This past Sunday, April 22, 2012, various students from the University of New Haven gathered to donate their time to Multiple

Sclerosis in Walk MS 2012. Hundreds of walkers and volunteers all filed into the cafeteria at West Haven High School early on Sunday morning, eager to get started. The volunteers got set up, and walker registration went off without a hitch.

The walk began at 9:00 a.m. leaving from the high school. Walkers could either walk a 2.5 mile route or a 5 mile route. As walkers returned, they were greeted with smiles and cheers from volunteers. Shortly after, the walkers were all given lunch and were able to enjoy several activities around the cafeteria. These activities included face painting, balloon art, dance performances, martial arts demonstrations, and information tables about the walk’s sponsors and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Walkers and volunteers came from all over the state of Connecticut, and included several of the universities organizations such as, Phi Sigma Sigma sorority, Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, Chi Kappa Rho sorority, Latin American Student Association, UNH Dance Team, and the hosting organization, Students Making an Impact on their Living Environment (S.M.I.L.E).

Walk MS is an event put on nationwide to raise record-breaking funds towards Multiple Sclerosis research. Walk MS is a yearly event put on by a combination of Students Making an Impact on their Living Environment (S.M.I.L.E) and the Connecticut chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Preparation for the walk began in October of 2011. Members of S.M.I.L.E were headed by executive board, Lauren Gizzi (President), Stephanie Storer (Vice-President), Spencer Poulin (Treasurer), and Marissa Feldman (Executive Assistant), to put on one of the best walks of all time. Their leadership and dedication from the general members of S.M.I.L.E. helped make this Walk MS better than ever. Way to go S.M.I.L.E!