Noteworthy Hatter of the Month – April

Tara continues to advocate for the rights and opportunities of vulnerable youths.  She has served as Youth Relations Coordinator for the Southeastern Network of Youth and Family Services, Community Resource Coordinator and Fund Development manager for Girl Scouts of Citrus Council, and Mentor Coordinator for the U.S. Dream Academy. Tara received a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business at Stetson University, a Masters of Science in Evidence-Based Social Intervention at the University of Oxford, and a Masters of Philosophy in Social Work at Columbia University. She currently is undertaking a PhD in Social Work at Columbia University. Her publications include:

Batista-Calderbank, Tara (2011). Measuring Implementation Fidelity in    Independent Living Programs: A systematic review.         http://ora.ouls.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid%3A1741efd3-164b-4cfc-be6e-          55d89896a894/datastreams/THESIS01.

Batista, Tara (2010) A Case for Evidence-Based Practice. Columbia Social Work      Review, 1, 45-53. http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ssw/pdfs/sw-review/Vol1-    CSWR-04-14-10.pdf.

As a teenager, Tara founded 61 C, Pinellas County’s first youth-empowered teen center, raising more than $195,000 in seed money. To raise further funds for the center, she and her colleague wrote a letter proposal to Eckerd Family Foundation which resulted in a $660,000 grant to build four other centers, making 61C the first youth empowered teen center chain in the state. At Stetson University, she co-initiated the Volusia County branch of a national youth philanthropy program called Youth As Resources (YAR). Together, with a few university students and local teens, Tara co-founded CAUSE, named “Florida’s best youth-outreach by any institution of higher education” by Florida Leader magazine.

Tara has traveled to twelve different countries and has conducted research and delivered social service programs all over the world. She worked with programs that help impoverished children and the environment in Guatemala. She was one of five students chosen in 2003 for a scholarship to conduct environmental fieldwork in Guatemala through the Alliance for International Reforestation Project (AIR). While in Guatemala, she conducted an informal feasibility study to aid in the creation of what would become the Guatemalan Youth Empowerment Project in 2005. She later wrote and received a grant for $5, 500 dollars for the project which engages more than 60 Guatemalan teens each week in leadership activities.  In 2004, while studying in Spain, she taught English and won an internship at a public policy organization. She also raised funds and delivered youth programs for the Vieques Youth Leadership Initiative in Vieques, Puerto Rico. While in Oxford, Tara co-coordinated the first Forum for Youth Initiative, a 10-day conference funded by the European Union. The forum provided leadership skills aimed to foster European cohesion for Oxford and Albanian high school students.  In 2011, Tara also traveled to Bogota and Barranquilla Colombia to conduct a needs assessment for the Youth Sports Management Exchange on behalf of Partners of the Americas.

Tara is currently president of Run 4 a Cause Foundation http://www.run4acause.org/. This foundation helps pay for youth in Central Florida to be able to afford to participate in sports. She is also working at the Workplace Center at Columbia University  http://www.workplacecenter.org/

under the direction of Senior Research Scientist Lauren Gates. She is the lead Research Assistant on a 5-year Randomized Controlled Trial testing an Employment and Empowerment intervention for youth aging out of the foster care system in Rhode Island. Her dissertation will explore youth empowerment for young people in the foster care system.

Like many youths today, Tara faced and fought significant life trials with the help of caring mentors. Above all, she believes in order to solve society’s problems one must start with youth. Tara’s message is that her generation will change the world for the better.

Tara is an outstanding example of what makes Stetson graduates so special.  In addition to her outstanding scholarship, Tara made the most of her time at Stetson taking in all that while simultaneously leaving an unforgettable legacy on campus and in the DeLand community. Please help us in celebrating this truly Noteworthy Hatter! Congratulations Tara!

