Recently, five members from UMassBoston’s Golden Key Chapter traveled to Chicago, Illinois to participate in the 2003 Golden Key International Convention, “Passport to the World.” From July 31 to August 3, UMB Golden Key members Walter Martinez (President), Claudia Wiggins (Treasurer), Christine DePalma (Secretary), Esther Smith (outgoing President), Sindhura Sunkara (outgoing Secretary) and the chapter’s advisor, Anita Miller adventured to the windy city to participate and take advantage of the many opportunities at the convention to learn and grow personally and for the chapter.

A variety of workshops were offered including information on leadership training, career development, chapter networking, and community service. To kick off the convention, delegates attended a cultural expo featuring the seven countries in the world represented at this year’s convention and had the chance to learn about their unique cultures. A career expo was another highlight of the weekend, featuring many of the major sponsors of the convention, such as Boeing, Ford, MBNA, The New York Times, and General Mills. UMB students also had to chance to visit a community service expo which highlighted activities and programs from Golden Key chapters from around the world. While at the convention, delegates from UMB met with other chapters from the US East Coast Division to discuss chapter standards.

UMB delegates were also privileged to hear keynote speaker, Nando Parrado address the crowd of over 1,000 Golden Key members from around the world at the closing banquet. Parrado, a rugby player, was one of 16 people who survived a brutal plane crash into the Andes Mountains thirty years ago. The crash killed his mother, left his sister near dying, and killed many of his fellow teammates. Parrado’s story has been documented in the book Alive (Piers Paul Read) and was produced as a film of the same name. Through speaking and video clips, Parrado recounted how courage, teamwork, and determination helped him to survive his 72-day ordeal in the Andes Mountains following the crash. His tale of survival was almost unbelievable and certainly amazing. Parrado, however, does not consider himself to be a hero. He told the audience that he did not learn how to survive but rather learned how to love. With passion, he told the audience the importance of telling people how one feels about them because one never knows what will happen in life. His survival story and philosophy on life and love were deeply touching and extremely moving.

UMass Boston did not leave the convention empty handed. Besides coming back from the convention with new knowledge, ideas, and a sense of inspiration, the chapter received an Honorable Mention Key Chapter Award, which is given to outstanding chapters who have been successful throughout the year. UMass Boston was the only school in the Northeastern Region to receive an international award this year. UMB’s Golden Key Chapter was also one of only three chapters in the Northeast Region that successfully met all 13 of the chapter standards. Sister school, UMass Dartmouth, and Syracuse University also met them. UMB delegates had a lot to be proud about at this year’s convention but the awards and honors did not end there.

At the closing banquet, Anita Miller was recognized as International Advisor of the Year, one of the most honorable and coveted awards at the convention. Miller, who has been the chapter’s advisor since 1998, gracefully accepted this well-deserved honor on stage in front of a standing audience.

Delegates from UMass Boston who attended the convention plan to share and use the skills and knowledge that they have learned from the experience in the coming academic year to benefit the UMB Chapter and to help them achieve personal and academic goals. They are also looking forward to next year’s convention in Atlanta, Georgia.

For more general information about Golden Key, check out their website at www.goldenkey.umb.edu. Direct any specific questions about Golden Key to Chapter President Walter Martinez at [email protected].

Christine A. DePalma is a member of the UMass Boston Golden Key Society.