by givebackdv | Mar 14, 2025 | Making an Impact, Scholars
What is gratitude?
What does it look like beyond the “humblebrag” social media posts and cliche smiles?
And why is it important?
Gratitude is what makes us smile, inside or out. It is that component in life that gives us grace, grounding and awareness. It is the tiniest of light that helps us see a step forward in the darkest of nights. Finding gratitude helps us to be resilient. To remind us that there is beauty in life.
Gratitude is the sound of little sisters playing.
It is the taste of chocolate.
It is the smell of mint.
Gratitude is the puppy that always has a smile.
Gratitude is looking at the stars on a clear night.
It is a hug from a friend.
Gratitude is acing that last exam you worked so hard on.
It is a warm meal and enough to eat.
It is a teddy bear and a stuffed avocado pillow.
It is a feeling of breath.
It is an art supply kit.
Gratitude is “You”.
At least this is what our students say.
At our National Scholar Saturday in March, our Give Back community had the opportunity to explore the positive impacts and healthy practice habits of gratitude with speaker Miriam Hathaway.
Miriam is an author and positive mindset expert who has written more than 30 books, including several focused on gratitude, living life with meaning and purpose, and the importance of positive relationships. She has been featured on several national lists; her work can be found in stores nationwide and one of her projects was even featured in Oprah's Favorite Things. She is known for infusing joy and curiosity into all that she does and writes books that inspire people in making their creative ideas come to life. Which she certainly did for our community in March!
Gratitude was chosen as a theme this month as an inspiration from our December speaker, Wesley Hamilton. It has been shown to help overcome trauma, lower rates of PTSD for war veterans and increase resilience for survivors of terrorist attacks. In his podcast, Dr. Andrew Huberman, Ph.D., a neuroscientist and professor at Stanford University, indicates that specific gratitude practices have been shown to have tremendous positive effects on mental and physical health. We hope that by introducing students to mindful gratitude practices with Miriam, that it will help them find resiliency and positive threads during a time of national uncertainty.
Miriam introduced participants to the positive benefits of gratitude and how to incorporate it into our lives- even when it may not be what we really feel like there is not much to be grateful for. One particular exercise, Miriam asked students to write or share “Five Things You Can See”, “Four Things You Can Touch”, “Three Things You Can Hear”, “Two Things You Can Smell” and “One Thing You Can Taste”, of which students responded with overwhelming thoughtfulness.
In our post-event survey, many students shared that some of the most valuable parts of the ninety minutes together were learning about other things that their peers are grateful for. They shared that they appreciated “The connection I had with other students”, “When we became vulnerable and shared what we were grateful for.” and “Hearing all the great things that happened to the other Give Back students”.
Hopefully, students will carry this amazing learning experience forward with them. When life feels like a whirlwind, we can all take time to recall our “5,4,3,2,1 Gratitude Exercise” and remember that a moment of gratitude might just be one appreciative breath away.
by givebackdv | Jan 31, 2025 | Scholars
Hello! My name is Irene Juarez, and I am a junior at Chapman University. I am pursuing a major in Integrated Educational Studies with a minor in English. I am also included in the Chapman 4+1 program to pursue my master's and teaching credentials after graduating from Chapman University with my bachelor’s. My future goal is to grow and build stronger connections within my communities at Chapman and with Giveback. I would like to better understand all those around me and reach out to them outside the professional field.
When I create events or do one-on-one check-ins, I would like to do more that benefits and makes scholars comfortable while still having fun. So, having better communication and networking skills is another goal I’m working on. A third goal that I have is regarding my peer mentor position. I would like to build a comforting relationship with the mentees; I want to be a strong foundation for them so that they know they can come to me with no bias when they need anything.
The entire reason I was motivated and intrigued to become a peer mentor for Chapman University was so that I could help other scholars in Giveback who have experienced the same background and situation as I have when leaving home for the first time: being in a new place, battling all these new obstacles that they have never before dealt with, even imposter syndrome. I want all the mentees to know I am a safe space for them to talk to and chat with. Whether on campus, in the dorms, or outside campus life, I want them to feel secure and welcomed. I, too, have experienced similar difficulties. I had a fantastic connection with fellow Giveback scholars as they helped me navigate college life, always at my side when I needed them, especially when I was struggling and feeling homesick.
by givebackdv | Oct 17, 2022 | Scholars
Bitten by the ice of the alpine winds, their feet sloshed through the puddled volcanic gravel in the dead of night. The fiery roar of Volcan de Fuego sounded off in the distance. Deep breaths. In through the nose, out through the mouth. It had been two days since they began their trek and the journey’s end was within sight. As they reached the summit, the sun at last began to peak from behind the clouded sky, casting its brilliant rays across the breathtaking scenery.
