Kayla Weimert

do what you love.

A common misconception among many new college freshmen is the idea that academics will completely consume their schedule. This is especially true among freshmen architecture and engineering majors (I would know, I’ve been there). I am here to explain the falsity of that concept.

Let me start with a disclaimer though: architecture and engineering (any discipline) are two high time-consuming and demanding majors. For architecture, studio will assign projects that require a generous amount of time outside of class hours and for engineering, assignments will require focus and hard work. I do not want to overwhelm or discourage any of the prospective architecture or engineering students, but I also do not want to mislead; I wanted to make sure I set up the full situation.

Now, back to my original point… I want to explain, and prove, it is possible to be an architecture student or an engineering student and still be involved around campus (in the corps of cadets or in extracurricular activities). You’re probably asking yourself how I will explain this to you, aren’t you? Well, I am going to share a couple stories, or well, I am going to, in a way, introduce you to a couple of my friends here at Norwich who are either an engineering student or an architecture student and are active members of the corps or sports teams, are leaders in clubs, and are, above all, top students academically and beyond.

First, a friend since freshmen year, an architecture major with an art minor, on top of being a member of the corps of cadets and the swim team. In our freshmen studio, first semester, our final project was a group project. To be honest, I hardly talked to her before that point, but since we were assigned to the same team that fateful day, she has been one of my best friends here. She was one of, I believe, 7 corps students in our studio of about 50 (one of two females, if I remember correctly). Being an architecture major is tough and even tougher, I would imagine, if you are in the corps: finishing projects late at night, after chow, and then getting up early the next morning for PT. Sleep is a rarity. Despite how tough it is, though, it is most definitely possible. On top of that, after freshmen year, she decided to apply for higher ranks in the corps, and join the swim team.

Second, another friend since freshmen year, she was my neighbor, well two dorm rooms down, but we saw each other quite often. Originally an environmental science major, she switched her major sophomore year to civil and environmental engineering (about the same time I decided to declare civil engineering as my second major). Since freshmen year, she has been a member of the basketball team, softball team, and volleyball team. She has been an active volunteer with ASCE (our student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers) and last year was inducted into the engineering honor societies, Tau Beta Pi and Chi Epsilon for her academic excellence. Senior year, on top of the demanding academic course load, she is serving as Vice-president of ASCE while playing volleyball.

While that’s only two friends, I am hoping that between their stories, and my own, you prospective students reading this can understand that it is possible to excel as a student and be involved in the things you truly enjoy. As one of my friends explained to the new engineering students during orientation week just about a month ago, it is good to have an outlet from academics, especially as an engineering student (and, I’d like to add, an architecture student). He is a member of the corps, an electrical and computer engineering student, and participates in extracurricular clubs. The way he described it: the corps acts as an outlet for academics, while academics and clubs acts as an outlet for the corps. Being involved is a way to stay sane, to prevent becoming overwhelmed.

However, I am not saying that it is not okay if you would like to focus solely on academics. I just want to disprove any theories that engineers and architects cannot have a social life, cannot be involved on campus, and cannot excel beyond the classroom.

“do what makes you happy and be done with all the rest.” - unknown

take Chances. make Mistakes. get Messy.

First two weeks down, only thirteen more to go…Okay, in all honesty, school and classes are not bad, in fact, things are pretty good right now. I, unlike most people, hate the first week of classes: reading the syllabus, figuring out what the professors expect of and from you, learning where your classes are, discovering the best available study time, etc. It’s a lot about figuring things out in order to set up a routine for the semester. Most people prefer the first week for that reason; the slow pace, the lack of a heavy work load and the easy material.

With the first week done though, things are starting to fall into place. Courses are setting up a routine. Clubs and activities are having meetings. Work is starting. Maybe that’s the real reason I don’t like the first week…my work study job usually does not start until the second week of classes, after I’ve established my schedule. Work study jobs are available in offices all over campus. Since freshmen year, I have worked in the Admissions Office at Norwich. I really enjoy the days I go into the office (which is more than what many students can say). Because of that, I would suggest to anyone who is work study eligible (which you will find out after you submit your FAFSA and receive your financial award packet) and has available time in their academic schedule to apply for a job somewhere on campus. Some jobs will even allow you time to work on assignments and homework. It is a good way to make some extra cash and make connections around campus.

