Sydney Menzie

Today, I volunteered for HUPDS in our annual Krispy Kreme fundraiser. We set up a table downstairs at Blackburn with signs and many donuts, and we also went outside to find more donors. We used the slogan, "Donate for a Donut", and cleared over 5 dozen boxes of donuts! I had a really good time introducing our society to students on the Howard campus as they bought their donuts, and connecting with my fellow HUPDS members as we volunteered. This event was so fun, and I can't wait for next year!

During my volunteer time at Martha's Table Winter Coat Drive, I helped organize and distribute coats to individuals and families in need. We began by sorting boxes of coats based on size, color, and whether they were for men or women. After organizing the boxes, we cut them open and displayed reference sizes to make it easier for people to find what they needed. Once people began arriving, we assisted them in finding coats that matched their preferences, whether they were shopping for themselves or other family members. Since the entire event took place outside, I was able to connect this experience to the biological concept of homeostasis, specifically thermoregulation. Homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions, including body temperature, despite changes in the external environment. When exposed to cold temperatures, the body works to conserve heat through processes such as vasoconstriction and shivering. Wearing a coat helps reduce heat loss, allowing the body to maintain its normal internal temperature without using as much energy. This experience helped me recognize how something as simple as providing warm clothing can support people's health and well-being, especially during the colder months.

During my volunteer time with Howard University's Pre-Dental Society, we began by discussing different classes and prerequisites needed for dental school and med school. HUPDS and HHPS Maps leaders shared their experiences and offered advice on which courses to take and how to be successful in them. After our discussion, we participated in a small service activity where we assembled candy bags filled with sweets and other snacks. Although this was a simple activity, I was able to connect it to biology through what we have learned about glucose and cellular respiration. Many of the candies we packaged contain sugars that the body breaks down into simpler molecules, such as glucose, which cells can use to produce ATP through cellular respiration. I also thought about how consuming too much sugar can contribute to tooth decay, which connects directly to my interest in dentistry. Overall, this experience allowed me to learn more about my future career while participating in a service activity that connected to concepts we have discussed in biology.

While volunteering at Martha’s Table, a few other Howard students and I sorted and packaged food into bags (including apples, oranges, pears, onions, rice, beans, and more) to distribute to members of the DC community. This experience let me give back while also connecting what I learned in Biology 101 about nutrition and the importance of nutrients in maintaining a healthy body. Food provides the energy and essential nutrients our cells need to function properly, grow, and repair themselves. Volunteering helped me realize how important access to nutritious food is for people’s overall health and well-being, and internal homeostasis. It was rewarding to know my efforts supported families in the community while letting me apply biology concepts to real-life situations.