The Student Judiciary Committee (SJC) has named Travis Lambert the Dr. Karl Stockhausen Student of the Semester.
The third semester student and Louisiana native received the award earlier this month after the SJC met to review and vote on submissions. Candidates must hold a cumulative GPA of 75 percent or higher, have a proven record of community service, and embody the traits of the late AUC graduate Dr. Karl Stockhausen.
“It’s an honor to have been chosen as the recipient of the award,” said Travis. “Throughout my life, my most fulfilling accomplishments have been serving the communities that I have been a part of. Being considered a worthy candidate is something that makes me truly proud.”
As part of his award, Travis will receive a $5,000 grant to spend on a community initiative of his choice. He has decided to use the funds to support educational programs and activities at IDEAL Preschool in Mary’s Fancy.
Travis has been involved with the IDEAL Preschool since the beginning of his medical education at AUC. He strongly believes that all children deserve and need educational opportunities—especially at a young age. Since preschool-age children are not required to go to school in Sint Maarten, organizations like IDEAL Preschool offer a pivotal space for them to learn, develop critical thinking skills, and explore their creativity. Their early stimulation and educational daycare programs are particularly beneficial for children ages 0 to 4.
Travis’s involvement with IDEAL Preschool intensified after Hurricane Irma. In learning that the school suffered significant damage, he helped to fundraise for various repairs and organized cleanup events upon AUC’s return in January. During AUC’s Community Action Day in February, Travis and several other medical students helped to restore the school’s backyard and built a new sensory space and garden.
Students repair IDEAL Preschool's backyard play area during AUC's Community Action Day.
Now, with the money from his award grant, Travis hopes to expand IDEAL Preschool’s outdoor space and increase its capacity. Part of that plan includes purchasing outdoor rubber mats to cover the concrete floors where children currently play and create a safer learning environment for both teachers and students. He is also working on a way to share IDEAL's curriculum and best practices with other local programs.
“Travis’s dedication to this project and this part of the community is very evident,” said Preety Mahal, Public Relations Chair of the SJC. “We believe he will be an excellent representation of the characteristics of Dr. Karl Stockhausen.”
While Travis says there is no comparing himself to Dr. Karl Stockhausen, his desire to help others and his dream to serve indigenous communities abroad are clear similarities.
