Photo taken at the UW Anthropology Museum in the Vore Buffalo Jump exhibit.
Why UW?
It is close enough to Encampment that I can go home if I need/want to, but it's far enough away that I don't have to see my family all the time! The Hathaway was probably the biggest reason I stayed in Wyoming though, it is really too much money to pass up and UW has a great Anthropology program so I knew it was a sign I was supposed to be here.
What surprised you when you first arrived at UW?
This is going to sound terrible because I've lived in Wyoming all my life and been to Laramie and on campus many a time, but I was really surprised at how gorgeous our campus is and how many people we actually have attending UW.
What do you do in your free time?
I do a lot of things! I'm involved in RHA, and NRHH (National Residence Halls Honorary), I play intramural and club volleyball, and I love just hanging out with my friends and partaking in all of the awesome activities that UW and Laramie have to offer.
From what campus organization have you gained the most?
The Residence Halls Association (RHA); I started off in my Hall Senate (Downey!) and I decided to bid for a position on the RHA Executive Board of officers, I got the position and now I'm the Administrative Officer for the organization. They've given me a lot of leadership experience, I've met so many people from being a part of RHA, and I'm experiencing a part of college that a lot of people don't get to experience, which is being part of the Laramie community and being a part of the UW community.
How would your friends describe you?
My friends would most likely describe me as outgoing, a little OCD, optimistic, crazy busy and just willing to try new things and have fun doing so!
What is your favorite place on campus?
This is a tough one to call, because our campus is gorgeous and there are a lot of great places to hang out, but I really think my favorite place on campus would have to be the large park on Ivinson, next to Hoyt Hall, Old Main and the Williams Conservatory. It is so beautiful during the summer and the spring, and when it is covered in snow... holy smokes it looks like it came right from a calendar! It is my favorite place on campus because it gives you a place to just relax and hang out, that is still on campus but not right in the middle of everything.
What advice would you give to a new student at UW?
I would tell new students to get involved as cliché as that sounds. It has really helped me as a student and as a person, and I feel like you need to be involved in something on your campus to really get the full college experience. You don't learn life lessons sitting in a classroom, which means you're not getting your full money's worth if you just attend class. You need to become a part of the UW campus to really get all that you can out of college.
What was your favorite UW Athletic memory?
I'm going to say it would be from this year, just getting the opportunity to go into the new Wildcatter Stadium seats because I highly doubt that once they are officially open students will be allowed to just prance through there! It was literally mind blowing to see how much work has been put into our football program and our stadium, and I really hope it will pay off!
How has your UW experience changed you?
So far, being at the University of Wyoming has really changed me as far as how I look at the world. I like to think I'm more mature, and I also know that being here has already challenged me to think about things I normally wouldn't have thought about in high school. The professors here do a great job at challenging you to broaden your mind, and the people here give you a chance to do so. I've also developed more leadership skills in my year and some odd months of being at UW, it's great to be a sophomore and be on the Executive Board of an organization that really is the voice of the residents in the halls.
Do you have a photo that sums up your UW experience?
Yes, I do actually. It is a picture that was taken literally yesterday (September 1, 2010)! I'm standing in my towel, outside of Hill Hall, with one of my friends/RAs, Wil Chappel. I'm covered in instant mashed potatoes and whipped cream from the RHA event Wild & Crazy College Kids, and Orr Hall (where I live) is having a fire drill. I was going to take a shower when the fire alarm went off and I didn't have time to put any clothes on, so I was standing outside in my pink towel. It was probably one of the funniest things that has ever happened to me, and I think it sums up my experience here at UW as being just plain funny and spontaneous, and I'm sure there will be many other moments where I'm like "yeah, I go to school at UW and I love it!"
How do you get around Laramie?
For the most part I try to walk as much as I can, if that doesn't work because of snow I drive my car. :)
What is your favorite Laramie restaurant?
Hmm... that is a close call between McAllister's and Jeffry's Bistro.
What is your favorite outdoor activity?
Camping, hiking, fishing and anything else that you can do either at Vedauwoo or Snowy Range.
What is your greatest hidden talent?
I am actually really good at singing; I just get really nervous in front of large crowds!
What are you a fan of on Facebook?
The UW Stampede, The UW RHA, and some other really random things like Wyoming haha.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I've actually already been to both Italy and Greece, but I really want to go back because I didn't get to spend much time in either place! Also, I hope to study abroad in Germany one day, that would be pretty much amazing.
Ski or snowboard?
Snowboard even though I am awful at it, it's a blast!
What does campus sustainability mean to you?
Campus sustainability, in my mind, means the entire campus and all of the people on it (students, faculty and staff), working together to reduce the use of non-renewable resources, cut back on electricity uses, reduce our carbon output and do anything else that we can to move our campus ahead in the sustainability movement.
Hometown: Encampment, WY
Major: Anthropology
Year in School: Sophomore
