The Medallion #42, April 2024

THE MEDALLION

DISCLAIMER

ANY THOUGHTS, OPINIONS, POLITICAL BELIEFS, OR OTHERWISE PERSONAL IDEAS ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STUDENT WRITER AND NOT OF THE HONORS PROGRAM ITSELF. THE HONORS STUDENT ASSOCIATION STRIVES TO OFFER

PLATFORMS FOR DISCUSSION AND CRITICAL THOUGHT FOR ITS MEMBERS, AND THE MEDALLION IS HAPPY TO BE A PART OF THAT. WRITERS FOR THIS EDITION

INCLUDE:

FIONA ADAIR

HANNAH NICHOLS

KELLAN KISSINGER

MADELYN LUTHER

CONTENTS

PAGE04 letterfromthe editor

PAGES5-6

historyoflandis hall

PAGES7-9

theinternational englishhonor society:aguide andreview

PAGES10-12

studyabroad guide: florence travel,food,and course recommendations

PAGE13

hownewanti-DEI legislationis impactingthe honors community

PAGES14-16

mentalhealth resourceson campus

PAGE17

donaldj.weidner summerfor undergraduates program

PAGES18-19

honorsinDC:a recap

PAGE20

honorslegal scholars

FromtheEditor

Welcome back to another exciting edition of The Medallion! As we dive into the latest issue, I am thrilled to share with you the exciting new articles our amazing writers have been working on. In the Honors Program at FSU, we are privileged to be surrounded by a diverse community of students, each with their own unique perspectives, experiences, and voices. This magazine serves as a platform for those voices to be heard, celebrated, and shared with the world.

I hope you enjoy this edition as much as we enjoyed creating it. Happy reading!

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

MollyLambert

THE HISTORY OF LANDIS HALL

By Hannah Nichols

PICTURED: A LANDIS FOURTH FLOOR DORM – TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA, 1988. CREDIT TO LISA NICHOLS

One of the best perks of being an Honors student is the chance to live in Landis Hall during your time at Florida State University. This beautiful, U-shaped brick building sits in the heart of campus, on the north side of Landis Green.

Housing about 400 students per year, Landis is a community for Honors students to live, work, and hang out alongside their peers. As one of the oldest dorms on campus, Landis has a long history of changing rules and renovation.

Construction on Landis hall began in 1938 and was completed in 1939. Named after Carey Landis, a 1930s attorney general, it was originally designated as an allfemale seniors dorm. These senior students enjoyed privileges such as a later curfew and even a smoking parlor located in the dorm. While times have obviously changed since then, an interview with Vangie Carruthers Rich, who lived in Landis in the 1950s, details out

that the rooms were more or less the same.

“Well, it was very plain. It had space for two beds that were like cots, and we could change the position of those beds occasionally, if we got bored with the way we were. It had two desks that were back-toback. We put the desks in front of the windows… we had a bookshelf that had drawers under it, and each of us had a closet. And in the bookcase we kept the books we weren’t currently using in our studies.”

Back in these times, men weren’t allowed in the rooms, but could come into the common spaces like the kitchen and TV room. Each floor had a communal bathroom, where the women in the dorm would have to walk down the hall to shower or brush their teeth. The dorm also had a house mother, which is essentially a stricter, adult RA. The residents also had to maintain a curfew back then!

Sometime in the 70s-80s, Landis was switched to be a

coed dorm for Honors students. My mother lived in the dorm in the late 80s, and she has explained to me all the significant changes made since 1988. Back in her day, there was an area on the roof in which students could sunbathe. Also, there was a mural of a roach using the toilet by the bathrooms!

70 years later, in 2006, Landis was renovated to be the dorm we know and love today. Communal bathrooms were removed and replaced with suite-style arrangements. Things like windows, floors, and showers were upgraded to newer material. While the interior layout of Landis is wildly different from the smoking-parlor days, the hall still maintains all of its original outside architecture, and some of the inside decorative features too. The same red brick, stone carvings, and archways have been on the building since its inception, and they serve as a beautiful reminder of the history of the dorm.

