FINALIST - 2009

A.J. Ernst While attempting to determine which accomplishments have contributed the most toward representing the "Lafayette Ideal," I have come to the conclusion that my accomplishments are much less important than the motivations behind them. Similarly, when I look at my fellow nominees, a group of individuals that I am humbled to be considered with, I know that they are each so much more than a list of achievements. Although my acceptance into Teach for America was undoubtedly a momentous event in my life, the far more important day occurred three years before when I discovered a passion for teaching underprivileged children while mentoring a young man named Devon. In the same manner, when I would take a bow after a performance on the stage in Williams, I could not help but think that the friendships gained and the skills developed throughout the rehearsal process were far more valuable than the actual show we had put on. For me, the result has never been as important as the actual process of achieving it. During my time at Lafayette, I taught in an alternative classroom for over 300 hours, founded a 501c nonprofit organization that serves hundreds of needy families, established mentoring programs, performed in five College Theater productions, directed the musical Footloose, acted in student films, sang in the College Choir, ran crew for the ThirdEyeBlind concert, been elected to First Class Council, and learned how to play the guitar, all while receiving an amazing education. Behind each of these accomplishments was something far more significant – my desire to improve myself and the world around me. Reflecting upon my four years at Lafayette, I probably failed more times than I have succeeded; however, I believe that the "Lafayette Ideal" has more to do with desire and effort to make a positive difference in the lives around us. To this end, I have been and will continue to be committed.

Major: English (A.B.)

Academic Activities

• Dean's List (1,2,3,4). Earned Dean's List every semester.
• Faculty Lecture Series (4). Lafayette Student Initiative's Professorial Lecture Series aims at strengthening Lafayette's intellectual community from the inside, supplementing students educations with a series of more advanced or more focused lectures and discussions on topics of their choice. It is the hope of this monthly series to recognize the intellectual pursuits of our faculty as well as bolster Lafayette students exposure to various fields of study and schools of thought.
• Research Expo (4)
• Distinguished Partner Award (2). Received honor while enrolled in Independent Study in Education.

Campus Activities

• Lafayette Student Initiative (1,4). Founder and President of group aimed to raise the standard of scholarship, service and campus involvement through effective collaboration. Initiatives include: Faculty Lecture Series, Bring Back the Date Night, Brown Bag on Social Norms/Social Hazards, Research Expo, Night at the State Theater and Mentoring Programs.
• College Theater (1,2,3,4). I have participated in five College Theater productions. As an actor, I have been nominated to compete in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival three times for my lead roles in Into the Woods, Our Town and In the Zone.
• Marquis Players (4). Directed 'Footloose the Musical' this Spring that raised money for a variety of local charities.
• Lafayette Leadership Institute (4). Presented in 'Challenge Yourself to Make a Difference,' a workshop where I spoke about my experience running a nonprofit organization.
• Family Weekend Committee (3,4). Co-chair of Academic Committee that organized and operated student panels and faculty lectures showcased during Family Weekend.
• Senior Class Council (4). On committee that organizes Senior Week, Senior Speaker and 100 Nights Dance.
• Orientation Leader (4). Hit, snap, clapped and helped first-year students feel more comfortable as the adjusted to Lafayette.
• Fringe Festival (3). Directed two one act plays (365 Days/Plays theater project by Suzan Lori-Parks, a Pulitzer prize winning playwright and Chekhov's Celebration)
• Peer Counselor (4)
• Pards to People (1)

Community Service

• Easton Area Academy (2,3,4). 300 hours as volunteer Related Arts Teacher. Honored with 'Distinguished Partner Award' for outstanding service and commitment to the youth of Lehigh Valley. Created Related Arts program for 5th through 12th graders in Alternative School.
• Shawnee Success Academy (2,3). Taught art and music to inner city students in grades 5-8. Researched and implemented new curriculum for nonprofit organization, 'Communities In Schools.'
• Modes of Expression (4). Helped establish outreach program that partners college students with middle schoolers enrolled in the At Risk Classroom at Shawnee Middle School.
• M.E.ntors (4). Mentor and tutor for student in At Risk Classroom and Shawnee Middle School.
• Twilight Academy (2). Instructed grades 9-12 in alternative setting. Focused on gang members and pregnant teens.
• Field Day (4). Consulting IFC/Panhel to establish mentoring program with alternative school and organize a Field Day and Graduation Ceremony.
• Homefront Lock-In (4). Organized and chaperoned Lock-In for Mercer County Teen Coalition to Fight Family Homelessness. Raised a total of $12,000 for Homefront.
• Lawrenceville Neighborhood Service Center (3,4). Prepare and distribute over 100 grocery bags for local families in need.
• Communities In Schools (2,3). Mentored three students enrolled in the alternative school system.
• Lawrenceville Community Foundation (4)

Athletics

• Intramural basketball (1,2,3,4)
• Intramural Dodgeball (1,2,3)

Special Interest

• The Community (3,4). Founded the 501(c)3 nonprofit The Community in my hometown, Lawrenceville, NJ. Through year-round service-oriented projects, The Community aims to bring families and individuals closer together in order to create a greater sense of shared ownership for the place we live and work. Over the past year, we have thrown two of the largest independent blood drives in the state, operated a local food bank, renovated the food pantry, established mentoring programs and recruited over 100 young people within the community to be involved in service projects.
• Lyricist (). Songwriter. Lyricist for Philadelphia band, Funkharp.
• Creative Writing (1,2,3,4). Wrote collection of short stories and poems, 'The Unauthorized Biography of James Mackenzie,' that is currently part of English curriculum at the Lawrenceville School.