Orientation is Coming…
July 24, 2012 by Sofia Chabolla
To all incoming students – Freshmen & Transfers:
By now you have all received your housing assignments and roommates. I hope you are all gearing up for college and Move-in on August 24th! As a current member of the Tribe and one of the Orientation Aides (OAs) for this fall (get ready Jefferson Hall – it’s going to be EPIC), I want to welcome you to the William & Mary community and let you know how excited we ALL are to meet you.
Since my own freshman Move-in to Yates in 2010, Orientation has become my favorite time of year. I now wait for Move-in with excitement and anticipation along with all the other yellow-shirt clad OAs. But let me tell you, I did not always have the urge to dance and cheer when I heard any reference to Orientation. Before my time in Williamsburg started, I was nervous about taking the next big step in my life. I was worried about meeting the girls on my hall, saying goodbye to my family, and living in a dorm room with some random. I had heard from my sister about her summer orientation at UNC Chapel Hill, and from my friends at UF and FSU back home, but the 5 day orientation at W&M was an altogether different beast. It was daunting and I was scared.
So to all incoming students, I want to let you know that the beginning of your college experience is going to be incredible. Yes, there will be a little bit of nerves on your first day, but that is normal, and everything will work itself out. We Orientation Aides, as well as the entire William & Mary community, will be here for you- welcoming you into our Tribe family. We are so excited to meet the students who will continue the legacy of W&M and will be your support, guides, and friends for the next 4 years. And for the record, I had no need to be scared my freshmen year. The girls that were on my hall are the absolute sweetest, and my random roommate is now my best friend – roomz, you know who you are.
So what exactly happens during Orientation – secret rituals and rites of passage? Obviously. We all dress in black capes and chant in Latin for a week. With candles. And incense.
No, I’ll be serious. The analogy that I have heard a lot – and is really the only thing that fits – is that Orientation is basically a 5 day summer camp. Though with a few less Lindsey Lohans, ear piercing sessions, and isolation cabins than you would see in The Parent Trap. We start off on the 24th with Move-in day. You, your parents, and hundreds of student volunteers in “We Sweat for You” t-shirts have a few hours in the lovely Williamsburg humidity to make your new dorm room your home. Then, once everything is in your room, the fun begins! Hall Cheers are rife, President (T-Reves) Reveley becomes your new idol, and you have over 26 new hall mates and best friends. But I don’t want to spoil all the details. Let’s just say that the Orientation staff has packed your schedule with a balance of information sessions, mixers with other halls, Tribe traditions, and free stuff! We will make sure that class registration runs smoothly, that you sign up for way too many clubs at the Activities Fair, and that you know your Tribe lingo. We’re big on the abbreviations here.
So with that little Orientation teaser (I wish I could get a man with a deep voice to read this aloud to you like in some action-packed Summer Blockbuster trailer. “IN A WORLD…” Maybe my next blog post?) – get ready for college!! William & Mary is awaiting your arrival. I can’t wait to meet you all on the 24th. I’ll be the one in the highlighter yellow t-shirt.
Please let me know if you have any questions about the move-in process, Orientation, or freshman year! Ask anything in the comments below (or send me an email!) and I will share all of W&M’s deep, dark secrets. That’s what I’m here for.
One Tribe, One Family,
Sofia
P.S. If you noticed my really cool Game of Thrones reference in this blog title, you will fit in well at W&M. I keep it classy.
A Balanced and Healthy Lifestyle
July 19, 2012 by Sofia Chabolla
This morning, the Muscarelle Museum interns took a field trip to the Office of Health Promotion in the W&M Campus Center to talk to Ms. Sarah Menefee about Public Health, stress, and a well balanced lifestyle here at the College. As one of our weekly “Campus Enrichment Programs,” it was a perfect moment to step back and look at the ways that I, as well as the Tribe community, view public health. The health office on campus is here for us to provide educational, referral, and outreach services about wellness, disease prevention, and other health-related issues. They can help with anything from sexual assault and alcoholEDU to nutrition and stress.
