My name is Jaimee Diamond, a freshman, and I am running for FYSH advisor.  As soon as Ken told me about elections, I immediately thought about being FYSH advisor because I knew that this job was perfect for me.  In high school, I practically lived in the theater department. I was extremely involved and my made my best friends there. But of course, you have to start from the bottom. When I first walked in as a freshman I was just a girl interested in doing theater in high school. I looked up to the upper classman who always had lead roles and were active in the theater club, ACT (Association of Creative Thespians).  Even though I knew this was what I wanted to get involved in, it’s not easy to just come in and get involved. To my advantage I was befriended quickly and a few people guided me through. One friend in particular invited me to his house to hang out with a few friends from the department.  I was baffled. ‘Me? I’m just a freshman.’ And he responded, ‘Ya, why not.’ From then on I became much more comfortable and because of him, I was eased into the department. By the time I graduated, I received lead roles, became secretary of the club, and created a yearbook that stays in the theater office.  As enthusiastic as anyone may be, people need a pull from someone they can be comfortable with.  My friend changed my life by accepting me and helping me get involved. As a senior in the theater department, I saw freshman come in just like me. Instead of feeling ‘too cool’ for them, I quickly befriended them because I remembered what it felt like to be new and just striving to become involved.  In my senior show, a girl who was just a year younger than me had made the show but felt extremely left out because everyone else already had made their close friends.  I made an effort to reach out to her and from then on she knew she had someone she could come to.  She imed me about her ‘boy problems’ and I talked to her about it for hours and she thanked me every day.  It felt so good to make her feel accepted and knowing that I was changing someones life.

            I want to do this in Hillel.  I want to be the person that freshman can feel comfortable coming to whether it’s about Hillel, personal problems, or someone to just hang out with.  I feel that I’m friendly, not intimidated, and eager to be friends with anyone.  I want people who come to Hillel for the first time to feel welcomed and comfortable.  I personally found Hillel a safe and comfortable place on campus quickly and a large part of that is a thanks to Jill as FYSH advisor. I saw Jill as a cool, friendly girl, who was always smiling.  I want people to come into Hillel for the first time to say,  ‘Ya, the FYSH advisor’s really nice, I think I’ll go back.’  My friend Dave, at another school was telling me how he wished the Hillel at his school were stronger.  I told him to be the one to make it stronger, and he responded with, ‘maybe.’  And I said, no, anything that is strong now had to be small at one point, and there had to have been a person behind it making it that way.  I said, ‘be that person.’  I want to be that person for Towson’s Hillel. I feel Towson has a great Hillel but can be even stronger.  There are so many Jews on this campus that barely even think about Hillel. I want to attract more people and help make it a cool place for anyone to come to.   

            I promise to work my hardest and always be on top of my work.  I would love to work with Stephanie and I really feel we’ll do a great job together.  I want to plan fun and religious events. My favorite event this year was the overnight because I felt we all truly bonded.  That is definitely something I would repeat next year. What I would want to do more of next year is more social action.  I would want to do fundraisers for a charity right from the beginning so at the end of the year we can donate a good amount of money straight from the FYSH committee to whatever charity we chose.  I would also like to do community service events such as going to a nearby nursing home.  These kinds of events will help the group bond and feel good doing nice things for other people.  And of course, plan fun events such as bowling, ice skating, and trips.  Whatever the group as a whole wants to do.

            From the bottom of my heart, I feel I would do a great job as FYSH advisor.  I want to reach out to people just like they did for me, and help Hillel grow. I love it here, and I plan on being involved throughout my college career.  I had thought about transferring last semester but recently had decided not to.  I thought about what I liked about Towson and I realized Hillel was a large part of me staying. I love the atmosphere, the people, and the support system it gives.  I want new freshman next year to find what I found and hopefully this time next year, a new freshman will be standing up here talking about what Hillel has done for them and how they only wish they could do the same for someone else. Thank you.