World Fest Flag Ceremony

So, I'm from Kenosha County, and I get a lot of folks for tours that are from the area, or from Wisconsin, or from the states, that ask about our student population. If you're like me, and from the county, you might feel that attending Parkside will be just like high school - and you'll know everyone there. You might be thinking, "I've got to get out of here!" You might even think about traveling abroad.

Well, I know I've said it before, but one thing I love about UW-P is that it doesn't feel like the same old-high-school-thang. We have tremendous diversity, part of that being out international student population. (I blame our awesome soccer team!) :) We have students from around the globe and tons of activities centered with an international concept. We have an international house, Parkside International Club (PIC), a study abroad program, and an exchange program with our sister schools in Germany and Italy.

Every spring we have World Fest Week, and the campus is almost completely transformed! Every year we kick it off with a Flag Ceremony, to honor the numerous countries represented in our student population. This year I started off helping with the flag of Germany, with my soror Tracy, but then ended up carrying the American Flag at the front! Some of my sorors carried the the flag of their home country, Mexico.

It was a great week full of education, fun, and tasty food!!!

Go Get That Money! (Time is Running Out for Scholarship Applications!)

Wow. Can you believe it's almost February? There are still two weeks to apply for a scholarship at UW-Parkside! Applications are due by February 1st ... but that's still plenty of time!

As a scholarship recipient myself, I understand the fear and doubt that a lot of students might have in applying for a scholarship. Even though it's a little corny, it's very true that you will never know if you could have won if you never tried! Even if you have applied before and not received one - you should apply again! The first year I applied I did not get one, but this year was different!

I probably never would have applied if I was not encouraged. Sometimes it's hard to believe in yourself, but you might be really surprised! There are so many scholarship opportunities that UW-Parkside offers, so there is something out there for everyone!

This year I was the recipient of the Chase Bank Leadership Scholarship. As you can probably see from my bio, I've had a number of years of experience in student leadership at UW-Parkside. Sure, some of these leadership positions have offered monetary stipends as incentive, but most have not. My involvement in leadership has never been about the money - it has truly meant so much more!

Those that have spoken with me know that I haven't always been such an uber-involved student. I will freely tell people that I probably spent more time in high school in detention than in extra-curricular activities. I made the honor roll my senior year, with early release and an English, Choir, and Orchestra class, but my parents were so elated they bought me a cake!

Clearly, my experience at UW-Parkside has changed my life dramatically. When people from my high school see me now their response is usually, "what? this is Carly?" I am so thankful for the leadership activity opportunities at UW-Parkside. They have helped me develop friendships while giving me a chance to EXPRESS myself and work for things that I am passionate about. It has also given me a new love for my education! In all aspects I am treated like an individual - not a cog in the wheel.

The Chase Leadership Scholarship has also meant so much more to me than monetary assistance. Yes, it has helped me dramatically in being able to financially support myself during this intensive senior year, but it is so much more. It is the capstone of my involvement. It has shown me that anything is possible for anyone. It has shown me that second chances can happen. It has shown me that the work I have put into the university has truly been appreciated.

You might be like me, or you might not. You might be thinking that you're not a great student, or you might be struggling financially. I want you to put aside your doubts and believe in yourself. I tell people, if I can do it, ANYone can do it! But you will never know what possibilities are out there if you never try.

Please, check out the numerous scholarship opportunities that UW-Parkside offers! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me!

UW-P Athletics: New Look and Feel

While I was at UW-Parkside this week I noticed all the signs advertising our Spirit Week this spring. I don't have the dates, but check back! I will post information and pictures as soon as I have the details. However, if you are itching to find out more about our athletic teams, games, and highlights you should check out their new page!

http://www.parksiderangers.com/

It looks awesome! It's probably the best looking page from any department at UW-P. I know Dave Williams, the athletic director, and he has really done a great job in boosting not only our athletic department, but the PRIDE in UW-Parkside athletics! A lot of people that have come in for orientation have asked if we have a football team. No, we do not have a football team. But we do have a lot of amazing teams here that we are very proud of. And we now have a cheerleading team! Spirit week is going to be awesome! I will keep you all posted on those details ... but make sure to check back!

A Chance to be Creative

After talking to some folks about their college experiences in other universities, it has occurred to me that what I've heard about UW-Parkside is true: though it is a UW-university, you can really gain the education of a private liberal arts school. The opportunities for creative and social expression are endless and sometimes all it takes is a little foot work.

My senior seminar, (the class that is equivalent to a senior thesis), was on the Graphic Novel. It was such an interesting and different experience, and the subject was a fun step away from the traditional. In this class I was able to work on my own comics, and I got pretty good at it! During the same semester I was taking a math class, where I was required to submit weekly journal entries on my experiences with math. The professor said that we would be able to use any format we were comfortable with, so what did I do? I make weekly one-page comics depicting my journey into the land of math! Though I really enjoy writing, it is sometimes nice to be able to try something new!

This past semester I took Cuban American Literature. Beyond being just an amazing class, the professor said that if we did really well on the first major paper assignment that we would be able to do something more creative for the second major assignment. Of course I had to take advantage of this amazing opportunity to try something new, instead of just writing another paper! Ever since I got my AppleMac, I have been interested in making movies; (it's sooo easy)! I interviewed a bunch of people on Cuba and America and edited a short documentary. It was an interesting experience and definitely something new!

Follow this link to see that documentary! http://web.mac.com/carlyanneravs/iWeb/Site/FidelvsChe.html

Feel free to check it out. This is just a little taste of the expansive opportunities for alternative learning that you can gain at UW-Parkside. No, we do not have a directors program, but we do have a Film Studies Certificate. We also have UW-P TV for anyone who is interested in working with film. We might not be Chicago's Columbia, but you can make your experience at UW-P just as cool! But, like I said, it might be more responsibility on you. No one will make you find the hidden opportunities at this diamond-in-the-rough, but you will find them if you are looking!