Fall Leadership Conference

“Your diamonds are not in far distant mountains or in yonder seas;
they are in your own backyard, if you but dig for them.”
― Russell H. Conwell, Acres of Diamonds

There’s no doubt in my mind, Russell Conwell was a very smart man.

A preacher living in the rough neighborhoods of North Philadelphia, Dr. Conwell made a simple decision to tutor an underprivileged man and a few of his friends. That class took place 130 years ago and that one decision sparked an entire university based on one principle — finding the diamonds in the rough and nurturing them to their full potential.

I am one of Dr. Conwell’s diamonds, a testament to the spirit that lives on long after his death. Temple gave me the tools and it was up to me to take responsibility and mold my own diamond.

This weekend, I was asked to return to the house that Russ built as a co-facilitator to the Fall Leadership Conference — a gathering of more than 400 student leaders, hosted by the Diamond Leaders. As a Diamond Leader, I gained the self-confidence to be bold enough to follow my dreams, and nothing excited me more than the prospect of giving back to my alma mater and empowering students with that same confidence.

I couldn’t have been more energized knowing some of my favorite campus leaders and mentors would be sharing their insight — Joe Urbanski, Lauren Bullock, and Kate Schaeffer. The conference couldn’t have come at a better time. Joe was giving one of his signature seminars — Preventing the Miserable Career Journey — and it’s one I’ve tried to stick to since hearing it for the first time six years ago.

He preaches finding and adhering to your real GPA — your genius, your passion, and your achievements — knowing that “life is too short to do the things you suck at.” It was a poignant reminder, especially as I look for the next big step in my life.

The students sat in Mitten Hall, listening intently, filling out worksheets, and taking notes…but little did they know, their facilitator was in the back row, doing the exact same thing. I was amazed how, after a year of growth, experiences, and self-discovery in Atlanta, my answers had evolved.

After the morning seminar, I finally got to meet my students. We lunched next to Dr. Conwell’s grave in Founder’s Garden, and then returned to the OwlCove for intense discussions about applying the findings from our self-discovery to our own lives and our responsibility to one another. They brought such unique and new perspectives to lessons I’ve been helping teach at these conferences for so many years. I absolutely learned as much from them as they were meant to learn from me.

Everyone has bumps and bruises on their road to happiness, but remembering your genius, your passion, and your achievements will keep you on the right path.

The house that Russ built is the house that built me.

Easily my favorite co-facilitator over the years, Kate Schaeffer.

My newest students. We spent the day exploring our Real GPA — our genius, passion, and achievements.

Atlanta Temple Alumni and Admissions Brunch

Absolutely in love with my new Temple keychains! Thanks, TU Alumni!

As soon as I knew I would be accepting a job in Atlanta, I quickly emailed all my mentors at Temple to thank them and share the exciting news. Their first move? Connecting me with the Atlanta chapter of Temple Alumni.

After years of accruing random facts about Temple as a tour guide, I quickly began volunteering with the Admissions department at college fairs, helping whenever I could around my night shifts at NCAA.com. I stayed in constant communication with Rachel Gionta, one of my favorite Admissions counselors from back home, who ran the Temple Atlanta Admissions Advisory Council.

When she brought up the possibility of a spring trip to Atlanta for a prospective students brunch, I was thrilled. I’d worked for three years in Admissions, meeting with prospective students and their families, and sharing the school I loved so much.

In February, Rachel confirmed the trip and I marked the brunch in my calendar for the day before Selection Sunday — one of our craziest, busiest weekends of the year. After working until 3:30am the night before (er, morning of…?), I woke up a few hours later, drove just outside the perimeter to Brio in Dunwoody, and helped Rachel set up.

After catching up with Rachel, it was so great to reconnect with some of the Temple alums I had already met and meet plenty of new ones, as well. But by far my favorite part was talking with all the prospective students and answering their questions. I was so used to giving the speech, “This is where I want to go and this is how Temple’s helping me do it.” And now, I get to say, “I graduated, I’m doing what I love right out of school, and this is how Temple helped me do it.” It was a great moment of realization for me.