Noteworthy Hatter of the Month – March

Stratton Kirton began attending Stetson University in the fall of 2003 where he was a Political Science and Russian Studies Major with a Minor in Russian Language. He was involved in Sigma Nu Fraternity, the Inter-fraternity Council, the Russian Club, College Democrats, Floyd M. Riddick Model Senate, Habitat for Humanity, and the Stetson University Honor Council.

            After graduating from Stetson University with honors, Stratton worked for Sigma Nu Fraternity Inc. operating out of their headquarters in Lexington, Virginia. Stratton worked as a Leadership Consultant overseeing twenty-four chapters in North and South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. After leaving Sigma Nu Fraternity Inc., Stratton went to work on the Suzanne Kosmas for Congress running the Volusia County offices and overseeing field operations and get-out-the-vote operations.

            After the 2008 election cycle, Stratton moved to Washington, D.C. and began working in the office of Senator Bill Nelson. Stratton became the legislative correspondent (junior legislative staff) for energy, environment and fishery management. During his time in Senator Nelson’s office Stratton was involved in helping to pass two pieces of legislation: the first granting a Congressional Charter for the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA); the second was a land-transfer bill benefiting Miami-Dade College.

            In 2010, Stratton left Senator Nelson’s job to take a position as a legislative assistance (senior legislative staff) in the office of Congressman Mike McIntyre of North Carolina. Stratton took over a legislative portfolio that included Agriculture, Appropriations, Energy, Environment, Immigration, Trade, and Coastal and Waterway Issues. He also handled House Agriculture Committee work including work related to Congressman McIntyre’s Chairmanship of the Rural Development Subcommittee in the 111th Congress. Additionally, Stratton was the lead staffer on the Congressional Waterways Caucus which advocates for maintenance and funding for our nation’s rivers, inlets and ports.

            In the fall of 2010 Stratton was accepted to Georgetown University’s Security Studies Program with a concentration in energy security and began as a part-time student while continuing to work on Capitol Hill. In late-2011 he left Congressman McIntyre’s office to concentrate on completing his degree.

           He is expected to graduate from Georgetown in May 2012. He recently accepted a post-graduate fellowship sponsored by the Alfa Bank (the largest private commercial bank in the Russian Federation). The fellowship will consist of individual Russian language tutoring in the United States followed by a ten month placement in Moscow. While in Moscow he will attend classes for the first four months followed by placement with an energy-related firm.

Noteworthy Hatter of the Month – March

Stratton Kirton began attending Stetson University in the fall of 2003 where he was a Political Science and Russian Studies Major with a Minor in Russian Language. He was involved in Sigma Nu Fraternity, the Inter-fraternity Council, the Russian Club, College Democrats, Floyd M. Riddick Model Senate, Habitat for Humanity, and the Stetson University Honor Council.

            After graduating from Stetson University with honors, Stratton worked for Sigma Nu Fraternity Inc. operating out of their headquarters in Lexington, Virginia. Stratton worked as a Leadership Consultant overseeing twenty-four chapters in North and South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. After leaving Sigma Nu Fraternity Inc., Stratton went to work on the Suzanne Kosmas for Congress running the Volusia County offices and overseeing field operations and get-out-the-vote operations.

            After the 2008 election cycle, Stratton moved to Washington, D.C. and began working in the office of Senator Bill Nelson. Stratton became the legislative correspondent (junior legislative staff) for energy, environment and fishery management. During his time in Senator Nelson’s office Stratton was involved in helping to pass two pieces of legislation: the first granting a Congressional Charter for the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA); the second was a land-transfer bill benefiting Miami-Dade College.

            In 2010, Stratton left Senator Nelson’s job to take a position as a legislative assistance (senior legislative staff) in the office of Congressman Mike McIntyre of North Carolina. Stratton took over a legislative portfolio that included Agriculture, Appropriations, Energy, Environment, Immigration, Trade, and Coastal and Waterway Issues. He also handled House Agriculture Committee work including work related to Congressman McIntyre’s Chairmanship of the Rural Development Subcommittee in the 111th Congress. Additionally, Stratton was the lead staffer on the Congressional Waterways Caucus which advocates for maintenance and funding for our nation’s rivers, inlets and ports.

