Monica Ray of East Peoria turned 21 years old this year, but she seems hard pressed to even find the spare time in her busy schedule to have celebrated.
Ray is now a sophomore at Bradley University and was recruited last January to join the American Red Cross board of directors.
Ray said the Red Cross came to East Peoria Community High School her junior year and she became involved with the “Rock N’ Roll Up Your Sleeves” blood drive and concert in its first year.
“They talked to us about getting the high school involved and have us run a lot of the events and help market it by getting people in the door. It’s been going on ever since,” Ray said.
Ray walked away with four scholarships at her graduation from EPCHS in 2008 and not long after, the Red Cross approached her to take on a more permanent role in the organization.
“I was asked to be on the board of directors as the Bradley liaison and obviously I wanted to do it and jumped at the chance,” Ray said.
Ray said part of her board member duties involve helping to make Bradley students more aware of the Red Cross and encouraging them to donate blood.
Ray belongs to Sigma Delta Tau sorority and serves as a junior panhellenic representative, which finds ways to market the sororities on campus.
Marketing and business management also happens to be Ray’s college major.
“College students are really an untapped resource and I’m trying to get the kids more involved with the work I do at Red Cross. I’m really focusing on getting my sorority sisters involved because we’re all very close friends,” Ray said.
In January 2010, Ray is helping organize a “War on 74” blood drive between Bradley and Illinois State University.
“Both of the campus marketing associations are helping with that and luckily, I belong to that as well. I’m hoping to get the Greek community and other students out there, along with alumni,” Ray said.
Since 2005, Ray has also worked two jobs — Rizzi’s on Sheridan in Peoria and Charlotte’s Creamery ice cream shack in Spring Bay — and babysits occasionally as well.
She also volunteers for East Peoria Rotary Club and has participated in Relay for Life of East Peoria for the past 10 years.
Ray also loves to sing — she was in chorus all four years of high school — and plays intramural sports through her sorority.
So how does Ray keep up with classes, organization commitments and balance her booked social calendar?
“It’s hard and sorority takes up a lot more time than I originally planned. It’s really just setting your priorities and deciding what you would rather go to or skip or volunteer for,” Ray said.
Life will not slow down in the years to come because Ray said she plans to run for an executive position within Sigma Delta Tau and hopes to get a marketing internship next year.
“I would love to land a good job somewhere and stay close to family and friends in the Peoria area. I hope to still be on the Red Cross board too,” Ray said.
Landing on her feet is another concern when Ray takes to the clouds for her favorite pastime of skydiving.
Ray, who is a member of the Bradley Sky Diving Club, said she started the ritual with a group of friends in high school.
She added while the Bradley club sends out e-mails to members and gives a list of jump dates for the future and the students can e-mail back with a confirmation and put down a deposit.
Ray said she has not been able to participate with the club members yet because it usually conflicts with sorority events.
“I absolutely love sky diving. It’s such a rush and I definitely want to save up money to do it again next spring. My same group from high school is already wanting to go again,” Ray said.
“The last time I jumped, I talked my mom into going. I know it’s kind of crazy,” she added with a laugh.
East Peoria, Ill. —