Overall, we had around 40 people attend and it will definitely become a recurring event. It’s comforting to know that while I might not know where I’ll be living on June 28th (hopefully still in Atlanta with Turner Sports!), I’ll have Temple Owls everywhere to make it feel like home.

Rachel, one of my favorite Admissions counselors, came to visit and meet our Atlanta alums and prospective students.

I was so impressed so many Georgian high schoolers applied to Temple.

Setting up for our prospective students.

Nearly 40 alums and prospective students showed up for our Admissions brunch in Dunwoody.

Absolutely in love with my new Temple keychains! Thanks, TU Alumni!

Tour Guide Mode 2.0

My first college fair volunteering with the Atlanta chapter of Temple Alumni was so much fun!

Being a tour guide at Temple was one of my favorite experiences. And when I graduated, I was a little lost without giving tours around Alumni Circle, the Bell Tower, and even J&H.

Moving to Atlanta, I knew I wanted to get involved with the Atlanta Owls, Temple’s alumni chapter based right here in the Peach State. While the admissions counselors were more than happy to put me in touch with them, they had something more in mind for me in my new city: the Atlanta Alumni Ambassador.

My new role would take me to college fairs, prospective student receptions, accepted student receptions, and new student send-offs. I was so excited when the large box arrived on my doorstep, filled with all the familiar admissions materials, the large Temple tablecloth, and my very own nametag. I wasn’t an Owl Ambassador anymore, but I traded up for the cooler title.

With my strange schedule working nights and weekends, I was able to volunteer at tons of events for Admissions and represent Temple, much to my excitement.

My first college fair was at the Lowell School, a private school ITP (inside the perimeter) and though I was so nervous, the nerves dissipated the second I met my first student and was able to slip right into tour guide mode. Barbara, an alum of Fox and a member of the Atlanta Owls board, wanted to welcome me and help me with my first outing.

The next day, I traveled north of Alpharetta, my first trip OTP since moving in, for my second event at the Forsyth County fair. A few different high schools came to the fair and asked so many questions about Temple! I was so excited to share how much I love being an Owl and answering all the questions I could. It certainly wasn’t the same as giving tour, but it was so easy to slip right back into tour guide mode and talk to prospective students!

I still have a few more events scheduled for the fall, and I can’t wait to continue helping Temple Admissions from all the way in Atlanta!

Go Owls!

Ready to rock and roll!

Slipping back into tour guide mode was so easy…and so fun!

My first college fair volunteering with the Atlanta chapter of Temple Alumni was so much fun!

Piedmont Park

Easily one of the most beautiful views in Atlanta is from the banks of Lake Clara Meer in Piedmont Park.

I’ve always loved living in the city. But I’ve always loved the tiny oases, hidden away, that make you forget you’re actually among the skyscrapers and noise.

I’ve run a ton of 5Ks in the past year, but with more free mornings on my hands, I’m determined to keep my pace and run even farther. Sometimes the best escape is going for a nice run.

Piedmont Park has become my go-to spot in Atlanta to do just that. Last week, I wandered from Turner’s campus in Midtown to Piedmont Park and did seven miles around beautiful Lake Clara Meer, the Active Oval, and the outskirts of the park.

The clear, still lake quickly wormed their way into my heart and instantly became one of my favorite parts of Atlanta. As a rocking chair connoisseur, I’m so excited to spend hours lounging on the rocking swings on the banks of the lake and wandering around the park’s endless paths.

Three days later, Danielle, one of the other NCAA.com interns, asked me to babysit her puppy, Optimus. With gorgeous weather, Optimus and I ventured the few blocks from Danielle’s apartment to the park. He wasn’t the best running partner, but he managed five miles…with lots of breaks to roll around in the grass and chase ducks!

Going out for runs has been a great way to explore Atlanta…and Piedmont Park’s definitely at the top of my list so far!

Doggie date with Optimus on Lake Clara Meer.

Optimus and I had perfect weather to walk around the lake.

Perfectly still water on Lake Clara Meer.

Sometimes new friends try to run with you around the lake…

Easily one of the most beautiful views in Atlanta is from the banks of Lake Clara Meer in Piedmont Park.

The little swings around the lake are my absolute favorite!

