The Health, Equity, and Respect (HER) committee is one of the RIS committees that aims to destigmatize conversations about periods and provide accessible menstrual health products to those in need. This is my second year as part of this committee, and I currently serve as the advocacy lead. In this role, I design social media content and graphic posters for the group’s fundraisers and events. One of the key experiences I took part in this year was the Ringo-Ame fundraiser.

The Ringo-Ame fundraiser was a three-day event where we sold caramel-dipped apples, a treat famously seen in Japan. We wanted to offer something new and different from other clubs and committees at RIS. After some discussion, I pitched the idea of selling candied apples, and everyone agreed to use it for our fundraiser. I was in charge of designing the posters, and we held the fundraiser from November 4–6. Initially, I was nervous because I wasn’t sure how people would feel about candy apples—it’s not something commonly seen at other booths. But those doubts quickly faded as students and teachers eagerly visited our stand. This experience taught me the value of taking initiative and trusting my ideas, even if I have doubts.

Through this fundraiser, I also developed teamwork and communication skills. During my shift, we faced challenges with setup and reheating the caramel, which was stressful given the limited time before our shift ended. Fortunately, we were able to work efficiently as a team. When it came time to sell, we coordinated well—deciding who would take orders, manage payments, and handle logistics. This experience helped me understand the importance of clear communication and fast-paced teamwork.

The fundraiser also gave us a chance to engage with teachers and students about our committee’s mission. It showed me that even small actions, like running a booth, can raise awareness about menstrual health. Moving forward, I hope to apply what I’ve learned from this experience to future initiatives that support our goals.