speak up and take action for what I believed. I made my own choices to attend the protests and took the time to analyze my morals and standpoints. During this time, I listened to so many logical and passionate activists just like Garza speak. Their words moved and sparked me to change the world for the better. I believe that Sendler and Garza both felt this spark as well. I hope my art piece honors Garza and her contributions to make the world a more equal and just place.

Major: Art Education Hometown: Tulsa, Ok.

e Elisha Haynes

wrote a poem about how we are all more alike than not, which is very true. It made me really think why we all are so separated as race, why are there stereotypes of each other. To me it does not make any sense. We literally could be born in the same place, talk the same, do the same things, but just because you look different, you are judged about it or not accepted. I think the problem is we all try to make each race seem more superior to the other. It is just competing back and forth with no end. Instead of competing with each other why do we not help lift each other, help bring peace, help stop problems around the world. We just have to sit back and think, we all bleed the same and have the same goals. My responsibility is to inform more people about how similar we are, and spread positivity instead of hate.

Bleed the Same! We all are more alike than you think, we all end up losing our way, we all go through struggles and make mistakes, we all bleed the same color and breathe the same air, We all live on this planet, so why not stand with one another, We all feel the same pain but yet we’re so different? I don’t even get the world we live in, If we’re going to fight, Let's fight for and with each other, Remember at the end of the day we all

Bleed the same color

Major: Cybersecurity Hometown: Lee's Summit, Mo.

e Alejandra Velazquez

ithin this semester of our First Year Seminar class, we have discussed many relevant issues in our society; however, one of the ongoing conversations we have had involved the concept of unsung heroes as it relates to Irena Sendler’s story. After reading the book and having discussions in class about the relations and the power of Irena Sendler, my ideas of unsung heroes had shifted. Irena Sendler was not only a brave soul, but was also extremely humble, as she never took credit for her accomplishments and good deeds. Our society has depicted heroes as these physically strong, invincible, “celebrity-like” individuals who defy the typical everyday people. However, Life in a Jar presented heroes in a new light; the four girls proved that anyone can be a hero and showed that there are many unsung heroes that have not been discovered. Through these various self-realizations, I have experienced whether it be from class lectures, presentations, or everyday situations, I have discovered my responsibilities in society and thanked unsung heroes in my life.

Lastly, tying this back to society and our world today, we are facing many issues whether it be political, racial, or economical. Our job is to not put an end to all this negativity in our world, because that is a big job and is sadly impossible at the moment. What we can do is take the little steps in lessening the amount of hatred and injustice. To create a more positive environment for our world, we need to educate ourselves and look back on our history. When we look back and reflect, we have the ability to learn from our mistakes and possibly discover other unsung heroes to share with the world. We can then teach and guide others with our wisdom. As they always say, “knowledge is power” and we all can be heroes when we obtain that power and spread the love. Irena Sendler’s story was just one of many and it is our job to uncover the rest, to give hope and inspire others to make a change. Through these experiences, I can relate them back to Avila University, as its mission is to put their students on the path to success through education in hopes of creating confident and decent human beings.

One of the moments that pushed me one-step closer to discovering the truth about unsung heroes and our generation’s role in society was during the Harry S. Truman Distinguished Lecture with Norm Conard and Megan Stewart Felt. During their presentation, I could immediately tell that although Irena Sendler was no longer physically alive, her legacy and love lived on. One of the specific moments occurred when one student asked how the girls continued to share Sendler’s story with the world, when they were going through their own personal struggles. Megan Felt’s response was simply, “I did it for Irena Sendler. Whenever I am struggling or need a little push, I think of her and she gives me strength.” This statement opened my eyes to the amount of power and influence one person can have on another person’s life. Although my initial thoughts and opinions on WWII and the Holocaust stayed the same, I will say that if Irena Sendler found a way to make a difference during the most horrid, dangerous time in history, we can too.

I do believe that each of us has the capability to be a hero. We were each created differently with a purpose or job that we must complete in this crazy world. It is our job to discover our path and purpose. Each one of us wants to leave this life knowing we had an impact. How you do this is up to you. Everyone’s path differs, but as long as you are determined and passionate, you can make a difference.

When speaking about unsung heroes, I tend to think about courageous people who have done heroic acts solely out of the goodness of their heart. Instead of bragging about their achievements, they act as if it were an everyday situation. People that are unsung heroes to me are my parents. They have made so many sacrifices for me including flying from California to visit me when I first was injured. Yes, they might be my legal guardians and are responsible for me, but I am forever grateful for them as they constantly inspire every day. Whether they were cheering for me at my tournaments in person or through live-streaming, they were always supporting me. Through my parents, I have learned how to become an unsung hero as well. To be an unsung hero you simply need to treat people with respect and provide them with support when they need it. Life, especially now, is pretty difficult and unfortunately others have it way worse than you, but you can be someone’s hero, whether or not you realize it, by just listening to them and being a shoulder for them to lean on. This also comes into play when you see something that you know is not right or might be offensive to someone. Instead of waiting for someone else to step in, you need to be the one who is going to stop the event and be that “active by-stander”. By stepping in you have shown others what is accepted in our society, which results in more people helping.

Major: Criminology and Justice Studies Hometown: Reseda, Ca.

e Lloydarius Garner

his poem is about things heard and learned about freedom and equality. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery. However, Black people are still fighting for equal rights to this day.

The Black population has been suppressed for a long time. African Americans are put in areas where it is hard for us to make a name for ourselves. Black people are heavily discriminated against. People stare when you are inside stores. Many Blacks are denied jobs because of their names. Harsher sentences are given based on race. According to the United States sentencing commission “Black male offenders received sentences on average 19.1 percent longer than similarly situated White male offenders.”

FREE Where does freedom come from? Apparently it must be given Isn’t being free, free? It depends on who you are Isn’t this the land of the free?

Black people are associated with committing crimes. People continue to overlook the fact that Black people who live in impoverished areas have to hustle to make ends meet. This could mean working multiple jobs or can lead to committing crimes. When generations are brought up around crime it is what they will continue to do. Police know this; so they heavily police these areas, which leads to more incarcerated Black people. These people are locked and their “freedom” is taken away. Slavery has been abolished, but Black people are still slaves to the system. Unless there is change, Black people will never be free. As a young Black man living in America, I do not think change will come in an instant. Our parents and their parents before them taught us different things. It would take everyone to be on the same page for change to happen. We would have to communicate peacefully and listen to each other to make change. We would have to teach our children to not judge and not treat people wrongly because of our differences. If we can understand each other, there will be change.

It’s starting to feel like it will never be Are we free now? Everyone thinks we are So we were never free? I don’t think we know what freedom is.

