Meet Claudia!

RAFFO CLAUDIA AGE 23 Pharmacy Technician (Future Pharmacist)

Major/School: P1 Student at The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy Years in EAST: Three Contact info: claudiaeraffo@yahoo.com During my year as Miss Arkansas 2018, I used many skill sets I learned during my time in the EAST. The most important one being the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with the people I am surrounded by!

Q: First memory of EAST? A: My family moved to Arkansas a few days before the first day of my 7th-grade year. I went to an open house, and that was the first time I had ever heard of EAST. You couldn’t add EAST to your schedule until your 9th-grade year, but I knew it was something I wanted to experience in high school!

Q: Why did you decide to participate in EAST? A: When I started in the 7th-grade, I was not allowed to have a cell phone, and I did not have a personal computer or iPad at home. It sounds so crazy saying that today; my 12-year-old brother has an iPhone, an iPad, and access to our iMac. I was intrigued by computerbased learning, but it was different back then. That was 11 years ago.

Q: Memorable project in EAST you’d like to share? A: One memorable project was serving as the scrapbook chair for EAST Conference. What I loved about working on this was it highlighted all of the community service and activities we did throughout the year. It was a great way to show others through a creative outlet our projects, members, and memories. One thing life experiences have taught me is the importance of journaling. Whether it’s a written journal, scrapbook, or social media grid, documenting your experiences is so vital both historically and personally.

Q: What technology did you use in EAST then, and how has it changed today? A: We used most of the same computer programs they use today, although now they are all updated versions that allow the students to do so much more. I also think social media is much more prevalent than when I was in school. Facebook was the most used medium, and Vines and Snapchat were the “new” things. It is crazy how quickly things have changed and how it has impacted our daily lives. In 2014, it was something to get 100 likes on a post! No one knew what an “influencer” was, there were not a million different filters and apps, and organizations were just on the cusp of realizing how social media could create interest and image.

Q: Anything you learned in EAST that you still apply today? A: EAST taught so many valuable things that I used in college, as Miss Arkansas, as a pharmacy tech and now in pharmacy school. EAST made me comfortable with computer-based testing and programs, helped me learn to market myself and skills, and taught me to develop websites. Most importantly, it was one of the first exposures I had in making presentations. Learning to express my ideas adequately, both verbally and using computer programs, has been an invaluable tool over the years.

Q: How do you serve or give back today? A: When I established a nonprofit to advocate for umbilical cord donation to help cancer patients, I contacted the EAST program at my alma mater, Nettleton High School,

Q: If you could partner with an EAST program to complete a project what would it be? A: My experience of working with the EAST students at Nettleton in 2016 was excellent. I know how much that experience helped me, as a Miss Arkansas contestant, share my platform, and I would love to see those type partnerships continue. How awesome would it be if the EAST programs in the state adopted the reigning Miss Arkansas’ social impact or if Miss Arkansas contestants utilized the EAST programs from their alma mater as I did? This type of partnership promotes a cause, gives purpose, and positively impacts everyone involved.

RANDOM FACT ABOUT YOU: I don’t like carbonated drinks!

for help. It was a perfect partnership. EAST students helped develop a website, filmed a new PSA series, organized a fundraising walk, designed promotional materials, and presented the project at their state conference. It was the perfect partnership; I received help and new ideas with a very personal project, and students learned the benefits of umbilical cord donation by actively sharing the message. I love telling others this story of how EAST can be a great resource of talent for businesses, community programs, and organizations.

Q: What would you like to see happen with EAST in the future? A: I would love to see an EAST program in every school in every state. I know how it personally benefited me for the six years, I attended Nettleton schools in Jonesboro, and also after I graduated by utilizing the students’ help. I do not know of any profession in today’s world that does not use some technology. EAST programs are very needed.

Q: What advice would you give to EAST students that are graduating soon? A: My best advice would be to continue to develop their skills. I did not realize how lucky I was to attend a school that had an active EAST program until I met people in college who were not as fortunate to have the same experience. EAST gives you a strong foundation that you can continue to build upon and make better.