Sacred Heart University ranks first in "ONE Campus Challenge", overall in the nation.

The school community alone has devoted a large amount of time and effort towards awareness and expenditure of the campaign to eliminate global poverty and AIDS.

"So many people have come to support from freshmen to seniors," said Student Body President, Matt Telvi. "It's the first time the whole university came together."

Sacred Heart joined the "ONE Campaign" in October of 2007. The Campaign decided this school year to have colleges and universities around the United States contribute to the organizations goal.

"It's a good cause, very effective," said Sacred Heart ONE Campus Leader, Mike Fazzino.

According to the "ONE Campus Challenge Campaign," there is a point system in which schools perform different tasks. The point value differs based on the significance of the task.

Sacred Heart united with over 600 schools across the United States. "ONE" strives to "make poverty history."

"ONE" has over 150 non-profit organizations that are involved worldwide. This is a large growth from the original ten that joined in 2004 to start awareness.

The organization is growing and helping third-world countries all over diminish poverty.

"Very community service oriented," said Telvi.

One of the tasks the Sacred Heart students chose to do, as well as other schools, was to call each of the Presidential candidates and asked them to film a video on YouTube.com raising awareness of poverty.

Another activity was World AIDS Day on Dec. 1. Sacred Heart "ONE" members went to the Semi-formal and raised awareness at this event.

The Pioneers rose very fast in only four weeks to the number one spot in the rankings.

"It shows the power we really have," said Telvi.

"We've reached a great number of students," said Fazzino. "I feel like we can get a ton more involved and spread it throughout the whole campus."

Sacred Heart currently has over 400,000 points and 719 recruits. The "ONE" website, one.org/campus/, shows the rankings which are updated constantly. At the end of the semester the points will be counted and the top ten schools will receive a $1,000 grant to go towards a community that needs the money to help lessen poverty.

Sacred Heart chose the greater Bridgeport area to donate the money.

"If not, the, one of the poorest areas in Connecticut'" said Fazzino. "Fairfield's the richest; it's disturbing to see the difference."

According to Vide President of Sacred Heart ONE campaign, Amanda Francini, Sacred Heart has the ability to rise up as one, work towards abolishing poverty, and make an impact right in our own community.

"SHU is making such an impact already that I have no doubt that our spark will spread and motivate others to take a stand as well," said Francini.

This is something that has grown significantly.

"If you can put your mind to it, you can do it," said Sacred Heart ONE Advisor, Sean Heffron. "We're showing what can be done."

Fazzino heard about this campaign and asked others to help him.

"I was confident it was well received," said Fazzino. "I was impressed how the Sacred Heart student body stepped up to the issue."

Fazzino went to a forum in Washington D.C. called the Power 100 Summit. The top one-hundred campus leaders were invited to this conference for three days and heard from a variety of people discussing the significant importance of fighting poverty and AIDS all over the world.

"Big schools have up to ten members when Sacred Heart has over one-hundred," said Fazzino.

The student body has come together to contribute to this global issue.

"The more people who are aware will help make this grow," said sophomore Lisa Moffett. "It hits close to home, so it's a great cause to focus on."

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