Keeping busy at Villa Julie College.

The momentum of the Villa Julie College (VJC) Student ACEI Branch continues to grow each year. Last year, over 40 students were active members and participated in various activities sponsored by the Branch. Some of these events included a presentation by the state superintendent of Maryland schools, fundraising to support a service project, a book drive for children at a shelter, and weekend play days for children in a home for abused youth.

The Branch started off the 2005-2006 school year by participating in a college-wide welcome back picnic. This gave the organization an opportunity to share its mission and invite new members to join. As a result, over 50 members signed up to join the VJC Student Branch. The Branch also had a sweatshirt sale, which now allows our members to be easily recognized on campus, as well as two other fundraisers, which were conducted in the hope of earning enough money to support the officers' trip to ACEI's Annual Conference this April. Branch members also found time to support the VJC Alumni Association by hosting a children's craft table during homecoming weekend. In December, the members assisted Kappa Delta Pi, the campus Education Honor Society, by working the sales booth at the Scholastic Book Fair. During a supply drive, they collected items for a shelter for abused women and children. In addition to all of this hard work, the members were also able to socialize by participating in the Corn Maze, Progressive Thanksgiving Dinner, and Cosmic Bowling. These annual events have become a tradition with members.

The spring semester promises to be just as busy, as the Branch participated in the campus-wide Spring Back to Life event to kick off the semester. This event recruited eight new members. More fundraisers, service projects, and socials are being planned. One thing for sure is the officers' attendance at the San Antonio Conference! Their proposal for a Student Make 'n Take session was accepted, so they are busy preparing for the presentation.

It is hard to keep up with the spirit and energy of this student Branch their enthusiasm is infectious! This organization has received multiple awards on campus over the past three years in recognition of its work, student involvement, and commitment to their mission. Those awards include Club On the Move, for increased membership numbers and involvement; President of the Year; and Faculty Moderator of the Year.