Written by Aida Van Horn (Freshman)
Near the end of the summer, I was unexpectedly approached by Elaine Naulu who works in the Student Life department with an incredible opportunity. She offered me the chance to join the Associated Student Body Executive Council (ASB) as the Communications Director. This team plays a pivotal role in planning events, setting the cultural tone, and representing the student body in various ways. To be honest, this opportunity took me by surprise, as I had never imagined myself in a student government role, especially in my freshman year. Though I began at New Hope in the spring, which allowed me to become acquainted with the community, I never considered the possibility of being part of ASB. After Elaine shared the offer with me, I took some time to reflect on whether I truly wanted to take on the role and if I would be able to meet the expectations. Following much prayer and discussions with people who know me well, I gladly accepted the opportunity. My name is Aida Van Horn. I am a freshman at New Hope and am currently majoring in Christian Education. My passion is working with elementary children, and my goal is to either teach at a school or serve in a church setting, where I can help nurture their spiritual and academic growth.
The role of Communications Director comes with many responsibilities. Some aspects of the job come more naturally to me, such as taking notes during meetings, as I have always been someone who enjoys organizing and staying on top of details. I also understand the importance of communication, as it keeps everyone informed and connected. However, there were other parts of the role that pushed me outside of my comfort zone, and in many ways, I am still growing in these areas. Though communication within the team and Student Life has not been a challenge, extending my communication efforts outside of that space has been more of a stretch for me. As an introvert, I often need to push myself to step out of my comfort zone, whether it’s giving announcements during our school’s Tuesday devotions or sending out messages to the entire school. Fortunately, my team has been incredibly supportive, offering constructive feedback to help me improve my communication. Despite the challenges, this experience has already begun to shape my journey in ways I hadn’t expected.
In the past, I’ve done my best to avoid situations that would require me to speak in front of a crowd. Taking on this role, however, meant facing one of my least favorite activities: public speaking. During our leadership training, I set a goal for myself to become more comfortable with speaking in front of others. My team has been incredibly supportive throughout this process, offering help in whatever way I needed. For my first few email communications, I would always ask one of my teammates to review and edit them. They often reworded parts to make the message more personable and clear. Over time, I’ve become more accustomed to this style of communication and have gained confidence in my ability to write online communications.
On the other hand, when it came to giving in-person announcements for the first time, I had to jump right in. The ASB President, Jazy, had planned to brief me beforehand, but the way our devotions ran that day left us with no time for preparation. To my surprise, I did much better than I expected, and I even felt comfortable in front of the crowd. This experience taught me that I actually prefer impromptu speaking, as it prevents me from overthinking and becoming overwhelmed by nervousness. I simply have to go up and give it my best. Of course, through our team meetings, I do gain a good sense of the information I need to present and the heart behind it. Each time I have given the announcements everyone is so supportive and gives very positive feedback, which has been invaluable in boosting my confidence in my role as Communications Director.
In the short time I’ve been part of ASB, I have already experienced significant personal growth. I often reflect on what my college experience would have been like had I not accepted this role, and I am truly grateful for the decision I made. Not only has this opportunity allowed me to build closer relationships with my teammates, but it has also given me a new perspective on college life. I’ve enjoyed being part of the event-planning process and seeing things from a behind-the-scenes view. As a result of joining New Hope in the spring, I’ve even had the chance to help plan events that I haven’t yet participated in. Overall, I feel incredibly blessed to have accepted this offer, and I look forward to seeing what God has in store for me in this role. New Hope provides countless opportunities for students to get involved and find ways to engage with their interests, and I’m grateful to be part of this vibrant community.
