HELLO: Enactus 2014 National Competition - Day 4

Hello everyone! 

Here's my last entry for the Enactus 2014 National Competition. My roommates and I woked up early to attend the Enactus Top-to-Future Forum. We were assigned to tables and sat among our peers and with business executives. I had a great table and had the privilege to sit with John Kahl, CEO of ShurTechBrands, Scott McCall, Senior Vice President of Toys and Seasonal for Walmart, an auditor for KPMG, and other amazing and inspiring executives.

I had a great time and really enjoyed listening to all the executives and their story of success and career goals. I learned a lot and I hope to one day become just as successful as these business leaders are.

As a waited for the announcement of the Top 4 teams, there was several speeches and awards still be presented. What was the most shocking to us was that our team won the Jack Shewmaker Spirit Video Award. I mean, when they called our team's name, we sat there, in shocked, surprised and astonished that we won! Our spirit video was displayed for everyone to watch. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thjJXaqNsMg

We never had a thought that our spirit video would win. I am very proud on everyone who worked hard on this video, especially in the two weeks of making! Congrats to Sally Tang and Efren Chavez on editing, creating the lyrics, and filming, and to Will Anthony, our singer!

We watched the Top 4 teams after that. I have to tell you, lots of surprises! The top four Enactus teams were Heritage University, Belmont University, Roberts Wesleyan College, and Texas State University - San Marcos. As we watched all four teams, they were all amazing in performance, presentations, and projects. Now, we couldn't stay to watch the results because we were on the run to attend our next event, The Home Depot Orange Experience, but I found out from my colleagues afterwards. And the results are:

Fourth Place - Belmont University
Third Place - Heritage University
Second Place - Roberts Wesleyan College
First Place - Texas State University - San Marcos (the same team that was in League 16 with us)

So, it's not so bad, I guess, to lose to the National Champs, right?

Anyways, here we are in THD bus going to the event!

These orange tickets were beautiful. Seriously. I wished I could have kept it for my scrapbook. They looked like the tickets from Willy Wonka.

The party was a blast! Had so much fun. I love hanging out with THD recruiters and HR representatives. They are such fun people and that's a company that I would love to work for.

They also gave us a free beat pill at the end to everyone who attended! Look!

Overall, I had an amazing time at the Enactus National Competition. I love going to it every year and can't wait to go again next year. Next time, we'll come back with a BOOM and bring home the trophy!

HELLO: Enactus 2014 National Competition - Day 3

Hi you guys! I have been updating daily or at least a couple times this week and I'm very proud of myself. Anyways, let's talk about the third day of the Enactus National Competition in Cincinnati, OH.

UNG Enactus Tech Team. Love my team! Gotta be a little silly sometimes even right before we present!

UNG Enactus competed at 10:20 AM in League 16 in the Quarter-Final Round. Once again, all the presenters said their parts perfectly, the presentation went through smoothly, and the Q&A session was great, really great. Our team has always been pretty weak when it came to the Q&A session but this year, we really practiced and went over every possible questions that can be asked by the judges about our projects. In both the Opening Round and Quarter-Final Round, the judges have asked questions that our team has went through many times during practices.

Afterwards, we headed one last time to Career Fair.

A great shot with American Greeting's ninja!

A picture with our guest speaker and three times Bobsledder Olympian and Gold Medalist, Steve Mesler. He is an inspiring man and is also President and CEO of Classroom Champions. Classroom Champion is a program that connects children from K-8 with athletes who becomes a support and resource in their academic success.

Waiting during the award ceremony and the anxiety is killing us! Last year, our team advanced to the Top 20. Hoping to be just as successful this year!

After what seemed like years have passed, took forever to reach League 16, we're called on stage! Now that's great news because only three teams get called on stage out of 7 teams in our league.

Here's some sad news to share...we were first runner up and Texas University - San Marcos advanced to the Top 20. Although we are a bit sadden with the news, our team has worked extremely hard this year and we couldn't be more proud of everyone's work!

When the award ceremony ended, my project partner, Khanh, and I headed over to the invite-only reception for the Campbell's Let's Can Hunger Challenge. Our UNG Enactus team were in the Top 8 Finalists in the Let's Can Hunger Challenge this year and we really worked our butts hard in this project.

Here we are with the Senior Vice President Chief Marketing Officer for Campbell's, Michael P. Senackerib. An amazing and motivating man. He shared many of his experiences and tips to us in his previous and current career. A successful leader, indeed.