And let me tell you: William & Mary can be a stressful environment! The work & students are very competitive. For me, stress comes not always from the work alone—but I tend to stress about stress! I see all the work others are doing, and think to myself, “Do I need to do more? Am I not working hard enough?” Isn’t your automatic response when someone says, “these are all the things I have to do…” to think of- or reply with- all of your own tasks for the week? Stress snowballs, and when one midterm leads to another, it is hard to know when it is OK to stop, take a break, and relax.
Ms. Menefee was right this morning, though, in explaining that stress affects everyone differently. Every individual combats stress in a different way. As a group we talked about some ways to relax or have fun away from the rigorous workload and academics. I wanted to share with you all some ideas and opportunities to relieve stress around campus and Williamsburg. So when you, a friend, or a classmate is stressed, remember that your time at W&M should be balanced. Take some time for fun and relaxation!
- Jamestown & Yorktown beach. Nothing relieves stress like a beach day!
- The Massage Chairs. The new chairs on the first floor of Swem are awesome, but I really can’t pass up the free massages in the Read & Relax area. Though somehow I am ALWAYS there when a tour group goes by, and I look totally crazy.
- The Sunken Garden & Barksdale field. Great for impromptu games of Ultimate Frisbee, Picnics, and laying in the sun with friends on a beautiful day.
- The Gym & the Department of Campus Recreation: Whether you make use of the Rec Center’s climbing wall, Semester Fitwell passes for Body Pump and Zumba Classes, many exercise machines, or MAC court for intramural sports – the gym is a convenient and great break from class. There are so many opportunities for outdoor trips through the Dept. of Campus Rec, as well as massage sessions, a massive pool, and Racquetball courts where I love to take out all my aggression and look absolutely ridiculous.
- Netflix – need I say more?
- Running (or a nice walk/hike). Another great stress reliever, I love to jog down DOG street and through the Matoaka Fitness Trails behind the Gym. Just make sure to run with a buddy!
- Busch Gardens – what better way to forget work then to ride front row on the Griffin or by rocketing through the Black Forest on Verbolten? Summer & Season Passes = the best. Just like W&M Student Day each fall.
- This summer I went back to Waller Mill Park – off Richmond and Airport Road, 10 min from campus – and like Lake Matoaka, there are hiking trails and you can rent canoes & kayaks every day of the week. I feel like I am so far away from the real world. It’s the ultimate Williamsburg getaway.
- Call home! For me personally, calling my family to talk about my day helps me to calm down and put everything in perspective. My family always makes me feel so much better. So be it friends, family, a counselor, or member of your religious organization: talk it out!
- Campus activities! I am sure you all have clubs and groups that you are involved in and which are great distractions from stressful school! Also, organizations like AMP (Alma Mater Productions) are here for you – bringing fun activities & events to campus throughout the week.
If you have any questions about public health, staying healthy at W&M, or individual lifestyle and stress management, the Office of Health Promotion (it is changing names from Health Education) is a great resource for students. They are always open to students, or you can contact them through their website or by calling (757) 221-2195!
What are some ways that you relieve stress or relax around campus?
Sofia. – Cant wait to see you all in the fall! Continue to have an amazing summer!
Work Hard, Play Hard.
June 29, 2012 by Sofia Chabolla
Work Hard, Play Hard. Pretty much the DEN mantra here at the Muscarelle Museum of Art. (DEN: Development, Education, & New Media)
This summer I’ve been living it up in the lovely and humid ‘Burg and working as a Publishing & Curatorial Intern at the Muscarelle. The internship working for Museum Director Aaron De Groft has been such an incredible opportunity for me, as I have been helping curate a masterpiece exhibition coming in February for the Museum’s 30th Anniversary (I promise a press release soon – I am beyond excited) and publishing a book on Martha Wren Briggs: an art historian and alumni of the College who has devoted much of her research and writing to Art Nouveau stained-glass master Louis Comfort Tiffany. Also, I recently was an absentee phone bidder in an acquisitions auction for the Museum, buying pieces I had researched to add to Muscarelle’s Permanent Collection.