Major: Kinesiology Hometown: Houston, Tx.

e Annamarie Circello

or this project, I chose to create a drawing representing equality, or at least how I perceive equality to be. At the top of my drawing I drew out the word “equality” very big and I decided to color it in red, white, and blue. I chose those colors because those are the colors of the American flag. America is a free country. Below that, I drew an equal sign, again tying in the theme of everyone being equal.

On the left side, I decided to draw one of many possible religious symbols. This cross is there to represent Christianity; however, I drew a heart in the middle to represent we love everyone! It is totally okay for people of different religions to come together and not hold grudges because of it. It is a part of life and we need to learn to accept the fact that everyone comes from a different background.

At the bottom, in the center of the page is a faceless and colorless person. I chose to leave the person blank because no matter what their facial features look like or what color their skin would have been, we should all be treated the same, which is one of the biggest issues for me. There is nothing more that I hate than people being discriminated against because of something they are unable to control. In recent events, I know the Black Lives Matter Movement was very huge, so I also decided to draw in the fist to support that whole situation.

Lastly, at the bottom left I drew a dove holding an olive branch in its mouth. I thought this was an important piece to add, because of all the hate going on in the world. This dove is here to represent peace between all people, and hopefully others can find it in their hearts to keep the peace going!

At the bottom right I decided to draw in the LGBTQ+ flag. This is another big issue for me because, as a free country, people should be able to express their feelings and love towards whomever they desire. Some people genuinely cannot control who they feel love towards, so again that is a very wrong thing to be discriminated against. Next to the flag, I drew the universal symbol for men and women. We should also never be discriminated against because of our gender! It is how we were born and raised; again meaning we did not choose the life we were put into.

Major: Professional Health Sciences Hometown: Kansas City, Mo.

e Olivia Villa

decided to list most of the German decrees from the book, Life in a Jar, by Jack Mayer, because they have an impact of disbelief and shock. During the Holocaust, the Jews suffered in horrible degrading ways that leave a pit in the bottom of many people’s stomachs. Listing the German decrees (www.nux.cz) only shows how much Jews tolerated and feared. There are pages and pages of decrees and many rules that were not recorded which show how much hatred was allowed. Mistreatment was allowed because Hitler decided to use the Jews as a scapegoat, as a reason for people to unite, and allow others to treat them horribly. This was a way for Hitler to get followers and get power. This project shows how much hate there was, but it shows others how to do better, how they could be better, and what to avoid to stop hating others as many people did with the Jews. I can inspire people to do something with the video creation. It can be inspiring, because it shows a real history and real journey of the Jews and others close to them. Compassion, empathy, and open mindedness are needed in the world, because people are the problem. We are the problem. We come up with ideas and concepts and actions that carry our will do to them, and this negatively affects us. Many think they are above other people just because they are more famous, wealthy, think differently, or something that they tell themselves is better than others. That is the true corruption of life. We are one. We as humans are equal. We are not different in what we experience and deal with in our world, physically or mentally. I believe that everyone is the same, but experiencing different things. It may take a while to change our behavior, but the first step that Avila University has realized is that change starts with us: students, families and individuals. Because if we can reach an individual, we can reach a group of people, which then will grow and grow and grow. Cites Mayer, H. Jack. Life in a Jar: the Irena Sendler Project: Based on the True Story of Irena Sendler, a Holocaust Hero, and the Kansas Teens Who 'Rescued the Rescuer'. Long Trail Press, 2011. (www.nux.cz), Nux s.r.o. “Warsaw Ghetto.” Úvod, www.holocaust.cz/en/history/ concentration-camps-and-ghettos/warsaw-ghetto/.

Major: Nursing Hometown: Raytown, Mo.

Moderator and Chair of the Truman Lecture Series, Sue Ellen McCalley, Ph.D. opens the 2020 Truman Lecture.

Ron Slepitza, Ph.D., CSJA, President of Avila University, introduces the Harry S. Truman Distinguished Lecture speakers, Norm Conard and Megan Stewart Felt.

The stage for the Harry S. Truman Distinguished Lecture is set for a virtual presentation. The lecture was available on Zoom, YouTube and Facebook.

A small number of students, faculty, and staff gathered in Whitfield Center to hear the 2020 Truman Lecture. Most attended the event virtually.

Avila students present a monetary gift of thanks to the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes.

Norm Conard, Harry S. Truman Distinguished Lecturer, shares Irena Sendler's story over Zoom to a large audience including Avila's first year students who read Life in a Jar as part of the First Year Experience at Avila University. Sendler's story was made into a movie by the Hallmark Movie Channel, it was titled, The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler.

The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes located in Fort Scott, Kansas created from Irena Sendler's story. Megan Stewart Felt (pictured on the far top right), Harry S. Truman Distinguished Lecturer, shares details during the lecture on the center where she serves as the Program Director.

During the Harry S. Truman Lecture, Norm Conard (pictured on the far top right) and Megan Stewart Felt shared a PowerPoint sharing many details of the journey of Life in a Jar. Part of this journey included the creation of a play about Irena Sendler's efforts during WWII to save over 2,500 Jewish children. Stewart Felt is pictured in the slide as she portrays Irena Sendler during the play.

During the lecture, Norm Conard and Megan Stewart Felt share details about their visits to Poland. Norm Conard and the students who began the project (Megan Stewart, Elizabeth Cambers and Sabrina Coons), were able to visit Irena Sendler in Poland prior to her death on May 12, 2008. They all formed strong and caring relationships with one another.

Student Reflections & Projects e Cor’Darius Wright

Black Lives Matter BLACK is culture, BLACK is proud, BLACK is beautiful & beauty is all around. BLACK doesn’t crack, it is as strong as liberty itself, & should give us freedom & justice just like all. We can never let them break our mind, we got to stay strong and never divide. My BLACK brothers & sisters, we are all kings and queens no matter what shade of color they see. Sssshush they say, but we can never be held for long. We went from I CAN’T BREATHE, to NO JUSTICE NO PEACE, BLACK LIVES MATTER, no! ALL LIVES MATTER. Yes, all lives matter but screaming all lives matter is a protest to my protest that people really don’t understand. When we scream BLACK LIVES MATTER, we want equality, social justice like others. The end term goal is world peace, what a world that would be.

hile writing this social justice poem, it helped me to get to know myself through issues that I really care about in the poem. BLM is something beautiful and should bring everyone together. Each life is precious and equally as beautiful. We should love each other and treat others how we should want to be treated. We as people should teach others to love each other especially at a young age, because I think this is where all the hate comes from. It is being taught from parent to child and the cycle just keeps going. I feel like we could do this; the world itself would be taking a major step to world peace. I just feel like that is the main goal around social justice. I wanted the tone of my poem to be somewhat strong, because I wanted to get my point across. We in the world need to search for world peace. Some things we could do personally to help with social justice issues are ask yourself: What are your attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors in relation to gender, race, sexual identity, immigration? What is your personal history? How do you define yourself? Can you change to support equity, respect, and nonviolence? Be an unsung hero in the lives of others, it does not matter how; let us try to better ourselves each and every day. The experience in First Year Seminar impacted my future actions related to issues of social justice, because at first I really did not care about this problem. I tried to stay away from them as much as possible, but after being in the class I feel like it is my duty to be a part of a bigger change in life.