PICTURED: LANDIS HALL AT FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA. 1930 (CIRCA). STATE ARCHIVES OF FLORIDA, FLORIDA MEMORY.

The International English Honor Society: A Guide and Review

By Fiona Adair

WHILE THE HONORS STUDENT ASSOCIATION IS A GREAT STUDENT ORGANIZATION FOR HONORS STUDENTS OF ALL FIELDS, THERE ARE SMALLER HONORS GROUPS AROUND CAMPUS THAT SPECIALIZE IN CERTAIN TOPICS OR MAJORS. ONE OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS IS SIGMA TAU DELTA/INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH HONOR SOCIETY (IEHS).

As an English major myself, this society has always been on my radar, and I took writing for this issue of The Medallion as an opportunity to do some indepth research about it. I even reached out to Kennedy Lora,

who is the current president of the English Honor Society and a classmate of mine, to learn more about the organization through her. Before getting into the interview with her, though, here are some basics about Sigma Tau Delta and IEHS that you should know: - The Difference Between

Sigma Tau Delta and IEHS: When you first google “FSU English Honor Society”, you’re greeted with the two titles of Sigma Tau Delta and the International English Honor Society. They are described in a few places as being two different names for one thing, but that is only a slightly accurate description.

Sigma Tau Delta has been

FSU’s (Rho Epsilon chapter) English honor society for over fifty years, but there are a few barriers to joining it. First and foremost, you have to be an English major and have completed at least 12 credit hours of English courses. In addition to this, there is a onetime membership fee of $50. While these requirements should not be reasons to not join Sigma Tau Delta, they can limit the amount of people who can participate in the organization and its events. That’s where IEHS comes in. While very much intertwined with Sigma Tau Delta, IEHS is a separate RSO (recognized student organization) at FSU, and it is free for anyone from

any major to join. Those who are a part of IEHS but not Sigma Tau Delta can participate in all of the free events that the organization hosts, but they do not get all of the benefits of those in Sigma Tau Delta.

- Benefits of Sigma Tau Delta: The three main benefits of a Sigma Tau Delta membership are scholarships, internships, and publications. By being a part of this national chapter, students will get limited access to multiple scholarships, up to $6,000 each. As far as internships go, Sigma Tau Delta not only offers its own internship with the Sigma Tau Delta Journals, but it also cosponsors some internships with other organizations like Penguin Random House. If a Sigma Tau Delta member gets a non- or low-paying internship, they can also apply for an internship stipend of up to $1,500. Finally, Sigma Tau Delta members can submit critical or creative work to Sigma Tau Delta Review or Sigma Tau Delta Rectangle. If neither of these journals is a good fit for your work, or if there is another topic you wish to speak about, another place to consider submitting to is WORDY by Nature, the official blog of Sigma Tau Delta.

- Types of Events Hosted by IEHS: In addition to the monthly General Body Meetings, which are typical of an RSO, IEHS hosts several other types of events frequently. A frequent type of event that they organize is the movie nights,

where students can take a break from classes and work by watching a movie with other members. Another major event hosted by IEHS is the book club; they have even offered free copies of the book being read in the past. In addition to those, IEHS has hosted and will continue to host writing workshops, literary open mics, study nights, potlucks, tea parties, webinars, trivia, and more. There is no shortage of things to do when you’re a part of IEHS. And, as Kennedy talks about in her interview, you can always introduce new ideas to the organization.

Interview with Kennedy Lora, IEHS President:

What inspired you to join IEHS/Sigma Tau Delta?

“To be frank, I was jealous of all the accounting and biology and engineering majors that had ten events they had to go to each week. I wanted a sense of community and a space to continue my academic studies. Also, quite honestly, I wanted bragging rights. How could I ever be a great writer or professor if I wasn’t part of the International English Honor Society? I’d be a fraud! So, when I found the society, I joined immediately.”

How would you describe the honor society to somebody who knows nothing about it?

“When people ask me about it, I usually say a combination of three things. The first: it is completely free and open to all

students regardless of major and standing. The second: we host events and organizations like book club, movie nights, trivia, and open mic. Third: there are opportunities for scholarships, internships, and publications within our national chapter.”