The hours here have been long combined with my English Senior Seminar on Hemingway and Fitzgerald. Starting work at 8 and ending at 5 have made me appreciate adults so much more. I feel like the days fly by fast when I add in homework, gym, and cooking meals – and adults do this all the time! Growing up is rough.
At the Muscarelle therefore, we believe it is important to break up research and work with fun. Each Thursday we have had “Campus Enrichment Programs” for the interns. A small group of us participated in a Williamsburg Planning Commission Meeting, helped the W&M Legal Council move into their new offices while The Brafferton is getting remodeled (there were golf carts and fresh cut flowers involved), and learned about interview skills and resume building at the W&M Cohen Career Center. The heads of the Muscarelle were also so generous as to throw me a 20th birthday party last week complete with Williamsburg’s Extaordinary Cupcakes. And today they outdid themselves with a surprise ice cream party! It was a perfect end to finishing my Seminar class this morning and completing 20 pages worth of research bibliographies.
I feel as though the Muscarelle has opened so many doors for me this summer with job experience and new networking opportunities. I am so excited to continue my work (and FUN!) through July and the next school year. Look forward to more Muscarelle and Williamsburg fun related posts coming your way soon. Also, you should like the Muscarelle Museum of Art page on Facebook. Doing so will win you my undying love and gratitude. And maybe even pie. Because life is better with pie.
And now, I’m off to Busch Gardens with the Interns. The Griffin has been calling my name. (and yes I was just there on Sunday with an amazing group of APO brothers here for the summer.) You really can never have too much Busch Gardens—especially when one season Fun Pass gets you into the park for the rest of the summer free. Williamsburg, I Love You.
Spirit of the Living Watching : W&M’s First Art History Publication
February 27, 2012 by Sofia Chabolla
Before coming back to school this past winter, I was sitting at my laptop taking a break from writing summer internship applications and cover letters. I decided to look through the “Student Happenings” email that had just popped up in my inbox, and, scrolling down the list, the words NEW ART HISTORY PUBLICATION caught my eye. It was a sign—I am sure of it. There I was, begging to be part of a publishing house and magazine across the country, and the incredible opportunity to be part of an Art History magazine before summer even started had fallen into my lap. Well, inbox really. As an Art History and English student, this was a chance to combine two of my passions together into my dream job. I immediately emailed my interest including a few too many exclamation points in the hopes that I could join the budding magazine.
Now about a month later, I am thrilled to be Executive Submissions Editor of “Spirit of the Living Watching,” William & Mary’s first Art History publication. The magazine, the first issue of which will be published online on the 13th of April 2012, will include student scholarly papers, creative responses to art, articles and information about current exhibitions, and interviews with students and department professors. Also, “SOLWatching” (pronounced “soul watching”) now has a club and staff of over 20 students, all with individual jobs from layout design to finance and marketing. Being part of the launching process of the magazine has showed me the motivation and passion of students here at the college. In just a month, the SOLWatching club has worked on everything from layout and editing to marketing and fundraising for the magazine. The positive response for the proposed online magazine from students and faculty reiterates for me the enthusiasm the W&M community has in supporting student run organizations as well as the creativity of the individuals behind them.
I decided to sit down with W&M junior Michelle Repper, founder and editor-in-chief of “SOLWatching”, to ask her about the publication. Below is a part of my interview with her where we talk about her inspirations, goals, and process of creating the magazine.
S: How did you come up with the idea for SOL Watching?
M: I was procrastinating last semester during finals week—and thinking about the publications on campus, because I often submit, and I noticed the fact that we didn’t have anything relating to Art History. I really wanted to get the Art History major out there, and make us as legitimate as other majors, if not more so, by having a publication. I then talked to my friends in the Art History Department to see what the student interest would be in a magazine and what they thought of the idea of starting one. They were all really excited about it, so I printed off some flyers and put them in Andrews. Then, I sent emails to Student happenings to see if there were any people interested!
S: What about the title of the magazine specifically?
M: Well first off, there is a Gauguin painting called “Spirit of the Dead Watching.” I had been thinking about the painting a lot, because it was part of my Honors Thesis actually, and also about what our jobs are as art historians. I was thinking how we are meant to watch and, personally, how [Art History] is so much of an emotional experience and connected to who we are as individuals. I thought of it then that “your spirit watching” would be what the magazine is about.
