Unless you live in a cave, you’ve probably heard of D.E.S.K., the annual community service project in which volunteers paint desks for local elementary school kids. Obviously, a popular event like this doesn’t just plan itself. I had a chance to sit down with D.E.S.K. powerhouses Kate Blackburn and Ashley Kogutkiewicz to talk about what actually goes into planning the event, as well as what their personal experiences have been with planning, working, and running the event themselves.
As I walked into the room to begin my interview with Kate and Ashley, the D.E.S.K. committee was just finishing up their weekly meeting. As I stood at the door like a fly on the wall, I could feel the energy and enthusiasm of the people who filled the room. I continued to observe, as nearly thirty members conversed and chatted about the logistics of the upcoming event. There, in the back of the room at an elongated table, Kate and Ashley sat side by side. Despite the many people swarming them with questions and concerns, they seemed to remain cool, calm and collected. Once everyone had filed out of the room and I had the chance to sit down and chat with Kate and Ashley, I could sense their clear dedication to D.E.S.K. through their enthusiastic and eager responses.
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Both girls have a long-standing involvement with the event. Kate tells us, “I started working in D.E.S.K. as a freshman. Sophomore year I was on the committee, and then I was a committee head my junior and senior year!”
Ashley’s involvement is just as impressive. “I started my sophomore year.I was on the fundraising and sponsorship committee that year and then became a committee chair my junior year,” she tells us.
Such strong dedication obviously comes from a passionate place. Kate describes being instantly drawn to the organization. “I’ve always worked with kids, so when I heard about it freshman year, I just thought it was a great way to get involved and do something meaningful for the children of Winston-Salem,” she says.
Ashley echoes Kate’s sentiment.“I love kids. Even though I’m a business major, I’ve always loved education and have always thought about being a teacher. I also thought it was a great way to get involved on campus.”
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When asked about the most rewarding parts of the planning process, neither Kate nor Ashley hesitated in sharing what makes D.E.S.K. such a worthwhile and fulfilling experience. Both girls agreed that the most satisfying part of being involved is when the kids come to help paint and pick up the desks on the day of the event.
“When the kids come to pick up the desks they are so excited. Some of them get really shy and quiet and hide behind their parents, but you can see that they completely love it,” Ashley says.
Kate adds that the kids get to help paint and usually end up, “[Getting] finger paint everywhere!” All mess aside, “You can tell how much they love having a desk of their own and a place to study, as well as getting to meet Wake Forest students and having great role models at a collegiate level,” she continues.
I’d say it’s most definitely worth the finger painting mess!Especially with such creative results. Kate shares that this year, “[she saw] Spiderman desks and a couple Hello Kitties. Hello Kitty is pretty constant!”
Ashley chimes in enthusiastically, “There are a lot of princesses and Toy Story. There’s also a lot of cartoony and Disney-type characters!”
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Of course, we have to ask the girls what their desk would be!
“My favorite color has always been yellow, so I probably would have wanted my desk painted yellow. I would have wanted a ballerina on there too, because I took ballet lessons and I thought I was a really good dancer,” says Kate.
Super-girly Ashley describes her ideal desk, “I would have wanted a pink desk with really bright colors, princess-type things, and sparkly too! I would have definitely wanted that when I was younger”.
Besides being involved with D.E.S.K., both Kate and Ashley are incredibly active members within the Wake Forest community. While Kate served our very own PR director of Her Campus – Wake Forest for a couple of semesters, Ashley has been involved with Project Pumpkin, and also spends some of her time volunteering at different schools.
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Kate and Ashley are also members of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and enjoy spending time with their friends, shopping, reading, going out to dinner, and going on runs.
Kate and Ashley’s dedication to D.E.S.K. is undeniable, and most certainly commendable. Whether it be organizing meetings, painting desks, volunteering at schools, or just reading the entire Hunger Games trilogy in three days (quite an accomplishment!), Kate and Ashley are taking the Wake Forest community by storm…one desk at a time!
*Photography by Kendall Stempel