Meghan Teaches LEGO Architecture Studio at Barnes and Noble

Meghan was the expert lecturer at the LEGO Studio Architecture event at the Willow Grove Barnes & Noble.

I always knew my sister was a talented architect, but after she was invited to speak as the expert lecturer at the LEGO Architecture Studio event at the Willow Grove Barnes & Noble, I knew she was really going to make the most of teaching the young kids in her charge about architecture.

My mom, dad, sister, and I ventured out to the Barnes & Noble in Willow Grove, arriving early so Meghan could set up and prepare to teach children about the foundations of architecture, and the integral role Legos can play.

After taking Meghan’s lesson on scale, models, and repetition in architecture, the kids were tasked with constructing their own buildings out of Legos. Meghan had the help of two Temple Owl Barnes & Noble employees: Temple political science alumna, Alana Shaw, and current Temple student, Alex Byrd.

Meghan’s played and built with Legos for as long as I can remember; space shuttles, Hogwarts, ninjas, world landmarks, and original creations were displayed all over our house. After working on large-scale projects through Temple’s chapter of AIAS Freedom by Design like CANstruction, constructing a wheelchair ramp for a resident of West Philadelphia, interning with Dumack Engineering, and guest lecturing at this Lego event, Meghan’s ultimate goal is to intern for LEGO in the near future.

The event was definitely a hit with the kids, who were thrilled to make houses, bridges, and buildings out of Legos. They were absorbing the lessons of scale and models without even realizing it! Meghan was a great, hands-on instructor, and the kids were absolutely loving her opinions, approval, and advice.

She’s definitely Temple Made…while actually making things out of Legos! Can you make me a Hooter the Owl made out of Legos, Sissy?

The LEGO Architecture display at the Willow Grove Barnes & Noble.

Meghan with Temple students Alana and Alex.

Meghan uses her architecture models, Barbies, and LEGOs to teach her students about scale.

Meghan hands out LEGOs to her eager students.

Alana helps some young architects construct their buildings.

Some of Meghan’s students put the finishing touches on their building.

Meghan teaches a young student at the LEGO Studio event.

One of Meghan’s students proudly displays his LEGO creation.

Great turnout for Meghan’s LEGO Studio event.

Meghan was the expert lecturer at the LEGO Studio Architecture event at the Willow Grove Barnes & Noble.

Meghan praises her student’s house made of LEGOs.

Meghan takes photos of her favorite creations.

Meghan with her models after the LEGO Architecture Studio event.

Instagram Coasters, Part II

All the finished Instagram coasters, ready for delivery. Photo tutorial below.

As I get ready to move off on my own, I knew I wanted cute, crafty ways to display all my photos. I fell in love with the idea that my personal photos could be used as such a useful, functional item. At Christmas, I used my friends’ personal Instagrams–already cropped into squares and with the effects they liked–to make them coasters, and Instagrammed pictures for my family, who hadn’t yet adopted the platform. They were a hit, and after I made tons of Instagram coasters for my family and friends, I knew I had to repeat the craft for my new apartment.

My cousin had asked me months ago to make her some of the newborn quadruplets, so it was a great time to knock both out. She and I had staged a little photoshoot with them at home months ago, but never found a great use for the pictures, so I incorporated her and her husband’s favorites into the mix. All the pictures in her house have a black and white theme, so I made them to fit, all in black in white.

For mine, I used some of my favorite pictures from travelling and from college. My favorite coaster, though, is one of the new Thierry Henry statue outside the Emirates stadium in London, installed while I was living steps away in Islington, London. As a huge Arsenal FC fan, it’s one of my favorite places in the world, of one of my favorite players in the world. I know that’s the coaster I’ll be using to hold my cuppa tea (in an Arsenal mug, of course) when screaming at the Gunners early on Sunday mornings.

Follow my step-by-step photo tutorial below.

I began by cutting 4×4 squares of the photos I wanted to use.

I laid out all the ceramic tiles and wiped clean with a paper towel and water to remove the dust.

I wrung out a dampened sponge and dipped it in Modge Podge to evenly spread the glue across the tile.

Place a thin, even coat of Modge Podge over each tile.

I then placed the picture square on top of the Modge Podged tile, running my fingers across the top to smooth out all the air bubbles. Even if you think it looks smooth, if you don’t smooth out the air, your final surface will be uneven.

