Yesterday, the 23rd was the annual Trustree's Scholarship Competition. Every year, the brightest students applying to Hiram College compete for the chance of winning some very nice scholarships. The competition includes three parts: a group discussion on an article, an impromptu essay, and individual student interviews. Based on these three challenges, the powers that be determine how scholarships are distributed to the applicants. Scholarships range from $1000 to 50% to 75% to full tuition (unless it has changed since last year, I believe that 3 students recieve full scholarships, a few receive 50 and 75% scholarships, and everyone else receives $1000 scholarships).
I was involved in the competition last year, so I was invited to help with the student interviews. Each of the trustee scholars meet with a Hiram staff member and student for individual interviews. These interviews help determine which students show good leadership qualities and general well-rounded personalities. I was with Professor Mark Taylor, who teaches physics. I actually met him back in the fall on Campus Day -- we dug post holes together for Habitat for Humanity! Anyway, we interviewed four students throughout the day. It was really great to talk with prospective students. I really enjoyed talking with them, listening to their responses, and answering any questions they had for me as a first-year student. All four students I met with had great personalities, and I can't wait to see them here next fall!
After we finished evaluating the students we interviewed, Mark and I went to go eat an excellent lunch with the Trustee Scholars. We sat with a prospective student and his father and had a nice conversation. I really enjoyed answering all of their questions! If you ever want to really get to know a college, I recommend talking with the students who go there. I had very little idea of where I wanted to go to college one year ago, but I knew I wanted to come to Hiram as soon as I spent a night here.
Good luck to all of the Trustee Scholars, and to all seniors making those college decisions -- you're nearly there!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
Free Rice!
I've been thinking that I should use my little power on this Freshman Blog to do some good, so this week's blog is a shameless plug for a good cause.
If you haven't heard of it already, I highly recommend checking out freerice.com
Free Rice is a recent internet phenomenon that promotes vocabulary improvement and combats world hunger. It works like a game; you are given a word and four synonyms, and you simply have to choose the correct answer. For every correct answer, ten grains of rice are donated to hungry countries. In no time at all, the rice accumulates and you have donated quite a bit of food!
Companies pay for the rice and get free advertising on the free rice website.
Also, Free Rice adapts to your own level of vocabulary. For every three questions you answer correctly, you get to a new level, which has slightly more difficult words. For every question you answer incorrectly, you drop down one level, which has slightly easier words. This way, people of all kind can play. You can even watch as your vocabulary improves over time. My average level is 35.
But most importantly, it's for a good cause. So, even if you only have a few minutes, check the website out and give it a try. You have absolutely nothing to lose!
If you haven't heard of it already, I highly recommend checking out freerice.com
Free Rice is a recent internet phenomenon that promotes vocabulary improvement and combats world hunger. It works like a game; you are given a word and four synonyms, and you simply have to choose the correct answer. For every correct answer, ten grains of rice are donated to hungry countries. In no time at all, the rice accumulates and you have donated quite a bit of food!
Companies pay for the rice and get free advertising on the free rice website.
Also, Free Rice adapts to your own level of vocabulary. For every three questions you answer correctly, you get to a new level, which has slightly more difficult words. For every question you answer incorrectly, you drop down one level, which has slightly easier words. This way, people of all kind can play. You can even watch as your vocabulary improves over time. My average level is 35.
But most importantly, it's for a good cause. So, even if you only have a few minutes, check the website out and give it a try. You have absolutely nothing to lose!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Food, Fashion, and Friends from Around the World
Hiram's own Intercultural Forum, a club assembled of international students and students interested in other cultures, held its annual Talent Show this weekend.
The night began with an excellent dinner at the Kennedy Cent
er. International Students worked all day preparing ethnic dishes representing their own countries. I filled my plate with a good variety of foods; some white rice, spring rolls with glass noodles, a spicy onion and pepper salad, a delicious Nepalese variation on a potato pancake, korokke (a Japanese food made of fried potato and meat), and a Japanese pecan sweet roll. It was all very delicious, not to mention quite a learning experience.
After the dinner, we went to Hayden Auditorium to enjoy the talent show. Members of the Intercultural Forum entertained us with a variety of amazing displays. The shows commenced with a fashion show featuring costumes from around the world. Different shows included Scottish dance, tai chi, and ballet. My roommate, Wenhao, sang a Chinese R&B song called Zai Mei Bian ("Beside the Plum Blossoms"). The students from Nepal amazed us with a spirited group dance, followed by a black-lighted routine from the HC Street Dance Crew. I would have to say my favorite performance was the Japanese students' performace of Sakura, Sakura with accompaniment on piano and flute.
The night was fun, entertaining, and informative!
The night began with an excellent dinner at the Kennedy Cent
er. International Students worked all day preparing ethnic dishes representing their own countries. I filled my plate with a good variety of foods; some white rice, spring rolls with glass noodles, a spicy onion and pepper salad, a delicious Nepalese variation on a potato pancake, korokke (a Japanese food made of fried potato and meat), and a Japanese pecan sweet roll. It was all very delicious, not to mention quite a learning experience.After the dinner, we went to Hayden Auditorium to enjoy the talent show. Members of the Intercultural Forum entertained us with a variety of amazing displays. The shows commenced with a fashion show featuring costumes from around the world. Different shows included Scottish dance, tai chi, and ballet. My roommate, Wenhao, sang a Chinese R&B song called Zai Mei Bian ("Beside the Plum Blossoms"). The students from Nepal amazed us with a spirited group dance, followed by a black-lighted routine from the HC Street Dance Crew. I would have to say my favorite performance was the Japanese students' performace of Sakura, Sakura with accompaniment on piano and flute.
The night was fun, entertaining, and informative!
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