What was the process of becoming IEHS’s president like, and what does your role as president look like on a daily basis?

“I was sort of thrust into the position in a whirlwind of Zoom meetings. Originally, I applied to be secretary because I was weary of the time commitment that the position of president might require. Kristy, our old graduate advisor, had other plans for me. She liked my ideas for the organization, so she tossed me in. Since then, it’s certainly been a learning experience. I spent the first few weeks of the fall semester glued to my laptop and just trying to keep up with the sheer volume of applications we had coming in. Since then, it’s certainly been a learning experience. I spent the first few weeks of the fall semester glued to my laptop and just trying to keep up with the sheer volume of applications we had coming in. I was, and remain to this day, living in my Outlook inbox, reserving rooms and spaces in FSU events and answering questions from members and faculty. I think the most IEHS emails that I’ve sent in a day is something like 25. Aside from the solitary labor, I am constantly setting agendas for

executive meetings and checking in on my officers to make sure they have everything they need. I am always making one promotional graphic or another, be it PowerPoint slides or flyers. I also act as liaison between the RSO (IEHS) and the national chapter (Sigma Tau Delta) which is mainly supervised (paperwork and all) by our graduate advisor. I deliver information and assistance between the two groups and make sure that everybody has all the information they need to make the most of the opportunities that both organizations afford them. These days, I’ve certainly gotten better at balancing my schedule. I have set blocks of time to update the Excel sheets and MS Teams members and I try my best not to answer my email out of normal operating hours (mine being about 7:45a-8p). Alas, the emails don’t stop, the events keep coming, and the questions only multiply. It’s a good thing that I absolutely adore my job and all of my officers and advisors, or I might be underwater by now!”

What can someone interested in joining IEHS/Sigma Tau Delta expect from the organization and their involvement in it?

“I like to tell members that their experience will be what they make it. If they just want a cozy environment to be in on Wednesday evenings, then that is what we can give them. If they want a medium through

which to execute their ideas and passion projects, then we can give them that space as well. If they want help, if they want friends, if they want free food and movies, if they merely want something nice and impressive to put on their resume, we can give them all of that. When I came into this society, we were 17 members meeting once a month on Zoom. I wanted more, though, so I created more. Any one of our members can do exactly that.”

How can someone join, and when is the best time to do so?

“The best time to join is at the beginning of a semester. If you can make it to the first general body meeting of the semester, then you’re unlikely to miss any special or singular events. To join, you can scan the QR code on one of our many, many flyers throughout Williams, or you can scan the QR code in the highlight on our Instagram. If you have trouble with either of those, no worries! You can DM our Instagram and one of our social media co-directors will be in touch with you to get you into our forums. Once you’ve filled out the application, it will be processed, and you will be added to our roster as well as Microsoft Teams which is our primary form of communication. From there on, it’s smooth sailing.”

As we’re approaching the end of the spring semester, do you have any summer break book recommendations?

“Oh, I have a hundred. I’ve been trying to finish ‘The Maidens’ by Alex Michaelides for seven months now! I haven’t had the time between my literature courses, book club reads, and other obligations, so that will be my first completed read of the summer. It’s been so good so far, but not nearly as good as Alex Michaelides’s second novel, ‘The Silent Patient.’ That book is a must-read! I finished it in two sessions and my jaw was on. The. Floor. Some other suggestions: for science fiction, I’d recommend ‘Babel-17’ by Samual Delaney; for fantasy, I’d recommend ‘Mistborn’ by Brandon Sanderson; for philosophy or general speculative fiction, I’d recommend ‘Notes From Underground’ by Fyodor Dostoyevsky; and finally, for nonfiction, I’d recommend ‘In the Dream House’ by Carmen Machado. (Honorable mention: for guilty pleasures, I’d recommend ‘A Touch of Darkness’ by Scarlett St. Clair).”

If all of this information doesn’t inspire you to become a part of IEHS, I don’t know what will. A great way to stay in the loop with what the organization is doing is to follow them on Instagram @iehsfsu. Otherwise, as Kennedy has stated, pay a visit to the Williams building and walk through the halls to find one of their flyers, which they update frequently with upcoming events.

