TBE teaches rookie staff many lessons

By Olivia Bryant

With the spring semester in full swing, registration for the ninth annual Big Event is open. For those who might not know, The Big Event is a student-led, community service day designed to say “thank you” to the Chadron community. The Big Event was first brought to Chadron State College in 2013 by Associate Professor Shaunda French-Collins, and is now an annual spring tradition. 

The Big Event is next week, and first-time staff members Janessa Carley, Creighton Harrington, Abigail Madden and I, wanted to share our experiences, what we have learned, and what we are looking forward to at this year’s Big Event. 

Personally, I have been so grateful to be a Big Event staff member. I joined the Big Event as a marketing assistant and I have been a part of so many new opportunities such as talking on the radio and doing radio ads, helping with recruitment events, and networking with different people across the campus and in Chadron. Many of the things I am experiencing through The Big Event will apply to my future career.

Through The Big Event, I have also learned the history of the service day and the impact it makes on the community each year. I am looking forward to interacting with community members and seeing  the staff’s hard work put into motion. The Chadron community is so supportive of the college and I am excited to serve them for the day. 

Fellow Big Event team member Janessa Carley, 20, junior of Dalton, is a Job site assistant. She noted how The Big Event has created lifelong relationships. She said she has learned the importance of giving back to the community and how strong the relationship between the campus and community is. Carley said that during job site checks,  she has seen the passion students, faculty, and staff have for helping the community, and the gratitude of citizens. She added that she looks forward to seeing the joy on everyone’s faces during the big day, and the new relationships that will form.

Creighton Harrington, 19, freshman of Loup City, who has been motivated by The Big Event, said she is glad to have joined the team. At the beginning of her freshman year, Harrington wanted to try something new and took the chance to join The Big Event staff. Through The Big Event, she said she has met so many passionate, enthusiastic, and amazing individuals, who have inspired her to give back and serve the Chadron community. 

Finally, Harrington said that giving back is an ultimate source of fulfillment for her and she is glad she has the chance to be in The Big Event. She said she urges everyone to volunteer and give back because she believes it is worth it to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. 

Finally, Abigail Madden, 19, freshman of Gering, is a community relations assistant on our Big Event team. Madden said she did not know what to expect coming into college but that she’s excited about The Big Event and thinks that being  part of it is one of the best decisions she has made. 

She credits her teacher with introducing her to The Big Event and has learned so much through the opportunity. Madden said she believes that having The Big Event at CSC makes the college stand out above others, and that she’s excited to see it and the community come together.

Carley, Harrington, Madden and I hope many will volunteer at this year’s Big Event and we look forward to seeing everyone April 17.