Porter Heatherly
-An Inspiration to All-
AUMC
{Food Pantry}
10 Classes for Future
~World Changers
|Spring Fling| YumYum’s: It’s
Good to Go
4-H Shooting Sports
Championships
Table of Contents About the Author .............................................. 2 Porter Heatherly: An Inspiration to All............3 YumYum’s: It’s Good to Go............................... 5 4-H Shooting Sports Championships............... 7 AUMC Food Pantry.......................................... 9
10 Classes for Future World Changers............ 11 Spring Fling........................................................13
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{ About the Author } Passionate, encouraging and determined...these are the words I would use to describe myself. I am a lover of laughter and a passionate pursuer of people and meaningful relationships. My time at Auburn has exposed me to many joys, including those of true friendship, returning home, and seeing hard work pay off. I am an Alabama native with a love for small towns. I will soon be packing my bags and heading to Wilmore, Kentucky where I will attend Asbury Theological Seminary. As I pursue a career in ministry, my desire is to mesh the best public relations practices with purposeful ministry experiences. I am confident that wherever I go, my life will be filled with spontaneous adventure, new friendships and everchanging challenges that I will gladly take on and conquer.
-Taylor
Davis 2
|Porter Heatherly| An Inspiration to All
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I
f you were asked to think of one family that inspires you to be more, do more, and love more, who would come to mind? We all know people who inspire us to look at life through a new lens, who humble our selfish ambition, and who make the little things seem so much more important. For me, these people are Michael and Sara Heatherly and their precious son, Porter.
shoes. Little did she know, she was in the presence of hope before, during, and even after her pregnancy with Porter. “People would probably go all over the world to meet him if their child was diagnosed with this and here he is sitting next to us in church,” said Sara.
Researchers at the Scott-Ritchey Research Center have been working for years to find treatments for I crossed paths with the Heatherly’s in the fall of this rare disease. Recently they found a successful 2013 when they were looking for college students to treatment for GM1 in cats and are working to raise babysit Porter. My two roommates and I jumped at funds to start clinical trials. Explaining the treatment the opportunity to watch their adorable 10-monthSara said, “it doesn’t reverse the symptoms, it just old son. Little did we know we were walking into an stops the regression. We know at this point that inspiring yet heartbreaking journey that would change Porter won’t benefit from the treatment but it could the way we viewed life and love. save the lives of others.” When Porter was 4 months old he was diagnosed with a rare and fatal illness. GM1 gangliosidosis is a genetic disorder that progressively attacks and destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. “His body basically lacks the ability to get rid of these enzymes called ganglions so they store on different parts of the body like his brain, spine, and liver,” said Sara.
The Heatherly’s have been
Michael and Sara working for months to raise and funds for treasure every smile and awareness clinical trials, which cost every movement. They about $500,000. Michael and Sara’s dedication soak in every second to helping others, even and are grateful for each when their own son will not benefit, perfectly new one that comes. exemplifies their loving and
When he was diagnosed, Michael and Sara were told that there was no cure or treatment and, when developed in the infantile stage, life expectancy was two years. “That’s when we started celebrating birthdays every month – when we realized we might not even get to celebrate two,” said Sara. Shortly after Porter’s diagnosis, they learned about GM1 research at Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine. When they started looking into the research, the face of Dr. Doug Martin, the lead researcher behind the work, seemed all too familiar.
gracious personalities.
In the six months I was privileged to babysit Porter, I was shown a glimpse of humility and love like I had never seen before. Michael and Sara treasure every smile and every movement. They soak in every second and are grateful for each new one that comes. Life is a gift and the Heatherly’s treat it like so, not counting any memory as too small.
Porter is now 30 months old and slowly regressing. Each new day is one the Heatherly’s did not expect to have. Porter has gone from crawling and laughing to almost no muscle control and very little vocal expression. He is fed through a feeding tube and For years, Sara and Michael smiled at Martin in only moves around when mom and dad’s loving arms passing as they took their seats in church each Sunday come to take him. The hope that others might be morning. Only a few seats away, Sara always noticed saved through this research is hope that Sara and the nicely dressed man and his never failing tennis Michael gladly hold on to.