S: What are your goals for the magazine?
M: We really do want to include the entire Art History as well as creative community at W&M. As far as the Art History department goes, I know it would be hard to get in touch with alumni, but I think that they would get excited with this project and could support us with funding or interviews about jobs after graduating with an Art History major. As a department, we are tight knit because we are so small and we are all passionate – because you really don’t do Art History unless you are passionate – so I thought people would get excited.
As far as the rest of the creative community, I didn’t want this magazine to be pigeonholed into scholarly responses only. Such an emotional response doesn’t have to be interpreted in just a sterile scholarly way. I think that so much can be learned from doing poetry and music. OK- did you ever see Pixar’s Ratatouille? He eats a mushroom and some cheese and then music is all around him? That’s what I want to see! If a musician looks at a piece of art and hears something, I want to hear that- I want to know! I think that so much can be learned from that creativity, so I also want to incorporate theater, music, dance, and art history into the magazine.
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If you have any old papers, creative writing, or responses to art- “Spirit of the Living Watching” would love to publish them in our upcoming magazine. Email us submissions at SOLWatching@email.wm.edu including works cited if needed and links to /scans of the images you reference! Also follow SOLWatching on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with the magazine and our journey to our first publication Friday April 13th, 2012. Many thanks to the W&M community, Art History Department, and Publication Council for helping “Spirit of the Living Watching” with its first steps towards becoming a lasting publication and a positive contribution to campus.
Spring Registration
November 2, 2011 by Sofia Chabolla
Registration Week is upon us again, everyone. It’s that hectic time of year when we plan what we want our schedule to be the next semester, but know deep down inside will turn out very different after our time slot is over. Some of us get incredibly lucky and take Adventure Games, while others (like Hitler from last years’ fantastic viral registration YouTube video based off Inglorious Bastards) do not. I know from experience the anxiety that scheduling can cause sitting on Banner two minutes before registration opens at 3:30 pm. I also know the feeling you get the moment you hit enter, and your schedule comes back with only eight credits. It can be hard when we get our hearts set on having no classes on Friday or none before 11:00 am. And it can be frustrating when we have one specific major track class that we need to take, and all the spots have already been filled.
One surprising thing that I have found during my time here at the college, however, is that it is always the last class that I sign up for, or switch into on a whim, that I have enjoyed the most. Add/Drop has giving me the incredible opportunity to start my mornings laughing with Professor Simon Stow in Race, Rhetoric & Poetry in American Thought, and fulfill my GER 7 in the process. I have learned in-depth knowledge about the culture of my ancestors and the skills needed to write a good thesis paper with Professor Susan V. Webster in Art and Art History of Colonial Latin America. And with Add/Drop I signed up to take a literature course and ended up deciding to be an English major because it was something that I truly had a passion for.
I believe it’s important to take at least one class each semester, not because it’s a necessity, but because you love the topic. The work load in college can be heavy and intensive, but keeping a balance in your classes with ones that you love, or just want to try because it sounds fun, can make waking up on busy Mondays so much easier. So, as we all fight for spots in classes and ask the teachers for overrides, I just want to say Good Luck. I hope that all of your schedules work out. Also, I hope that you will find, even if it’s not on you original top choice schedule, classes that you will truly enjoy. Just don’t sign up for Children’s Fantasy Literature, because that’s the class I want.
Happy November everyone: best wishes on the rest of this semester, as well as the next.
12 Things I Learned Abroad
August 4, 2011 by Sofia Chabolla
I wish I could have had internet access to blog during my time abroad this summer in Florence. But unfortunately, internet access was hard to come by in the city. So, because of this, I thought I’d upload an email I was able to send to my family about what I had noticed and learned while being a part of a different culture.
12 Things I’ve learned in Italy
1. Weather in Italy, like the bus system, is totally unpredictable. One minute we’re studying Art History in the sun on Piazza Signoria, and the next we are soaked as the sky decides it is time to hail all over us. The 40 minute walk home in the rain was… wet.
