Regional Winner |
Month: March 2012 |
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Resident Assistant of the Month |
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| School: |
Gonzaga University |
Region: |
PACURH |
| Nominee: |
Kaya Mills |
Nominator: |
Kassi Picchi |
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| On-Campus Population: 2900 |
Chapter Size: 25 |
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| Please explain the outstanding contributions of the nominee during the month of nomination |
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Resident Assistant Kaya Mills did an extraordinary amount of planning
for not one but two snowboarding/skiing trips for her outdoor living
community, Marian Hall. The firs trip was March 2nd through the 4th and
the second trip was on March 23rd through the 25th. The first trip
hauled fifteen people on a six hour drive to White Pass Ski Resort in
Naches, Washington. The second trip included ten people on an eight hour
drive to Bridger Bowl in Bozeman, Montana. Kaya sent out emails to all
her residents before the trip with a survey find out an affordable cost
and favorite resorts. She researched seven to eight different resorts
looking for total costs, group discounts, and distances. She also had to
plan van rentals and found that only two van companies in Spokane have
twelve seated vans. Luckily she was able to reserve one for both trips.
For these weekend trips she also had to prepare a binder filled with
emergency contacts, local hospital addresses, allergy, emergency and
Gonzaga Policy agreement forms that each student had to sign before
embarking on these adventures. Kaya prepared for any possible accident
that could happen along the road by loading the vans with emergency
kits, extra car battery, jumper cables and two gallons of water. Joey
Sammut, a staff member on the White Pass trip said, “Kaya did an
excellent job organizing and implementing the ski trip to White Pass. I
was impressed by her attention to detail and her flexibility when random
things went differently than expected. As the staff driver on the trip,
I was able to also relax and have fun due to her organization.” Kaya was
very flexible throughout the trips, some students bailed last minute and
she was able to refund their money. For the White Pass trip Kaya said
that breakfast was provided by the hotel, but a couple days before she
found out that wasn’t true. To fix the problem, Kaya bought bagels, jam,
cream cheese, bananas and yogurt for everyone. Kaya also provided extra
clothes for those who didn’t have any. Both trips were not scheduled
from time to time, Kaya said, “On both trips we kind of just went with
the flow, there was no set agenda, and it seemed like everyone had a
great time with on both trips.” Kaya made both trips very affordable;
the White Pass trip was one hundred dollars per student, while Bridger
Bowl was one hundred and fifty dollars per person for transportation,
lift ticket and lodging. Both trips were fifty dollars for those who had
a Schweitzer Pass. The great deals for both trips attributed to the high
participation among the residents of Marian Hall.
Along with planning these outdoor extravaganzas Kaya is working hard
with one of her Human Physiology professors Dr. Higginson on a number on
studies. The first study is finding the best backpack design for
military persons; they will be presenting the results in Florida in
August. The second experiment is looking at cross-country skiers and the
different muscles utilized on different techniques in a race. Kaya and
Dr. Higginson will be presenting their findings in May in Finland. For
her Environmental Physiology Lab she had to conduct her own experiment
in which she asked females who work out less than eight hours a week to
participate for two sessions in March to measure heart rate, blood
pressure, and lactate levels in each participant. Kaya Mills will do
everything she can to help her residents enjoy programs while balancing
her academics and collaborating on research studies that will change the
world.
Word Count: 599
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