Washington and Lee University
Hometown: Beaufort, SC
High School: Beaufort High School
Extracurricular Involvement:
Why did you decide to attend Washington and Lee?
Out of all the schools I had visited, W&L had a unique community that I felt would be the best environment to spend 4 years in. It was really my overnight visit on campus that made up my mind, I felt immediately at home on the campus. The personal attention from professors and immense involvement of students made it clear that W&L was a special place. It was also obvious that W&L students were well rounded and were involved in more than just academics.
What about W&L excites you the most?
The endless possibilities and new things to try. I have a hard time signing up for classes each term because there are so many classes that sound fascinating.
What is your proudest accomplishment thus far?
Making University Choir. Singing has always been something I've wanted to be better at and I've worked a lot at it the past few years. Making the choir and having the opportunity to take voice lessons through the music department has been a great experience and has really challenged me a lot as a singer.
How did you hear about W&L and the Johnson Scholarship program?
Someone who was familiar with the school told me about the scholarship and suggested I apply.
What was your impression of campus when you visited for the competition?
I had visited other campuses before W&L, but it was the first place where I immediately felt like I fit in on the campus and could imagine myself spending four years there. The classes were engaging and I was surprised by how involved the professors were. There was also such a strong sense of community on the campus, everyone knew each other and was involved in some many different activities.
What will the Johnson Scholarship do for you?
The Johnson Scholarship has given me the opportunity to have an incredible academic experience without financial worries. By taking the struggle out of paying for my college years, the scholarship has enabled me to focus on becoming the best student I can and experiencing college to the fullest.
How are you going to take advantage of your time at W&L?
I want to get involved in as many things as possible, and also try activities and take classes that are new to me and things I might not necessarily had tried. I want to study abroad and be involved with my campus through leadership positions and extracurriculars.
What will you contribute to campus as a Johnson Scholar?
I think that as a Johnson Scholar I bring to campus a love of learning and new experiences. I think I'm fairly well rounded and I love being involved in a diverse collection of activities as well as collecting general knowledge. I hope that my dedication to and love of learning adds to the academic environment and inspires others to get more involved.
What's unique about you?
I can get along with many different groups of people. I've never limited myself to one type of friend or one type of activity. I can be involved in many different things and friends with all sorts of people.
What inspires you?
People who overcome great adversity inspire because they are a reminder that no obstacle is too large when it comes to achieving your dreams and encourage me to meet challenges head on.
Name one thing you love or love doing.
I love being on stage, being involved with theater. Everything from acting, to painting sets and pinning costumes, to watching plays fascinated me.
What's your favorite place?
My favorite place on campus is the center of the Colonnade where you look down on the green and see Lee Chapel and the brick fraternity house beyond that because it reminds me of how gorgeous my school and of all the tradition and history that W&L was founded on. I think the Colonnade represents the amazing academic tradition of W&L and the Chapel is a perfect image of the integrity and social commitment that is such an important part of W&L's culture.
Which leader do you most admire, and why?
The leader I most admire is my father because I think the most important people to follow are the ones who lead by example. I have always admired his courage in the face of challenges and his utter determination to overcome any difficulty. I aspire to be like him and inspire those around me in the same way.
Why does leadership matter?
Leadership matters because good leaders inspire progress. Good leaders push those around them to be the best that they can be and be leaders themselves.
Why does integrity matter?
Integrity matters because in life it is not enough to be smart or talented, being proud of who you are and the choices you make are just as important. I think W&L's unique Honor System does an amazing job of encouraging integrity in its students.
What is your intended career?
I would like to be a literary agent as well as write my own fiction.
What are some of your goals for your W&L career?
I would like to study abroad for a semester, complete a creative writing thesis through the English major, hold leadership positions within my sorority, get involved with the theater productions on campus.
Where will you be in 5 years and what will you be doing?
I hope to have a job I love and be traveling a lot.