Major: Major: Business International Administration Business Hometown: Hometown: KansasBaker, City, Mo. La.

e Trent Flake

“H

ow lovely to think that no one need wait a moment, we can all start now, start slowly changing the world! How lovely that everyone, great and small, can make their contribution toward introducing justice straightaway… And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!" Anne Frank (healingstory.org) When thinking about social justice throughout the world, the common factor is diversity. Social Justice is an issue in all parts of the world, including the United States. While it is a common problem, it is also one of the hardest problems to solve in countries with diverse populations. In addition to diversity, other factors impacting social justice are equity (or equality) and human rights. The number of diverse populations in a country/area has an impact on social justice. Diversity is not just a big word; it is also a big subject and has even bigger meanings and definitions. It is more than just the difference between individuals. The textbook definition of diversity is “an instance of being composed of differing elements or qualities” (Merriam-Webster, 2020). This definition clarifies that there will always be differences. However, the way everyone looks at those differences is what needs to change. When applying diversity to social justice, the problem is when one acknowledges the diversity rather than facing the similarities. Therefore, diversity’s greatest weakness is the acknowledgment of its own meaning. It is something that cannot be solved unless the greater population can decide to ignore the differences such as stereotypes and focus on the bigger picture. “Social justice” is alleged to be equal representation of participants according to representation in the general population…” (Salzman, 2019). No matter the topic, social justice should be viewed equally. What can make the population and these social justice topics truly equal? Another issue that affects social justice is equity. Many people do not believe equality to be present in the world, at least in their general society. They do not believe that other or different cultures, ethnicities, colors, etc. are racially oppressed, even to this day. There are many different reasons for this, such as denial, or the fact that they do not experience it, or see it in their specific environment. This not only applies to other races and cultures, but also to genders. According to Alba (2020), people tend to see male voices as more worthy or persuasive than a female voice.. “Participants were randomly assigned to a group in which either a male or female voice narrated the pitch, which was otherwise identical. When a male voice pitched the venture, 68% of participants thought it was worthy of funding, compared to only 32% when pitched by a female voice” (Alba, 2020). This specifically shows the discrimination between male and female and how women are idly “ignored” or discounted.

should have. According to the United Nations, “Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion… including the right of life and liberty…” (www.un.org). Without the awareness of the lack of human rights, racial discrimination in this country will never get better. Everyone has to drop his or her prejudices for this nation to become fully inclusive. Human rights can have a positive impact on people’s lives and it should. Social Justice is a major issue in our society. It is a very broad term that covers many issues in our society. Equality and human rights should not be given to just specific groups of people in a diverse population. Social justice should be represented equally in every aspect of the world in order to establish peace and for different “sides” to come to a consensus. The solution to these problems is in the hands of every group, equally represented or not. Everyone must consider the perspective of others. This would accomplish amazing progress and help all to see the big picture, racial equality, and even world peace.

Works Cited: Beatrice, Alba Research Fellow. “To Achieve Gender Equality, We Must First Tackle Our Unconscious Biases.” The Conversation, 28 Apr., 2020, theconversation.com/toachieve-gender-equality-we-must-first-tackle-our-unconsciousbiases-92848. Hill, E. et al. (June, 2020). “How George Floyd was Killed in Police Custody.” The New York Times. www.nytimes.com/2020/05/31/us/ george-floyd-investigation.html. Merriam-Webster. “Diversity.” Merriam-Webster, 2020. www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diversity. Salzman, P.C. (March, 2019; July, 2020). “How ‘Social Justice’ Undermines True Diversity.” Minding the Campus, Philip Carl Salzman. “Stories for Social Justice.” National Storytelling Network’s Healing Story Alliance Special Interest Group, healingstory.org/stories-forsocial-justice/. United Nations. “Human Rights.” United Nations, www.un.org/en/ sections/issues-depth/human-rights/.

Human rights is another big factor that impacts social justice in today’s society. For example, it has had a huge impact on Blacks in the United States, because of our history of slavery. Even though the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964, this country is still dealing with problems of racial discrimination. George Floyd is an example. “On May 25, 2020, Minneapolis police officers arrested George Floyd, a 46 year-old Black man…Seventeen minutes after the first squad car arrived at the scene, Mr. Floyd was unconscious and pinned beneath three police officers, showing no signs of life” (Hill, 2020). This is just one tragic story of a person of color being discriminated against by white humans. There are many more stories of human rights being violated based on the color of people’s skin; therefore, the minority populations in the United States are not having the rights they

Major: Radiologic Science Hometown: Grain Valley, Mo.

e Maleeha Mahmood

any complex issues have to do with social justice in our country right now that people have been fighting for since before I can remember. Despite the ongoing list of social injustices that our country is dealing with currently, I personally connect with racial inequality more than the other issues. I have always been aware of this problem because I am a mixed woman living in the Midwest. During the summer of 2020, my understanding got so much deeper and emotional than before. I began a journey of seeing, hearing, and understanding the everyday fight Black people are going through when an innocent man, George Floyd, was murdered by police officers when they sat on his neck for nine consecutive minutes. The first time I heard about this I instantly realized how deep a problem racial inequality is in our country and decided to dig deeper. I started looking up cases and names of Black lives that were taken too soon and found a list that was way too long. Names that I am sure most of us have heard: Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, and so many others. Reading these stories brought me to tears. I took a second to sit back and realize that so many of my friends have to fear for their lives every single day, simply because of something they were born with, skin color. This is when I knew something needed to be changed and that I needed to play a part in it. As soon as I saw that Kansas City was holding protests for the Black Lives Matter movement, I knew that this was my chance to partake in the change I wanted to see. Every single day for two weeks straight, I drove out to The Plaza to help give people a voice and let them know that I see them, I hear them, and that I will fight endlessly with them.

spread the word of Black Lives Matter, and this was through photography. I spent hours on days capturing, going through, and editing pictures that I had taken at these protests to help spread awareness. In my mind, it was the least I could do. Innocent people were being murdered, and not only were the people that were murdering them the same people who swore to protect our citizens; they were not even being punished for the crimes at the time. I wanted people to know that the country we live in put the lives of colored people and minorities below the lives of white people. These protests gave me roles and responsibilities that I never knew I needed to fulfill before. Months after the George Floyd protests have ended I still, to this day, do the absolute most I can to show people the racial injustices that continue to be made. By doing this I pray that one day it will come to an end and that I will know I did something to help.

