Page 12
orgs.
Longhorn Life
Friday, March 30, 2012
Getting involved on campus
S.M.I.L.E. ready for Shave for the Cure Brittany Lamas Longhorn Life
After attending meeting upon meeting for different groups around the UT campus, Sofia Buitrago was beginning to think she would never find an organization that both made a difference in the community and made its members feel completely welcome. Fearing she would never be satisfied with existing groups, she created her own. “I was really involved in different groups in high school, but coming to a place as big as UT, it was difficult to find an organization that I really fit into,” said Buitrago, who is a Hispanic studies and pre-med senior. Buitrago enlisted the help of friend Danika de Veyrato to found a new kind of service organization for people who shared similar interests. “I knew that the name had to be SMILE, and I knew I wanted to make an impact, but it was Danika who actually came up with the words for the acronym,” Buitrago said. Students Making Impacts through Love and Empathy, or S.M.I.L.E, was made an official organization in September 2008, and has since focused on community work in pediatric clinics around Austin. Members have the opportunity to
rachel lau/Longhorn Life
Making a difference: Members of S.M.I.L.E. gather for a meeting to prepare for their upcoming Shave for the Cure event this Saturday.
attend weekly visits to a pediatric oncology clinic as well as scheduled trips to the Dell Children’s Hospital. After hearing about the organization from a friend, English sophomore Lan Le said the group was a good fit for her. “I wanted to be able to volunteer, have fun and actually make a difference,” she said. And since joining, Le said she has volunteered at different
“I knew that the name had to be SMILE, and I knew I wanted to make an impact, but it was Danika [de Veyrato] who actually came up with the words for the acronym — Students Making Impacts through Love and Empathy.” - Sofia Buitrago,
WEEKEND HAPPENINGS
founder of the student organization S.M.I.L.E.
FOR STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS Consider spending some quality group time together by attending one of these on-campus events.
clinics around Austin and feels she is indeed making a difference. “It was really hard to get started,” Buitrago said. “It took a lot of work to get people to trust us and let us come volunteer.” What started out with volunteer trips once a week has grown into daily happenings, she said. The group also participates in national fundraising events, and for the first time will host the annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation Shave for the Cure. The UT Shave for the Cure will be held at the Main Mall this Saturday, and is a unique fundraising event where participants commit to shaving their heads to raise money and promote empathy for children with cancer. “This fundraiser impacts the kids so much more,” Le said, who plans to volunteer at the event. “Seeing people
GSA 5K
dedicated to going bald for them is more powerful than just handing them money.” Founded in 2000, more than 189,000 St. Baldrick’s participants and donors have raised approximately $117 billion for cancer research. The inaugural year of UT’s event will host 163 campus participants who have raised nearly $47,000 for the cause.* Participant Kalie Kubes, human development and family sciences sophomore and a three-time pediatric cancer survivor herself, said the main focus is to help the children. “St. Baldrick’s really cares about the kids and gives them a huge chance to overcome cancer,” Kubes said. “Ultimately, I want to help save lives and hopefully find a cure for pediatric cancer!” Kubes, who was bald as a child due to treatment for stage four Neuroblastoma in her femur at age 3, said her family was initially confused by her decision to shave her head on Saturday, but the cause was really important to her. “It’s deeply embedded in my heart as a survivor,” she said. “These kids deserve a chance to live and go to prom, go to college, get married and have a family like their healthy peers.” The carnival-style event will host booths with games and crafts for all ages. There will also be door prizes auctioned off to further raise funds. All students and family members are encouraged to join in the festivities. The head-shaving event will take place at noon. “We’ve invited patients and their families, and the event is open to anyone,” Buitrago said. “All of the money raised will go toward our St. Baldrick’s total.”
* as of press time
“Starstruck: Own the Night”
The Graduate Student Assembly is hosting a 5K run/walk to raise money for graduate student education and travel expenses for professional development. Register to participate at utgsa5k. com. Refreshments will be served.
Join the UT Longhorn Singers for a night of singing and dancing as they present a showcase of diva songs for their annual spring show. Visit facebook.com/longhornsingers for additional information.
Time: Sunday 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Location: Gregory Gym Plaza Cost: $25 for students, faculty and staff; $30 for community members
Time: Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Location: Performing Arts Center, McCullough Theatre Cost: $10