That is something else...getting involved around campus. I think it is important to get to know people in the different offices. Find something you're interested, join a club sport, find a random club that relates to a hobby of yours. Most campus offer a variety of these. Here at Norwich, we have a long, long, long list of clubs and extracurriculars. In my time here, I've been a member of the Ballroom Dance Club, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Habitat for Humanity, AmeriCorps, Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and a few more I think. College is the time to experiment: take chances, make mistakes, discover new interests, create friendships. Just take the time you have in college to make the best of it. After all, these are supposed to be the best years of our lives.

Anyways, now, onto the happenings of little ol’ Northfield…Labor Day weekend has concluded and the image of small town USA has be restored. Only in small towns do you see Labor Day parades and festivals throughout the town that bring everyone out. The crowds lined the streets to watch the Norwich Corps of Cadets march and floats for local business stroll through the town square. Events like that happen all year. It’s amazing to think how just a year ago though, this could not happen; we were recovering from the destruction left behind by Hurricane Irene. That, too, however, brought our school and town together with a common purpose…to support our community and the people affected. While you may hear some students sometimes complain of the small-town-nothing-to-do feel of Northfield, there is something that you get here that you cannot get everywhere…tradition, community, camaraderie. And that goes for Norwich too...it's like a family here. You join a club, a sport, or you're a member of the Corps of Cadets, it does not matter, you will find you have a second family here.

"Take chances! Get messy! Make mistakes!"

Joanna Cole

Summer's Gone. Senior Year has Arrived.

Unfortunately a bit later than the others, I am here to introduce myself as a fourth year blogger. Yup, you guessed it that means I’m a senior here at Norwich University.

Born and raised in Southern Maryland, I ventured north to the mountainous land of Vermont in order to major in Architecture. Once here, I decided I wanted to challenge myself even more; therefore, I decided to become a double major in Architecture and Civil Engineering…two challenging, time-consuming, professional majors. I have definitely made the best of every late night, all night, early morning that has been asked of me since I arrived at Norwich. There is one thing that allows Norwich University to stand out among others: not only does the university itself presents its challenges (two lifestyles on one campus), but when you’re here, you challenge yourself.

While I am a double major, this semester, I am focusing mainly on my engineering degree (for many reasons that I won’t bore you with at the moment), so you won’t be reading much about adventures in studio like I’ve discussed so often in previous years; although, I will be visiting my friends there quite often, if just to deliver treats to keep them motivated. I will have my senior design project for engineering though, so I am sure I will update about that.

The summer leading up to my senior year was certainly a productive one. From Vermont on my last final, I flew to Maryland, where I met up with some friends and family for a couple of days. From Maryland, I drove to Florida (18+ hours in a car) to see my parents and the rest of my family for just over a week. From Florida, I drove out to Texas (another 18 hours) with a detour in New Orleans for a research fellowship with Texas A&M University and the Texas Transportation Institute for about two months. From Texas, I went back to Florida for a final two weeks before I flew back to Vermont.

My research fellowship had me working with researchers in the Texas Transportation Institute office at Texas A&M on a project relating to lighting in nighttime construction zones along highways. Although I am now fairly certain I do not want to pursue transportation engineering, this summer internship gave me great insight and experience in the professional engineering world. It required me to work both my written and verbal communication skills, working in the office and in the field alongside experienced researchers. I am glad I took the opportunity in Texas, despite reservations I had at the beginning of the summer before the program began. Texas was new to me; transportation engineering was new to me. I had no idea what to expect, but it turned out great. I made several professional connects and met a couple great new friends whom I’ll be excited to see whenever I make it back to Texas, or I can persuade them to visit Vermont…

Well, back to first week preparations. I will do my best to update on all the exciting things that happen here and I will provide any advice and suggestions I can from my experience over the past couple of years. 

