Student Success Stories
Wendi Whittier
Wendi Whittier ’07, from San Jose, Cailf., was the first baccalaureate student to complete UVSC’s Honors Program this December. An ’89 graduate from UVSC in nursing, a mother and returning student majoring in English and graduating with honors, Whittier couldn’t have a bigger load.
“I love learning and can’t get enough,” she said. “I would love to end up teaching English to high school students. In the middle of my program I thought how education could be more global than just being in the classroom. This is where I came up with my idea for my Senior Honors Project.”
Her project called, “Intelligent Beauty,” is a result of her studies within the English discipline. She discovered a how hard women fight to be recognized and make a difference.
“Intelligent Beauty,” which celebrates intelligence and inner beauty, is an international service trip to educate American girls about what they can do with their resources to help orphaned girls in Peru. She’s secured commitments for more than $20,000 in funding to make the trip in April 2008.
“Funding for the trip was surprisingly very easy,” she said. “I made a list of community members to approach for funds. Fortunately, my cause was generously considered a good investment. A special thanks goes to John Bell and David Neven of Project Kids for their contributions in making Intelligent Beauty possible.”
Ten teenage girls, ages 15-16, were selected from the community and will be participating in the April trip with Whittier. The girls will present lessons at an orphanage that are academic but will also teach practical skills such as learning to play tennis or music.