Appalachian State senior Amanda Moore received the 2013 John H. Barnhill Civic Trailblazer Award from North Carolina Campus Compact based on her extensive social and global justice work and outreach.
Moore was recognized for numerous achievements as a social justice advocate, including starting Appalachian State University’s Amnesty International and International Justice Mission chapters, as well as creating a Social Justice Week.
“It inspires me to see students who care and are passionate about these issues,” Moore said. “I wanted to show that students cared.
Moore has traveled to or studied abroad in 11 different countries since she started her studies at Appalachian and describes herself as a global citizen.
“I feel that I’m not just an American but I have an obligation to society, to mankind, to humanity as a whole,” Moore said. “I am part of a bigger group, a bigger society. I am part of human existence and I want to do the most I can to benefit my fellow people.”
Moore said she believes the only way people can really understand issues is if they see and experience them firsthand.
“Get out there and be engaged,” Moore said. “Learn about the people, not just the numbers.”
Moore was further inspired to help coordinate a proposed Center for Social Justice and Human Rights with the help of professors and peers.
“I try to incorporate everyone’s opinions and help them find their voice,” Moore said. “There are issues that very different-minded people can come together on.”
Moore said she is humbled by the interactions she has with others and that despite being a role model for many, she is inspired by professors, faculty and students every day.
“These people have truly made me who I am and enlightened me,” Moore said.
Clark Maddux is Appalachian’s director of civic engagement and someone that Moore considers to be a personal mentor. Maddux said Moore has a strong sense of moral sensibility.
“Amanda, simply, is who she is, and that is that rare person who is as ethically sound as she is efficient in action,” Maddux said.
Christina Fasanello is the vice president of the Appalachian’s Amnesty International and has worked closely with Moore for almost two years. She will take over her role as president of the club next semester after Moore graduates.
“She pushed me really hard to do the best that I possibly could regardless of the obstacles that I was facing,” Fasanello said. “She’s serving as my role model and someone that I look up to. I see so much potential in Amanda and I think she’s going to do amazing things.”
Appalachian’s Amnesty International chapter recently attended a Southern Regional Conference, where Moore presented and was approached about a field organizer position for the national Amnesty International organization.
Moore said she has applied for the position and is still waiting to hear back. She said if it doesn’t work out she will attend graduate school and plans on continuing her work with international relations and human rights advocacy. Moore will graduate in December with a double major in global studies and public relations.
Moore said her hope is that during her time at Appalachian, she has had an impact on students in a way that changes their perspective and opens their eyes to issues and topics on which they wouldn’t otherwise be educated.
“I hope that I’ve inspired [people] in a way that they know they can change the world,” Moore said. “I want to show [people] that [they should] never stop growing and challenging themselves.”
Story: LANEY RUCKSTUHL, Intern News Reporter