"How did it get so late so soon?
It's night before it's afternoon.
December is here before it's June.
My goodness how the time has flewn.
How did it get so late so soon?"

Dr. Seuss

Make Better Mistakes Tomorrow

Ever play with a deck of cards when you were younger; go fish, old maid, crazy eights? Or even in recent years; blackjack, poker, spades? Can you figure out the one thing all these games have in common?

…

They all involve choice.

…

Face it: choices have surrounded you your entire life. What card should I keep? Which cards should I release? Which toy do I want to play with? What should I build with my blocks? What clothes should I buy? Which shoes go better with this outfit? What do I want to eat today?

Accept it: choices and decision making will forever be a part of your life. Where you live; who you marry, if you even get married; what career positions you apply for.

Realize it: you are currently in the midst of one of the most important choices of your life…which college you will be attending in the coming years.

…

Choosing the college with the best fit is a crucial decision, and it definitely takes time. Not everyone is fortunate enough to fall in love with a school off initial research. It takes communication with the school (the students too, if possible), curiosity, and initiative to truly figure out which school you believe you will be most happy at and satisfied with to spend the next four-ish years of your life.

The best way to determine if a school is the “right fit”, in my opinion, would be to visit a couple of your top schools and compare. Experiencing the campus – the energy, the activity, the interaction between professors and students, the atmosphere – will guarantee you the most genuine opinion of the college. You will not only have other people’s accounts of the college, but you will be able to establish your own opinion. However, I understand, sometimes visiting a college campus is not always possible due to distance, finances and/or classes.

If college visits aren’t necessarily in the cards for you, I would suggest completely fueling your curiosity. Talk to as many people as possible from the universities and colleges (admissions, as well as students); ask any question you have – no matter how outrageous it may seem. You want to be sure you have all the knowledge you can obtain before you make a decision, that way, you can make a fully educated and supported decision.

It’s that time of year again, when high school seniors are in the process of trying to make their choice. That’s the reasoning behind my above suggestions.

And since I have just gone on and on about the college choosing process, I should explain how I made my decision to attend Norwich University… The summer before my senior year kicked off, I was fully in college search mode; at that point, I was so sure I wanted to major in Architecture that I didn’t even consider a college if I wasn’t given the option. That’s how I came across Norwich. Flipping through a magazine that I had recently received on Private Colleges and Universities, I looked at every college’s list of offered programs; if Architecture was not on the list, I turned the page. The pattern continued until I turned the back cover. In the entire magazine, there were only two schools, Norwich and some school I’ve forgotten about now. Reading the article, I was instantly attracted to Norwich and the variety it offered; thus began my journey into the research of Norwich. After visiting the campus for a second time, I had fallen in love with what the school had to offer me, but especially the atmosphere. It was something unlike any other campus. At that point, I had made my decision: if I were accepted, Norwich was the school for me. A couple weeks later, I got the news, I was accepted. And so, preparation for Norwich began.

I hope the advice helps you out in some way. Any questions, feel free to ask; I would be glad to help.

“Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

MidSemester

Vermont is a middle of nowhere kind of state where there is nothing to do…That’s the thought of many people some days. What those people fail to realize is that there is actually quite a bit to do, especially this time of year. It just requires you to find it, and to be interested in it.

After last weekend, I am convinced there are a variety of things to do, just have to give it a search. Friday night, I went to Burlington (about an hour north of campus) with a group of friends to hear one of my friend’s brother’s band play at this little café/restaurant. The Skinny Pancake proudly presented The Four Legged Faithful.

Saturdays lately have been filled with apple picking, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes. I have not yet done any of those things, but next weekend I will be. And I know plenty of others have already enjoyed those fall traditions.

While I am sure there are things to do on Sundays, mine are usually quite consistent…Football and studio. Raised in a football family, I cheered for 11 years, so I am in love with football. It is part of what makes fall, Fall. Football, cider, leaves, colors, crisp air, it makes the season for me. From Maryland, I am a dedicated Washington Redskins fan, along with my father. Every Sunday we’ll talk, either before or after they play, just to talk about the game and how things have been going in general. With such a busy schedule, it was easier to set aside a time for my Dad and me to talk each week. Since my freshmen year at Norwich, Sunday afternoons, we’ve talked about the ups and downs of daily life, me about Vermont, and him about the family back home. I always enjoy those talks, and hearing about everyone; it makes the distance seem not so long.

