With graduation on the horizon, one can’t help but wonder what will happen next. However, I do have many exciting events going on this spring.

I think it is very important as an independent woman living in America to take advantage of my many liberties and freedoms. Free speech is only a small right in comparison to the many disadvantages that many in the world suffer from.

When opportunity knocks, I open the door with a smile on my face and being engaged at Park University has given me many chances to excel.

If you asked me why I just joined the United Nations Association of KC, I would simply answer “because I can.” I am an educated young lady who is free to so and say as she pleases – which is sadly not true for many women in the world.

I am truly thankful for my liberties and I plan to use them all I can to make the world a better place. That’s my way of thinking. I love being a student journalist and reporting for our Park Stylus. Together, we can do great things that will change the world.

I wish that more people could relate to one another but change only happens for those who want it. Acceptance of each other is something that the world has been working towards for many years and this column just happens to fall near the great Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. The reverend did and I think would still have stood for the opposition of prejudice and for the call of leadership.

My senior course in leadership will require me to build a team. This has led to the formation of SAX (Students Against Xenophobia). We will launch a student council that will work to discourage xenophobic behaviors and to encourage and actively engage in the integration of cultures and religions across students at Park University and throughout the KC Metro Community.

I have plans to try and use the students of the council for the council in that each member will be able to add his own unique input.  Over the course of this spring semester, we will create a series to share with the community how xenophobia can affect us all and how we can combat it with the implantation of intercultural communication and study abroad programs.

We, as global citizens, can come together and take roles that change the future. If you are interested in joining, please contact me at [email protected] group is still under construction and a social media platform has not yet been created.

During the UNA Women’s meeting, the following events were discussed and I would like to promote them. There will be a screening of the movie “Brave Miss World” at the Kauffman Foundation on Thursday, Jan. 29. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the movie will start promptly at 6:30 p.m. A short panel discussion will be held immediately following the movie. This is free and open to the public.

Another UNA event to take note of is an International Women’s Day event Thursday, Feb. 26, at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral. Tickets are $5 for students. For more information please see the UN Women website at www.unwomen.org or http://una-kc.org.