After a few minutes, I then applied another generous coat of Modge Podge on top of photo tile. Apply evenly, but the streaks will dry clear and not be visible.

Some of my coasters after the second coat of Modge Podge was drying.

I sprayed all the tiles with an acrylic sealer to waterproof the coasters, which protects from condensation or spills.

I cut felt into small, rectangular strips, which ensure the tile won’t scratch any table or countertop.

I used Modge Podge to adhere the felt to the bottom of the coaster.

All the coasters with felt, which helps protect the surface of the counter or table the tile is resting on.

https://templeowlsarah.wordpress.com/2013/07/27/instagram-coasters-part-ii/

It’ll Always Be Sunny in Philadelphia

I’ve called a lot of places “home” over the years. A lot. But I’m coming to realize that Philadelphia’s always going to be the spot I hold onto the hardest. And I wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye.

As I get ready to move to Atlanta, taking a position with Turner Sports and the NCAA, I had to say one last goodbye to my home, my college, my city, and my best friend at Temple.

Rachel and I met working as Owl Team Leaders, working with the freshman during their summer orientation to Temple. It was a crazy, hectic, sleepless, incredible summer, and the time when I really fell in love with living in Philadelphia. And despite moves to London and Colorado, Rachel’s remained one of my closest, dearest, best friends.

That summer during Owl Team, we spent almost every day off walking into Center City, finding something free to do. Concerts on the Parkway, festivals at Penn’s Landing, or just fun walks, our sneakers were logging lots of miles. And so for our final visit before the big move, there was only one thing to do…walk. Rachel made French toast around 10:30 and by 11, we set off from 17th and Master down into town, chatting the whole way and catching up, with perfect weather on our side.

We visited some of our old favorites like Independence Hall, City Hall, LOVE Park, the Art Museum steps (Be forewarned: if you ever run up the Art Museum steps and have your friends film you while your phone blares “Eye of the Tiger” or the Rocky theme song, I will roll my eyes at you and judge) and the Ben Franklin Parkway, and enjoyed some new stops like the One Direction pop-up shop and Eakins Oval Beach pop-up park, even stopping to grab our favorite milkshakes at our favorite ice cream place. Which ice cream place is our favorite and, therefore, obviously the best in the city, you ask? Well, I can’t spill all my secrets! Don’t come between a Pennsylvanian and her ice cream!

When we ended the day by eating pizza on the Art Museum steps, it was the perfect way to say goodbye to Philly. It was the best goodbye I could have imagined, spending the whole day with Rachel, catching up with one of my favorite people. It’s far from the last time I’ll find myself in the City of Brotherly Love, but it’s the last time for a while. I move around a lot, but I’ll always have a home base here.

I’m an Owl, after all, and Owls always find their way.

LOVE Park.

City Hall.

Independence Hall.

Easily one of my favorite places in the world.

Independece Hall looking as majestic as ever.

Independence Square.

Broad Street.

And sometimes Philly is weirdly awesome and has a One Direction pop-up shop. No complaints.

The Comcast Building.

The Franklin Institute.

Rachel and I at the top of the Art Museum steps.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Dear people standing in line to take your picture in front of the Rocky statue: yes, I’m laughing at you.

Eastern State Penitentiary.

Our favorite ice cream place in the city.

It’s never a walk through Fairmount without a chocolate milkshake.

Ending the day with one of the best views in town…

…with pizza from our favorite pizza place!

DIY String Art, Temple Made

DIY string art. #TempleMade.

I may not be a Tyler student, but I certainly had some Temple T crafts up my sleeve. For months since I got the crafting bug, I’ve been looking for some perfect Owl crafts to display my Temple love, knowing a Temple-themed DIY craft would be rare. Settling for an entirely different craft, I was impressed by the DIY state-themed string art I was finding on the internet, and began gathering materials to make one.

I planned to make a string art around an outline of the state of Pennsylvania, but I wanted a background with meaning, and the Temple T, my alma mater’s iconic logo, seemed to fit that perfectly. I even cut out a stencil of Pennsylvania before deciding I would rather have a Temple T as the part of the piece that really pops.