2. I have really come to appreciate American men and American bathrooms. Many of the ones here are dirty and inappropriate. Except when it is conveniently Men’s Fashion week in Florence and the collection venue is right across from where I have classes.
3. Watching dubbed Italian television and movies with my housemates is hilarious and actually really helps my understanding and comprehension of the language. Dubbed Italian is slower and very formal, without any regional dialect difference. Spending time watching movies became great practice and a way to also learn new vocabulary.
4. On that same note, Italians have a strange passion for Walker Texas Ranger. Or maybe Berlusconi does, because it is on every night and he controls all the TV channels.
5. I am going to miss the three course meals cooked by my Homestay nona, Mama Pia. Every night we have a pasta course, a meat and vegetable course, and then dessert.
6. I love how a gelato a day is totally acceptable here. The key when looking for a gelateria is to look at the banana flavored gelato. If the color of it is bright yellow- WALK AWAY. Authentic banana gelato will be gray without color die. If you find gray banana gelato, you can trust the quality of the entire store.
7. The Jersey Shore is in Florence. That is all I have to say.
8. I have created my own hybrid Sofia language. It combines English, Spanish, Italian, extreme hand gestures, and strange sound effects. People seem to understand me somehow though.
9. Sitting in the Piazza Santa Croce with hundreds of Florentines while watching Notre Dame de Paris was breathtaking. People hung out of the windows of surrounding buildings just to see the Italian remake of the French opera. Being a part of that night was one of my top experiences in Florence.
10. My roommate Sally buying Harry Potter in Italian gave us the sad revelation that the translators have changed all of the characters names. Albus Dumbledore becomes Albus Silente in Italian?! I mean, really?
11. Studying Art History in the birthplace of the Renaissance is unparalleled. I can’t count how many times I have stumbled upon a masterpiece by Fra Angelico or Masaccio totally by chance. The pieces take my breath away.
12. Italy is beautiful. City life can be crowded and hectic and at times- expensive and confusing- but I am really, truly happy here.
Studying abroad through the W&M Reves center has been an incredible experience. I feel so lucky to have had this opportunity so soon in my college career. I hope you will take the chance to study abroad for the summer or an entire semester. I would definitely recommend going to Italy to study, experience a new culture, and live it up in Florence.
Welcome Class of 2015!
April 14, 2011 by Sofia Chabolla
Hi everyone! Guess what? The Day for Admitted Students is this Saturday! I wanted to write a special welcome to the newest admitted members of the W&M community- transfers and the Class of 2015. I know these last few weeks have been incredibly nerve-racking for you all, as you waited to see the decision in your email inbox.
Now is the time to narrow down your choices and pick the school that’s perfect for you by visiting the campuses, asking questions, and meeting other students. If you are having trouble pinpointing the right college- Admitted Student’s Day is an awesome opportunity to do just that! On the 16th, the Sunken Garden is going to be filled with current students and clubs here to answer your questions and tell you some of their personal experiences about being part of the Tribe.
So Class of 2015: I welcome you to William & Mary. If you decide to choose Williamsburg as the place you want to spend your four years of college- I cannot wait to meet you all in August for Move-in Day and to be one of your OAs for Freshman Orientation. If you have questions about Tribe life, being a freshman, or William & Mary in general- comment below and I would love to answer anything you want to know.
See you on Saturday for Admitted Students Day!
Your fellow TWAMP,
Sofia
Spring Semester 2011: Clubs, Applications, and the Future of Minority Studies Colloquium
February 27, 2011 by Sofia Chabolla
Hi everyone! I hope you are having a wonderful spring semester so far and are diligently working to obtain the coveted A on all of your midterms. The past few weeks at William & Mary have been packed with essays, exams, applications, club meetings, and so many campus events that I haven’t had a free moment. February is when many organizations, clubs, and specialized housing send out applications and conduct interviews for students joining in the fall semester. After filling out quite a few of these applications myself, I am so excited to announce that I am now a member of the Italian Language House and Summer Study Abroad Trip to Florence with my roommate and fellow blog extraordinaire, Sally Wade! I am also volunteering at the Muscarelle Museum of Art, working in a new AMP committee, practicing on a co-ed intramural soccer team, and interviewing to become an Orientation Aide!
