Megan Stanley contributing writer
Editor’s Note: This article was completed as an assignment for a class in the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
Only a few things in this world have captured the hearts and minds of millions of people. The wizarding world of Harry Potter created by J.K. Rowling is one of those things.
Harry’s world has influenced children and adults alike for the past decade. The phenomenon started in 1998 and has grown in leaps and bounds over the last 13 years. The books inspired more than just the movies and billions of dollars worth of merchandise; they have created a generation of readers and influenced people to do things for the greater good.
Students on the K-State campus have been moved, too, by the magical world of Harry Potter. There is a worldwide organization called the Harry Potter Alliance that combines the love of Harry Potter with the desire to make the world a better place. The K-State chapter of the HPA is called “The Burrow” and they meet every other Sunday at 3 p.m. in the K-State Student Union.
Inspired by the words of Albus Dumbledore, this service organization is run by K-State students with the university and the community to “spread love and fight the Dark Arts in the real world,” according to the organization’s website.
Karin Westman, associate professor of English and sponsor of the HPA, said that the HPA promotes equality of race, gender and sexuality, as well as informing the public about genocide, global warming and poverty.
“Last spring HPA co-sponsored the annual Hallows and Horcruxes Ball: A Wizard Rock Concert for Literacy,” said Westman.
The event raised $1,700 for the literacy organization First Book.
“This semester we are working on setting up something to help libraries that lost their books due to Hurricane Irene. We are wanting to try a toy drive later in this semester as well,” said Dorothy Menefee, junior in natural resources and environmental science and co-president of The Burrow. “We use the enthusiasm that people have for books and movies that people love and direct it to causes that can help people.”
Currently, the group is still growing.
“We have a smaller circle of regular members, but a larger number on the Listserv,” Menefee said.
The next meeting will be Sunday, Oct. 9 at 2 p.m. in the Big 12 Room in the Union.
“We want to make the world a better place, and our mutual love for things like Harry Potter is a starting point from which we draw inspiration and can therefore expand,” said Heather Etelamaki, senior in English.
The Harry Potter Alliance chapter at K-State was started in spring 2010 by two graduate students in English who wanted to share their passion of Harry Potter with the entire K-State campus.
“We put our enthusiasm to good use, and I think it’s a wonderful community-building organization to be a part of,” said Etelamaki.
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