One of the most difficult parts for me was hammering in all the nails without others coming loose. But after my dad lent me his craftsman’s workbench, it was much easier to gain leverage and make sure they were all solidly in place.

Next time, I won’t go with such a graphic-heavy background, as it made it difficult to see the string and appreciate the 3D nature. But the depth of the craft was fantastic, and was a really unique way to display a Temple T. From each different angle, it looks better and better, and it’s certainly one of the crazier, creative pieces I’ve made.

And who said there were no Temple University DIY crafts out there?! So here you go, fellow Owls! This one’s for you! I truly made a craft that’s #TempleMade!

I’ve included the step-by-step photo tutorial below.

GO OWLS!

I began with a 12×12 sheet of plywood with a .75″ thickness.

I printed out sheets of various-sized Temple Ts.

I cut out all the Ts and arranged them on the board.

ModgePodge at the ready.

I put a spoonful of Modge Podge on a plastic plate and used a wrung-out sponge to evenly spread the glue.

I layered the Ts on the board with Modge Podge.

After laying all the Ts on the board with Modge Podge, I sealed them with another overlying layer of Modge Podge.

When the Modge Podge dried, I used an acrylic waterproof sealer on top. The white streaks will disappear when it dries. The sealant makes it easier to wipe dirt marks off from nails later on.

I cut out a huge T to act as the stencil.

I put painter’s tape behind the stencil and placed it on the board. The sealant allows for the painter’s tape to peel right off without damage.

I hammered the nails around the stencil, which won’t slide around with the painter’s tape.

The nails around the Temple T.

Clearly, I’m not the best at hammering them in straight…whoops!

After all the nails are in the plywood, you can pull up the stencil.

I tied one end of the string around a nail and began wrapping the string around random nails.

The red string was difficult to see, so I enhanced it by adding white string.

The finished product!

It looks great from other angles that enhance the depth of the craft.

I was in love with the depth of the project.

https://templeowlsarah.wordpress.com/2013/07/21/diy-string-art-temple-made/

Sesame Place Classic

My sister…the 2013 Sesame Place Classic 5K champ!

Bucks County is famous for a lot of things. General George Washington (yes, that George Washington) crossed the Delaware on Christmas morning here. Edward Hicks painted The Peaceable Kingdom here. The starting point of Penn’s Walking Purchase was here. The oldest movie theater in America is here. But the little kids who visit Bucks County aren’t impressed by all that. All they’re interested in is one attraction: Sesame Place.

The Sesame Street-themed water and amusement park is the highlight of every toddler’s summer up and down the east coast; the iconic Rubber Ducky slide can be seen towering over the park. And every year, Sesame Place hosts the Courier-Kiwanis Sesame Place Classic Run at nearby Middle Bucks Institute of Technology. The 5K race benefits the Dick Dougherty Scholarship Fund, granting money to college-bound seniors at the county’s high schools, and, in return, runners get a one-day pass to Sesame Place with their race bib.

I knew a lot of cross country runners that would participate in high school, but this year, for the first time, my sister, after sitting out the Broad Street Run, would run. I met my mom and sister at Conwell-Egan Catholic High School around 8:40 this morning, as the runners stretched in the pouring rain. At only 55 degrees, it certainly didn’t feel like mid-May in Philadelphia.

At 9am, everyone lined up under the firetruck ladders and set off at the sound of the trucks’ sirens. Meghan crossed the halfway point, commanding second place of the females. In the cold, steady downpour, her muscles tightened up and she was forced to slow up. She crossed the finish line as the 4th female, 20th overall.

When the official results were processed, we learned Meghan had also won the women’s 19-29 year old division and her roommate, Emily, had come in second, both placing similarly to their finishes at the Temple Alumni Weekend 5K race.

Despite my mom and I both wearing galoshes, thick socks, and heavy windbreakers, we were both pretty cold watching Meghan and Emily race, but it was fun seeing Meghan win…even if my iPhone got a little wet. Even through the rain, everyone had a great time, especially the little kids, jumping in the puddles.

After wins at the Temple Alumni Weekend 5K and the Sesame Place Classic 5K, I think it’s safe to say Sissy’s conquered the 5K distance. She’s entering the Philadelphia Marathon in November…and I already smell a win at that level, too! Go Sissykins!