On the days that I was unable to protest, I passed out food, water, and other materials that might have been needed throughout the protests. Despite all the macing, hot days, tears, and fear I still felt as if I was not doing enough. I used one of my only talents to not only fight for, but also

Major: Psychology Hometown: Grandview, Mo.

e Davin Zamora SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUE: VOTING RIGHTS STYLE: Acrostic Poem Various types of people use elections to vote for their choice Once upon a time, it was easy to vote in person Times have changed with a growing pandemic, ever changing In many states mail-in ballots can be sent to let one’s voice be heard Now many others denied this luxury requiring in person attendance Giving no good choice for those who are negatively positive In transit some go lost or missing. Votes for all, from all, find their end in trash Swearing up and down are news outlets promising it is true and false Apparently, your vote was in danger from the attacks of the greatest man Rights are something that cannot be removed In no case may they be infringed and those in power ought not try Grossly, fraud may yet be possible, but does that justify the suppression of votes? He may fear or welcome outside involvement, either path leads the wrong way Time now to wait to see if votes were counted from you and me.

Major: Theatre - Directing/Producing Hometown: Kansas City, Ks.

e Kenyon Childress

ocial Justice: A topic that seems to be talked about more today than it has ever before. It is a worldwide issue. I feel like this is because there are so many different social groups that feel like they need representation and rights. There are the BLM movement, LGBTQ community, Women’s rights activists, and various other “minority groups” that are raising their voices for equality. You cannot deny the amount of reform people are wanting during this era; it is a lot and I feel like until it is all addressed in some way no one will be satisfied. That raises the question, with so many people wanting to change so much and make it better for them, will there ever be true peace or satisfaction? This brings me to my point that rather than fighting for equality we should be fighting for equity for many reasons. What is Equity vs Equality? Equity is the practice of being fair and impartial. This is when you help situations based on specific needs. On the other hand, equality is when you treat everyone the same with the same opportunities, rights, and status. Keeping this in mind, there are many reasons equity is the superior option in battling change in our society. The first reason I believe equity should be the main point of conversation is that we all come from different backgrounds. We all need different tools that will help us succeed based on our situation. I have seen this daily in my community, happening to family, friends, and myself. It is so confusing to me why schools in my neighborhood invest so much money into sports teams, but the school itself struggles to even provide students with books or laptops. That is not what the majority of us need. We are all students first, being an athlete comes next. This is a social justice issue because it continues the stereotype in neighborhoods like mine, that the only way to make it out is to be an amazing athlete. Here we do not have many opportunities to go out, get a great education and experience as you might see in “better” areas. Why do not we bring options like that to places that really need it so that we can have a chance, too? With this understanding, you can see that equity will balance the playing field for everyone to be successful rather than putting everyone at square one when the majority of the people would not be able to go from that spot.

The second reason I believe we should fight for equity and not equality is because not everyone needs to be put on the same level, many people just need help. Social justice affects everyone from all walks of life and it has been that way since the beginning of time, so why bring people that are already doing fine down? I believe that is also unfair but if we bring equity into the situation we would understand that they are doing well so we can divert our attention to those in need. With each instance of changing how we approach helping individuals, we learn as a society how to properly help people in similar situations rather than a “one shoe fits all” type of solution, which is wrong because that is not the case. Lastly, I believe that equity should be prioritized over equality because many people do not want equality anymore. An unsung hero in my life is my older brother. He is only 21, yet wise beyond his years. He always speaks to me about his ideologies about the world we live in and he always brings up a good point. Black people are not asking to be treated like white people, have the same lives as them, or anything like that. We want to be treated like human beings. That is all. If you could give certain low-income communities or troubled neighborhoods the same chances to thrive and develop while they give those back into their communities, then we could all prosper and coexist happily. Everyone wants to be treated like somebody, not “the” somebody. When I say that I mean we should not have certain expectations of being treated like a group of people we know is treated right. We should expect each individual person to be treated right. With all this being stated, we should want equity instead of equality. I believe that I can advocate for this issue by trying to graduate from college myself. I can bring the knowledge I gain back to the community that I grew up in so that people can learn there is more to life and being successful than playing sports or becoming an artist. First Year Seminar has really helped me realize these issues are more important than what I originally thought. I used to believe as long as racism did not happen to me, then it was not hurting me, but as long as it affects people close to me, then it does. Because of First Year Seminar, I will try to advocate for reform and help society.

Major: Biology Hometown: Kansas City, Mo.

e Alexis Remigio

ocial Justice Movements happen all over the world all the time, but many people fail to realize that it is happening until they read about it. Even then, many people refuse to believe what they are reading and think it is a hoax. Others realize that it is happening and try to bring awareness to the movement. For example, in my painting there is a pair of beaten up hands holding on to a fence. The sad part is some people will not understand the meaning behind it. While starting this painting, I meant to bring light to what is happening on the south U.S.- Mexico border; families are being ripped away from each other, abused, and placed in cages. However, once I actually started to paint it, I realized this could also be a person held in a concentration camp during the Holocaust. That upset me because it made me realize that history is repeating itself and we had the ability to help these families. Of course, circumstances are not the same now as during the Holocaust, but there are still families being ripped apart to be sent to detention centers created specifically for Mexican Immigrants. This painting was not to point out repeating history, but to point out the fact that there is so much racial injustice in our society, that people are being treated like animals, perhaps worse than some animals. Although I am not brave enough to find families that might be ripped apart, I am brave enough to speak up about what is wrong in the world. I can see that holding people in cages, raping and abusing families, and many other things happening at the border, is so wrong. It is happening right in front of us and many have no idea that they are being held captive. Everyone chooses to point fingers saying “Obama built the cages”, “Trump filled the cages”, but why is nobody trying to stop the filling of these cages, or the numerous deaths that have happened in these detention centers? The fact that my painting can be depicting 2020 or the 1940 is what is wrong; this should be in history books, not future history books.

Major: Elementary Education Hometown: Kansas City, Mo.

e Naylee Jimenez America,

until words turned into something that’s so unnaturally.

the land of the free.

It wasn’t too long until I got chased,

America,

but it all ended with something way worse than getting restrained.

the land of opportunities.

I was shot.