Oh, our team was also selected and in the Top 8 teams in the Walmart's Women Empowerment project as well. Super proud of everyone's hard work!

Since we won't be moving on to the next round, our team decided to go out together and eat at a fancy restaurant because we deserve it! There was a lot of us so you can imagine how much the total was. I won't tell you what it is though!

Anyways, look forward to the last blog post, Day 4, of the competition and see you all soon! Thanks for reading!

HELLO: Enactus 2014 National Competition - Day 2

So Day 2 into the Enactus National Competition. My UNG Enactus team competed at 9:30 AM in League Five for the Opening Rounds. For two years, I was always in charge of the technical/presentation part for my team. This year, I have decided to pass my torch to my other fellow members and let them continue the legacy! That doesn't mean I was not a part of the involvement of my team for the competition. As VP and having previous experiences with both Regional and National competitions in the past, I was highly involved with this year's prep for the competition.

Anyways, our team did an amazing job during the Opening Rounds. We had 6 presenters and two members taking care of the presentation. After taking the weight off of our shoulders, we headed to the Career Fair. I have to say, I think the Career Fair, as well as the competition rounds and everything else, is the greatest part of Enactus events because I am able to network and connect with so many top Fortune's companies and employers. It's also great for anyone looking for internship and career opportunities.

Here's my amazing team group picture during the Career Fair. At the Career Fair, I was able to talk to amazing companies like The Home Depot, Coca Cola, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Unilever, and so many more! Also, these companies gave so many free goodies and fun activities, like American Greetings and Liberty Mutual had photo shoots and Microsoft had a gaming area.

 

A picture with American Greetings' Sweater Cat! 

I also met USA Olympic Bobsledder, Jazmine Fenlator, at the Liberty Mutual booth! She competed in this year's Winter Olympics in Sochi and will compete in the following Winter Olympics in 2018! She is so passionate in what she does. She also gave us the insider of the life of a bobsledder and how they do practice runs and it's very fascinating.

Anyways, after the Career Fair, we headed towards the Opening Round Awards Ceremony to anxiously wait to see if we will proceed to the next round to the Semi-Quarters Round.

Want to hear the good news? We most definitely did advanced to the next round!

After that, a couple practices of the night then head to bed for another long day the next day. Of course, we waited longer than we should have that night because Enactus decided to post all the team's s competition schedules and leagues very late through their app. The app crashed a couple times and yeah, a lot of Enactus teams were getting frustrated. But of course, first time for everything. Eventually, we found out that we were in League 16. Our biggest competitors were University of Texas - San Marcos. They were National winners in the past but no matter what the outcome is, I am so proud of my team for everyone's accomplishments!

HELLO: Enactus 2014 National Competition - Day 1

Hello everyone! It's been too long since I've updated! I even promised myself that I would at least post two times a week. That sadly did not happen.

As a college student, especially towards the end of the semester with Finals and everything, you realize that you do not have time for anything!

Anyways, let's talk about where I've been recently, yeah?

I traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio on Monday, March 31st to Friday April 4th. I journeyed with my Enactus team, 9 hours later, to compete at the Enactus 2014 National Competition. An amazing competition, where we competed with 230 something Enactus teams from all over the U.S. by displaying leadership and showcasing our projects to other Enactus teams, business leaders, business staffs, and business executives.

When we finally reached the hotel, I was sadly late to The Home Depot Orange Experience event and I was personally invited to it as well. The Orange Experience is an event sponsored by THD and gave Enactus students insight into THD, internship/job opportunities, and mingling with THD recruiters and staffs. I sadly missed the first event...but other than that, I was able to participate with my UNG Enactus team in our photoshoot! Now that was fun! The pictures turned out great as well!

As VP of my team, I made sure that we had every member registered and ready to go. Oh, and here's our greatest ultimate selfie! LOVE it!

Day 1 ended with dinner at Skyline! Famously known in the city for their chili on spaghetti.

Yes, first time experience and we must wear the bib! Gotta have it!

Afterwards, our team met up again and we practiced all night long! Prepping speakers, technical team checking the presentation, practicing Q & A's, and getting tired, very tired.

A successful Day 1, other than missing the THD Orange Experience, I must say. It's just so awesome being in a different city, different state! I love traveling with my UNG Enactus team!