Lining up at the finish line of the 2013 Sesame Place Classic in Bristol.

Mom and I braving the cold and rain at the 2013 Sesame Place Classic.

Protecting the clock from the downpours.

The runners lining up at the starting line at the 2013 Sesame Place Classic.

…And they’re off!

Meghan hitting the halfway point.

Meghan crossing the finish line at the Sesame Place Classic.

Meghan placed 20th overall at the 2013 Sesame Place Classic.

Emily receiving her 2nd place plaque.

Meghan receiving her 1st place award.

2013 Sesame Place Classic Champion!

Meghan showing off her plaque to the Rosenbergs.

My sister…the 2013 Sesame Place Classic 5K champ!

Biting her plaque like a true Olympian…I’m such a proud Team USA alum!

Emily and Meghan with their 1st and 2nd place plaques!

Temple Leadership Awards Ceremony

Lauren told me today, “You’re stuck with me.” But I’m certainly lucky I am. I have such an incredible mentor in her!

I’ve been a Diamond Leader at Temple for as long as I can remember. By pure coincidence, I moved into the Leadership Living Learning Community in White Hall my freshman year. After that, it was a slippery slope. I started attending conferences, movie nights, workshops, retreats, and seminars, and was quickly getting addicted to the Office of Leadership Development.

I’ve been fortunate enough to do a lot as a Diamond Leaders; I attended a service immersion trip to Camden, I was selected as a participant to the Leadershape Institute, and I was chosen as Diamond Leader of the Year as a sophomore, an awesome moment. Safe to say, I absolutely owe my confidence at Temple to this program. And in February, I was honored to wear my Diamond Leader medal when I gave the university’s Commencement speech.

Every year, the Office of Leadership Development and Student Activities hold their annual awards ceremony. After graduating in February, the last thing I expected to see in my inbox early last week was an invitation to the program. I didn’t know what the ceremony would have in store for me, but I was excited. My parents were excited for me, too, and we drove down to school.

After making a quick visit to the Welcome Center to say hi to Niki and the Owl Ambassadors, my parents and I walked to the Student Center, where I was eager to introduce them to Lauren Bullock, the Director of Leadership Development. Lauren, a former Sports Information Director, has been a great mentor to me–not just in leadership, but also in sports and with career advice. Lauren told us during the ceremony that we had her for life, and I’m certainly lucky to have someone so encouraging and supportive as our leadership director!

I was able to catch up with some of my favorite Diamond Leaders, and we reminisced that it’s nearly been an entire year since the incredible week we spent at the Leadershape Institute. Although I had graduated with the Class of 2012, I was recognized as a graduate of the program and ceremoniously received my Diamond Leader medallion, the mark of the program’s completion.

I may have already worn my medal at graduation, but it was still exciting to be recognized as a graduate of the program and to share that moment with my parents. My mom was the one who encouraged me to get involved with the leadership program at TU after feeling so lost those first few weeks on campus and it’s only brought confidence, strength, and knowledge, and I owe a lot to my experience as a Diamond Leader. You know what they say…mom is indeed always right! I may not have found my path after Temple just yet, but I know that being a DL has given me a great head start and given me the confidence to do so many incredible things, already. I owe so much to this program, which truly helped me become Temple Made…so thank you, Mom!

The one and only Aisha Folkes…my Destiny’s Child and S Club 7 karaoke partner in crime.

My two favorite Diamond Leaders. Jerome (class of 2014), Aisha (class of 2013), and myself (class of 2012)…Tuscaroralaaaa!

So honored to be a graduate of this program.

Hugging Bareeq after receiving my medal and certificate.

Some of my favorite Diamond Leaders…and Lauren!

Class of 2013 (and one Class of 2012) Diamond Leader graduates.

Leader love!

Graduate DLs with Bareeq, our graduate extern.

Danielle, Jerome, me, Aisha, and Nicole.

Lauren told me today, “You’re stuck with me.” But I’m certainly lucky I am. Such an incredible mentor!

I always seem to find my favorite student body president at these events…DayLo!

Even though I already graduated, I was honored to return for the ceremony.