America,

Even after putting my hands up.

is your favorite color red?

I was shot.

Dear America,

Why did walking make me suspicious?

there are many things that have yet to be said.

The act of racial profiling is really malicious. You may not know my story,

Your criminal justice system was meant to protect us,

but my name was once Michael Brown,

but it hasn’t been doing that lately.

and I lived in Missouri.

When I walk out of my house, I pray that make I make it back safely.

Ahmaud’s and Michael’s story are one of many,

When people look at my face,

but I know there are things that we can do already.

they automatically assume my race.

We all have a responsibility to keep.

But I promise dear America,

Mine just happens to have the ability to speak.

I didn’t want to be another one of those rates.

I will use my voice to yell the things that have been unheard,

I was jogging around my neighborhood,

I will use freedom of speech to paint a picture that has been blurred.

when I suddenly got chased.

My role within these complex issues is to be an advocate,

Their side of the story was that I fit a description,

my voice will not be silenced until the people in charge help us accommodate.

my side of the story will forever be erased. Why did jogging make me suspicious? The act of racial profiling is really malicious.

America,

You may not know my story,

the land of the free.

but my name was once Ahmaud Arbery.

America, the land of opportunities.

Your criminal justice system was meant to protect us,

The colors you rep are red, white, and blue,

but it hasn’t been doing that lately.

but please tell me America,

When I walk out of my house,

are those the only lives that matter to you?

I pray that make I make it back safely. When people look at my face, they automatically assume my race. But I promise dear America, I didn’t want to be another one of those rates. The day was August 14th, 2014 when I chose to walk on the street, I was talking to my friend when I heard someone call out to me. They told me to walk on the sidewalk, but they said it so angrily. We had an exchange of words,

Major: Biology Hometown: Kansas City, Mo.

e Frederick Frazier

fter reading Life in a Jar, listening to the Truman Lecture, and participating in class discussions, I have learned so much about many different things. It made me learn more about social justice movements, the Holocaust, and Irena Sendler. Sendler has affected me in such a huge way. Coming into class, I had no clue who she was. When I was mailed the book for class over the summer, I did not think I would like to read that book and that it would be very tedious to read. Looking back, I am very glad I took the time to read it because her story truly inspired me. Knowing what she did for thousands of children and adults by risking and putting her life on the line is truly remarkable. She gave those children and adults a chance at having a good life. Sendler is truly inspirational, and it is crazy to me that they have never taught us about her in high school when teaching us about the Holocaust. The most important fact to me about her story is that Sendler did the things she did not for the fame or attention, she did it because she felt like it was the right thing to do. She did it out of the kindness of her heart. I feel like people really should pay close attention to that. They should do something kind for someone because it is the right thing to do, not for attention or fame. If more and more people in the world started doing that, it would make the world a better place. If someone were to ask me if issues of social justice were a worldwide problem I would say, yes. There are too many people in the world who do not get treated equally and now in 2020 it seems to come about more often. There are still people who do not get equal opportunities for jobs in the United States. Different race groups are being treated differently whether it is through businesses, police officers etc. In the last few years in the United States, it seems like we have taken steps backwards when it comes to social justice issues. That is something that we should not be doing as a nation. Moving forward should be every country’s goal. When it comes to helping with social justice, there is a lot I can do to help. I can treat everyone respectfully and equally. Everyone is different in his/her own special way, but at the end of the day, we are all human. That is an important thing more people need to realize. The most important thing I feel like I can do is just lead by example and show people that doing the right thing is good for the world.

In my life, there have been many unsung heroes. Out of all of them, if I had to identify one of those unsung heroes who had a huge impact on my life, it would be my parents. My parents have done so many things for my sisters and me. Every day they work so hard and they sacrifice so much for us, so that we can grow up and be successful. They have taught and shown me so many things. They correct me when I make a mistake, but they also allow me to learn from my mistakes and become better from it. They have always supported me in everything that I do. My parents work hard, even working over-time, to provide the things that we need. They take care of us even when they are not feeling the best. I can not even begin to say how much I love and appreciate my parents and all that they do. My parents have worked hard for everything that they have in life and they deserve all of it and more. Nobody could ever possibly see the work behind the scenes that my parents do, but I hope I can be a living example of that. I strive to be more like them, and I hope that soon I can even be better than they. There are many ways I can be an unsung hero in the lives of others. Just being a supportive and friendly person to others is the biggest thing I could do. Everyone has struggles in their lives and some react to it differently than others. We never really know everyone’s situation at any given time. If I notice someone that is down or upset, I can just listen and be there for that person. They may just need someone to listen to them to give them peace. Personally, I would rather listen to someone’s story no matter how big or small, than to see him or her on the news. All it takes is one person to make a difference in someone’s life. Being respectful and good to others and my community will help me be the difference that I want to see in the world. I am so grateful that I read the book about Irena Sendler during the summer and listened to the Truman Lecture. It taught me many things and has made me realize many things that still go on in the world today. I am going to continue to do the right thing for people and become a difference in the world just as Sendler did.

After learning more about Irena Sendler, I view unsung heroes differently. There are so many people who are unsung heroes like Sendler. It is a shame that they do not get the same treatment as celebrities who get all the attention when they do something good. There are unsung heroes around everywhere. Doing something good for someone or a community that goes unnoticed makes you an unsung hero. I just hope people realize doing well is not for the attention and they do not get caught up in that. I also hope that people do not take for granted the unsung heroes that they have in their lives. Parents, teachers, coaches are all unsung heroes. Everyday they sacrifice time to help you and others grow, become stronger and wiser as individuals.

Major: Communication - Sports Communication Hometown: Holden, Mo.

e Devene Jamerson “We Need Racial Equality!” Every day you wake up and realize you’re black You wake up with a huge target on your back You’re judged and based off of certain profiles You’re sent to jail and later put to trial We need Racial Equality. Wake up every day unsure how the rest will go Am I gonna make it home tonight, yes or no? We’re at the family reunion, just having fun The cops shut it down, we don't know what we've done. White family across the street, loud music, having fun I don't know how I could explain Racial Equality to my son. We need Racial Equality. Walking down the street, minding my own business I see the cops pulling up, from a distance They hit the lights, all I see is Red & Blue I think to myself what should I even do They pull over and stop, and tell me to freeze They told me put my hands behind my back & get on my knees “You have the right to remain silent, I'll tell you what to do” I'm sitting here upset, I don't even have a clue It's dark outside, all I see is the sky and the moon I have to hurry and get home so I can feed my son too I bend down, to wipe the dirt off the back of my shoe Click click, freeze, to the head, bullets boom. We NEED Racial Equality But don't worry, other races stand with us too, We just hope as a whole to get rid of this soon And until then all we can do is stand up and fight And maybe some of us can sleep with a clear brain at night I have faith in our country, and what we could possibly be We just need to open eyes so all of the people can see WE NEED RACIAL EQUALITY!

