Utah Chapter Student Association Newsletter

1. Utah Chapter Student Association Newsletter Winter 2003 – 2004 Message from the Presidency • College Clubs • Brigham Young University • Salt Lake Community College • University of Utah • Utah State University • Weber State University • Westminster College We as the state student council would like to thank all those who participated in the High Five For Smiles campaign which ran this year.  So far we have raised over ten thousand dollars and money is still coming in! The students in Utah have set a goal this year to raise enough money to fund an entire medical mission. That will take a lot of hard work but we believe it can be done when we all work together. In this newsletter you will see some of the events we have planned for the upcoming semester. Please tell friends and family about these events so that we can have the maximum participation possible. If you know of anyone who would like to get involved they can contact us at the Utah website. (www.operationsmileutah.org) Thank you for your support! The Operation Smile Utah Student Council Contact information: Each school has a contact list posted on the Utah Student Chapter Website. www.operationsmileutah.org University and College Reports Weber State University University of Utah & Salt Lake Community College The Operation Smile members from the University of Utah and Salt Lake Community College spent their Halloween serving others in a unique way. Nearly 30 student volunteers came to the Intermountain Shriners Hospital of Salt Lake City and hosted a carnival for the patients. Children were able to participate in bean-bag tosses, making carameled apples, hitting piñatas, and making arts and crafts. It was a very fun day for all involved. Both schools have also been making plans for the spring semester and contacting the local high schools to start new clubs. The local high schools. The club members participated in 2-3 service projects each month. They are excited for the new year and are planning events for Spring Semester. Utah State University The members from the Utah State University Club have been organizing the “Santa Smiles” Fundraisers at the local High Schools, taking place in December. They have also been planning many fun and exciting events for the Spring Semester. Some of the plans include a 5K race and a battle of the bands. They have also been working towards starting new clubs in the local high schools. Things are going great! Weber State University The students of the Weber State Chapter participated in a few service projects this past fall. One of which was serving Thanksgiving dinner to the homeless at St. Anne’s Shelter in Ogden. The students are preparing for the 5K race to be held this spring. They also have many service projects planned for the Spring Semester. Brigham Young University The BYU Club has been working hard to promote the “Santa Smiles” Fundraiser in

2. He was 1 ½ years old, but was the size of a 6 month old. He was very malnourished because his cleft palate made it virtually impossible for him to eat. I found him lying on his pre-op bed all by himself. He whimpered and I fell in love. He just stared at me and held a tight grip on my pinky. His mother came back into the room and handed me juice to feed him. I tried to pore it down his throat, but to no avail. Most of it came back out his gaping hole. When I returned the next morning I could tell his mother was worn out. Without even saying a word she handed him to me. He was beaming and so was I. Today was his day; today Devis would get surgery on his cleft lip. I couldn’t wait for him to be operated on. Finally the nurses called him. I got to take him back to the “Operating Theatre” as they call the operation room in • Kenya. Forty-five minutes later, he came out of surgery without any complications. • It was in moments like these that I questioned why I was so lucky. Why me? I thought. Why was I born into such a privileged family? I could have easily been born in a third world country, but I wasn’t. So the responsibility rests on my shoulders to do something. If I were born under those circumstances with a cleft lip or palate I would pray that someone would come and rescue me from my pain. On this mission I witnessed miracles everyday. The plastic surgeons are truly artists, and I was in awe as I watched them work their magic. I am so grateful they were willing to share their incredible skills to bless the lives of the children in Kisumu. • Margot Nebeker, Age 17 • Waterford High School Student Medical Mission Highlights I arrived in Kisumu, Africa on my 17th birthday and I honestly can’t think of a better way to celebrate. After screening 338 children as potential candidates, a long intense week of surgery began. I played with the children before and after their surgeries trying to make them feel comfortable and happy. I especially bonded with a little boy named Devis. He was adorable. What’s going on during Spring Semester? • I had the incredible opportunity to go to Kenya, Africa on a medical mission.  It was the most rewarding experience of my life. Our team did 128 surgeries.  It was so amazing to see how so many lives were changed in just two weeks. Playing with the kids and watching surgery was so incredible. We went to a primary school and played games and had fun with the kids. We also taught the kids about burn prevention, nutrition and dental care. We also went to a high school to talk about Operation Smile where Margot Nebeker and I learned to dance. I loved interacting with all the friendly people. It was so amazing to see another part of the world and to see how other people live. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to go on a medical mission. It has changed my life! • Ashley Clegg, Age 19 • Utah State University • Brigham Young University • Auction for BYU Students (January 19th – 23rd) • Painting Happy Factory cars to give to children on missions (Jan. 28th) • Guitars Unplugged (Last week of March) • University of Utah • High School SBO Fundraising Workshop (May) • Utah State University • Benefit Concert for “Miles for Smiles 5K Race” (April 9th, USU • Campus) • “Miles for Smiles 5K Race” (April 10th, USU Campus) • Battle of the Bands (March, Logan High School) • Smile Kits (February, Skyview High School) • Weber State University • “Miles for Smiles 5K Race” (April 10th, 9:00 AM, WSU Campus) Westminster College • Valentine’s Day Rose Sale in Local High Schools (February) Other Important Dates • Smile Month (March) • Bear Lake Student Council Retreat June 24-26 • International Student Conference Pepperdine University, Malibu • California July 27th - 31st We would like to thank all those who were involved in the Utah Truffle Christmas Sale. It was a success and we’ll be doing it next year.