University of Northern Iowa

Shake, Rattle N’ Bowl Raises $150 at STF*{UNI}!

the attendees & organizers of She's the First*{UNI}'s first fundraiser!

The wasn’t a better way for UNI students to spend their Friday night on April 1st other than bowling to raise money for girls’ education all over the world. It was quite the scene— black lights, disco balls, and music your parents used to dance to with big, teased hair, and neon leggings… It was fantastic.

Around 30 students took time out of their busy weekend schedules to make the event better than we could have ever expected. Although some of us may not be the best bowlers in the world (okay, maybe just me), others were getting strike after strike. And many of them moonwalked down the lane to do so. Watch a video on She’s the First*{UNI}’s Facebook page.

When it was time for prizes, everyone got even more excited. I mean, it’s kind of hard not to when you have the most fabulous prizes a girl could ever dream of straight from Victoria’s Secret PINK. There were perfumes, bags, lotion… a.k.a. heaven. See all photos on Flickr!

When the students signed up for the raffle to win the prizes, we had them write something that they’re the first at, whether it was in their family or even amongst their friends—whatever was important to them. It was surprising just how many firsts there actually were. Many students were the first to go to college in their family, others were the firsts to major in a certain field, and then there were a few that were the first in their family to attend the University of Northern Iowa.

Seeing how important a great education is to us here in Iowa really makes you think about how important it is to those amazing young ladies on the other side of the world. We get our chance to make a difference in the world, and with the help of the passionate students involved in She’s the First, those women are able to get their chance as well.

Tehrene (left) is the founder/President of She's the First*{UNI}.

The bowling alley gave us $4 out of every student’s $10 bowling fee to attend Shake, Rattle N’ Bowl, making $150 the grand total raised for the organization (we’re still deciding which sponsorship program to pick in the She’s the First directory). It was a night none of us will ever forget. Ask anyone who attended— the night was definitely a strike.

Introducing Our First Midwestern Campus Chapter!

Tehrene, Founder of She's the First*{UNI}

My name is Tehrene Firman and I’m so thrilled to have the amazing opportunity to start up She’s the First*{UNI} this year.  Where’s UNI, you ask? The University of Northern Iowa is located way out in the middle of nowhere— a.k.a. in Cedar Falls, Iowa (or in the heart of various cornfields).  A lot of exciting things are going to be happening here in the next couple months.  I can guarantee She’s the First is going to impact the Midwest and show everyone just how special and life-changing an education can be.

STF hits the Midwest!

Although She’s the First*{UNI} is just getting started, we have a lot of fantastic ideas to make an impression on the lives of girls all over the world.  To start an organization at UNI, you must recruit a faculty advisor to make it official.  I asked Dr. Anne Woodrick, an Anthropology professor, and couldn’t have made a better choice.

Being a student of Dr. Woodrick last semester showed me just how much passion she has for life and providing all of her students with the best educational experience imaginable.  She has traveled to many places in the world during her life, specifically in Latin America, and knows how important an education is— especially in the lives of girls.  Through her fieldwork and teaching, Dr. Woodrick has many connections with people that can benefit She’s the First to its full extent.

Introducing our University of Northern Iowa chapter!

Dr. Woodrick, Vice-President Rebecca Thacker, and I are currently planning a way for the students at UNI to truly see what the organization is all about and what it stands for. We want to take advantage of the connections our advisor has and have several influential people speak at a special event just for She’s the First*{UNI} about their time in the areas we’re fundraising for.  They will be able to share their firsthand experience with the education system there and give us a better idea of what it’s like.  Learning about the areas and girls we’ll be benefiting will make fundraising an even more rewarding experience.

Not only are we planning the presentation to the students, but we’re also in the process of setting up our first fundraiser.  We have a bowling ally outside of town that works hand-in-hand with student organizations and non-profit agencies to raise money for a good cause.  If we set up a bowl-a-thon and sell tickets to it, we can make a huge profit for She’s the First.

Bowling is fun, but you haven’t really bowled until you bowl at Maple Lanes.  If it isn’t the glowing carpet and bowling balls from the black lights, it’s definitely the 90s music videos playing on a big projector screen at the end of the lanes and disco balls that make it a great experience. The atmosphere just can’t be beat, especially when it’s combined with people gathering for a great cause.

We also have a wonderful store downtown called World’s Window that can come to some of our future events and sell their products, which are handmade crafts from around the globe.  Want to know the best part? A percentage of the amount made would go straight to She’s the First!

Everything is coming together perfectly and I can’t wait to see the outcome of our efforts.  I’ll keep everyone updated on our progress via She’s the First*{UNI}’s Facebook and Twitter (@STF_UNI) page so make sure you check in on us once in awhile!