Major: Communication -Sports Communication Hometown: Moultrie, Ga.

e Kennedy Robbins

decided to create this apple tree for many different reasons. One reason is that it was an apple tree under which Sendler hid the names of the Jewish children. I feel like this tree can be an accurate representation of many different things, for example, unsung heroes. An unsung hero is defined as someone who has achieved great things or committed acts of bravery or self-sacrifice, but is not celebrated or recognized. Irena Sendler was once an unsung hero until the girls at Uniontown High School discovered and shared her story. This specific apple tree reminds me of unsung heroes. On the outside, it seems like nothing more than an apple tree. Yet underneath, there is great depth and history hidden. Most unsung heroes seem like regular people on the outside. What is hidden within is their story, although not visible to the average person, it carries great importance to all those whose lives they have affected. This tree also relates back to the presentation in First Year Seminar we had about problem solving. In that presentation, we often referred back to a tree while discussing different social justice issues. I can refer back to this tree model while thinking about the different social justice issues going on in our lives today. How I can relate this back to myself is simple. I can use this tree as a reminder that often things are not as they seem and there are usually deeper levels hidden behind things. If I am researching a social justice movement such as Black Lives Matter, I cannot just watch one news channel and consider myself well informed on the topic. I have to get information from both sides of the spectrum and information that is typically hidden by the media. I have to understand that there is a deeper meaning behind all social justice issues, and we are not taught all of our history. There is a lot of our history that has yet to be uncovered as we see with Sendler. I have learned that my point of view is not the only point of view, nor may it be the right point of view. I may see an apple tree and think nothing of it, when really what is hidden within it could change someone’s life for good. Always look for deeper meanings.

Major: Communication - Advertising and Public Relations Hometown: Columbia, Mo.

e Kiersten Bachmann

ur world requires us to adapt to the constantly changing circumstances brought upon by humanity. Those changes can be for good or bad. This introduces social justice and injustice into our societies. Overtly, societies claim to be fair and just; however, this is not usually the case. Social injustice occurs when one group is treated unfairly and; therefore, is placed at a disadvantage. As a result, living standards, opportunities, and elimination of inequalities decrease (Bierhoff, 2019). There are many examples of injustices that occur in our world today: homophobia, discrimination, and sexism are only a few. In class we read and discussed the social impact of injustices that occurred during World War II and the Holocaust from the perspective of unsung hero, Irena Sendler. By examining the past, we have become better equipped to analyze the future of social injustice. Social injustice is an issue on the global scale. According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2017), they consider social injustice to be global, rather than regional, when similar issues occur in more than one regional area. Using this definition, we must consider the many examples of social injustice that occur over multiple facets of the globe. One such example is racism. While heavily concentrated in the United States following the end of slavery, racism is an injustice that happens virtually anywhere there is a form of “distinction, restriction, or exclusion” based on “race, color, descent, or national or ethnic origin” (Bierhoff, 2019). Hitler’s dictatorship over Germany was one of the most notable instances of extreme racism against the Jewish populations in Poland and many other European countries. Several injustices ensued: unequal political, civil, social, and cultural rights are among the most severe violations. Another global injustice is one of environmental concern. Companies and corporations around the globe are active contributors to worldwide climate change, which has in disproportionately had a negative on affected populations based on economic class, race, and location. Poor communities, often those of color, are forced into living under less than desirable conditions where the construction of landfills, power stations, and sewage plants hinder the health and daily lives of nearby residents. In Environmental Justice in Latin America (2008), author David Carruthers discusses several accounts of injustice in Latin America including industrial “mega-development” in Argentina and waste hazards on the U.S.- Mexico border. World leaders refuse to take responsibility for any form of injustice in their countries, so it is up to the people to be vocal and take part in their governments to advocate for change. Social injustice is undoubtedly a problem we face globally, but it can also occur in the everyday lives of anyone no matter your race, class, or gender. Issues of social justice have affected the lives of millions, including myself, my friends, and my family. As a young woman in the workplace, I am often subject to harassment from coworkers and customers. The harassment I receive often stems from sexism; injustice that involves discrimination based on gender. Sexism commonly occurs from men against women, but it can also be from women against men. In my time working at QuikTrip, I have been told by my managers that I “belong in the kitchen”. Customers (usually older men) have pried for my contact information in highly inappropriate ways. Upon denial, one of our regulars even said, “They usually give in by now”. Many of my non-white friends suffer from the injustice of racism. Before the Black Lives Matter movement kicked into gear, my friends could only watch in fear as people of color were being murdered because of their skin by those who swore to protect them. Even after the movement, my friends are less likely to go to the police for help. My Mom, Brother, and Sister are also victims to social injustice in the form of poverty. Poverty is an injustice because it degrades and dehumanizes people based on their income. Since my Dad passed away five years ago, my Mom could not sustain a single job. Many issues have developed from this, but perhaps the worst of all is how my family is treated because of it. Their neighbors constantly search for ways to get rid of what they consider the “scum of the neighborhood”. Whether my family has a messy yard or lets the dog go outside, the neighbors are always trying to involve the city and get my family in trouble. The next-door neighbor even set up a Halloween decoration saying “Get Out” facing towards my Mom’s house. There is no telling why people feel such hate towards my friends, my family, and me but it is clear that hatred fuels the flames of injustice and burns any who wander into its path. My friends, family, and I should not have to face the issues we do. The only way to resolve social injustice is by standing together. As one, we are more powerful than we are alone, and we can enact genuine change.

