This group distinguished themselves by performing acts of service in February.

Aubrey Dillistone

Aubrey Dillistone is a well-qualified student and deserves to be student of the month. The first thing that Aubrey has shown throughout this month is her willingness to serve people.  This month I saw Aubrey create fliers, banners, and all manner of decorations for her roommate’s birthday.  She then put these up and really made that birthday special for her very lonely roommate.  Her roommate even commented on how not special her birthday was and she was really grateful for the effort that Aubrey put forth.  Another example of Aubrey’s willingness to serve was shown this month when she helped in a service project.  Aubrey spent much of her time cutting out handbags for children in third world countries to use as school bags.  Another thing I noticed about Aubrey was her hard work.  While at that service project this month Aubrey was the only one I saw who was working for the entire time.  Everybody else, myself included, took several breaks to go and eat cookies or just talk.  Speaking of talking Aubrey should also be student of the month because of her willingness to talk.  Aubrey always has a happiness about her that seems to permeate into all those around.  Just talking to Miss Dillistone has made my day better countless times this month.  I am really grateful for the wonderful attitude towards service, hard work, and friendships.  For these reasons among many others I nominate the wonderful contributor to the BYU community, the friend for everyone, the hardest working of them all,  Miss AUBREY DILLISTONE.

Nominated by Michal Albretsen

Michael Zhang

Michael Zhang is what you would call gregarious.  He is filled with spunk, determination, and has a genuine character.  These three…virtues, we’ll call them, make Michael worthy of First Year Student of the Month for the month of February. 

Michael Zhang is from Australia, and so he is living in a place very different from his home.  Many people might shrink from embracing the new culture and making friends, but Michael is not one of those people.  In the month of February, Michael made an effort to sit by people in class and make friends with them.  I see him studying hard to reach his high potential.  I notice that many people look to Michael as an example in all that they do, whether in school, religious affiliation, or anything else.  In February along I talked to many people who spoke highly of Michael’s ability to make new friends and help others.  He is a new member of a religious organization which he dedicates himself to reach out to the members around him.  I watched him as he went to the many different people assigned to him, cheerfully visiting with those people.  I know that in college many people feel lonely or in need of a friend, and although Michael is just as susceptible as any of us, he has the spunk and determination to befriend others.  I see him engaged in activities that bring others outside to play sports or simply talk.  Every residency needs a person like Michael Zhang, and he definitely helps everyone around him regardless of the fact that he is a first year student just like the rest of us. 

Michael Zhang has so much energy and spunk.  In fact, he gave a speech that engaged the entire audience, and it was his first ever speech since his membership with the aforementioned religious organization.  Michael Zhang did much during the month of February to help out his community, and he is such a great example and loveable person that all who know him look up to his genuine character.  You know that when you talk to Michael, he’ll tell you exactly what he thinks without any pretense.  He does what he believes to be right, and so he is always a good example to follow.  Michael Zhang is your man for February’s First Year Student of the Month.

Nominated by Amber Whiteley

Eric Sackett

Eric Sackett was one of the first people I met when I arrived here at Brigham Young University.  I was so impressed by his genuine interest in those around him.  Eric is one of those guys that you just can’t help feeling comfortable around, no matter how little you know each other.  As I’ve got to know him more, he has done little acts of service like bringing me hot chocolate when I was having a bad day.  I know he does this for other people too and it amazes me what a good guy he is.  This last month, Eric did what he always does: make people happy.  He cleaned his friend’s room because they were sick.  He called people if he saw them frowning to see why they were having a bad day.  He holds doors open for girls.  Eric should be nominated for this spotlight of the month.  He deserves it more than anyone I know.

Nominated by Michelle Mettenet

RA of the Month - Sean Self

Sean Self is the RA for building twenty seven in Wyview Park. Sean does a great job of not only holding building meetings each week but also effectively publicizes his meetings and makes them more interesting than just talking at the residents for a while. He is constantly looking for things to better his building. In the month of February he had his building compete in a health competition where residents received points for going to bed on time, eating healthy, and studying hard. The winner was rewarded with free bowling with a building of girls from the ward. He also started a fun tradition with the guys in his building to encourage guys to take more girls on dates. Each week the guys in his building nominate and then vote for a “stud of the week,” someone who took a girl on a really nice date or something to that effect. In addition they nominate and vote for a “burn of the week,” a guy who asked and was rejected. It is all done in good fun and the winners are rewarded with some small treat. Sean is very personable with the residents in his building and does a great job of setting an example.