STUDYINGABROAD INFLORENCE?

By Madelyn Luther

Last summer, I traveled to Florence and participated in FSU’s Editing, Writing, and Media in Italy program

During the few weeks I was there, I made unforgettable memories and friends that will last a lifetime If you are studying abroad in Florence this summer, I have a few recommendations in terms of

TRAVEL,FOOD,ANDCOURSE RECOMMENDATIONSFORYOUR SUMMERABROAD

must-try dishes, course registration, and travel locations. I encourage you to incorporate some of my recommendations into your adventures you won’t regret it! Food: Florence is located in the Tuscan region of Italy, an area known for its rich cuisine. One must-try Florentine dish is wild boar pappardelle pasta. If your

travels put you at or near the Boboli Gardens, be sure to get a table at Trattoria Boboli to try their recreation of this classic dish! Additionally, gelato is a famous must-try Italian dessert. There seems to be a gelateria on every corner of the cobblestone streets of Florence, so it can be overwhelming to decide which one to step into. Look no further Duomo in Florence, Italy

than just a few minutes away from FSU’s Florence Study Center La Carraia in Santa Croce had some of the best gelato I tried during my time abroad! And finally, don’t miss the amazing red wine and the various wine windows of Florence. Tuscany is known for its Chianti, a dryer red wine with notes of cherry and earthy, rustic aromas. You can find this type of wine and others at wine windows, or small openings in the exterior walls of some buildings. While many in the city aren’t functional anymore, some are, and you can buy a glass of wine from them without stepping foot inside a building!

Courses: FSU’s Florence Study

Abroad program has a broad collection of courses to choose from; of these are the English Grapevine, presumably for wine production in Monterosso al Mare

classes that are part of the Editing, Writing, and Media (EWM) in Italy program Even though these classes focus on writing, editing, textuality, and related subjects, the program is not reserved exclusively for English majors

The courses that are part of FSU’s EWM in Italy program offer students hands-on experience with the culture of the city itself, taking a particular interest in how food and culture intersect with English studies. The courses I completed as part of the program were ENC 3310: Article and Essay Technique and ENG 3803: History of Text Technologies, taught by the incredible Dr Judith Pascoe and Dr. Perry Howell, respectively. Students in the EWM in Italy program will also produce a magazine by the end of the program, called FLOR. I served as co-editor-in-chief of FLOR Issue 3 and oversaw all stages of the publication process

Other than English-specific classes, another course of interest offered in Florence includes HFT 2876: Wine in Italy. The students enrolled in this class learn all about each phase of the winemaking process, and it is offered to students in the Food & Wine in Tuscany program, part of the Hospitality & Tourism Management major. FSU also has an exciting Archaeology program in Tuscany that is open to all majors, and it takes place in Cetamura, Italy. FSU’s Cetamura program had its fiftieth

anniversary celebration last year, and I had the honor of attending the presentation and dinner as a student journalist Students in the Archaeology program study material remains, learn how to conduct fieldwork, and even engage with 3D printing technologies If you enroll in any of the aforementioned courses, you may be able to augment it to fulfill Honors requirements! This contract would be decided on an individual basis between the instructor and student Travel: During my time abroad, I traveled almost exclusively inside the country of Italy. The country has such a storied history and diverse regional cuisines that narrowing the entire country down into a handful of travel recommendations is difficult. But if pressed, here are my top two travel adventures I would recommend The first would,

Statue at Pitti Palace in Florence

Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence, Italy

without a doubt, be my experience attending the Pride parade in Rome, Italy Roma Pride is an annual event in which thousands of people take to the streets to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community While it may seem idiosyncratic to have attended Pride just minutes from the Catholic capital of the world, I found that the collection of queer individuals and allies alike that surrounded me that day was diverse and accepting This, to me, just went to show that centuries of history and religious tradition does not have to exist at the expense of the queer community

After the parade, there was a block party to commemorate Pride at a historically gay and lesbian neighborhood near the Colosseum. If you are lucky enough to be in Italy during June,

particularly if you are a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I highly recommend traveling a few hours south of Florence to Rome for the experience of a lifetime!

