Tyler Sanchez, Co-Founder

 

Class of 2010
College of Arts and Science
Intended Major: Business Management & Organizational Development
Hometown: Racine, WI

From an early age, Tyler has been engaged in various community service activities either through Boy Scouts or independently, often playing piano at nursing homes. In high school, he was highly involved in community service. In 2004, Tyler professionally recorded a CD of his own piano compositions which he sold to raise money for The United Way of Racine County and The American Kidney Fund. Tyler sold 1,000 CDs, raised almost $7,000 for the two charities, and was invited to perform at the American Kidney Fund's 8th Annual International Conference on Dialysis held at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. While trying to maintain a balance between academics, service and sports, Tyler was also captain of both varsity tennis and soccer teams, playing #1 singles and leading the soccer team to a second consecutive State Championship. In addition to graduating cum laude in high school, Tyler's scouting career also culminated at this time with the achievement of the rank of Eagle Scout.

For two of his three last summers, Tyler worked full-time as an intern at SC Johnson in various business departments. During his first year in college, Tyler became involved on the exec board of ScholarBowl, a campus-wide quiz bowl competition for charity, as well as worked with Junior Achievement and taught a class titled "The Economics of Staying in School" to at-risk 8th graders at a local middle school.

Last summer, through a non-profit organization (www.ve-global.org), Tyler spent two months in Santiago, Chile volunteering in an orphanage and filming a mini-video to be used for online marketing purposes.

Currently, Tyler is in the process of co-founding Connect-Now with two other Ingram Scholars. Connect-Now is a non-profit organization that will work with high school students who lack the resources or understanding to develop and execute service projects in their communities. Initially, Connect-Now will begin in Nashville but has plans to expand nationwide in the coming years.

 

 

Scott Krenitski, Co-Founder

 

Class of 2010
Peabody College
Major: English and Human Organization and Development
Minor: Music
Hometown: Towaco, NJ

Scott’s passion for serving started from a young age. At the age of 8, he founded a program called “Take a Treat”, which involved taking puzzles, books, and games to young children in hospitals to cheer them up. After entering this idea in a nation wide contest, he was given a $100,000 grant to implement his idea, as well as the opportunity to be interviewed on “Good Morning America”. This early experience certainly bolstered his passion, as his idea was implemented in hospitals across the country. In addition to continuing this project, Scott expanded his range of service activities in high school to include working at the local food bank, running music-oriented fundraisers, and starting the organization VOICE, which was created to raise awareness about international issues of social justice.

At Vanderbilt University, Scott is one of the Vice Presidents of Manna Project International, in addition to Co-Founding Connect-Now with Tyler and Lucas. Scott spent this past summer teaching in the rural highlands of Kenya, and looks to continue his passion for teaching and children this year in Nashville.

Although Scott is not sure what career he would like to pursue following his undergraduate years, he intends on pursuing a life in which he can address problems of injustice and inequality. His fervor for leadership is closely intertwined with his desire to serve others.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
- Winston Churchill

 

 

Lucas Hunt, Co-Founder

 

Class of 2010
College of Arts and Science
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Lawrenceburg, Tennessee

Community service is one of Lucas’s true passions. His most memorable high school experience was being a youth council member for the National Youth Summit, which allowed him to help plan a meeting in Washington, D.C., for students and youth leaders from across the nation. In high school, Lucas was also youth chairperson of Lawrence County’s American Cancer Society Relay for Life event. As a high school freshman, Lucas also implemented the Volunteer State Readers Program. This program enables high school volunteers to travel to the local elementary schools and read children's books to the students.

Also, Lucas has been involved with the Governor's Books from Birth Program since it began in his community. This Tennessee partnership between Dolly Parton and Governor Phil Bredesen provides each child in Tennessee under the age of five a free book a month until the child's fifth birthday.

While at Vanderbilt University, Lucas has been working with the Middle Tennessee office of Books from Birth at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. Lucas has also become involved with the Nashville Homeless Power Project, an organization that helps the homeless community in downtown Nashville. He is currently the Public Relations Chair for the Wesley/Canterbury Fellowship, the Methodist/Episcopal group on campus. Lucas enjoys working with an after-school mentoring program where he helps elementary children. Also Lucas just recently became involved with the initiative to help build the United States Public Service Academy, an academy that will train future leaders in public service. Lucas has experienced many blessings in his life and is thrilled to have the opportunity to serve others through the Ingram Scholars program.

 

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