For the past six weeks, I have been taking a one credit short-course taught by Hispanic Studies professor John D. Riofrio on National and International Minority Studies. The course is a group discussion that culminates in a colloquium called Subjugated Histories, Decolonizing Practices that Professor Riofrio organized with the Future of Minority Studies Organization at the college this weekend. My class has been reading papers written by many prominent professors and activists from universities across the country on topics such as Human Rights, Critical Pedagogies, Native Issues, Decolonization, and Race and Immigration. The national colloquium then talks about these ideas in panels and discussions between the students, professors and activists. The interdisciplinary issues discussed are then related to national current events and controversial issues like the Arizona Bill SB 1070 and Affirmative Action.
One of the panels that I went to this weekend at the colloquium was lead by Stanford Professors Paula M. L. Moya and Hazel Rose Markus. Their presentation, 8 Conversations about Race, was an eye opening and informative discussion on their ideas about race and ethnicity in America. (Their opinions and arguments on the subject drew from research and studies written in their book Doing Race that my class had read and discussed earlier in the semester.) Moya and Markus argued that race is not something that humans have inside of them- genetic and biological differences-but instead a set of processes that people DO. This view was a totally new way of conceptualizing race that I had never thought of before. I found their ideas on the eight conversations fun and accessible because they gave pop culture and current events as examples like Avenue Q’s song “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist”, a Colbert Report Clip, and the Sesame Street song “I Love My Hair” during their presentation. Moya and Markus’ ideas and research are only one piece to the puzzle in the discussion of racism, minorities, and prejudice talked about at the colloquium. I know I am not nearly as eloquent in explaining the in depth ideas that they present in their book- so definitely follow the links below to find out more about their views!
Being part of this class and event opened my eyes to controversial topics such as race, and it has given me the knowledge and opportunity to start forming my own opinions and views on the current social and cultural state of our country. This whole experience was so different than all the other courses that I have been in so far at the college. After taking more fact based classes like art history and natural psychology, it was refreshing to see the new and emerging ideas on race at the colloquium as well as getting to formulate my own views in discussion.
Ok. That was about the longest blog ever! I promise to instead write less and more often. I wish you all a wonderful, fun, relaxing, and safe spring break.
Ciao tutti!
Sofia
Learn more about The Future of Minority Studies mission, Moya and Markus’ book Doing Race, and read Professor Riofrio’s blog about the Colloquium by following the link below!
Doing Race: http://humanexperience.stanford.edu/doingrace
FMS Website: http://www.fmsproject.cornell.edu/about_overview.htm
Rio’s Colloquium Website: http://wmfms.blogs.wm.edu/
White Winter
December 14, 2010 by Sofia Chabolla
Standing with some of my wonderful friends as we enjoy the snow on the Sunken Gardens
Though the cold is at some points totally unbearable, (during the 1:00 am fire alarm evacuations that Yates has a habit of experiencing for example) I’ve become so excited for the winter season here in Williamsburg. Like two weeks ago: I was unhappy about the 27 degree temperature whilst ushering the Choir concert in PBK, until I walked outside to see the sky unexpectedly filled with a thousand small flakes of white. The transformation of campus into a winter wonderland was absolutely magical. A blanket of snow covered everything for a few spectacular hours, turning it into my own personal Narnia. A huge group of girls from my hall trouped across campus just to soak it all in (and give me the opportunity to make my first snow angel). It was all sadly gone by the next morning, but I will never forget my first snow that night on the Sunken Gardens.
