Cf) z 0 ~ <( !:::::! z <( CJ a: 0 REACH OUT AND RADIATE NEW ORGANIZATION SPREADS ENCOURAGEMENT AND POSITIVITY WORDS Jessie Smith I I PHOTOS Abigail Cooper Senior Ashley Hudson wanted to leave more than ust personal memories when she graduated from Harding; she wanted to leave a legacy of positivity and encouragement. Hudson founded hine Bright, an organization for women who wanted to build up one another's self-esteem and strengthen their relationships with Christ. he pictured her organization as a haven for young women to discuss their struggles and also perform volunteer work in the community. "I had some friends come to me [and askj me for help, and I saw I was impacting them in a positi e way," Hudson said. "They were helping me, [while] I was helping them. I just realized my relationship with God was getting stronger, and I realized that chis is something I'm very passionate about." Almost 20 people went to the first hine Bright meeting on ov. 15, 2017. Hudson held seven meetings during the spring 2018 semester. After encouragement from h r peers, Hudson discussed her idea of Shine Bright with Dean of Students Zachary eal. ''Ashley has a great personality and a passion for the topic," ea! said. 1 eal advised her in how to proceed, and he suggested she write a mission statement and constitution for her organization. "She has given due diligence co the whole idea," 1 ea! said. "I fully support her initiative in establishing Shine Bright as an organization for ladies to grow in their relationships, gain guidance in decision making, be encouraged by mentors and guest speakers, and engage in service projects together." ea! also advised Hudson co speak with potential faculty sponsors. "Ashley will be missed when he graduates, but she has done an excellent job of surrounding herself with mentors and peers that can carry the torch in her absence," Neal said. Briana Cunningham, counselor in the counseling center, also helped Hudson bring Shine Bright co life. "Especially in this time of teenage years and college years, there's a lot of trying to figure out who you ace and why you matter," Cunningham said. "I think Shine Bright is a place where you can come and safely explore that." Cunningham hoped to see Shine Bright become globally known someday. "If the ladies here can reach down and find some other little girl and help her to know who she is in that way, now all of a sudden you've changed the world," Cunningham said. I Shine Bright Public Relations Officer sophomore Lauren Lee, President and senior Ashely Hudson and members junior Armani Jenkins and sophomore Matilyn Thomas come together on Jan. 31, 2018, to find new ways to encourage one another and others. The organization's first meeting brought nearly 20 women together, and meetings continued to be successful in bringing many women to learn more about Shine Bright. // Photo by Abigail Cooper I ,c
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