Today ends our mid-semester, which in reality is just an extended weekend, meaning we only have Friday off classes, but one day is better than none. I stayed in Northfield for the break, but most people went home, leaving campus, and town quite quiet. It was a pretty chill weekend for me, though, full of volunteer work, movies, friends and homework. I enjoyed the slower pace for a bit. Now, however, begins the countdown to Thanksgiving Break... In less than four weeks, I’ll be on that plane, on my way to Florida to see my family (well, most of it) and to see the new house. I am pretty excited for that break, but there is definitely a lot that still needs to happen before then… As the name of this weekend states, it is only mid-semester. In the upcoming couple weeks, there is registration for next semester’s courses, there are project deadlines, field trips, and on and on.

“Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out.” John Wooden

Don't Blink

I would like to start by apologizing. I am terribly sorry I have not written in quite a while… Last Wednesday, things in studio went from the pace of the tortoise to the pace of the hare, in less than an hour; so not only have I been trying to get a grasp on my studio work, I have been dealing with a handful of other things.

Recently, I have been working to get the Habitat for Humanity campus chapter, which I am the President of, up and running. While doing that, I am organizing the events for the Alternative Thanksgiving Break being offered to the students that cannot make it home, or the students interested in volunteering over Thanksgiving Break week. Trying to find service so you can make contact with people across Central Vermont using a Verizon cell phone in Northfield, VT is about as difficult as finding a four leaf clover: possible, just difficult, time consuming, and requires patience. In case you haven’t visited campus, you should be warned that Verizon cell service is not the greatest on the Norwich campus. For some people, like me, it’s okay. You learn where your phone gets service and where it doesn’t, but starting out, it seems as if all of Northfield is a dead zone. Most people switch their service during their freshmen year; I, however, am one of the few that decided not to switch, crossing my fingers hoping that Verizon will get a tower here soon! Until then, I have to make phone calls standing in certain spots, hardly moving, explaining to the other person why they can barely hear me. Despite the challenge with the phone, I am making progress with plans for Thanksgiving. As of now, we have service activities planned for at least two or three of the days, and we have the “day off” generally planned as well.

Well, now that you’ve learned about cell phone service on campus, I should probably focus on the more important things…academics. Like I said, studio has finally picked up and all of us third years are well on our way to designing fantastic buildings. The project of the semester is for each student to design a new Performing Arts Center for Montpelier, VT. The site is currently in construction (our designs are hypothetical anyways). We started with site analysis studies and with mission statements for what we hope the building will be. Once our mission statement was put into words, we had to develop it further into a visual mission statement; it could be anything from a collage, a sculpture, a model, a drawing, etc. It didn’t matter how we presented it, it just could not contain any words. Every Monday, starting last week, we will be having pin-ups in studio to present the progress made on our designs for the center. It is interesting to see how much a design can change in only a week; as opposed to only seeing a design at the beginning of the semester and the end for final presentations…

Speaking of final presentations, it is amazing how fast this semester is going by. Next weekend is mid-semester break, and most people will be going home; after that, a month until Thanksgiving Break. And then, just about another two weeks, and everyone will be heading off for Winter Break, counting down the days until they return in January… It almost doesn’t seem like the semester is halfway over, but the calendar proves me wrong.

The confusion with the time of the semester may be linkable to the weather right now. For the past couple weeks, despite all the rain, we have still had warm, sunny, summer-like days. And it wasn’t until just two weeks ago that the leaves started to change. Mother Nature is trying to trick everyone, so then she can surprise the state when the first snow falls in a week…maybe two. We have had the first frost of the season, and the temperatures have started to drop at night, but it definitely is not as drastic of weather as it usually is this time of year…

Well, I should be getting back to my studio work. I am currently sitting at my desk in Chaplin, looking out the window with the mountain in the background, quite distracting, and quite thoughtful at the same time.

