Get to know the leadership of the 2018 Carolina For The Kids Executive Board, as they kick-off an exciting new year of fundraising, events, and of course, dancing!
Hannah Dix, Executive Director
Year: Senior
Major: Political Science and Public Policy
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
I got to help one of our Kid Co-Captains find a tutu and crown to wear for Family Hour at the 2017 UNC Dance Marathon. She had been searching for one, and taking a moment to make her smile made me so happy, and reminded me why I was standing.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
To me, Carolina For The Kids is the Carolina Way in practice. Everyone who walks through the door of UNC Children's is a Tar Heel, and it is our job to make sure they feel loved and cared for. Carolina FTK means coming together to support families who are going through their toughest times, and I can't think of a better way to spend my undergraduate years.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
#TeamGuac
Year: Senior
Major: Political Science and Public Policy
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
I got to help one of our Kid Co-Captains find a tutu and crown to wear for Family Hour at the 2017 UNC Dance Marathon. She had been searching for one, and taking a moment to make her smile made me so happy, and reminded me why I was standing.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
To me, Carolina For The Kids is the Carolina Way in practice. Everyone who walks through the door of UNC Children's is a Tar Heel, and it is our job to make sure they feel loved and cared for. Carolina FTK means coming together to support families who are going through their toughest times, and I can't think of a better way to spend my undergraduate years.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
#TeamGuac
Carley McAlarney, Fundraising & Projects
Year: Senior
Major: BA in chemistry, BS in biology, and a music minor.
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Getting to hear the stories from the parents of how we have helped them.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
Being a part of CFTK means being a part of something that is completely selfless and good. We give these families the chance to act as a family and children to be children when very serious decisions are being made about them. This is something that money cannot provide for them.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
#TeamQueso
Year: Senior
Major: BA in chemistry, BS in biology, and a music minor.
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Getting to hear the stories from the parents of how we have helped them.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
Being a part of CFTK means being a part of something that is completely selfless and good. We give these families the chance to act as a family and children to be children when very serious decisions are being made about them. This is something that money cannot provide for them.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
#TeamQueso
Maia Quinn, Event Donations
Year: Senior
Major: Psychology and sociology
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Getting to watch the KCC Talent Show every year and watching the kids we have helped grow up into amazing people.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
Carolina For The Kids has truly made me love UNC more than I thought was possible. This foundation allows me to see how much good this university and its students are able to accomplish. We are able to come together in order to positively affect so many lives of patients and families. It’s even more amazing that so many build lasting relationships with these families because they care so much. CFTK to me is the positive impacts we can make everyday when we work together for a great cause.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
#TeamQueso
Year: Senior
Major: Psychology and sociology
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Getting to watch the KCC Talent Show every year and watching the kids we have helped grow up into amazing people.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
Carolina For The Kids has truly made me love UNC more than I thought was possible. This foundation allows me to see how much good this university and its students are able to accomplish. We are able to come together in order to positively affect so many lives of patients and families. It’s even more amazing that so many build lasting relationships with these families because they care so much. CFTK to me is the positive impacts we can make everyday when we work together for a great cause.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
#TeamQueso
Jane Henriques, Operations
Year: Junior
Major: Biology, minors in chemistry and medical anthropology
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
During hour 22 of the 2017 Dance Marathon I was absolutely exhausted and could not wait to sit down, but then a KCC arrived with his parents. He was super shy at first, but I found a tennis ball and started throwing it back and forth with him. After a few tosses he was running around the gym chasing the ball and amazed by the exciting lights and atmosphere. Seeing him smile and just be able to be a kid for a few minutes reminded me why we do everything that we do for the kids. He reminded me of our purpose and all that we stand for.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
CFTK means showing the kids in the hospital that they matter. It means working every day so that the kids we benefit have the opportunity to just be kids. It means fundraising all year to help parents be able to stress a little less and enjoy their kids a little more. It means being surrounded by a community of people that is dedicated, passionate, and for the kids.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
#TeamQueso (unless it is my mom's homemade quac).