In these past few weeks, I have been able to experience many traditions and events celebrated around campus in order to welcome the holiday season. Grand Illumination was in Colonial Williamsburg at the beginning of December and was the most impressive fireworks show I have ever seen. The fireworks were shot off in three different places, surrounding DOG Street in a ring of shining lights. Also, William & Mary’s annual Yule Log Ceremony has become a huge holiday tradition. This year it was on a rainy and cold night, so I was surprised to see just how many students came out to throw their sprig of holly in the Yule Log fire. The ceremony takes place in the middle of exams, so the holly represents a person’s worries and cares. Once the Yule Log is lit in the Wren Building’s Great Hall, students can figuratively throw the worries and stress of the semester away. We also all had the opportunity to see President Reveley read How the Grinch Stole Christmas in his traditional Santa Claus outfit and hear a great rendition of ‘Twas the Night After Finals from Ginger Ambler before we crammed our way into the Hall under our umbrellas.
A layer of White covered everything in CW
Even though final exams and papers loom over our heads for these last few weeks of school, Williamsburg knows how to celebrate winter in style. Activities in Swem every night at 9:00, The Primal Scream on the Sunken Gardens Wednesday night, and surprise hot chocolate in our dorm lounges help to relieve stress and remind us to stay balanced in our work.
Just this morning it snowed again, so I took a study break and walked down to Colonial Williamsburg in the middle of the flurries. Everything was covered in a soft dusting of fluffy white making the whole street seem so cozy and quaint. It must make me look like such a goof, but there is something about the snow that just keeps me smiling. So- I’ve decided: with all of the activities for students, and decorations throughout CW, there is no time more magical than The Holidays in Williamsburg.
Show your Tribe Pride: Homecoming 2010
November 4, 2010 by Sofia Chabolla
It’s that time of year again! Full of cider, scarves, and changing leaves. Fall is really in the air. With it comes one of the most outstanding college traditions: a weekend jam-packed with events, returning alumni, and football – HOMECOMING!
I started off Homecoming Weekend by going to see some friends in the William and Mary Choir at the annual Sunset Memorial in front of the Wren Building. Led by President Reveley, the memorial was a time for students and alumni to remember and honor those who have passed in the last year. As the Wren’s bell tolled overhead, I sat there and really realized how many men and women there have been here before me and the legacy that they have put in place for future generations. I thought how one day my name too would be read aloud and remembered by the thousands of new students at the College. The whole ceremony was very moving and put into perspective the history, tradition, and community of William and Mary.
After the ceremony, I went with my hall to the homecoming pep rally on Yates field. There was a massive bonfire and tons of cheering when the Stairwells, a cappella group, sang for us. A group of us even got to participate in a Tribe Holi event where we threw green and yellow powder all over each other. It was surprisingly fun, throwing colored Holi powder on all of your friends, even though the powder somewhat smelled funny and took forever to come off. Oh well- that’s definitely not what mattered.
On game day, my alarm went off at 6:10 in the morning. I’d say it was new record for getting up by far. My roommate and I are interns in AMP, the event programming group on campus, and it had its own float in the Homecoming Parade! After walking like zombies through campus, grabbing some fabulous coffee at Aroma’s, and getting sufficiently lost on our way to the meeting spot, we gathered and set up our float for the parade. I had way too much fun waving and cheering as the floats made their down DoG street and Richmond Road, but it was great to see all the alumni, families, and students that came out to show their support.
After the parade, it was time for the real party to begin. The football game started at noon, so we rushed over to Zable Stadium and plopped on down in the Tribal Fever Student Zone where all the serious cheering happens. After getting off to a slow start, William and Mary came back and beat Delaware 17-16 with an amazing touchdown at the end of the second half. The game was incredible and intense the last 10 minutes; the entire stadium was so anxious to see what would happen. During the game, I even got to go with a group of my friends to The Gentlemen’s a cappella showcase in Sadler. Their voices were amazing, and the members were joined by the alumni for the final song.
There are thousands of men and women from all over the world that are part of William and Mary’s community. Homecoming is a time for all of these Tribe members to gather together again to support our teams and clubs, as well as the rich tradition that makes our school unique. Seeing all of the returning alums here for the weekend made me realize that being a member of the Tribe does not last for only the four years living on campus, but instead it lasts for a lifetime.
Homecoming is all about showing love for W&M and getting involved, no matter what you choose to do with your friends here on campus. It is a memorable experience that will make you feel truly like a part of the community. So, put down your books, and show your Tribe Pride!