            In the fall of 2010 Stratton was accepted to Georgetown University’s Security Studies Program with a concentration in energy security and began as a part-time student while continuing to work on Capitol Hill. In late-2011 he left Congressman McIntyre’s office to concentrate on completing his degree.

           He is expected to graduate from Georgetown in May 2012. He recently accepted a post-graduate fellowship sponsored by the Alfa Bank (the largest private commercial bank in the Russian Federation). The fellowship will consist of individual Russian language tutoring in the United States followed by a ten month placement in Moscow. While in Moscow he will attend classes for the first four months followed by placement with an energy-related firm.

Noteworthy Hatter of the Month – February

Alexis Martin graduated from Stetson in May of 2005 with a Bachelors of Music in Piano Performance with an outside field in Pre-Med.  Following graduation, she pursued a successful music career as a church pianist and music director, private piano teacher, and director of children and adult musicals.  It was during this time she stumbled into a yoga class looking for a way to relax and came upon what would soon become her life’s passion. 

It wasn’t long before Alexis found herself in Italy completing what would soon become the first of many yoga retreats and certifications. Now, as Co-director of Hot House Yoga in Ormond Beach, FL Alexis has taught over 3000 hours of yoga and holds multiple certifications such as CYT615, RYT 500, and ERYT200.  Having studied with wonderful mentors such as Bryan Kest, Rolf Gates, Anodea Judith, Sean Corne, Krishna Das, Amrit Desai, and Desiree Rumbaugh, Alexis is known for her devotional teaching style, encouraging students to connect with their spiritual hearts by finding their inner truth and self. She views the knowledge within the Yoga Sutras as an important key for us all to truly live our practice.   She is a “student of life” that begins with her own persistent self-study.  In addition to her regular class schedule, she offers a Women’s Intuition Series, Meditation Classes, Breathing and Kirtan workshops, Detox classes, Yoga Asana (posture) clinics, Advanced Yoga Anatomy, and Reiki Healings.  Alexis is also working on her first book and developing a 500hrs certification program to share her wisdom.

More recently, Alexis discovered her calling to work with women throughout their birthing journey while pregnant with her own daughter, Emerson, born in September 2009.  While experiencing her own birth story, she devoured everything possible on the subjects of pregnancy, birth, and mothering to ensure her own powerful birth experience.  It was this experience that opened her eyes to a deeper understanding of wordless compassion, selfless service, and that yoga can be a part of every woman’s life no matter where her path may lead.  In 2011, Alexis founded her own company, Prenatal to the Cradle, where she offers Doula Services, Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga, and Childbirth Education.  

On a personal note, Alexis enjoys spending time with her family, traveling to exotic places, reading, boating, eating delicious food, hiking, and doing anything that involves laughter!  Most importantly, she believes that yoga is a journey that allows all of us to live and practice our yoga on and off our mat daily so that we may be the change we wish to see in the world.

For more information go to http://www.PrenataltotheCradle.com

Stetson Young Alumni Noteworthy Hatter – January 2012

 

Andrew Moedinger graduated from Stetson in May of 2007 and started directly at Google’s Seattle office after participating in the Schlern International Music Festival in Italy that summer. Today, he is excited to be involved in shaping the future of technology and communication with Google, where he is a currently a Senior Software Engineer and Tech Lead in the Zürich office.