Next, if you have an extra weekend during your time

abroad, try to make it out to Cinque Terre! This gem of the Mediterranean coastline is a system of five villages, which include Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, and it is connected by train and by hiking paths. But be warned the paths are not easy by any means As you travel by foot from town to town, you are literally hiking up the side of a mountain. If you are not feeling up to the hike, you can navigate

the villages by train. Italian summers are very hot, but you can cool off in the nearby picturesque Mediterranean ocean. Be sure to bring a water bottle, sunscreen, and a camera the hike is arduous, but worth it!

Roma

Riomaggiore, Italy

Pride in Rome, Italy

How New Anti-DEI Legislation Is Impacting the Honors Community

By Madelyn Luther

EARLIER THIS SEMESTER, THE FLORIDA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION PASSED A RULE THAT PERMANENTLY PROHIBITS DEI INITIATIVES IN THE FLORIDA COLLEGE SYSTEM (FCS).

Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr stated that this ruling will help “ensure that we will not spend taxpayers’ money supporting DEI and radical indoctrination that promotes division in our society.” In the wake of this ruling, the University of Florida terminated all positions associated with diversity, equity, and inclusion, firing 15 faculty members. Sociology is no longer a core course within the higher education system of Florida. This decision was made even after large protests in support of DEI initiatives were held on college campuses throughout Florida. At a Florida Board of Governor’s meeting on January 24, students from across the state made their way to Tallahassee as a display of protest against the rule, which was being heard before the Board that day. The protestors demanded that Florida universities preserve all multicultural studies, protect queer students and students of color, and more. They accused the Board of eradicating the full history of marginalized groups. The Board’s controversial opinion is a continuation of conservative attacks on what they perceive as “wokeism.”

Florida Governor Ron Desantis, who entered the Republican presidential primary as the biggest threat to former President Donald Trump, suspended his campaign earlier this year in the face of dwindling support and poor polling. But on the campaign trail, one of Desantis’ biggest policy standpoints was his persistent attacks on the left and DEI initiatives. As Governor, he has implemented many of these anti-DEI regulations in the state of Florida. The effects of this “anti-woke” rhetoric are beginning to be seen in Florida State University’s academic and student programs. Within the Honors Student Association, however, DEI initiatives have not been suspended. In fact, HSA’s EDI team was established last year and frequently hosts social and educational events that are open to the Honors community.

Aside from extracurriculars, some students have wondered whether honors coursework, such as Honors Signature Courses, are at risk because of the new anti-DEI rule. A definitive answer to this question remains to be seen as the rule becomes further implemented in Florida universities. One course in particular, Race and Religion in America Today: Civil Rights and Black Power, is no longer offered at FSU. I used it to help fill my Liberal Studies Diversity and my Oral Communication Competency requirements and I thoroughly enjoyed all our readings and class projects. I was dismayed to see that it was no longer offered as an Honors Signature Course. However, regardless of what anti-DEI initiatives are pushed on college campuses, student organizations such as HSA’s EDI team, the Pride Student Union, the Black Student Union, and others have and will continue to promote community and inclusivity within their organizations. Faculty, staff, and students of color, those who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and other marginalized groups will not be erased.

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES ON CAMPUS

By Madelyn Luther and Hannah Nichols

As busy college students, there is a lot on our plates at all times. Balancing coursework and on-campus involvements while facing new situations and social pressures is challenging, but doing all of this while planning out our future can be outright

overwhelming. It is difficult to find time to focus on ourselves when we are constantly on the move—stressing over the next exam, hurrying from meeting to meeting, or racing out of class to get to a job interview on time.