"All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you." - Walt Disney

Love Like Crazy

Alumni Weekend at Norwich University…probably the most unique weekend to happen on a college campus. For an entire weekend, Alumni gather back to the Hill to reminisce about their time in college, and share their stories with the current Norwich students. And oh the stories they have… Yesterday, there was a lot going on for Alumni Weekend, including the Alumni Parade and luncheons for different societies. I had the pleasure of driving a golf cart around campus to provide rides for the Alumni that needed assistance, and while doing so, I enjoyed many stories and conversations about Norwich past. Three years ago, when I visited Norwich for the first time, my parents and I thought the golf carts driving visitors around campus was awesome. We never thought a university would go through the struggle; I guess when you consider all the hills and stairs of campus though, offering rides is a great way to accommodate and satisfy visitors. At that point in time, I never imagined myself to one day be driving people across campus in a Norwich golf cart…It was my first time driving a golf cart too. I cannot even tell you how many people asked how I got the job of driving a golf cart; for me, I was volunteering. By driving yesterday, I was earning service hours for my AmeriCorps commitment. Another hit for the weekend was the concert on Friday night. Norwich University got Lee Brice, singer of the hit song “Love Like Crazy,” to visit the small college town of Northfield, Vermont to perform a concert that was, in my opinion, a huge success. It was an amazing concert! The energy was high, the music was loud, and the crowd was enthused. I could not have imagined a better way to enjoy my Friday night. September was actually a big month here on the Norwich campus with Alumni Weekend having just passed, and Parent’s/Family Weekend being just before. Compared to the past two years, family weekend was quite relaxed this year. It was easy for them to get up here, but my Mom and Dad made it to NU to spend a couple of days with me. I took them to the football game on Saturday (Norwich football won!!); after, they took me grocery shopping since I was starting to run low on food. We had dinner in town before we went back to their hotel room where I played cards with my Dad. As I said before, it was a very relaxed weekend, which I was more than happy to enjoy a weekend like that. When my parents arrived Friday afternoon, they brought me a bushel of fresh picked apples from an orchard in Virginia! I was so excited when they showed them to me because that meant I was now able to make apple pie. The best benefit to living off campus, to having a house. I can bake! Whatever and whenever I want. Last weekend I made two apple pies, and today I made chocolate chip banana bread. My friends enjoy it just as much as I do because I’ll bring it into my classes so they can all get some. “The future…seems to me no unified dream, but a mince pie, long in the baking, never quite done.” – Edward Young

America, America, AmeriCorps

Just recently I realized that I could fill you in on the things that have been going on for me outside of the Academic world.

Two weekends ago was September 11, 2011. Ten years ago– a decade ago, half my lifetime ago – on that day, I was sitting in my fifth grade classroom at Mitchell Elementary School assuming it to be a day just like any other; however, as the day passed on, it slowly revealed itself as one that was all too unique. Unlike a normal day in the classroom, my teacher’s phone was ringing every other minute with a parent in the office ready to pick up and take the student home. It was not until I arrived home that afternoon that I realized what was going on… It was a day to be marked in history, a day that will never be forgotten, a day that has changed this country in ways never imagined.

In honor of all the men and women, Norwich performed their own tribute: an echo taps performed at 2200 (10:00 PM) on the Upper Parade Ground with both corps and civilian students gathered around. It is amazing to me how one incident that began as a small thought in some man’s head spiraled into an unforgettable event that continues to unite people, and this country, year after year.

I have already begun to tell you about the “firsts” of the semester: first week of classes, first project, etc. But I have yet to share about some other, more interesting, non-academic, “firsts.” The first football game was two Saturdays ago; unfortunately Norwich lost 29 – 7. It was a great start to the season, especially seeing so many Norwich students, and Northfield residents out there that day to support the team.

