Sophie Schwalbach, Class of 2015

Education: ST. TERESA HIGH SCHOOL, Pursuing B.S. in Communication, Digital Media Marketing minor – Millikin University
Current Location: Decatur, IL
Current Employment: Marketing Intern – Millikin University Marketing Department, Sales Associate and Social Media Manager – Brass Horn Too, Director of Marketing – Blue Brew
 
Activities involved in during your time at St. T:
Actress in all of the fall plays and spring musicals, varsity cheerleader, Vice-President of the International Thespian Society, secretary of the drama club and QUEST leader.

You’ve started a special project called “The Nick Project.” Can you explain what this is? 
I started what is known as “The Nick Project: Fire Safety and Awareness,” at Millikin University in memory of my brother Nick Schwalbach. He died tragically in a fire at his Kappa Sigma Fraternity house in 2000. The goal of this project is to help educate students about fire prevention and to hopefully prevent the loss of more student lives.

The death of your brother is obviously the motivation for this project, but how did you know you could make this a success? 
This project became my number #1 priority, I worked diligently with all aspects of Millikin, but specifically Residence Life and the office of Alumni and Development to make this project leave its desired impact. I worked hard to ensure that it would be successful, but there was no guarantee. Without the help of Millikin University, Kenney's Ace Hardware, the various donors and my family, this project would not have been a success.  The moment I realized that The Nick Project was impacting students lives was when a student came up to me months after The Nick Drive and let me know that their kitchen oven in their off-campus housing had caught on fire. They were able to stop the fire because they had obtained the free fire extinguisher from the event. At that moment I knew that The Nick Drive was truly an impactful movement on campus.

Last year you held an event to promote The Nick Project. How successful was it? 
Yes, as I mentioned in the previous question last year I hosted the “The Nick Drive”. The Nick Drive was an event, after raising over $3,000, where I handed out over 150 free fire extinguishers, ladders and smoke/carbon monoxide detectors to students who were living in off-campus housing. I will be hosting the 2nd annual Nick Drive on May 7 from 2:00-5:30 in the new University Commons.
 
Do you have a plan to keep this project going after you graduate? 
Since I will graduate in May 2019, I realize that just doing this event is not enough and I want to make sure students continue to have access to free fire safety tools each year. My goal is to raise $15,000 so that I am able to make this an endowed fund called “The Nick Fund” . Each year, The Nick Fund will be available to assist students who will be living in off-campus housing receive these necessary fire safety tools at no cost. Students will make a request with Office of Residence Life and all tools will be ordered through Kenney's Ace Hardware in Mt.Zion.
 
How did your education and experiences at St. Teresa prepare you for this project and your college career thus far? 
During my time at St. Teresa I was prepared by various faculty and classes to become an effective leader.  Mrs. Davis is the teacher that truly shaped my high-school career.  Mrs. Davis challenged me in various productions and in the classroom to step outside of my comfort zone, even when that involved doing the not so glamorous jobs.  She taught me how to appreciate and involve myself with every aspect of the production, from being the star, selling advertising, being in charge of costumes and painting the set. These life lessons that she taught me have carried over into every project and organization that I am a part of. In order to be successful, nothing can be beneath you.
 
What does the future hold in store for you? 
Post-graduation I plan on attending graduate school to obtain my Masters of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications and then obtain my MBA. I aspire to work for a major corporation's marketing department, and then go on to work and serve as the Director of Marketing on the founding team of a start-up company.
 
What would you say to a family that is considering attending St. Teresa?
Choosing to attend St. Teresa High School has been one of the best educational decisions that I have made thus far.  It is more than just a top-tier learning environment, it becomes home.  One aspect that makes St. Teresa stand out is the fact that we are incredibly involved in the Decatur community.  This aspect allows alumnus such as myself to be able to network in the community, and form relationships that allow projects such as The Nick Project to leave a meaningful impact.


St. Teresa will be hosting a Jeans 4 Quarters on Friday, May 11 to support The Nick Project. During Jeans 4 Quarters, students are allowed to wear jeans and spirit-wear with a donation of at least $1.00. All proceeds go towards a charity or cause designated for that particular week.
 
St. Teresa would like to send prayers of success to Sophia in her goal. If you’d like to financially support The Nick Fund, please visit www.millikin.edu/give.