Fortunately, Florida State has a

ton of campus and community resources available to help you through the toughest of times. Many of these resources are free and accessible to all students who need them! Here is a rundown of some of FSU’s mental health and wellness programs. The University

Counseling Center (UCC) is FSU’s main resource for counseling and psychological services. Their licensed and professional staff offers a variety of services, including immediate triage services, oneon-one sessions, couples' sessions, group sessions, and around-the-clock crisis intervention services. You can receive counseling in-person or on Zoom, as they even offer telehealth services. Their website (https://counseling.fsu.edu/) also has online resources and wellness tips that can be accessed at any time. Best of all, there is no out-of-pocket expense for any visit, as the center is funded by your tuition fees! (Note: one exception applies if you are a no-show— the Counseling Center does charge a fee if you do not show up to your appointment. If you find that you cannot make it to a scheduled appointment, be sure to cancel it at least 24 hours before the meeting time). If you have questions about your mental well-being or would like the advice of a licensed professional, the UCC is the place to go. You can get more information from their website linked above or give them a call at 850-644-TALK (8255). Another free resource is the Human Services Center,

growth, and resolve inner turmoil in a safe and confidential environment. Their professional staff is available to help you navigate whatever may be affecting you, including depression, anxiety, stress management, motivation, self–esteem, anger management, conflict management, relationship issues, and adjusting to challenges. To make an appointment at the center, visit their website:

Case Management operates on a walk-in basis, with hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. If you find yourself needing support or advocacy after a crisis, the professional case managers in this office are dedicated to helping you be accommodated within the university. For more information, you can check out their website: https://dsst.fsu.edu/cms.

https://cehhs.fsu.edu/hsc Florida State also has studentrun organizations that are focused on improving campus health and well-being. The FSU Mental Health Council is a bureau of the student government focused on empowering students through destigmatization, community involvement, and advocacy. They have regular general body which provides individual, couples, and family counseling to students as well as youth and adults in the community. The center’s mission is to help you facilitate psychological health, improve personal

meetings, where they discuss mental wellness and at times even invite some guest speakers. Additionally, the council puts on social events for any student to attend. Some recent events have included a Valentine’s Day carnival and a mental health film festival. To keep up with their meetings and events, follow their Instagram page: @mentalhealthcouncilfsu.

FSU Case Management is another health resource available to students who may have immediate needs, and they provide resources such as short-term crisis counseling, advocacy, and emotional and academic support.

RENEW is a counseling centersponsored peer-education program that provides FSU students with access to individual informational sessions about life transitions, adulting 101, time management, study skills, healthy relationships, and more. RENEW student educators are selected based on academic merit, time management skills, and friendly personalities. The organization also conducts outreach services, presentations, and social events for students on campus. Student educators also serve as ambassadors for the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services. For more information or if you have any questions, you can contact them via email at renew@fsu.edu, on Instagram at @renewfsu, or through their website at https://counseling.fsu.edu/stu dents/renew.

CHAW is an on-campus organization that advocates for students to make healthy decisions about their nutrition, wellness, sexual health, and relationships. They host

educational sessions and promote policy reform on campus. They have online support meetings for groups such as Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous and SMART Recovery. They frequently collaborate with other on-campus organizations to promote body positivity, sexual health, mindfulness, and more. They can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok at @fsuchaw or online at https://chaw.fsu.edu/.

Mental well-being is a crucial part of being a successful student and a healthy individual. All the named resources are completely free and designed with student’s interests in mind. As intimidating as conquering mental health can be, it is

helpful to know that you have resources and professionals available to help you. Madelyn was fortunate enough to be able to conduct a Q&A with Karina Shaya, President of RENEW. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What are some resources for students who are experiencing burnout and anxiety during finals? One resource that is always available to students is RENEW individualinstructional sessions! You can sign up to talk with student representatives about how to handle time management, stress management, burnout, anxiety, or any other variety of topics. Another resource is the

CAPS weekly drop-in workshops that cover mindfulness, anxiety, and depression! These are listed under the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) portion of FSU’s website.

What advice do you have about how students can take care of themselves during finals season? One thing that I would recommend doing during finals week is to schedule out times in which you can do selfcare activities (eating, showering, resting, journaling) in between studying. I find that rewarding myself in between planned out studying breaks helps keep me motivated and makes me sure that I get the proper care I deserve during stressful times

What are some efficient study methods that can help with a healthy balance between social life and school?