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YumYum’s:
{ It’s Good to Go }
A
freshly prepared meal, a warm smile, and peace of mind is what you’ll be greeted with when you pull up to the window of YumYum’s. Tod Bottcher, owner and chef, opened YumYum’s in December with hopes of providing Auburn families and students with home-cooked, delicious meals. The concept? Call by 10 a.m. and he’ll freshly prepare your order to be picked up that afternoon. After 25 years in the restaurant business, Bottcher desired to have a more family-friendly career while still doing what he loves. He knows the stresses of life on the go and desired to ease these stresses with fresh, heat-and-eat meals.
marinades- all of which are made freshly in house. From the customer favorite Blonde Gumbo, to Tod’s Essential Taco Kit and the Tiramisu Cake, YumYum’s has something for everyone. If you’re wondering what the chef would suggest, look no further than his Sausage and Beef Patsies and Apple Cake. “I like to think I make it as good as your momma - or better,” Bottcher said. With prices ranging from $5 to $25, most menu items are available in small or large servings, making YumYum’s “Good To Go” for all occasions.
“You call me and I make it fresh that day! “I cater specifically to the needs of my “Most people know what they want to eat Bottcher said. “If you need by 10 a.m.,” Bottcher said. “You call me I’m kind of like your customers,” it gluten free, I can do that. Don’t like and I make it fresh that day! If you find a salt or certain spices? Let me know and personal chef!” new recipe or have a favorite old one, you I’ll make it just the way you like it.” can send it to me and I’ll make it for you. I’m kind of like your personal chef!”
With a wide variety of menu items and pocketbook friendly prices, YumYum’s is perfect for your weeknight family dinners or your weekend’s special occasion. On the menu you’ll find appetizers, soups, salads, main dishes, side dishes, desserts, dips, dressings, sauces and
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Located at 555 Opelika Road, Yum Yum’s is open from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays. You can call the chef at 334-209-2011 or visit www.yumyumstogo. com to view the menu. Like YumYum’s on Facebook to see daily specials and new menu items.
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4-H Shooting Sports
Championships
E
ach year the Alabama 4-H program hosts the 4-H S.A.F.E Shooting Sports Championships. The months of March, April, May, July and August are full of excitement and competition as shooters prepare to compete for the title of State and National champion. With competitors ranging in age from 9 to 18, hundreds of 4-H club members “shoot for gold” each year. Conducted as positive youth developmental and educational events, shooting sports is a vehicle through which 4-H teaches life skills. Belonging, independence, generosity and mastery via the application of experiential learning guide the efforts of the Alabama 4-H program. "My favorite thing about the Shooting Sports program is that we educate youth about safe,
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responsible American firearms handling and ownership in a structured setting with caring, highly trained adults. My passion is to provide as many Alabama youth as possible with an opportunity to learn, practice and educate others about safe firearms handling skills," said Shannon Andress, ACES 4-H S.A.F.E. state program coordinator. Former BB Gun State Champion Kacey Davis said, “Participating in shooting sports programs with 4-H was a great way to make friends while learning important life skills. My involvement with the program led to opportunities to participate in the sport outside of 4-H and I was able to compete in the National Junior Olympics three times during my high school career.” This month four categories of shooting events will take place. Archery, Air Rifle, BB Gun and Air Pistol
competitors will gather in friendly competition with hopes of taking home a championship medal. First place senior team will be invited to represent Alabama 4-H at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational this coming June in Grand Island, Nevada.
Gun and Air Pistol registration fees are $12 per shooter while Air Rifle fees are $14 per shooter.
When asked why 4-H Shooting Sports are meaningful, Coach Ed Boyett said, "Any youth with the proper instruction and motivation can excel “My passion is to provide as many at shooting sports. Each On Saturday, Alabama youth as possible with an youth progresses at their March 21 at 8:30 opportunity to learn, practice and educate own individual pace. a.m., archers will gather near others about safe firearms handling skills.� Although competition is one aspect of the Cullman, Alabama sport, the only person you are ever really competing to demonstrate their skills at the State against is yourself. One focus of our club is 4-H Archery Championship. With a registration fee of $12 per class, junior and senior 4-H members recognizing the kids as they progress with individual achievement awards. They take a lot of pride in them can compete in four archery classes. These classes include: recurve with sights, recurve without as they are recognition of hard work on their part. Besides, shooting sports are just fun!" sights, compound with sights and compound without sights. To learn more about how to get involved with the 4-H Shooting Sports program as a coach or adult On Saturday, March 28, Air Rifle, BB Gun and volunteer, sponsor, or youth, call your Alabama Air Pistol competitors will make their way to the Civilian Marksmanship Program Range in Anniston, Cooperative Extension System County Office or visit www.aces.edu. Alabama. All events will start at 7:30 a.m. Both BB
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Auburn United
Food Pantry
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Methodist Church
T
he Auburn United Methodist Church Food Pantry is a gathering place for many Lee County residents. Thankfulness and joy fill the halls as food leaves hands of grace and is placed into hands of gratitude. Each Thursday and Friday morning volunteers gather at the AUMC Food Panty to serve Lee County residents struggling with food insecurities. As you walk through a sea of volunteers and visitors, you will surely bump shoulders and exchange smiles with some of Auburn’s finest young men and women. Director Reeder Dulaney and her next-door neighbor Shirley Rose Glisson opened the food pantry in the fall 1999. Serving only six people on the opening day, Dulaney and Glisson set up shop in a closet sized space. Now, 16 years later, nearly 76 families are served each week. Run completely by volunteers, the Food Panty welcomes the help of many Auburn students. Whether there to complete class hours or simply to fulfill a longing to serve, each person leaves experiencing the joy that comes with bringing joy to others. Auburn University graduate student Shelbie Keel is found pushing a shopping cart and conversing with a new friend each Friday morning. Although her work with the Food Pantry began as requirement for her hunger studies class, her desire to be present and her willingness to serve is no less than any other.