While at Stetson, Andrew completed degrees in Computer Science and Piano Performance with a 4.0 GPA. He was the School of Music Senior Speaker and received awards including the 2007 Etter McTeer Turner Award for outstanding academic performance, leadership and community service, the 2007 Maris Prize for Outstanding Oral Presentation, 2007 Outstanding Senior in Computer Science, and 2006 Presser Scholar Award for the Outstanding Junior in the School of Music. For his musical extracurricular activities, he was fortunate to be able to participate in master classes with pianists from Paul Badura-Skoda to Howard Shelley and compete in a number of piano competitions. And in combination with his computer science studies he was president of the Stetson Chapter of the Association of Computing Machinery 2005-2006, helped each year with organizing and running the programming competition for high school students, and presented his research at a few conferences including the WSEAS CSCC Multiconference in Greece 2007.

Since graduating, Andrew has worked on a variety of projects at Google, from web search experiments, to the Closure JavaScript compiler, to Gmail. His recent projects include Priority Inbox, the Gmail visual redesign and the Gmail/Google+ integrations. In addition to his current professional endeavors, he enjoys hanging out with friends, traveling around Europe, salsa dancing and riding his recently acquired motorcycle. And he’s always happy to say hi to Stetson alumni in the Zürich area!

 

Stetson Young Alumni Noteworthy Hatter

Britt McHenry graduated from Stetson in December of 2008. Currently, she’s a sports anchor and reporter for ABC-7/WJLA-TV and NewsChannel 8 in Washington D.C. She started her career in Washington as a community reporter for NewsChannel 8, where she also anchored weekend morning shows.

 While at Stetson, Britt majored in English and graduated magna cum laude. She chose Stetson for its strong academics and competitive women’s soccer team. She played in and started much of the ’04-’05 season. Going into her sophomore year, she decided to stop playing soccer in order to pursue modeling. Britt signed with the Wilhelmina modeling agency; whereupon she booked jobs with The Today Show, Prevention women’s magazine, and Champion Sportswear. Education was always a top priority for Britt. She remained dedicated to her studies and even became a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. Dr. Bailey was one of Britt’s political science professors, and he selected her for the American University, Washington Semester Program. That’s where Britt got the journalism bug, interning for ABC Network News.

After graduating from Stetson early, Britt earned her master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. At Medill, she spent time shooting, editing, and reporting in downtown Chicago for the Medill Reports weekly broadcasts. She’s covered national sporting events, including Super Bowl XLII and the Men’s NCAA tournament in 2008.

Congratulations Britt!  We are so proud to call you a member of our Stetson family, and we look forward to many more noteworthy accomplishments in the years to come.

Stetson Young Alumni Noteworthy Hatter

Ryan Lynch graduated from Stetson in May of 2009, and left to begin a Masters in Literature in Middle Eastern History and Culture at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland for his first year. Currently, he is studying a Masters in Philosophy in Islamic Studies and History as a member of the Oriental Studies Faculty at the University of Oxford, and his dissertation is on the depictions of the Companions of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad in history and literature. Ryan intends to stay through to the completion of his Doctorate in Philosophy in 2014.

While at Stetson, Ryan double majored in History and Religious Studies, and received an “Outstanding Senior” award in both departments. He was a 2009 national Sigma Nu Alpha Affiliate, the Gilbert Lycan Outstanding Junior in History award winner in 2008, and the winner of the Greek Scholar of the Year as well as a SURE grant recipient in 2007. Lynch was the Commander of Sigma Nu from 2006-2007, the President of Model UN from 2006-2009, the President of Omicron Delta Kappa (Leadership Honors Society) in 2008, the President of Phi Alpha Theta (History Honors Society) from 2007-2009, the President of Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity in 2007, and served as the Parliamentarian and President Pro-Tempore of SGA in 2008-2009.

Ryan was very involved in Greek life because he loved Stetson, and Ryan loved helping students make the most of their experience there. He spent a lot of time – particularly in SGA – working to develop policies that would help improve the student experience overall, including the research and development of the “Medical Amnesty” policy that the University adopted just before he graduated.

Congratulations Ryan! We are so proud to call you a member of our Stetson family, and we look forward to many more noteworthy accomplishments in the years to come.

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