Her day planner would make your head spin.

Community service projects, two- hour days, Associated Students, Inc. meetings, two student activities jobs, various committee functions, sorority obligations, a boyfriend?all in addition to a full academic schedule.

And ASI Community Service Coordinator Tricia Randall does not intend to slow down anytime soon.

The California State University system recently honored the 22-year-old senior with the “Students That Are Recognized for Service,” or STARS, award for her outstanding community involvement.

“I was really taken aback by the whole thing,” Randall said. “It was completely unexpected.”

The communication studies major was nominated by administrators in the Student Affairs Department, who later voted unanimously that she receive the award.

Randall traveled to Long Beach to receive her award from CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed, where she, along with 21 students from other CSUs throughout the state were honored for their participation in and promotion of community service programs.

The Santa Cruz native began working for the University in July of 1999, and has since chaired 10 blood drives, lead five community service days and placed approximately 350 students with 15 non-profit organizations.

“The blood drives took the most out of me, yet they have been the most rewarding,” she said. “I?m especially proud of our Guinness Blood Drive this last year because we were able to save so many lives.”

The Guinness Blood Drive was a 24-hour drive, bringing in approximately 2,500 donors.

Randall says her only disappointment was that she was unable to donate herself.

“I woke up with pink eye the day of the drive,” she said. “It was terrible because I was too sick to donate and I love eating the refreshments.”

Organizing Community Service Days is Randall?s way of getting students who may have never participated in community service involved in what she says is her “passion.”

Two to three hundred students and volunteers travel to 15 non-profit organizations that need volunteers. Students are treated to breakfast, then split up into carpool groups and drive to one of the designated sites.

Once students have toured the facility, they provide four hours of community service under the supervision of a site director and head of the establishment.

“I love Community Service Day,” Randall said. “It?s a chance to see so much good being done by students at the university level.”Besides her struggle to get enough sleep, Randall says her biggest challenge is earning the trust and support of the ASI board.

“Because the board changes every year, it?s tough to convince them to back certain things,” she said. “You really have to earn their trust by showing them what you can do first.”

Randall?s other extra curricular activities include being a part of the alcohol policy review committee, heading the ?Hornet Welcome,? a student life orientation for incoming freshmen and other special school events and job fairs.

“I just have to be doing a lot,” Randall said. “I?m one of those crazy people.”

Growing up, Randall was involved in Camp Fire Girls, American Red Cross fundraisers and Key Club activities.

“I remember sitting on the street corner in fifth grade and campaigning for Measure K,” she said.

In high school, Randall began to take on more responsibilities. Her calendar consisted of cheerleading practices, holding a student office and juggling editor roles on both her school newspaper and yearbook.

As graduation approaches, Randall said she has not made any concrete plans for the future, but is certain community service will continue to be a part of her life.

“Community service is such an incredible opportunity to help the less fortunate,” she said.

Randall?s last scheduled event is a blood drive on April 30th ? May 1. The drive will be held in the University Ballroom from 9 a.m.?4 p.m. For more information, contact Tricia Randall at 278-6784.

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