extracurriculars
 

these are some things i do in my free time in maryland
...between baltimore, annapolis, davidsonville, and dc.


The Center for Women and Information Technology	Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies: The Zeta Chapter @ UMBC
I am more than proud to be among the first class of CWIT scholars at UMBC.  Check out the link to learn more about this outstanding Center for Women and IT, including their recent International Symposium in Baltimore regarding the status of women in IT.	As an advocate of women in all science-related disciplines, I am an original founder of the sixth chapter of Alpha Sigma Kappa in the nation.  All of our sisters have  math, science, engineering, or architecture majors.  Learn more information about our mission and our sisters in the link above.
@ UMBC CSEE Department	Franklin Square Boys and Girls Club
I have been actively involved in assisting the UMBC Computer Science Department.  I have graded introductory courses' programming projects, tutored at the Computer Science Help Center, and assisted the TA's with the weekly lab portions of the CS201 course.  This fall, I look forward to becoming an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for the Computer Science I For Majors course.	Along with the Zeta Chapter of Alpha Sigma Kappa at UMBC, I spend time with the Franklin Square Boys and Girls Club in Baltimore City each week during the schoolyear.  We plan on holding a science or career exploration day for the children some time in the Spring.  The link above is for the Salvation Army's Boys and Girls Club of America site.
Special Olympics of Maryland - Polar Bear Plunge	Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
Some say it's crazy; others say it's for a good cause.  I call it fun.  The Polar Bear Plunge is held by the Maryland State Police at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, MD, right next to the Bay Bridge overlooking the Chesapeake.  On a freezing Saturday morning in January, over 2,500 "polar bears" plunged into the icy waters of the Chesapeake, all in the name of the Special Olympics.  This year was my first plunge, and I am happy to say that I am now a Polar Bear for life.  For more information, including 2006 Plunge sign-ups, check out the link above.	The 5K Race for the Cure happens every year in Baltimore, and this year will be my third race.  All of the proceeds go towards the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.  Not only does this event raise millions of dollars in the name of breast cancer research, it promotes awareness and the need for education about breast cancer.  To sign up for any of the locations of the Race for the Cure and for more information about the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, click on the link above.