Year: Junior
Major: Biology, minors in chemistry and medical anthropology
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
During hour 22 of the 2017 Dance Marathon I was absolutely exhausted and could not wait to sit down, but then a KCC arrived with his parents. He was super shy at first, but I found a tennis ball and started throwing it back and forth with him. After a few tosses he was running around the gym chasing the ball and amazed by the exciting lights and atmosphere. Seeing him smile and just be able to be a kid for a few minutes reminded me why we do everything that we do for the kids. He reminded me of our purpose and all that we stand for.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
CFTK means showing the kids in the hospital that they matter. It means working every day so that the kids we benefit have the opportunity to just be kids. It means fundraising all year to help parents be able to stress a little less and enjoy their kids a little more. It means being surrounded by a community of people that is dedicated, passionate, and for the kids.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
#TeamQueso (unless it is my mom's homemade quac).
Rohil Chekuri, Finance
Year: Senior
Major: Economics and statistics
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Playing Wallball with Sage, my KCC last year, and interacting with him and his family.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
CFTK is the first organization I became seriously committed to after coming to college, and it has shaped my entire college experience. I have made amazing friends through CFTK that I may not have met otherwise, which is something I will remember forever. After being a member of the Hospital Committee and having a KCC, I grew closer to the cause of the organization, and realized how much of an impact CFTK has on the patients and families of NC Children's Hospital. CFTK will always be special to me.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
Always Team Guac.
Year: Senior
Major: Economics and statistics
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Playing Wallball with Sage, my KCC last year, and interacting with him and his family.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
CFTK is the first organization I became seriously committed to after coming to college, and it has shaped my entire college experience. I have made amazing friends through CFTK that I may not have met otherwise, which is something I will remember forever. After being a member of the Hospital Committee and having a KCC, I grew closer to the cause of the organization, and realized how much of an impact CFTK has on the patients and families of NC Children's Hospital. CFTK will always be special to me.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
Always Team Guac.
Bryant Gilchrist, Entertainment
Year: Junior
Major: Biology
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Working as the Activities Coordinator in Gym B, I got to interact and dance with so many people. I got to put smiles on their faces, they put a smile on my face, and we all united under one common cause.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
CFTK is a foundation that makes service an experience. You build relationships with fellow students, you meet great families, and YOU get the honor of serving the patients and families of UNC Children's Hospital! It's a powerful foundation that I just can't get enough of!
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
#TeamQueso
Year: Junior
Major: Biology
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Working as the Activities Coordinator in Gym B, I got to interact and dance with so many people. I got to put smiles on their faces, they put a smile on my face, and we all united under one common cause.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
CFTK is a foundation that makes service an experience. You build relationships with fellow students, you meet great families, and YOU get the honor of serving the patients and families of UNC Children's Hospital! It's a powerful foundation that I just can't get enough of!
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
#TeamQueso
Gabby Nguyen, Supply & Logistics
Year: Senior
Major: Biology
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Watching committee members become inspired and watching their passion for this cause flourish, and watching the Kid Co-Captains' faces light up during the KCC talent show.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
What CFTK means to me: CFTK is a representation that the little things add up and they do matter. The things we do may be small in the eyes of others but they mean so much to the patients and families that we help, because that's one less thing they have to worry about during a stressful and overwhelming period of their lives.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
#TeamGuac always.
Year: Senior
Major: Biology
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Watching committee members become inspired and watching their passion for this cause flourish, and watching the Kid Co-Captains' faces light up during the KCC talent show.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
What CFTK means to me: CFTK is a representation that the little things add up and they do matter. The things we do may be small in the eyes of others but they mean so much to the patients and families that we help, because that's one less thing they have to worry about during a stressful and overwhelming period of their lives.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
#TeamGuac always.