An efficient study method that has helped me is to do active recall right after a class lecture Instead of waiting till the week or even the day before an exam to go over past lectures, I sit down and take a summarized page of notes on what I just learned at the end of each class day This way it allows me to stay on track with the material and I feel more prepared when creating a study guide for exam days. Another method that has helped me keep a healthy work/life balance is creating study groups with my friends

Even if my friends aren’t in the same classes as me, I find

setting time aside to do work with them has helped me maintain a social life while working on school. A bonus tip is to teach your friends what you are currently studying, that way you simultaneously review course material and socialize!

What is one piece of advice you’d like to give students? It is okay to feel burned out or to feel anxious before exams. The key is to make sure you don’t overwork yourself before test days and make sure to practice self-care. If you are constantly pulling all-nighters and occasionally skipping meals to study, the burnout is going to catch up much more quickly. I find planning out time ahead and making daily schedules to find pockets of time to study and do daily

activities helps me maintain my mental state and avoid getting burnt out before the next school day.

Open-ended question: Feel free to speak about any personal challenges you have experienced during stressful times academically.

I know a lot of what I mentioned is harder in practice than it sounds. I still occasionally feel burned out, which only adds to the high levels of stress I experience during finals. However, I find that maintaining my hobbies, like taking a break from studying to read, helps ease this stress. Keeping daily schedules so I can carve out self-care time also helps tremendously!

Donald J.Weidner Summer for Undergraduates Program

One of FSU’s most immersive opportunities for pre-law undergraduate students, the Donal J. Weidner Summer for Undergraduates Program, brings students from different universities around the country to Florida State University’s campus for a four week-long legal study program. This program is one of the oldest and largest programs of its kind in the U.S., as it has been in action for 33 years with over 243 colleges and universities represented. Taking place from May 21st to June 14th, this program covers three primary areas of focus. The first area of focus is the classroom experience; through daily classes taught by FSU law school professors, students experience a stimulation of

By Kellan Kissinger

first-year law school classes. They also participate in writing and communication workshops, which allows them to become familiarized with the American legal system. Next, the program focuses on providing participants with the opportunity to talk to admission staff about the law school application process. Through working on personal statements, resumes, and cover letters, participants are able to sharpen their materials prior to applying to law school.

Finally, the program concentrates on providing candidates with an immersive experience, and this includes visiting the Florida Supreme Court, debating oral court arguments, and listening to current attorneys and judges.

To be eligible to apply, applicants must be enrolled in a two or four-year institution and be a rising sophomore, junior, or senior. Applicants should provide a completed online application, an up to date resume, a personal statement responding to a provided prompt, and a current transcript. This program is completely free to apply and to participate in. On-campus housing and a meal swipe card will be offered to accepted participants for the entirety of the duration of the program and a 500 dollar stipend is provided to all participants. If you are interested in attending law school after graduation, I highly recommend considering this program!

HONORS IN DC: A RECAP

By Fiona Adair

IN LATE FEBRUARY, A SELECT NUMBER OF STUDENTS WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO ATTEND A MEDIA FIELD TRIP TO WASHINGTON D.C. WHICH WAS FULLY FUNDED BY AN FSU HONORS PROGRAM DONOR. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO BE ONE OF THESE STUDENTS, AND HERE, I WILL BE SHARING A BRIEF RECAP OF THE TRIP TO REFLECT ON MY EXPERIENCE AND WHAT I’VE GAINED FROM IT.

Saturday, February 24th: The first day of our trip began bright and early at 4AM, with most of us having never met each other or interacted outside of classes and tripplanning Zoom meetings. After the perfect bonding experience of sitting in a van that was probably a little too small for all of us, we took an early flight out to D.C. We learned to navigate the metro system and arrived at the National Mall; here, we toured the Capitol Building. This tour was a fascinating and immersive way for me to learn more about our country’s history and about the architecture of the capitol building itself. I especially loved seeing the National Statuary Hall, a collection of noble figures from each of the 50 states. Currently, Florida has John Gorrie and Mary McLeod Bethune representing us in this collection.

