RAPP Spotlight: Tyler T, Speaker Extraordinaire

RAPP Spotlight is a column that we briefly had on the RAPP blog that we're now reviving.  What better place to start than with a RAPPer who's done much in the spotlight lately: Tyler Thompson!

Tyler is a graduate of RAPP XXV, a graduate of the inaugural class of the Social Justice League, and is a Peer Leader with RAPP XXVII this year.  He's a third-year student studying neuroscience and psychology.

Tyler is involved in several organizations on campus, including GenderBloc, Colors of Pride, and Advocates for Youth.  It's his involvement in these that put him in the spotlight on campus and in Greater Cincinnati this past week.

This past Saturday, November 20th, was the annual International Transgender Day of Remembrance.  Tyler helped Cincinnati recognize this in several ways.

On Wednesday, November 17th, Tyler was the closing speaker for the city-wide event - he provided a brief but inspiring reflection on achievements toward and a call to action for continued work on trans* equality.

On Friday, November 19th, Tyler put on a rousing performance during the quarterly GenderBloc Genderf*ck Drag Show, which recognized Transgender Day of Remembrance as well as raised funds for TransOhio and awareness of Ohio issues and legislation around sexual health and education.

Thank you Tyler for all that you do!

Tyler delivering the Closing Reflection at the Greater Cincinnati Transgender Day of Remembrance event.

RAPPer Courtney in Battle of the Bat!

The UC Battle for the Bat is an annual softball game of "epic proportions" where students go head to head with administration!  

This year's Battle is this Friday, October 7th, at 3PM in UC's Marge Schott Stadium.

Come cheer on RAPP's own student representative:  Courtney Fancher of RAPP XXV!

Courtney giving her presentation at the RAPP XXV banquet!

RAPPer in the Spotlight for SOL Work

I'm a little slow on the uptake on this one! Still, I wanted to cross-promote it here.

RAPP XXV graduate Dy'Mand Montgomery is a Student Orientation Leader (SOL) this summer. SOLs work long hours with incoming new students and their parents throughout two-day orientations all summer long. The process of becoming a SOL is very competitive and takes a lot of dedication to complete. Then they go through extensive training on the University - honestly, I think there are very few people out there who know as much about UC as our SOLs do!

UC News highlighted Dy'Mand in their article UC Upperclassmen Play Key Role in Summer Orientation. (the picture at right is copied from this article).

RAPPer Spotlight: Sarah H

One of our new RAPP members is Sarah H. I first met Sarah through a group she was starting on campus that is now a growing and effective voice for women on our campus, UC Feminists. Sarah completed a summer internship in Washington, DC with the Feminist Majority Foundation this past summer and runs the blog Writing with Lipstick.

Sarah and the group were out today in TUC helping students contact their representatives about Health Care Reform. They partnered with the local Planned Parenthood to provide phones to call with and information on how to connect with one's senators and representatives. More information on the calls they made can be found at this action site.

Sarah's a new member of RAPP, but is quickly becoming an "old hand" at organizing.
(pic-Sarah and UC Feminists in action)
-Rebecca

RAPPer Spotlight: Nancy's Going to Palestine & Israel

Nancy Paraskevopoulos, a member of RAPP XXIV and recipient of the 2009 Terence L. Jones Diversity Award, is doing some amazing work this summer.

She's been accepted to go on a delegation to Palestine/Israel from July 25-August 5 to monitor US hegemony in the region through Interfaith Peace-Builders. In her two weeks there she'll be doing research as well as home stays with both Israeli and Palestinian families.

She's set up a blog that records her journey both in prep, while there, and after coming home called Beastin' in the Middle East. If you're on Facebook, you can also follow her fundraising progress through the Nancy's Going to Palestine/Israel group.

If you're able to help, Nancy is still in need of donations to fund the journey. I hope all goes well and can't wait to hear about her work there.

(pic - Nancy's always adventurous - this shot's from the RAPP XXIV Spring Retreat)

-Rebecca