The spring semester is well under way and everyone is starting to feel the pressure! Despite everyone’s busy schedule, SOTA is still finding time to devote to some exciting events this semester.  Our Annual OT Job Fair has been set for Thursday April 2nd.  We are currently in the progress of recruiting vendors and potential candidates from a variety of rehabilitative professions.  This event is not only a wonderful fundraiser for SOTA, but a great way to network with potential employers.  SOTA also had a team participate in the Polar Plunge and they raised over $1500! Way to go team!  Additionally, several members of SOTA are traveling to Texas for the National AOTA Conference in April.  SOTA is looking forward to making the remainder of the spring semester a great one.  Keep up the great work and continue to be involved members in SOTA!!

SOTA was able to fundraise $1525 for the Special Olympics by participating in the Polar Plunge.  We had a blast jumping in to the freezing water of Lake Monona during a blizzard since it was for such a great cause!  SOTA members will fundraise by volunteering their time during a concert at the Alliant Energy Center during spring break on the evening of March 20th.  Hopefully this will bring SOTA some financial stability for Job Fair expenses and the 2nd year graduation banquet.  On that note, the 2nd year students have decided on an organization to make a donation to at their graduation banquet... to be announced at a later date!!  I hope everyone is enjoying their semester!

February was all about supporting the arts for the social committee.  We had a very busy month, consisting of a movie night, a theatre night…and the Polar Plunge of course!  A group of OT students gathered around the big screen to view the documentary “Autism: The Musical” while munching on pizza and stuffing envelopes to assist the Job Fair committee in getting the vendor invites out in the mail.  It was a very productive and entertaining night!  The OT night at the theatre was also full of entertainment as we decided to support the local acting troupe Encore! again to see their production of “Lost Track” – a play about the episodes of a young woman with Bipolar disorder.  We all look forward to the next production from this group!  Then, to wrap up this wintry month, ten brave souls jumped into the frigid waters of Lake Mendota for the Polar Plunge!  The social committee headed this icy expedition, brought the team together, and raised funds to support Special Olympics Wisconsin – way to go, team!

This month, several OT students attended an interdisciplinary lecture given by Dr. Richie Davidson, the William James and Vilas Research Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at UW-Madison. Dr. Davidson discussed the physiological effects of meditation on the mind and body, and proposed that meditation sessions may have a positive benefit on everyday functioning. Students posed questions regarding the implications of Dr. Davidson’s research for aging and disabled populations.

Last month flew by!  We enjoyed a lovely pizza party celebrating our success at collecting the most food for the OT/PT food drive.  We also had another great time at Candlelighters playing mini golf, doing crafts and playing arcade games.  Remember to mark your favorite service events on the sheet in the student room by March 6th.  Look for these and other wonderful opportunities by the end of this month.

Stay tuned for more service opportunities in the upcoming month, and, as always, let your service/outreach chairs know of any events that you would like SOTA to be involved in!