*Awards*
Celebration of Involvement & Leadership
Describe SAT’s selection of a graduating leader honoree, including leader’s continued commitment/dedication to SAT, and how SAT benefits from this leader’s efforts.
Requirements for this category include: continued extensive and effective contributions to the organization, graduating in May-December 2007, and good academic standing
NOMINEE’S NAME: Crystal Sornson
Sornson.crys@students.uwlax.edu
ORGANIZATION: Social Action Theater
NOMINATOR: Bob Krajewski, Professor of Educational Studies
340C Morris Hall
Crystal Sornson, a graduating senior (May 07) in Middle-Childhood-Early Adolescence with Social Studies minor (GPA = 3.95) has been on Dean’s List every semester. She tutored for Boys and Girls Club, volunteered for Special Olympics, Rotary Lights and others; joined Deaf Club and Golden Key Honor Society; served as Resident Assistant for two years and worked on various committees during that tenure; and was student representative on Educational Studies Department curriculum committee. I chaired that committee and respected her always insightful, creative and helpful input. In my Fall 05 EFN 303 class I quickly sensed her leadership potential and encouraged her to join SAT
Her leadership developed quickly as she motivated and encouraged students in her skit development group. When participating in skits she easily answered audience questions, and helped facilitate a collaborative positive atmosphere—both actions far exceeding my expectations.
In her two year SAT experience she has served as Vice President, and now as President. She is reliable, her commitment is extensive and her dedication is exemplary. This semester she is an overseer in whom I have great trust. She helped define rules at the beginning of the semester, helped with course materials, assisted in forming groups, encourages students to sign up for and participate in performances, and leads in my absence. SAT students feel comfortable working with her.
As noted, Crystal has numerous strengths. Complementing those strengths is her attitude and common sense, which she uses to better our SAT activities. We are pleased to have her as our president, continue to benefit from her leadership, and will miss her leadership when she graduates.
Celebration of Involvement & Leadership
NOMINEE’S NAME: Crystal Sornson
sornson.crys@students.uwlax.edu
ORGANIZATION: Social Action Theater
NOMINATOR: Bob Krajewski, Professor of Educational Studies
340C Morris Hall
My name is Crystal Sornson, a Middle-Childhood-Early Adolescence major with Social Studies minor. I graduate UW-L in May with a 3.95 GPA. While here I’ve tried to take advantage of every learning opportunity presented to me to better myself and UW-L, and to help me prepare for life after college. I was on Dean’s List every semester, and joined several student organizations to build my skills and further my knowledge. As a Resident Assistant for two years I forged positive relationships and served as an advocate. In my two year association with Social Action Theater I’ve had the opportunity to build on those skills. Initially I tried to serve as a learning model by contributing to group work as my classmates and I contemplated, discussed, and wrote skits about issues relevant to people’s lives today. I attended most of our performances and by interacting with our community audiences, benefited from what I was learning.
As I gradually assumed more leadership I began to build relationships with and mentor colleagues, demonstrating that being part of a club could be fun while giving back to UW-L and outside community. By listening to and encouraging colleague students, I’ve been able to gain rapport as we shared our triumphs and struggles and moved forward. I witnessed fellow students making connections and challenged them to stretch more and take risks outside their comfort zone in their quest to grow. By applying those same principles to myself, I’ve been able to grow as well. I’ve tried to serve as an ambassador both on and off campus and reflect positively on those experiences.
I owe a lot to Social Action Theater. Because of my involvement as colleague, Vice President and now Co-President, I am a better person. I’ve grown. My confidence is enhanced, my communication skills are sharper, I have better task focus individually and in groups, and I know that I don’t have to be nervous or feel anxious in new situations. I feel comfortable as a group leader and better understand how to reflect, interpret results and plan for future improvements. I have tools to learn about my community and people who are different than myself, and can see how my actions—and others’ as well—impact our community. In SAT I’ve experienced satisfaction in seeing classmates grow and learn while building confidence and increase their sensitivity to others. I know I’ve left others with questions and passion about injustices in our world today. As I enter the workforce these skills set me apart from my peers. SAT has been invaluable to me.
Celebration of Involvement & Leadership
Describe SAT 2006-07 AY involvement and why it stands out from other organizations. Describe SAT mission, individuals you strive to serve, and activities you planned and carried out. A committee will select the recipient(s) of this award.
ORGANIZATION: Social Action Theater
NOMINATOR: Crystal Sornson, SAT President
Social Action Theater is a 60+ member university student social awareness organization that addresses diversity issues by designing, then performing audience interactive skits on and off campus. Each semester new students join SAT, complemented by a core of continuing students who serve as guides/mentors. Thus we continually evolve, ensuring both continuity and freshness of ideas for skits to present and audiences for whom we present. Current emphases are: 1) training and developing students to be more effective and affective in advocating change and diversity acceptance, and 2) expanding our sphere of influence by reaching a wider audience. On campus in Fall 06 we performed in 38 classes, 3 residence halls, and for Diversity Month to more than 1000 participants. Off campus we performed in 5 elementary, 2 middle, 1 Montessori and 2 high schools; Challenge Academy; Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, Western Technical College and English Lutheran Church to almost 1300 participants. In Spring 07 we will have performed in approximately 40 classes and 2 residence halls on campus to more than 1000 participants. Off campus we will have performed in 3 elementary, 3 middle, and 2 high schools; Technical College; 2 student church groups; Boys and Girls Club; and Challenge Academy to more than 1000 participants. The total number of skits we will have performed this year will be more than 600 (a staggering amount) to approximately 4300 participants.
SAT students are dedicated and volunteer many hours to produce skits and present them to varied audiences. SAT students say that the experiences they garner are unlike any other at UW-L as they develop skits in groups of 6-8, play different roles when they perform, and then try to answer audience questions as they remain in their roles. Often they play roles allowing them opportunity to experience life from a different perspective, sort of “walking in someone else’s shoes.” Our student developed and maintained multi-page web site ( www.uwlax.edu/SocialAction/social_action_theatre.htm ), has narrative and pictures as well as testimonials from both students and participants. Please join the more than 6100 people who have visited this site to better understand the marvelous job our SAT students do. We both appreciate and are very proud of leadership opportunities SAT provides us. Students’ involvement is outstanding. I hope that the UW-L Involvement Center will share our pride and reward our positive contributions.
And that's not all! Receiving Certificates of Recognition were:
For 'Established Leader' Kelly Krohn (Elem Ed) current SAT co-vice president, and next year's co-president
For 'Behind the Scenes Leader' Rachel Klinner (Elem Ed) and current SAT co-secretary
For 'Emerging Leader' Deborah Talford (Psych)
For 'Outstanding Volunteer' Nicholas Bakke (Broad field Social Studies)
For 'Outstanding Advisor' Bob Krajewski