related to Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project. From this one example, I became more informed and concerned about the complex issues of social justice than ever. We did not stop there. Over several weeks, our professors exposed us to social injustice through multiple different contexts, small and large-scale issues and past and present ones. At this point in the class, I feel very confident in making decisions related to social justice issues. I took this knowledge to the polls and left feeling proud knowing that I made choices that could create positive change in the lives of millions. I will continue to vote and advocate for social justice via protests, social media, and informing others. Sendler’s story affected me in a multitude of ways. First, it showed me to always help those in need, no matter the cost. Sendler went to great extents to rescue as many children as she could. She even showered and smuggled four Jewish children in her apartment, which back then, was a crime punishable by death (Mayer 2011). Second, Sendler’s inspiring story taught me that while one person can change the world, many can transform it completely. With the help of orphanages, churches, and other allies under the ZEGOTA organization, Sendler formed an elaborate network in which people she trusted aided her heroic cause. Sendler could not have saved all 2,500 children had she been alone. Lastly, her story told me to always stay true to yourself. She demonstrated this belief by arguing, “Every child deserves a name” and by burying the lists underneath an apple tree. (Mayer, 2011, p. 148). She knew the risks that came with keeping the lists of names, but she did not falter. She gave her time and energy in insuring that these children would know who they really are so that one day, they could look back and be proud of it. Each of these lessons is beyond valuable. As I begin my nursing career, I will reflect heavily on all that I learned from Irena Sendler, hoping that it will make me a better nurse, friend, and student. The solution to social injustice starts with you. Anyone can dedicate themselves to enacting positive change. By looking at many examples of current injustices, it is clear that this issue is one of global proportions. This is including the issues people face in their everyday lives. No one is immune to the negative effects of social injustice. Using the knowledge I gained in class and from Life in a Jar, I will continue the fight against injustice in order to create a future where everyone is truly equal. Works Cited: Bierhoff, Hans-Werner. “Social Injustice.” Social Injustice | World Problems & Global Issues | The Encyclopedia of World Problems, 2019, encyclopedia.uia.org/en/ problem/133064. Carruthers, David V. Environmental Justice in Latin America. MIT Press, 2008. Brock, Gillian, "Global Justice", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2017 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL=<https://plato.stanford.edu/ archives/spr2017/entries/justice-global/>. Mayer, H. Jack. Life in a Jar: the Irena Sendler Project. Long Trail Press, 2011.

My future response to social injustice has been greatly affected by what I have learned in class and from Irena Sendler’s story. In class, we discussed many concepts

Major: Nursing Hometown: Independence, Mo.

e Kimberli Picazo

Major: Art - Graphic Design Hometown: Kansas City, Ks.

e Takira Richardson

This is a still shot from Takira's spoken word piece. The piece can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TdcRMVs_Tp-YpeP8Ncw66xSBocEaqJmd/view?usp=sharing

Major: Communication - Film and Digital Media Hometown: Kansas City, Mo.

Personal Reflections e Sue Ellen McCalley, Ph.D. Chair, Truman Lecture Series Professor of Education and Psychology

The Truman Lecture provides our students with an opportunity to meet inspiring individuals who have had a significant impact on the lives of people around the world. This wonderful program allows them to experience the Avila mission personally. It encourages them to explore their own potential to help the dear neighbor.

e Ron Slepitza, Ph.D., CSJA Avila University President

The power of the Truman Lecture Series and Avila’s Common Reading Program is to inform and educate our students of global issues that need to be addressed. The revelation is they can begin to change the world, right now.

e Paige Illum, Ph.D., CSJA

Director of Student Engagement and Success Adjunct Faculty Our goal is to provide the students with a meaningful academic experience while living our University mission and the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph to help our dear neighbors. Avila’s mission shares that we will prepare “lifelong learners who make meaningful contributions to the global community.” This experience is the initial step in accomplishing this commitment to our students and honoring our relationship with the Sisters of St. Joseph.

From l to r: Sue Ellen McCalley, Ph.D. Ron Slepitza, Ph.D., CSJA and Paige Illum, Ph.D., CSJA

Appendix A: Avila First Year Students Aaliyah Abernathy Juan Aguilera Melanie Alcorn Sajad Alrubayii Karla Alvarado Kellen Anderson Trevon Anderson Kiersten Bachmann Payton Ball Justin Barbee Jadon Bass Alexis Bates Marrisa Baumgartner Jose Bautista Ajani Beamon R'keal Bell Emma Bishop Iyana Blunt Marissa Brennan Lydia Bresette Isabelle Brogoto Justyn Brown Italia Bumm Eddravian Butler Bryann Carrillo Kayla Casey Kirsten Casey Jonathan Chery Kenyon Childress Annamarie Circello Talley Cole Tanner Collard Raeqwon Crawford Sofia Cucar Gloria Damian Ariana Diaz Victoria Duran Cecelia Eddy Jakob Ekborg-Ott Devon Eschliman David Fairhurst Tyesha Farley Ka'Juan Farmer Emelia Filby Trent Flake Evan Forsythe

Frederick Frazier Chyann Fuller Sarah Fuller Lloydarius Garner Ariana Givens Kyle Goettsche Ahmari Golden June Goodloe Alexis Groves Ava Hahn Tyler Harms Mary Hayes Elisha Haynes Ariana Hernandez Zoe Hernandez Emma Hibdon Daniel Hicks Talia Hinckley Hunter Hoggatt Evelyn Huerta Gutierrez Devene Jamerson Luul Jeylani Nayely Jimenez Jecori Johnson Deontre Jones Ke'tron Jones Ryan Jones Sam Kanda Alliance Kaneza David Kehring Hayley Kerley Joshua Kilpatrick Colton King Kaitlyn Kitko Zachary Koehler Chelsea Kurtz Harrison Kurtz Shelby Leeker Merci Lessard Jaylin Lewis Evan Long Javaughn Luster Amarion Mack Maleeha Mahmood Julian Martinez Stephanie Mattson

Timothy Ransom Menejias Zhâ€™toreion Merrill Jake Morris Seyed Mortazavi John Moseley Allison Neal Kiyah Neeley Jackson Nelms Paige Newman Heidi Ortega Alondra Ortuno Cassie Owens Kayla Ozburn Nicholas Pena Ryan Petitfrere Kimberli Picazo Reyes Jaâ€™len Powell Sanjuana Ramirez Vicente Rangel Hernandez Alexis Remigio Clayton Rhodes Takira Richardson Isaac Riggs Kennedy Robbins Sierra Salazar Caroline Scanlon Aaron Shellenberger Amaris Sigler Ty'vez Smallwood Kinlie Smith Samantha Smith Titonio Smith Saida Soriano Sanchez Jakob Stanford Jordan Stephens Joel Sterling Annalise Sullivan Hailey Talbot Riley Taranto Taniya Tease Joshua Thompson Sydney Vail-Wheeler Jolstin Valcin Cesar Valderrama Monica Velasquez Alejandra Velazquez

Olivia Villa Daisy Washington Kaitlyn White Marcus Wigfall Deanthony Williams Maxwell Williams Talisha Williams Nicholas Wondra Cor'darius Wright Demetri Wright Levi Wright Keyan York Davin Zamora

Appendix B: Harry S. Truman Distinguished Lecture Series Program

Appendix C: Anticipation Guide Perspectives Students were asked to express their opinions regarding statements related to topics discussed in First Year Seminar both at the beginning of the semester and again at the end of the semester. The focus is to gauge how their opinions changed. The most significant changes occurred with these questions: •

I am educated on the atrocities of WWII and the Holocaust.