“The most rewarding part of working here is getting to experience the genuine spirit of the people who come through the
Keel says the most meaningful experiences she’s had are when she gets to talk to guest about their life and family. “It’s moments like that when you realize that we are all on the same playing field but we’re just dealt different cards. No one’s really different from anyone else.” Will Myers started working at the Food Panty as a new years resolution. His favorite thing about volunteering is that there is always something to do and everyone has a job. “The most rewarding part of working here is getting to experience the genuine spirit of the people who come through the doors. As college students, we often get bogged down in this idea that people who come to food banks are just looking for handouts but people really just need help sometimes,” said Myers. The AUMC Food Pantry prepares on Thursday mornings and is open to the public on Fridays from 9:00-11:30 a.m. You can visit their webpage webpage or contact Reeder Dulaney at (334) 887-7908 for more information.
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10 Classes for
Future World
Most students enter the college years with a longing to make a difference. Many have no clue where or how that difference will be made, but the desire is nonetheless imminent. If this is you - the one with a passion for positive, meaningful change - these “10 Classes for Future World Changers” might spark an interest. Professors of each class have offered an insider’s perspective of why each class is meaningful. You never know they might just help you change the world one day!
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1
Hunger: Causes, Consequences and Responses
2
Leadership Skills for Personal and Organization Development
3
Community Organization
4
Global Studies Human Sciences
Changers 5
Gender, Wealth and Philanthropy
6
Race, Gender and Human Variation
7
Global Politics and Issues
8
Introduction to Nonprofit Organizations
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Introduction: Community and Civic Engagement
10 Intercultural Communication 12
School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
“Spring Fling provides thousands of unrestricted dollars that are so hard to come by to our scholarships and programs here in forestry and wildlife sciences.� 13
Spring Fling A
n evening filled with entertainment, food and legendary Coach Pat Dye is a sure way to make your 2015 A-Day experience unforgettable.
This Saturday, April 18, the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences will host the third annual Spring Fling at Coach Pat Dye’s Crooked Oaks Hunting Preserve and Quail Hollow Gardens. Purusing his passion for forestry and wildlife sciences, Coach Dye approached the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences three years ago with the hopes of creating an event that would honor and showcase the work of students and faculty. After just two years, Spring Fling 2015 is expected to raise more than $75,000 for scholarships, fellowships and student programs. “Spring Fling provides thousands of unrestricted dollars that are so hard to come by to our scholarships and programs here in forestry and wildlife sciences,” said Director of Development Heather Crozier. “It’s a great way for our students to see the support of the community in the work that they are doing.” Saturday’s event begins at 5 p.m. and includes silent and live auctions conducted by Coach Dye, live music by Kidd Blue and Brinkley Rackstraw, tours of Coach Dye’s home and Quail Hollow Gardens, photos with Aubie, Birds of a Feather and Southeastern Raptor Center attractions and Outdoor Forestry and Wildlife exhibits. “Most forestry and wildlife sciences students volunteer at Spring Fling. This is a great way for guests to interact with the students and to see how their donations are making an impact,” said Crozier. Expecting 700-1,000 guests, Spring Fling is open to the public and suited for all ages. Guests can satisfy their post A-Day appetite with appetizers provided by Conecuh Sausage and a fresh seafood dinner courtesy of the Organized Seafood Association of Alabama. As Coach Dye conducts the live auction, guests can bid on a variety of items from fishing trips and vacations to a 12-year-old Toomer’s Oak tree. A silent auction featuring more than 100 different items will take place throughout the evening. “My favorite part about spring fling is seeing Coach Dye interact with our guests. He really enjoys talking with people and being involved in the event instead of just watching from afar,” said Crozier. For more information about Spring Fling or to purchase tickets or sponsorship packages you can visit www. auburn.edu/springfling or contact Heather Crozier at sfwsdevelopment@auburn.edu. 14
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Taylor Davis
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