Isabella DeArmitt
University of Missouri-St. LouisIsabella DeArmitt, a Public Policy Administration major in the Honors College, is an engaging student committed to service, working with organizations reaching those most in need. Bella’s positivity and enthusiasm for service is buoyed by her ability to plan and implement successful programs by bringing people together to accomplish the work. She currently holds positions as Service Chair for the Pierre Laclede Honors College Student Association as well as Vice-President for Service in the UMSL chapter of the Alpha Phi Omega service organization. She is also working to engage alumni in service efforts. Bella has already proven her potential for public leadership through successful volunteer projects, especially during an unprecedented time when navigating and adhering to socially distanced safety guidelines are a primary concern. When it comes to community service, she is never lacking ideas or willingness. In addition to helping foster community outreach at UMSL, Bella puts her knitting hobby to use with Kids Knitting it Forward, a nonprofit organization teaching children how to knit, providing hand-knitted items to those in need. Bella averages 750 hours per year for Kids Knitting It Forward, knitting a variety of items for local and national nonprofit organizations.
Personal Statement
I was raised on the mantras “do good” and “make it happen.” When I was in 5th-grade and came face-to-face with quality of life disparities, I followed this advice and organized a carnival to raise money for the Save the Children Foundation. The carnival continued for six years and raised thousands. Raising this money solidified my love for community development and all things altruistic. As a sophomore in college, I continue to devote time and energy to such projects. In October, I led a campaign of 20+ student volunteers in flyer distribution and donation collection. Our efforts resulted in 2,000+ in-kind donations for Operation Food Search, a local nonprofit organization helping families recover from the extreme hardships of COVID-19. The opportunity to serve as the UMSL Newman Civic Fellow would allow me the support and resources to continue engaging in community development. If elected, I’d love to partner with different local organizations through the year to serve the whole human: addressing basic needs from food insecurity to rent assistance while empowering and educating community members on avenues of support. My plans also expand past crisis assistance, including events connecting us virtually to focus on our mental health and resilience.