•

I feel a sense of responsibility and motivation with current social justice movements.

•

I believe I can personally change the world through dedication and research.

Students were also asked to write about the most significant changes that occurred within themselves throughout the course of First Year Seminar and why those changes occurred. Here are some of those responses: “Throughout this class, we had many discussions, projects, essays, and even poems that provided many different points of view not only with Irena Sendler and unsung heroes, but other social justice movements. The most significant change for me was noticing how great the variety of social justice movements present in today’s world.” “The most significant change for me was feeling a sense of responsibility and motivation with current social justice movements. Before, I did not pay attention to social justice. I tried to stay away from problems like this. After, I learned that my voice can really make a difference, just as much as others. It’s good to be open to social justice movements.” “One significant change from the beginning of the semester to the end was I am now familiar with Irena Sendler and her impacts in Poland during WWII. Now that I know her story, I feel like I was missing an integral part of history. Her actions inspire and impact me greatly. She is a real-life hero. Another significant change is that I believe I can personally change the world through dedication and research. Before, I felt like I did not know enough to make educated decisions about social justice. After this semester, I learned enough to feel comfortable with my own opinions and decisions toward injustice.” “Through First Year Seminar I have been able to learn more about Avila University’s mission and values. As the class progressed, I was able to discuss Irena and her importance with my classmates, gained insight during the Truman Lecture, and have become more interested in learning about social justice movements.”

Common Reading Program

vila University provides a common reading for all first year students as part of the First Year Experience. Student success research is clear about how this type of program can assist in emphasizing academic importance prior to the start of classes and assist in building community within a first year cohort. All Avila first year students receive information about The Common Reading Program during the summer prior to the start of classes. The topic of the Common Reading Program is always global in nature which connects with Avila’s mission of providing students with opportunities to prepare for contributions to the global community.

2020 Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project by Jack Meyer Life in a Jar by Jack Meyer, is a dramatization of the life of Irena Sandler, a Polish Catholic social worker who organized a rescue network of fellow social workers to save 2,500 Jewish children during the Second World War. Her story disappeared until it was rediscovered by three Kansas high school girls and refashioned into a drama, now performed across the globe. 2019 A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, A Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age by Matt Richtel In 2006, as a 19 year-old Utah college student, Reggie Shaw was driving on a highway he’d taken hundreds of times before. While texting, Reggie drifted across the center line and fatally struck two rocket scientists, James Furfaro and Keith O’Dell. A Deadly Wandering follows Shaw, the families of Furfaro and O’Dell as well as many of those who were involved in the police investigation and trial. Author, Matt Richtel not only shares the details of these tragic events but also delves into brain research outlining our inability to multi-task, regaining situational awareness and why we can’t seem to resist our phones. 2018 The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer A remarkable story about human inventiveness and its power to overcome crippling adversity. 2017 The Distance Between Us by Reyna Grande This memoir outlines the hardships and the heartaches of Grande’s immigration story from child to adult. Grande was two years old when her father left Mexico and crossed the border into the United States, hoping to earn enough money to build a home in Mexico when he returned. Eight years later he returned to take his family across the border. Once in the United States Grande sorts through many challenges as she navigates into adulthood. 2016 While the World Watched by Carolyn Maul McKinstry Carolyn was present on September 15, 1963 at the Sixteenth Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, when white racists bombed the church. Carolyn’s four young friends were killed. She was among thousands of students hosed by firemen during the 1963 marches. She survived a second bomb explosion that destroyed a portion of her home in 1964. She wrote this memoir in 2011.

2015 The Big Truck That Went By: How the World Came to Save Haiti and Left Behind a Disaster by Jonathan M. Katz On January 12, 2010, the deadliest earthquake in the history of the Western Hemisphere hit the nation least prepared to handle it. Jonathan M. Katz chronicles the terror of that day, the devastation visited on ordinary Haitians, and how the world reacted to a nation in need. 2014 They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys from Sudan by Benson Deng, Alephonsion Deng, Benjamin Ajak with Judy A. Bernstein The memoir of three boys who walked with tens of thousands of other boys across the Sudan as a result of civil war within the country. These boys, many of whom came to the United States as refugees, became known as the Lost Boys. 2013 The International Bank of Bob by Bob Harris An inspiring memoir of an ordinary American who turned his brief brush with opulence into a joyful adventure of investing in the world’s working poor. 2012 Unbroken by Laura Hilenbrand A World War II story of survival, resilience and redemption of Louis Zamperini. 2011 The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer A remarkable story about human inventiveness and its power to overcome crippling adversity. 2010 Series of Articles Related to Hunger and Poverty Reid, Barbara. (2009, July 20-27). Always Enough: Heavenly Bread. America, p.45. New York: American Press, Inc. “Finding the Flexibility to Survive,” Copyright © 2008 by Brighton Earley. Part of the This I Believe Essay Collection found at www.thisibelieve.org, Copyright © 2006-2009, This I Believe, Inc. Reprinted with permission of This I Believe, Inc. United Nations. (2009). The millennium development goals report. New York, NY. “The Time to Help Is Now,” Copyright © 2008 by Maria Zapetis. Part of the This I Believe Essay Collection found at www.thisibelieve.org, Copyright © 2006-2009, This I Believe, Inc. Reprinted with permission of This I Believe, Inc.

Harry S. Truman Distinguished Lecture Series Avila University received exclusive rights from former President Harry S. Truman to establish a lecture series in his name in 1970. The permission was granted to Sr. Olive Louise Dallavis, CSJ, who served as President of Avila from 1960-1985. Recent Past Lecturers William F. Buckley Joseph Califano Clarence M. Kelley Nancy Landon Kassebaum Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ Louis Zamperini Bob Harris Alephonsion Deng Jonathan M. Katz Carolyn Maull McKinstry Reyna Grande William Kamkwamba Reggie Shaw

Political Analyst, Author & Columnist Secretary of Health, Education & Welfare Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation Kansas Senator Social Justice Activist WWII Prisoner of War, 1936 American Olympian Author, The International Bank of Bob and Jeopardy! Champion Author, They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys from Sudan Author, The Big Truck That Went By: How the World Came to Save Haiti and Left Behind a Disaster Author, While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age During the Civil Right Movement Author, The Distance Between Us: A Memoir Author, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind High School Teacher and Coach

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First Year Student Reflections 2020 Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project

Articles inside

Appendix C: Anticipation Guide Perspectives

Appendix A: Avila First Year Students

Introduction

Photos from The Truman Lecture Series

Student Reflections & Projects

Past Common Reading Programs Harry S. Truman Distinguished Lecture Programs

Acknowledgments