The weekend before, Labor Day Weekend, I actually had the opportunity to go to the Champlain Valley Exposition (Fair). My friend and I had tickets to the Sara Bareilles and Sugarland concert to be performed that Sunday night; we actually arrived a couple hours before so we could get food and see the animals of the fair before the concert. As it turns out though, we had plenty of time before. Shortly after we found our seats, the entire Grand Stand was evacuated. The concert was delayed for almost forty-five minutes as a nice storm went through. Fortunately, after the storm passed, the concert was on, and what a concert it was…The energy, the excitement, the crowd, it truly was an amazing time; being at the concert with one of my best friends made it even better.

My first time camping, ever, was actually this past weekend with the AmeriCorps team here on campus. Our Students in Service AmeriCorps team has a retreat in the fall each year; the retreat for the team this year was Saturday through Sunday. We all met up Friday night for dinner and to discuss what was to be expected over the weekend. Bright and early Saturday morning, everyone met up at the Mill (the campus café), so we could head off to breakfast together at the Wayside Restaurant, which is just a few towns over. After breakfast, our weekend of service began: assisting flood victims with whatever they needed all over Waterbury. Once the service hours for the day were finished, we made our way to Woods at Wihakowi (a campgrounds nearby that actually had parts greatly affected by the flood) where we would be spending the night. We arrived to the site, participated in a couple workshops about volunteering, etc, and then the night was free to us. We started the night by pitching our tents and chopping wood to set up for the bonfire. A portion of our group (there were about 18 of us total) cooked dinner, which was six different kinds of Hamburger (and Chicken) Helper. We had the ‘worldly’ variety: a Mexican dish, an Asian dish, an Italian dish, etc. Our group dinner was rather amusing as we discussed: if you were a cartoon character, who would you be? And why? There had to be some personal connection to your life though. As others were cleaning up from dinner, the bonfire was started; of course, it was as simple as I just made it seem. The wood was rather soaked from the recent rain, so it took the guys a couple tries to finally get it going good; however, once they finally did, it was roaring, and marshmallows were roasted for the building of s’mores. Over the s’mores more deep, insightful discussion was shared, with the random pointless comments thrown in as well, making it the perfect conversation. We all pretty much called it a night around 11 pm, except for the few who stayed up to make sure the fire went out. We were up again in the morning: the girls earlier than the guys, since the girls decided to have their turn at making breakfast, which consisted of eggs, bacon, sausage, and pancakes (both plain and chocolate chip). For our second day of service, the team was split; some went into Northfield to assist the flood victims there, while the rest of us stayed at the Woods to assist them. I was in the group that stayed behind; our tasks included moving stacks of lumber so it could dry out, and shoveling/bucketed mud out of the pool. I can gladly say, you could actually notice progress of mud removal from the pool by the time we were done for the day. We ended our retreat with pizza for lunch and a couple more hours of workshops. It most definitely was a good way to spend my weekend.

The only downfall of the weekend…the cold nights. Unfortunately, up here in Vermont, the temperatures have already begun to drop at night, leaving those who sleep outside in a tent, on the cold ground, not too happy. I had my sleeping bag, but for some reason, I still woke up shivering. Like I said before though, that was the only negative. This weekend definitely got me excited for the year to come…I am so ready to get things going with Habitat for Humanity, and start settling on details for the Alternative Break trips! And I cannot wait to see what other volunteer opportunities come my way.

"We can do no great things, only small things with great love." - Mother Teresa

My Best Days Are Ahead of Me

Last year, I received a scholarship award from AIA Vermont. Each year it is awarded to one freshman (upcoming sophomore) and one sophomore (upcoming junior) student. Because I received this award, this year I was invited to a Golf Tournament and dinner with AIA Vermont this evening to socialize and meet the organization that funded my award. The event was held at the Country Club of Vermont in Waterbury; that alone was enough to put me out of my element, let alone being at an event where I did not know anyone and was not sure what to expect. However, all in all, the night was rather enjoyable; that is until the sun set behind the mountains and it started to chill down.

As I was writing that, I realized I have yet to tell you all how my first couple weeks of class have gone. Beyond the obvious of things being quite busy already, it's all moving along smoothly and the routine of life this semester has set in.

