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University of Cincinnati students Laura Schlater, Emily Zerhusen and Erica Broadway are among the national elite of college-aged individuals looking to transform the country through service and community involvement.

On Oct. 6, the first National Student Day launched a movement of celebration and promotion of social responsibility on a total of 561 college campuses in North America.

Although more than 275 students submitted reflective essays for National Student Day, all three UC students placed in the top 10 — receiving an iPad 2 as a prize. Essays detailed the impact that service had on students.

While Laura Schlater often views her surroundings through the lens of her camera, it’s obvious she sees the world differently than others. Her essay, which won fourth place, gave a telling description of her nonprofit organization, Missionphotography, and how it brought her to Haiti.

Missionphotography provides services of photography, free of cost. Instead of charging a fee, Schlater asks her clients for donations to fund mission trips or charities of her preference. Missionphotography is her only source of being able to help, Schlater said.

“Service is a passion, mission trips are a dream and Missionphotography has made it all realistic and alive,” she said.
Missionphotography was born in the late summer months of 2010, just as Schlater was to begin college. Since then, she’s been capturing the milestones of the lives of local people in
her community.

“Every picture tells a story,” Schlater said. “The best photos
are the ones that don’t need that story explained.”
From engagements and senior portraits to infants and wedding albums, Schlater’s portfolio is growing at an extreme rate.

With each snap of her camera, she nears closer to the next time she can journey to Haiti. The impact of her first trip to the devastated country cannot be expressed adequately
Schlater said.

“It’s my driving force. I need to get back to Haiti and I need to do more,” she said. I’m striving to go back to the place where I left my heart.”

Traveling to Haiti isn’t her only goal for the future. Her upcoming endeavors include being accepted into graduate school, joining the peace corps and acquiring a solid job.

Studying in International Social Work with a minor in Photojournalism, Schlater is open to the possibility of working with international adoptions, aide, relief and even perhaps the rehabilitation of child soldiers.

“I want to advocate for people — to tell their story and to help them in the ways in which they need help,” she said. “Not only do I want to start a movement, but I want to finish one.”

As for being recognized for Missionphotography, Schlater was not only gratified by the attention but saw it more as an outlet for awareness.

“The best part about the award is that it spreads word of my work and my project to others. Hopefully, it will inspire others to go out and pursue their dreams,” Schlater said.

Like Schlater, Emily Zerhusen also found passion internationally while serving in Jamaica.

Zerhusen traveled to Savanna La Mar with the UC Newman Center and gained an appreciation for daily life in America.

Erica Broadway served locally with City Gospel Mission, a Over-the-Rhine-based organization that empowers men and women who suffer from poverty, homelessness and addiction. Through City Gospel Mission, the Step Forward Team training program educates participants on the importance of exercise and nutrition when recovering from addiction.

Broadway has advice for UC students looking to get involved.
“Find a passion and share it with others,” Broadway said. “Not only will it change the lives of others, but it will end up changing yours as well.”

Many clubs, like Serve Beyond Cincinnati and the Newman Center, offer volunteer opportunities throughout the year.
Schlater encourages students to ignore naysayers and live out your ambitions.

“If you have an idea or dream, pursue it,” Schlater said. “It will be scary and intimidating at first. I’ve made it happen for me, why
not you?”