In person I was able to commend her on the courageous choice she has taken in moving far way and letting go of many of the details. She floored me in her final answer when I asked her what she believes is her life calling,
“The next two years are going to shape me in ways I cannot foresee. It will undoubtedly change my life. I am going to keep a light heart in it all because it won’t be easy. There are parts of me, especially parts of my personality that I do not want to go away. But those may be refined or altered based upon this experience and that is expected and invited. I am ready.”
I begin to end this post with a thank you to Mackenzie. The year following our trip to Mexico, about twice a month I would run into her around campus. Those days became highlights of my final year at LMU.
You see she had this way of making me (and really everyone around her) feel like I was the most important person in the world, reacting to seeing me as if we had been separated for years and finally reunited. Squeals, hugs and laughter. No matter how tired or frustrated I was from a previous meeting or deadline, all that washed away. I had been Mackenzied.
I wish I could bottle her energy and send a little piece to each of you. It would inject you with confidence, happiness and faith unlike most people can.
We are all special, but Mackenzie is unique. She laughs that her friends call her weird and she fully embraces that quirk. The essential piece, she is not just talk, she truly lives her values, even YOLO.
One college student development leadership theory called the Social Change Model would call this trait Congruence. This refers to thinking, feeling, and behaving with consistency, genuineness, authenticity and honesty toward others. A congruent person is one whose actions are inline with their most deeply-held beliefs. Based upon this theory Mackenzie is the poster child. At the heart of the theory is positive change, the ultimate goal for leaders to create a better world. I have no doubt she is doing just that.
But she needs our help.
As part of her JVC mission, she needs to raise her own stipend before departuring on July 7th. Funds will be used to support expenses during her two-year commitment, as well as aiding programs in the Weno community.
You may or may not already know Mackenzie. But, hopefully this post has offered you countless reasons to why you should consider supporting her. To learn more, following the directions provided below.
- Refer to the following link: https://jesuitvolunteers.myetap.org/fundraiser/smts13/aboutEvent.do
- Click on ‘find a JV to support’ (upper left-hand corner)
- Type in and click on the name ‘Mackenzie Piper’
- Click on the purple button, ‘Sponsor Me’
