The Iowa State Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society (ISU AMS) is an extension of the American Meteorological Society for students on the Iowa State campus with an interest in meteorology. The club partakes in and provides many academic programs, community service opportunities, and social events. During the 2011-2012 school year, I am honored to be leading the club as Vice President of the ISU AMS. I hope to continue the large projects in which the club is involved, such as the Severe Weather Hy-Vee Bags project and involvement in VEISHEA. I would also like to attract as many freshman and transfer students as possible to build a strong base in the club. As a member of the national AMS as well, I have experienced the many benefits of membership, including attendance to the national AMS Conference in 2011 and 2012 and the many AMS scholarship opportunities.

The Central Iowa Chapter of the National Weather Association is an extension of the National Weather Association in Iowa. I became involved in the organization as a sophomore in college and have benefited greatly from the Iowa-NWA's main event: the Severe Storms & Doppler Radar Conference. The Conference provided me an opportunity to present my summer REU research as well as my senior thesis research in 2011 and 2012. This year, I will not only attend the conference; I am also a member of the registration committee.

The Earth, Wind, & Fire (EW&F) Learning Community is a non-residential learning community for incoming freshmen and transfer students in meteorology, geology, and earth science. EW&F welcomes students to Iowa State, familiarizes them with campus and the curriculum at Iowa State, and generally aids them in adjusting to college life. I was a peer mentor for the learning community during the 2010-2011 school year, and am a mentor during this 2011-2012 school year. My fellow mentors and I plan a field trip at the beginning of the year to get everyone introduced, and other class activities during the school year to connect the students with ISU's campus. Throughout the year we arrange for speakers to talk about research, organization, study skills, resume-building, and other helpful topics. We also prepare lectures for the students on ISU's curriculum (major-specific) and academic policies when it becomes time to schedule the next semester's classes. Overall, I am a resource for all my students; I answer their questions and encourage them to look for tutoring, join clubs, and just get involved on campus. It has been a fantastic learning experience for me in the way of leadership and teamwork.

Music is a passion of mine. I have been playing the piano since age 6 and singing since age 8. I have been involved in a choir almost every semester of school since third grade--I love music, and it is a wonderful way to relax my mind between my mostly math- and physics-intensive classes. The Cantamus Women's Choir, directed by Kathleen Rodde, is an audition-only women's choir that performs a wide variety of exciting but challenging music. Cantamus has a 5-concert season with a Masterworks Concert in April. The ISU Masterworks Concert features a famous work performed by the combined ISU choirs, and this April we will perform Carmina Burana. Cantamus has also performed at multiple conventions across the country, and I was able to be a part of Cantamus when we were invited to sing at the NCDA Midwest Regional Convention in 2010 in Minneapolis's Orchestra Hall. I am honored to be a member of such a wonderful choir and will always cherish my choir memories.

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church
Religion is a large part of my life, and St. Thomas Aquinas is a very student-friendly parish close to campus. I was a student ambassador while I lived in the dorms, which meant I was a resource for anyone in my dorm who had a question about Catholicism. Now that I live off campus, I participate in the music ministry at St. Thomas. It is one of the highlights of my week!

ISU Intramurals
Intramural sports are a great way to hang out with friends and play a fun sport (even if you're bad at it!). It also inspires leadership and requires a great deal of teamwork, without enduring the pressures found in normal team sports. I have played Ultimate Frisbee, Billiards, Bowling, and Broomball, with Broomball being my favorite by far. I've also been a supporter for my friends at many intramural sports--it is just a fun way to get active.

Honors Societies
I am a member of multiple honors societies through Iowa State University. Honors societies allow me to feel pride in my hard work and dedication to my studies. They also provide community service, leadership, social, and academic opportunities not found outside of such societies. I am honored to have been included in these prestigious groups.

• The Phi Beta Kappa Society
• The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
• Sigma Alpha Lambda National Leadership and Honors Organization
• National Society of Collegiate Scholars