Nikola Tavani - UO Residence Hall Association

Nikola Tavani
Events and Activities
Coordinator
University of Oregon
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1
Background
2
Experience
3
My Vision for EAC
4
Letter of Rec
5
Background
Hello! My name is Nikola* Tavani and I am running for
the Events and Activities Coordinator position.
**Think of the cough drop Ricola but with an “N” instead of an “R”
First, a little about myself. I am from Pasadena, Ca
and I graduated from Maranatha High School, class
of 2014. I have a twin sister who attends a small
Christian college in Spokane, Wa. My parents are
Christian missionaries and I have spent much of my
life traveling across the country and around the
That’s me on the left!
world. This amazing opportunity has allowed me to
gain valuable experience and a diverse worldview.
This has lead to my double major of Classical Civilizations and Medieval Studies.
I am fascinated about the past and how it affects the future; how simple things
can make have the greatest effect. That is is why I chose the University of Oregon.
When I came to visit the UO as a high school senior, the students, faculty and
staff made me feel welcome and at home. They encouraged me to follow my
passions and inspired me to do more. And I believe that as the EAC I can follow
those visions. I want to make sure all students of the UO feel the same way I do. I
want to create a place were they feel welcomed and encouraged to pursue their
aspirations. I want to make a change in my community. And soon small steps
lead to great leaps. I was elected the VP of Carson Hall Government and the head
of 4 separate committees on 4th floor Carson. I organize and plan events! I
decorate the walls with seasonal pictures and posters. I created the “Wall of
Fandom” so each resident of 4th floor could express their loves and interests, by
displaying posters of their favorite fandoms on the walls of out common area. I
have worked hard to make 4th floor feel like home and I hope to do the same for
the entire UO community.
2
Experience
President of Art Club, Maranatha High School
-Organized school wide events
- Planned club meeting
- Contacted guest speakers
-Assisted in the organization of fundraisers
Vice President of Carson Residence Hall, 2014-2015
-Takes meeting minutes
-Assists the Program Coordinator in planning events
-Designs posters and advertisements for hall events
-Makes purchases using POs
-Contacts vendors
Assistant Operations Manager at Winning Our World Intl., 2010-2015
-Assisted National Coordinator
-Organized setup and takedown of events
-Managed retail table at events and fundraisers
-Assisted in the organization of fundraisers
Tech. Crew Instructor, 2010-2014
-Taught the use of lighting and sound equipment to Jr. High students
-Assisted the Theater Teacher (Director) in organizing student activates
Preschool Teacher, Pasadena Foursquare Church
-Organized class projects
-Prepared and taught lesson plan
-Attended meetings with other teachers
-Experience in planning and organizing events
- Extensive knowledge of the HERO, and contacting on-campus facilities and vendors
3
My Vision for EAC
As the EAC, I plan to ensure that this next year is full of excellent events. I want
to create a space for all residents of the UO to feel welcome. This will include
more gender-inclusive options and activities such as Transgender Week of
Celebration. I will promote a more diverse campus through the events like a
Multicultural Fair and celebrating other national holidays. I also hope to build off
of the previous Dux in Tux legacy. I will use on-campus recourses such as the
HERO and housing services to enhance RHA events and conferences. These are
just some of the ideas I have to add to RHA and the EAC position.
4
Letter of Recommendation
March 31, 2015 Dear Residence Hall Association, The Overlord. The hero of the HERO. Legacy-­‐maker. Nikola Tavani is the rare quality of human being whose very presence on a team increases that cohort’s capacity for execution and effectiveness in increments deserving only of hyperbole. I struggle to compose a combination of words sufficient enough to describe her impact—not just on Carson Hall Government—but on Carson Hall this year. I can only say that I am deeply grateful for having the honor of crossing paths with her. Nikola Tavani is an effervescing superlative. Biggest heart. Hardest worker. Exceptional initiative. Regardless of the event, project, or task at hand, Nikola invests literally all that she can into seeing it realized. Her hand is the first to raise when volunteering for responsibility; she’s been a crucial contributor to every event our Hall Government has hosted. Nikola is the first to show up for set-­‐up, and her eyes are the last to scan the room to ensure its proper cleanliness. She’s eager. Enthusiastic. Indefatigable. Veritably immune to lethargy and negativity, she has a knack for drawing others in—many of our events have boasted attendance directly related to her efforts in getting residents involved. 5am trips to Voodoo to get buckets for the community? Late night trips to the HERO to create signs AND post them throughout campus? Contacting vendors with inquiries for event donations, materials, goods? Done, done and done. Routinely, and with verve. Nikola Tavani is defined by an excellence that makes her both inspiring and intimidating. Flexible and adaptive, she does the legwork without the slightest hesitation. She is the type of person you unflinchingly trust assignments to because you know they will get done—requiring an incredibly intentional effort on the part of her peers to monitor how much she volunteers for. Indeed, the real effort has been finding ways for her to not take things on. There is nothing she has yet engaged that she has not overcome; there is no expectation she has not yet exceeded. She has never dropped the ball. She lives in the 5
“above-­‐and-­‐beyond”, “extra-­‐mile” space that many others only engage through rhetoric. She does, where others choose not to, and all of her exertions are rooted in an extraordinary ethic of care. A charity of heart. A passion for people. And she’s not just a “hall gov’er:” Nikola’s thoughtfulness and magnanimity have been on display well beyond Hall Government. You’ll find her in the HERO, making thematic decorations for her floor. You’ll find her in the Bean kitchen, baking magical rainbow cupcakes for resident birthdays. You’ll find her organizing events and activities of benefit to her hall community and diligently working to bridge interpersonal connections between the floors of Carson. Most recently, Nikola successfully coordinated every aspect of a Spring Break camping trip for 9 other residents. She possesses legacy-­‐level thinking—
she examines the world around her broadly and strategically toward creating memorable enhancements to the resident experience. For example, she has been instrumental in working on an academic Legacy Scholarship to benefit outstanding residents of Carson Hall. She has also been working with me and Facilities on the installation of a bike cage for the exposed bike rack near Carson. All these efforts, she punctuates with a smile. A self-­‐effacing wave. An earnest “we did this together.” I wholeheartedly submit this recommendation in support of Nikola Tavani’s bid for the Event and Activities Coordinator position on the RHA Executive Board for the 2015-­‐16 academic year. As her Hall Government Advisor, I am afforded the opportunity to work very closely alongside a consummate team player in fulfilling our mutual vision of mattering. As her Residence Life Coordinator, I bear witness to a dynamo of a resident that sincerely loves her residence hall community and strives to elevate the quality of experience had by those around her. As nedzer erilus, I am enlivened by the humbling opportunity to be moved by a human being of profound heart that inspires me always to bring my best self. I would be more than happy to discuss Nikola’s candidacy further. Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions whatsoever. I can be reached via e-­‐mail at nerilus@uoregon.edu, or phone at 541-­‐346-­‐9091. With passion, nedzer erilus Residence Life Coordinator National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) Advisor University Housing, A Department of Student Affairs nerilus@uoregon.edu 6