Melissa Seymour: HOPE for Women

Melissa Seymour has been sensitized to the issue of domestic violence. She has her experience with Opportunity Program’s ‘Haven of Opportunities for Progress in Education’ or ‘HOPE’ to thank for this. Melissa is a founding member and the first president of the organization, which is committed to helping children of victims of domestic abuse. “When I started, I didn’t know much about violence against women because it is an issue shrouded in shame and secrecy. Learning about it has brought a sense of responsibility
                           to everything I do,” she says.

Arlyn Rodriguez: Rocking the Vote

Freshman Arlyn Rodriguez has spent much of her time in Fall 2008 encouraging everyone to vote.  She has followed the election closely and throws random facts about the candidates at her friends and family. “Politics is about people,” she says. This is why she has decided to major in it. She enjoys her Politics class and says it has helped her understand more about the primaries, for one. “It also helps me understand how the world works,” she adds.  She hopes to use all she learns to work for the government and
                           to go to law school. She checked the news online and received alerts on
                           email to stay abreast of the 2008 political season.