Again, the studio semester began with a catalyst project, which is a fast-paced, two week long project; I'm not certain of the actual purpose of the catalyst projects, but I see it as a way of almost jolting our minds back into design mode after having the summer months off. It also serves as a research basis for the next project (usually what will be the semester long project). In the past, we've had to research and diagram a library and compile that information into one book, and we've researched an architecture firm before, which we then had to diagram the design philosophy of that firm. This year, we were divided into groups of three; each group was assigned an architect that they had to research the project designs of. After researching, we had to narrow down our findings to three buildings that really stood out to the group in some way. We had to analyze those buildings (comparing and contrasting) all the elements. From that analysis, we developed five principles of design, as well as diagrammed the three buildings. All of our research and diagrams were compiled into a book. And then came the final portion of the project...we had to build a scaled model of one of the three buildings we originally chose. The project was due last Friday. My group was assigned Jean Nouvel; the buildings we selected were the Guthrie Theater, the Copenhagen Concert Hall, and the Arab World Institute. When I have the opportunity to, I will post a photograph of our final project: the book pages pinned on the wall with the model seated in front of it, ready to be presented to the whole school of Architecture and ready to be critiqued.

"When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do." - Walt Disney

Do It Anyway

If you have not yet heard, as I am sure most of you have, Vermont was hit hard by Hurricane Irene two weekends ago. The storm kept most held up in their houses, apartments, dorms, etc. and for the few that did journey out on that Sunday, the trip was not the most pleasant. While we were not blown down by strong winds, we suffered drastically from heavy downpours leading to – what is said to be – the worst flooding Vermont has seen in nearly 50 years. While I am certain you have heard on the news, or read in the papers about the overwhelming number of people without power and/or water, and those without homes, I am not so sure they have fully grasp the level of the conditions here; I highly doubt they have put a face to those countless, currently nameless folks. Well, I can tell you right now, some of my classmates, some of my good friends were affected greatly by Hurricane Irene. There are currently Norwich students without homes, without supplies, without many things, but somehow they are pulling through.

I am not sure how many of you reading listen to country music, but there is a song that has been replaying in my mind since that weekend when I started seeing and hearing about all the damage around town and elsewhere. “Anyway,” by Martina McBride, was written shortly after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005. You may wonder why this song? What’s the connection? Well, it’s simple, actually: I find it amazing how easily so many from the Norwich family, and from the Northfield community can pull together so readily and easily to help their neighbors in need, to open up their homes to strangers, to assist in rebuilding and clean up. While it is true, wherever a disaster strikes, people have a tendency to lend a helping hand, I feel there is something unique happening here on campus, in town, and around the state. Norwich students are volunteering whatever free time they have during their first couple of weeks here to assist wherever needed; the number of volunteers is flowing in faster than the water did during the storm.

This is a great opportunity for me to introduce and explain the Center of Civic Engagement to all of you. The Center of Civic Engagement serves as the headquarters for pretty much all volunteering and community outreach on campus and in the community. I am highly involved in the office: serving as the coordinator for the Alternative Break trips and as the President of the Habitat for Humanity chapter here on campus, as well as being a member of the Student AmeriCorps team on campus this year. Involved in that, I will volunteer time whenever there are things to be done or there is a need for people. At Norwich, outside the strong bonds of the family on campus, there is a strong connection to our local towns and communities. The Center for Civic Engagement always has volunteer opportunities available in a variety of activities that can appeal to just about every student. There are students that participate with the Boys and Girls Club in town, the animal shelter, the local food bank, and so many more sites. I never imagined one school being able to pull together as much as Norwich has these past two weeks. Students and families that were made homeless by the storm were taken in by other students and families in town, until they are able to get back on their feet.

That whole idea is one thing I love about Norwich, about being here…To see and experience the great connection with other students, and with the community that it is really a second family; there is always someone to lean on if you need to. They say, the friendships and bonds made at Norwich start freshman year and can last a lifetime; that your friends at Norwich just become part of your family that you never want to see gone. I can really speak about a lifetime just yet, but I can definitely confirm that I have made some amazing friendships here at Norwich, most of which were started in the first couple months of my freshman year, and I can see them lasting through and far
beyond graduation.

“Never look down on someone, unless you’re helping them up.” – Jesse Jackson