This past summer, Northern Illinois University sophomore and Give Back Scholar Ethan Gonzalez spent some time relaxing and recharging–and reaching mountaintops–in his father’s hometown in Guatemala. He traveled there in June with his father and brother, and stayed with his uncle who led them on a host of adventures throughout the country.
Ethan kept busy during his two week stay with trips to the Mayan ruins of Tikal, hikes to the hidden pools in Lanquin where he swam in their crystal waters, and down-time spent soaking up the sun at the beach. He even put his Music Education and Vocal Performance studies to good use by serenading his grandparents with an Italian Aria.
A fervent proponent of walking and being in nature, Ethan treasured his scenic experiences during his summer travels, some of which he said were physically taxing but mentally and emotionally rewarding. His most gratifying experience was his journey climbing one of Guatemala’s most famous volcanoes, Volcan Acatenango.
“It was a thrill to climb this 13,000 foot-tall volcano with my dad and brother by my side,” said Ethan. “It was a challenge going through the rain and frigid winds near the summit, but it paid off with a victory lap around the crater once we reached the top!”
A rewarding and centering experience, Ethan’s journey on Volcan Acatenango opened his eyes to the powerful practice of breathwork, and it reminded him to always take a break and appreciate the beauty that surrounds you.
With the new school year in full swing and students across the country trading in their tank tops and towels for backpacks and binders, remembering to take a step back and recenter yourself is more important now than ever. Whether you are an incoming freshman or pursuing a master’s degree, practicing self-care year-round is paramount to success in all aspects of life.
“College can be very stressful, but having the opportunity to stay in tune with nature and taking a step back has made me realize that I have made it very far as a person,” said Ethan. “Last year as a freshman I had to go through a lot of self-growth and learn a lot more about myself than I already knew. I am focusing on myself and not worrying about what others are thinking about me. I’m the one that’s responsible for doing what I love and setting myself up for success. I’ve learned that there are going to be many volcanoes in our lifetimes. But once you reach the top, you feel weightless.”
by givebackdv | Sep 23, 2022 | Scholars
Between museum hopping, pub exploring, and petting the late queen’s royal horses, Gracie Traviño kept busy this summer on her study abroad trip to London. The ten-day excursion in June was an end-of-year opportunity awarded to students who completed the accompanying History of the British Empire course at Lewis University in Illinois — and it marked the first time that Gracie, a British history aficionado, traveled to the country that fuels her passion for history.
A Give Back scholar and junior at Lewis, Gracie juggles a busy schedule as a double major in History and Theology, and a Donnelly Grant Intern working on preserving Joliet-era history in the university’s Adelmann Regional History Collection. Through her studies, Gracie intends to pursue a PhD in History, with a concentration in the British or Latin Empire, to ultimately teach at the collegiate level.
Her fervor for history, and Britain, ignited when she was just six years old and has continued to swell over the years. Studying everything from the Prohibition to Spanish Morocco and in between, Gracie is fascinated with learning about how people justify their actions, and is inspired by such prominent figures as the late Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Victoria — both of whom taught her that you don’t have to be a man to run an empire. So when she learned of the opportunity to take a course that aligned with her passions and allowed her to travel abroad, she was elated.
“It was really exciting to travel to England, especially after everything I learned in the class about the history of the empire,” said Gracie.
Gracie was accompanied by eight of her peers and the course professor on the trip. Together, they visited a host of museums and galleries, seeing such marvels as Rafael’s paintings and the Elgin Marbles; attended a Westminster Parliament session; talked to the locals about political issues; experienced pub life; spent some quality time with the late queen’s horses; and much more.
“I think it’s important to have these types of experiences because they are very eye-opening,” she added. “It’s important to see the world and see things for how they really are. You’ll learn that people really aren’t as different as you think they are.”
Officially her favorite class of her academic career thus far, the History of the British Empire course offered Gracie a unique opportunity to experience, first-hand, a culture that plays such a meaningful role in her long-term career and educational endeavors. Now that she is back home and more inspired than ever, she plans to continue working toward her goals in academia, while making sure to carve out some time in her bustling schedule to join a few different clubs, make new friends, and do some of the things she loves best — like reading Tolkien, playing piano, painting her nails, and spending quality time with her family.
by givebackdv | Sep 9, 2022 | Scholars
Amidst the chaos of finals, an ongoing global pandemic, and preparing for the new school year, relaxing your mind and recharging your batteries is not always a walk in the park. But prioritizing your mental health and making time for the things you enjoy most is essential for your overall success and wellbeing.
