Kennesaw State University gained a new organization, Love Your Melon, this January that will work toward changing the lives of children with cancer.
Love Your Melon is an apparel brand run by college students across the country on a mission to give a hat to every child battling cancer in America. Founded by two students from the University of St. Thomas,
The local crew consists of 20 KSU students from various class standings, majors and organizations. Though the team hasn't officially held any events yet, the Love Your Melon (LYM) leadership positions have been voted on and filled:
Captain
Tegan McEntire, a freshman nursing major, was elected captain of the KSU Crew. She is passionate about working for LYM because since being diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, Tegan has spent a lot of time in hospital settings, surrounded by children with cancer and other illnesses. Tegan will use the leadership skills, which she gained from being captain, prefect, chairman and vice president of her high school teams and clubs, to run the show.
The captain's responsibilities include managing the responsibilities of the other 19 crew members, receive shipments and other materials, organize promotional opportunities and oversee the works of the rest of the crew. When she's not carrying out these tasks, Tegan spends her time as volunteer in the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta college program and as a sister of Phi Mu.
Vice-Captain
The KSU crew chose Lauren Owens, sophomore Business Marketing major, as the vice-captain. Lauren's excitement for working with LYM comes from her family's history with cancer. Her mother, aunts, grandmother, neighbor and multiple friends have fought a battle against cancer.
Lauren's event planning skills and advertising skills will benefit her role as vice-captain by helping her with the position's key tasks: developing sales strategies and being the captain's right-hand-man.
Public Relations Manager
I, Kristi Russell, am honored to hold the position of PR Manager. As a public relations manager with an engagement marketing minor, I will use my writing and creative skills to do the managing of LYM social media accounts, creating of promotional/marketing content, photographing of products and the coordinating of media coverage that this position calls for.
I plan on using this great platform, provided by Odyssey, for coverage and announcements of our events and promotions. I'm excited to utilize my experience with freelance photography, working with important committees for AOII, writing for Odyssey and doing promotional work for a company in my hometown to benefit the lives of children with cancer!
My position has a unique aspect in that I have an assistant, or co-PR manager, Victoria Newman. Victoria is a senior studying graphic design with a minor in marketing. She will use her photography and videography skills, along with her experience with various positions in her sorority (Phi Mu) and graphic design internships, to bring a lot of help to the crew's public relations.
Secretary
Alex King, freshman early Childhood education major and member of Phi Mu, will participate in LYM by being the crew's Secretary. Alex's excitement for bringing Love Your Melon to Kennesaw will bring a fun energy to the crew's meetings, where she will be in charge of taking notes, coordinating future meetings and keeping records/information straight.
The rest of the crew includes Avery Edwards, Bailee Raker, Cryssie Dunn, Daniel Mendoza, Ellie Tuck, Hannah Grant, Jensyn Wells, Kaylyn Gagnon, Lauren Horvat, Maddie Labelle, Morgan McKnight, Sara Grace Akins, Vicki Selleck, Victoria Edwards and Hannah Call.
On behalf of the Kennesaw LYM Crew, we are so excited to get this show on the road and start changing lives in the Kennesaw area! Follow the crew's Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to stay updated on product releases and upcoming events!