Jennifer Gay, Donor & Alumni Relations
Year: Senior
Major: Psychology and history
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Listening to Alicia sing "Fight Song" during the 2016 KCC Talent Show, and seeing everyone in Fetzer cry and cheer their hearts out.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
Carolina For the Kids represents a weight, no matter how light, being lifted off the shoulders of families that have to experience the unimaginable. All they can do is pray, worry, and hope. CFTK provides assistance in a manner that doctor or medicine cannot provide, to help patients and their families worry a little less and smile a little more.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
#TeamQueso
Year: Senior
Major: Psychology and history
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Listening to Alicia sing "Fight Song" during the 2016 KCC Talent Show, and seeing everyone in Fetzer cry and cheer their hearts out.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
Carolina For the Kids represents a weight, no matter how light, being lifted off the shoulders of families that have to experience the unimaginable. All they can do is pray, worry, and hope. CFTK provides assistance in a manner that doctor or medicine cannot provide, to help patients and their families worry a little less and smile a little more.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
#TeamQueso
Annie Proctor, Morale & Recruitment
Year: Senior
Major: Media and journalism and public relations
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Sway time at the marathon in 2017. I was so proud of my committee, the organization, the dancers and the help we were able to give so many families.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
CFTK is help, hope and family. UNC students have so many varying skill sets and personalities and CFTK brings them together to benefit a great cause. The families and patients this organization helps are going through incredibly stressful times, emotionally and financially. Anything we can do to help lift a little bit of the burden they feel is worth it. The students I have worked with in this organization are kind, passionate people and I feel blessed to have met them.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
#TeamQueso all the way.
Year: Senior
Major: Media and journalism and public relations
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Sway time at the marathon in 2017. I was so proud of my committee, the organization, the dancers and the help we were able to give so many families.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
CFTK is help, hope and family. UNC students have so many varying skill sets and personalities and CFTK brings them together to benefit a great cause. The families and patients this organization helps are going through incredibly stressful times, emotionally and financially. Anything we can do to help lift a little bit of the burden they feel is worth it. The students I have worked with in this organization are kind, passionate people and I feel blessed to have met them.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
#TeamQueso all the way.
Gabriel Timotei, Technology
Year: Junior
Major: Computer science and a math minor
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
When we raise up the total at the end of the marathon!
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
CFTK was the first organization that I joined here on campus and it has taken me in as one of their own. I really connect with the cause and I love being able to use my other passions in order to help the cause. CFTK is a way for me to help out the community around me and to see how we can positively impact those who need help the most.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
#TeamQueso4Ever
Year: Junior
Major: Computer science and a math minor
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
When we raise up the total at the end of the marathon!
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
CFTK was the first organization that I joined here on campus and it has taken me in as one of their own. I really connect with the cause and I love being able to use my other passions in order to help the cause. CFTK is a way for me to help out the community around me and to see how we can positively impact those who need help the most.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
#TeamQueso4Ever
Katie Carter, Community Outreach
Year: Senior
Major: Sports administration and dramatic arts
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Performing at the 2017 Dance marathon and having my entire committee standing in the front row to cheer me on.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
Carolina For The Kids means Family to me. I know that's kind of corny, but it's true. A family is someone who is there for you, in any way you might need them to be. As an organization, we are there for the families of the UNC Hospitals, not just the patients, which I think is crucial. I have been fortunate enough to not have any immediate family members be sick or injured, but from hearing other's stories, I know it puts a lot of pressure and strain on the family as a whole. We come together to help those families and in itself we actually become a second family of those patients. The connections and friends I have made have helped solidify the feeling of family even more.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
TEAM GUAC
Year: Senior
Major: Sports administration and dramatic arts
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Performing at the 2017 Dance marathon and having my entire committee standing in the front row to cheer me on.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
Carolina For The Kids means Family to me. I know that's kind of corny, but it's true. A family is someone who is there for you, in any way you might need them to be. As an organization, we are there for the families of the UNC Hospitals, not just the patients, which I think is crucial. I have been fortunate enough to not have any immediate family members be sick or injured, but from hearing other's stories, I know it puts a lot of pressure and strain on the family as a whole. We come together to help those families and in itself we actually become a second family of those patients. The connections and friends I have made have helped solidify the feeling of family even more.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
TEAM GUAC
Megan Mathes, Campus Fundraising
Year: Senior
Major: Exercise and sport science
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Getting to deliver food to parents in the hospital during Parent's Night Out.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
CFTK is my home away from home. I have been a part of this organization since my freshman year and it has become one of my favorite parts of Carolina. I am thankful that I get to be a part of a group that puts others before themselves year in and year out. Meeting some of the patients and families that our organization helps has allowed me to see how even the smallest gesture can leave a huge impact and has impacted me just as much as it has those families.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
Undecided.