This summer, Give Back scholar Deborah Hawj spent time recharging and de-stressing with her family on an action-packed trip through Georgia and South Carolina. A rising freshman at Baker University in Kansas, Deborah flew from her hometown in Kansas City to meet her relatives in Atlanta, Georgia. Together, they traveled to South Carolina, where they spent time tubing, trail walking in Greenville, hiking at Pretty Place, and swimming at Myrtle Beach.
“I’ve never been to the beach before so it was really fun,” said Deborah. “The moments we spent there were precious. All the laughter and smiles–they’re memories that I won’t forget.”
While she’s been to Georgia before for family reunions, this was the first time that Deborah was able to spend some time there sightseeing and going on new adventures with the people she loves most. And between working at Panera and getting ready for her first year at college, this little getaway was the perfect summertime remedy for her mental health in preparation for the busy year to come.
“I usually try to spend as much time as I can having fun during my summer break to prepare for school, and spending time with my friends and family is the best way that I can relax,” Deborah added. “But I’m looking forward to making new friends in college this September, and being able to end the semester well and pursue my dreams.”
Whether it’s building sandcastles, trekking through the forest, or binge watching her favorite action-packed Netflix series, Deborah always makes sure to set aside time for herself and her mental health during the summer to recharge her batteries for a fun and successful year to come.
Let us know how you relaxed and recharged this summer by using the hashtag #GiveBackRecharge on social media! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay in the loop on all things Give Back.
by givebackdv | Aug 5, 2022 | Scholars
Earlier this summer, Alexandria Wilson traveled to Memphis, Tennessee to attend a two-week intensive academic, community, and field experience where students from across the country learned about issues pertaining to social justice and inequity, particularly for people living in poverty and on the margins.
When we spoke to Alexandria about her experience, she said, “It was a very full-circle moment for my life, because I learned [a lot about the civil rights movement] outside of school — and some of it in school — but to see [those places in person] was something I could never imagine me being able to do if my university hadn’t sponsored me to go to the trip.”
Alexandria was able to visit the Lorraine Motel, the site of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, among other historically important sites. She said her family is from down south, so she could have been standing in the very spot where her ancestors were sold into slavery. “I cried — it was very emotional,” she said.
Alexandria is a Give Back Scholar attending Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois, and she was selected to participate in the program by the McLaughlin Social Justice Institute of Lasallian Practice.
Her favorite part of the trip, she said, was fostering a community of people she met in the program. “I feel like I made lifelong friends,” she said. People who are interested in the same things.
Together, they spent time working with Catholic Charities to pack meals for those in need. Alexandria explained that the trip was split into two sessions and they “competed” to see who could pack more meals. (Alexandria’s group beat the record set by the first session.) “To know that I was giving my time for the greater good and for a bigger cause than myself was very powerful for me,” she said.
This fall, Alexandria will be entering her senior year at Lewis University, where she plans to finish up her double major in Paralegal Studies and Peace & Justice Studies — with a minor in Political Science and a pre-law concentration. Her #1 goal coming out of university is to move on to law school, and her ultimate dream is to one day become a judge. But before that happens, she’d love to work as an attorney for the public defender’s office — standing up for the “little guy.”
When asked what receiving the Give Something Back scholarship has meant to her, Alexandria said, “The Give Something Back scholarship has allowed me to take on things that I never expected I would do. […] Give Something Back allowed me to believe in myself and see that I am worthy.”
When it comes to giving back after graduation, Alexandria said she wants to start her own small mentorship program to mentor kids who are interested in a career in law. She explained that getting into college is hard, but navigating graduate-level programs can be just as daunting, if not more so.
She’d also love to branch out by starting a scholarship of her own. She has a couple ideas on the types of students she’d like to give scholarships to and for what purposes. Specifically: helping students afford LSAT prep. Alexandria said it can be expensive, and she doesn’t want the Law School Admissions Test to keep anyone from reaching their dream of becoming a lawyer or judge.
Alexandria will have plenty of time to think about how she’d like to give back over the next few years, and we’re sure it will be on her mind a lot.
She said, “In the future, giving back is definitely my top priority. Giving back to every organization that has given to me. But I don’t have everything planned out…yet!”
Good luck with your final year of undergrad, Alexandria! We can’t wait to see where you go from here!
