Senior Lauren Amrein recently received a national award from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, but you won’t hear it from her.
“I don’t like talking about myself,” Amrein said. “I just forgot the name of the award, because I’m so embarrassed.”
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Amrein was one of two people who received the St. Jude Ambassador award. Each year, St. Jude gives the award to one collegiate member and one alumna member of Delta Delta Delta sorority.
“The award is for those who have gone above and beyond in philanthropy events,” Amrein said.
She was nominated by one of her sorority sisters, who then had to write a letter about Amrein and her involvement in philanthropy events.
The letter was reviewed by a panel committee made up of Delta Delta Delta alumnae and St. Jude staff members.
Junior Alyssa Davis works with Amrein on the Up ‘til Dawn executive board and thinks the award is well-deserved.
“She works really hard to get everything done, and she definitely deserves it,” Davis said.
Up ‘til Dawn is a letter-writing campaign to raise money for St. Jude.
Amrein has been a member of Delta Delta Delta for four years, which is how she got introduced to St. Jude and the Up ‘til Dawn program.
“Luckily, I don’t have any personal connection with the hospital,” Amrein said, “but I found out about the program through Tri Delta and the philanthropy events.”
Up ‘til Dawn is a program that was started by St. Jude in 1998 at the University of Memphis. This year will be the program’s fifth year on Baker’s campus. Amrein has participated in the program all four years.
“My sophomore and junior years, I was the teams chair,” Amrein said.
As a freshman, she participated in the event by writing letters because at that time, freshmen were not allowed to serve on the board.
This year, Amrein is serving as the executive director.
“It’s a pretty easy job, because I oversee other positions and offices,” Amrein said. “I’m a liaison between us and our St. Jude rep.”
Junior Kaedy Turner is new to the Up ‘til Dawn program and is on its executive board with Amrein.
“Just getting to know Lauren, she definitely deserves it,” Turner said. “She is quick to answer any questions I have and she is really supportive.”
Because she is a senior, this is her last year to be directly involved in the program.
“I’m sad to leave the Up ‘til Dawn program, but when I’m an alum, I plan on donating,” Amrein said.
St. Jude puts on “Give Thanks” walks, and she plans to attend the one in Kansas City, Kan.
Amrein loves Up ‘til Dawn because it reminds her why she puts in all the hard work.
This year, Up ‘til Dawn will take place on March 1, and more than 100 students have registered.
This is the fifth year that the Up ‘til Dawn program will be on Baker’s campus, and participants have high expectations.
“We raised $11,000 last year and we’re hoping to top that this year,” Turner said.
The theme this year is “Nothing Sweeter than a Cure.”