A recent college graduate of South Dakota State University, Brittany Kuecker has been accepted into a master’s degree program to study political science and sociology. In addition to being a committed student, Brittany Kuecker is also dedicated to helping her community. She is a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and spent some time working as an intern at her local animal shelter.

For animal lovers looking to volunteer in their community, animal shelters are a great place to start. While donating money supports the care of the animals, donating time comes with a range of benefits. Volunteering at a shelter is a great way to meet new people and make friends. Volunteers are surrounded by fellow animal lovers and people with similar interests and passions, offering a unique chance to establish lifelong relationships. The experience also allows for new skills to develop because of the many jobs available for shelter volunteers. Some of the skills learned while working at a shelter carry over into the professional life of volunteers and may even open up a new career path that had not been previously considered.

Working at an animal shelter provides a great feeling of satisfaction, accomplishment, and gratefulness. Helping homeless animals creates warm feeling in volunteers, lowering stress and improving overall happiness. Surveys have found that over 90 percent of volunteers report feelings of energy and euphoria after volunteering at a shelter.

An active member of her community, Brittany Kuecker recently received a bachelor’s degree in sociology and political science from South Dakota State University, and will soon begin working toward her master’s degree. In addition to her studies, Brittany Kuecker is a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The Ladies Auxiliary VFW offers a variety of scholarships for members and their families, and for selected middle and high school students. The Continuing Education Scholarship, which is available only to members and their immediate families, requires an explanation of the student's history and educational goals. The Junior Girls Scholarship is intended for officers of the Junior Auxiliary who have achieved outstanding academic records while serving their communities.

Both the Patriot's Pen Essay Contest and the Voice of Democracy Audio/Essay Contest reward an outstanding piece of creative writing related to the topic of the scholarship. The Patriot's Pen requires only the written submission, while submissions for the Voice of Democracy scholarship must also include a recording.

Finally, the Young American Creative Patriot Art Award accepts submissions of visual art that focus on or inspire patriotism.

Brittany Kuecker, who recently earned a bachelor of science in political science and sociology from South Dakota State University, worked part-time throughout her undergraduate years to keep from accumulating debt. Brittany Kuecker successfully balanced her work responsibilities with her coursework and secured a place on the dean's list in her senior year.

If you work while attending college, scheduling can be extremely challenging. In addition to job hours and class hours, you must also arrange specific times for studying based on the workload of each class. A written plan can be extremely helpful in organizing all of your responsibilities, from work hours to time needed to complete a term paper.

To make a workable schedule, you first need to prioritize. Work will command certain hours and classes others. In your remaining time, you may find yourself having to choose between studying and socializing. This is where most working students find it difficult to create a balance. Experts suggest that in this case, study time should take a priority equal to time spent in class. This helps you avoid panicking when an assignment is due, and reminds you that your education is the reason for the balancing act. The same experts recommend that students schedule a healthy amount of sleep, as insufficient rest can impact both work and school performance.

Brittany Kuecker is a recent graduate of South Dakota State University, where she earned a bachelor of science with a double major in science and sociology. Brittany Kuecker leads an active lifestyle as a volunteer and lifelong supporter of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

VFW Ladies Auxiliary president Armithea “Sissy” Borel is an admitted “windy,” or fan of Gone With the Wind. She recently visited Clayton County, the place that inspired the book and film adaptation. This visit was part of her two-day Georgia tour, which included local siteseeing and a dinner at VFW Post 5080 in Lake City.

The dinner featured Gone With the Wind memorabilia, but the visit represented much more than that. Borel’s brother was injured when the soldier walking in front of him stepped on a landmine. This cost her brother his right leg and part of his face, but the VA hospital saved his life. The VFW and Ladies Auxiliary is part of a concerted effort to support soldiers upon their return and ensure that they receive the support they need in recognition for their service.

A recent graduate of South Dakota State University, Brittany Kuecker holds a bachelor of science with a double major in political science and sociology. Brittany Kuecker intends to continue her studies in both areas; she has been accepted into a master’s program focused on sociology and political science.

There are a number of reasons a college student might consider a double major. For example, a creative writing student might consider balancing his or her arts degree with a degree in business or science. On the other hand, an English major may realize that he or she has already achieved many of the requirements for a degree in a related discipline, such as journalism. Whatever the case may be, students considering a double major should make sure they will be able to succeed in both areas of study.

Incoming college students who have yet to declare a major should not choose a double major simply because they cannot make a decision. All degrees require a tremendous amount of time and dedication, so students intending to double major should be prepared for the workload and possess a keen interest in both subjects. More specifically, students should research each program's requirements. Creative writing majors will likely be required to submit a comprehensive thesis at the end of their senior year that includes a body of creative work as well as analytical essays; a business major will likewise have several important exams and presentations to make. Students planning on double majoring must evaluate the work that will be necessary to complete each program in order to decide whether the undertaking is achievable.

A prospective graduate student and the recent recipient of a bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University, Brittany Kuecker studied political science and sociology. In addition, Brittany Kuecker is a former intern at a nearby animal shelter and Humane Society. 

The Humane Society of the United States recently expressed gratitude to the House of Representatives after the passing of legislation that allows for the retirement of government-owned chimpanzees working in labs and sanctuaries. The legislation, which passed the Senate without opposition late in October and provides the National Institute of Health with enough capital to care for retired chimps, is an addendum to Title III S. 252 of the 2000 Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance and Protection Act. Backers of the new movement, including the Humane Society, expect the bill to be on President Obama’s desk sometime in the fall of 2013. 

Wayne Pacelle, president and chief executive officer of the Humane Society, issued a statement praising the legislation. He pointed out that sanctuaries are run more efficiently than laboratories, allowing the bill to save money for taxpayers.

When she was a high school student, Brittany Kuecker participated in the Oral Interpretation Program, through which she competed in numerous speech events nationwide. Ms. Kuecker received a letter in all four years of her participation in the program, and she remains versed in the art of public speaking.

1. Rehearsing one's speech, including the memorization of complicated sections and the timing of pauses, is the key to a polished recitation while on stage.
2. As the adage proclaims, “Dress for success.” A professional appearance can reduce distracting apprehension about one's clothing.
3. Nervousness is natural, and the audience will expect a speaker to be nervous; remembering that fear is normal can help a speaker get past anxiety.

Presentations occur in all facets of life, from the workforce to special events, but the act of public speaking need not be a source of stress when one applies the above techniques.

Maintaining a healthy level of fitness is something that everyone should try to do no matter how busy they are with work, studies, or family. Overcoming a hectic lifestyle is manageable if you follow these tips:

• Design a workout program that suits your level of fitness. There is no need to run five miles every day – start out slow and increase your workout intensity as you get fitter.

• Try to fit exercise around or into your routine. Allot half an hour in the morning to your workout or simply walk or bike to work instead of driving.

• Keep a goal in mind so you know what you are working towards. This will help keep you motivated.

• Make sure you have time to rest too. Burning yourself out on exercise won’t help your fitness. Do a little bit of exercise often to maintain a balanced and realistic fitness regime.

About the Author: Brittany Kuecker is currently in her final year at South Dakota State University. As well as working as a Desk Manager at a motel to finance her studies, Kuecker places great importance on physical fitness and makes sure to fit biking and working out into her busy life.