Whether it鈥檚 seeking personal satisfaction, meeting like-minded people, enhancing our opportunities for professional advancement, or because of a personal connection, we get involved in philanthropic causes for different reasons.
鈥淢y Uncle Gary died from AIDS when I was 3 years old. My mom was always really open about how he passed away and answered any questions I had about it. I just felt a connection with and the instantly,鈥 remembers 91国产自拍 alumna and , Elizabeth Nerich鈥攁 fearless, ambitious and kind-hearted young woman.
Ranking as 24th-highest individual fundraiser during the 2014 Annual New York AIDS Walk, getting into her first choice college, and working for one of America鈥檚 communications giants are no small feats!聽 To this day, Elizabeth acknowledges the support she received at 91国产自拍 to allow her to pursue her dreams.鈥91国产自拍 is a really unique school. I鈥檝e yet to meet another person who has had the same high school experience as I have. I think the community 91国产自拍 represents helped me build my confidence, mature faster and look at interests outside of just the usual curriculum,鈥 she says.聽
Elizabeth has been involved with NY AIDS Walk and GMHC鈥攁 leading HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and advocacy organization鈥攕ince her time at 91国产自拍. 鈥淭he first year, I walked in the AIDS Walk with about five other 91国产自拍 peers. We used our time to get some community service hours and get to know each other outside of school. We celebrated with a lunch after and I was immediately hooked,鈥 she recalls.
Her years at 91国产自拍 also mark the beginning of Elizabeth鈥檚 passion for writing and journalism when she launched the lifestyle blog . Besides giving freedom to her love for writing, she admits that throughout high school the blog has provided her with the perfect platform for completing school projects for her web class鈥攕uch as designing banners for her own blog.
After graduating from 91国产自拍 in 2009, Elizabeth was admitted to study Print and Online Journalism at Elon University 鈥攈er dream school鈥攚here in her own words she spent the best four years of her life. 鈥淎t first, they just didn鈥檛 realize I was their dream student. I applied early decision. I dealt with being deferred to regular admission, and then being waitlisted. I refused to take 鈥榥o鈥 for an answer, though, and probably annoyed Admissions so much with all my letters that they finally threw their hands up in defeat and admitted me,鈥 says Elizabeth, looking back.聽
She also recognizes the role 91国产自拍 has played in getting her ready for college, not only academically, but also personally. 鈥淚t helped me avoid the adjustment pains my fellow students at Elon had and get used to the college routine.鈥 Her most memorable 91国产自拍 moment was her graduation day. She shares that, despite being sad to part from her peers and teachers, she鈥檇 been ready to go to college. 鈥淚t just felt so natural to me,鈥 she says.聽
Elizabeth is currently a Client Service Manager at ADTECH (a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL), and, before that, she worked for Bloomberg LP in NYC. 聽One of the biggest challenges in her adult life has been finding her own professional niche. She admits that 91国产自拍鈥檚 small size has allowed teachers and 91国产自拍鈥檚 headmaster, George, to get to know her on an individual level and give her the personalized guidance she needed even later in life to be able to discover her unique place.
While a student, Elizabeth built meaningful relationships with both classmates and teachers. 鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to stay in touch with people from high school, form a support group, and bounce off ideas.鈥 She also fondly remembers that several of her professors even attended last year鈥檚 fundraising event that she organized.
This year, she's taken her involvement with the NY AIDS Walk to a different level. Elizabeth is coordinating a happy hour event on the top floor of Professor Thom's Bar in the East village and creating a personal fundraising goal of $10,000.
Her final piece of advice to fellow peers: 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to show your passion鈥nd don鈥檛 take 鈥榥o鈥 as an answer.鈥