Sunday, February 25th:

On the second day of our trip, we returned to the National Mall to visit some of the many museums there. The group split up and visited various museums, and I personally got to see the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. While I learned an incredible amount at both of these museums, I could go back to spend several more days at each of the museums and learn even more. The Holocaust Memorial Museum was, of course, very heavy, but I am now much more knowledgeable on the subject matter than I would have been without making the visit. Additionally, seeing the celebratory pride being showcased at the National Museum of African American History and Culture was beyond inspiring.

That evening after dinner, we paid a late-night visit to the

Lincoln Memorial. The great number of photos I’ve seen of this memorial could not have prepared me for just how grand and moving it is in person!

Monday, February 26th

Monday was the most important day of the trip, as it was the whole reason we had traveled to D.C. On this day, we got to meet some very important figures from the journalism world.

The day started with a tour of George Washington University, an urban campus that is very different from what we’re used to here at FSU. Located in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington D.C., it is a private university with many unique experience opportunities as well as an impressive list of faculty and staff. It has many great graduate programs, so make sure to check it out if you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree. After the campus tour of GWU, we

gathered at the F Street House (GWU president Ellen Granberg and her wife, Sonya Rankin’s, residence) to speak with Kristian Denny Todd, Chuck Todd, Kristen Welker, and Carrie Budoff Brown. Kristian Denny Todd, who also happens to be the donor making this trip possible, is an FSU alumna who works as a democratic campaign communications strategist in Washington, D.C. She is also a co-founder of Maverick Strategies and Mail. Kristian is married to Chuck Todd, who is the former moderator of the NBC Sunday morning talk show Meet the Press. Todd currently works as the Chief Political Analyst for NBC

News. Kristen Welker is the current moderator for Meet the Press. She was also a former co-anchor for Weekend Today and the NBC News Chief White House Correspondent. Lastly, Carrie Budoff Brown is the Senior Vice President of Politics at NBC News. These very impressive journalists were very genuine and attentive during the time they spent with us. Throughout the conversation, I learned a lot about the dedication and passion of those in the field of journalism. Listening to them speak about their professional journeys was beyond inspiring! Overall, this trip was one of the many experiences that

makes me grateful to be involved with the Honors Program at FSU. As stated earlier, I hope that reading about my experience inspires you to pursue any opportunities that you are presented with. This media trip required an application and interview process that I was initially nervous to partake in, but it ultimately led to one of the most memorable weekends of my life. Hopefully, reading this will inspire you to seek out and take advantage of future opportunities within the Honors Program at FSU. This trip was a wonderful learning experience academically and socially, and I hope that you can see that reflected in this recap!

HONORS LEGAL SCHOLARS

AUNIQUEOPPORTUNITY FORHONORSSTUDENTS INTERESTEDINLAW

By Kellan Kissinger

Honors Legal Scholars (HLS) is a unique opportunity for current and incoming FSU prelaw honors students to involve themselves with FSU’s College of Law. Through a joint effort between the University Honors Program and the College of Law, a small group of motivated students are chosen to participate in different activities, including preprofessional career advising. In addition, they are able to hear advice from law school professors, law students, and alumni, tour the College of Law and observe a law class, and access special law school events and lectures. There are two groups of students eligible

to apply to HLS: incoming freshmen admitted to both FSU and the University Honors Program, and current University Honors students with at least one more year of undergraduate coursework remaining.

A key aspect that draws many undergraduate pre-law students to apply to the program is the prospect of automatic admission to FSU’s College of Law. In order to be considered for this opportunity, a scholar must complete the College of Law’s application for admission by the Priority Deadline during the application cycle they wish to matriculate, obtain an LSAT

score of at least 165, obtain an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.9 or higher as calculated by the Law School Admissions Council, obtain a Bachelor’s degree from FSU, demonstrate good moral character and fitness as expected by a law student, and be an active member or alum in good standing with the HLS program.

If you are a pre-law student looking for a strong connection with FSU’s College of Law, HLS is for you! For more information, contact the Honors Program Office by email at honors@fsu.edu or by phone at (850) 644-1841.

EDITOR IN CHIEF:

MOLLY LAMBERT

WRITERS: FIONA ADAIR

HANNAH NICHOLS

KELLAN KISSINGER

MADELYN LUTHER