Year: Senior
Major: Exercise and sport science
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Getting to deliver food to parents in the hospital during Parent's Night Out.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
CFTK is my home away from home. I have been a part of this organization since my freshman year and it has become one of my favorite parts of Carolina. I am thankful that I get to be a part of a group that puts others before themselves year in and year out. Meeting some of the patients and families that our organization helps has allowed me to see how even the smallest gesture can leave a huge impact and has impacted me just as much as it has those families.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
Undecided.
Sydney Gilder, Sponsorship & Development
Year: Senior
Major: Management and society and economics
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Jake singing the alma mater.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
Carolina For The Kids is more than just an amazing cause, it is a family. Making an impact on people's lives while being surrounded by friends that are all working towards the same goal is a great feeling. CFTK has introduced me to so many kind-hearted, dedicated, and all-around amazing people and I could not be more thankful. I feel lucky to have met some of the greatest people to share awesome memories and experiences with, all while doing so much good for the patients and families of UNC Children's.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
#TeamQueso
Year: Senior
Major: Management and society and economics
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Jake singing the alma mater.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
Carolina For The Kids is more than just an amazing cause, it is a family. Making an impact on people's lives while being surrounded by friends that are all working towards the same goal is a great feeling. CFTK has introduced me to so many kind-hearted, dedicated, and all-around amazing people and I could not be more thankful. I feel lucky to have met some of the greatest people to share awesome memories and experiences with, all while doing so much good for the patients and families of UNC Children's.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
#TeamQueso
Dara Burg, Publicity
Year: Senior
Major: Advertising and women’s and gender studies
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Volunteering at Parent's Night Out and getting to deliver food to families in the hospitals.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
I have been volunteering with CFTK for all four years of my college experience. I keep coming back because of the amazing, passionate people that are a part of this organization and because I can see, every day, the incredible impact that we have on the patients and families at UNC hospitals. CFTK helps to bring light and joy to the patients and families of UNC Children's and that positivity spreads to everything CFTK touches.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
Undecided.
Year: Senior
Major: Advertising and women’s and gender studies
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Volunteering at Parent's Night Out and getting to deliver food to families in the hospitals.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
I have been volunteering with CFTK for all four years of my college experience. I keep coming back because of the amazing, passionate people that are a part of this organization and because I can see, every day, the incredible impact that we have on the patients and families at UNC hospitals. CFTK helps to bring light and joy to the patients and families of UNC Children's and that positivity spreads to everything CFTK touches.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
Undecided.
Haley Nusser, Hospital & Family Relations
Year: Senior
Major: Global studies
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Playing with one of the KCC's, William in the Playroom my freshman year.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
CFTK has been such an incredible organization to be a part of throughout all four years of my college experience. Through volunteering at PNO and the Playroom, myself along with other college students have been able to help the lives of families staying at UNC Children's. To me, CFTK means relieving some of the difficulty of a child's illness by providing parents with both emotional and financial support, and helping children take their minds off of their illness.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
#TeamQueso
Year: Senior
Major: Global studies
What is your favorite Carolina For The Kids moment?
Playing with one of the KCC's, William in the Playroom my freshman year.
What does Carolina For The Kids mean to you?
CFTK has been such an incredible organization to be a part of throughout all four years of my college experience. Through volunteering at PNO and the Playroom, myself along with other college students have been able to help the lives of families staying at UNC Children's. To me, CFTK means relieving some of the difficulty of a child's illness by providing parents with both emotional and financial support, and helping children take their minds off of their illness.
#TeamQueso or #TeamGuac?
#TeamQueso