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:
Happy Valentine's Day! Use this day to give love to anything in your lifeyour special someone, a loved one, friends, the world, pets, or yourself. There's so much in this world to appreciate so take the time to tell your friends and family you love them and take a second to be kind to yourself today: you deserve it!
I'm so happy to be writing my first letter as Director this semester! I hope you can just have fun reading or looking through this issue as there are many unique and amusing stories! Our team has been working hard to write these stories and create content for you guys.
A little bit about me is that I started with the HSA last year as a newsletter chair. I wrote for this exact newsletter! Although it's been a super fun challenge, there have been some learning curves and growing pains! I'm still figuring out this position, but I really hope to expand our social media presence and showcase more honors student faces and stories throughout the semester.
I'm really excited for all of the upcoming HSA events we put together and I hope you have some fun showing up and engaging within this community. If I can be of any help, I am fully accessible on the HSA Instagram or if you see me in the HSF building. We are always looking for content and ways to boast the honors community! Enjoy!
Editor-in-Chief, Max Mitchell
Today, most Americans associate Valentine's day with chocolate, love, and did I mention chocolate? But when did people start celebrating this holiday, and why is it called “Valentine’s” day?
The origins are unclear, but one popular story dates back to Ancient Rome. It’s said that the Emperor Claudius executed two men named Valentine on February 14th- but in different years. What a coincidence! Apparently, one of these men fell in love with the blind daughter of his jailer. Before he was executed, he miraculously gave her the ability to see, and left her a note signed “From Your Valentine.”
And there you have it, the first Valentine’s day card! Nowadays, Valentine’s day is celebrated with a variety of unique traditions worldwide.
In Japan, women traditionally give chocolate to men on February 14th. There is honmei choco, which is given to romantic partners, and giri choco, or “obligation chocolate” which is given to platonic friends and coworkers.
So if you get a giri choco from your crush, you know you ’ ve been friendzoned, but at least you have some chocolate to soothe your broken heart!
Valentine's Day is followed up by “White Day” on March 14th, when men traditionally give chocolate and gifts to women.
In South Korea, Valentine’s Day and “White day” are celebrated similarly to Japan. However, this is followed up by “Black Day” on April 14th. On this day, single people wear black clothing and eat a traditional black noodle dish called jajangmyeon.
Traditionally, South Korean society has put a strong emphasis on the value of having a romantic partner, so the black theme was meant to represent mourning the lack of a relationship in one ' s life. However, as the importance of being coupled up has declined in recent years, black day has become more about celebrating the joys of being single. And of course, eating delicious noodles!
In Estonia, February 14th is Sõbrapäev. This translates to “friendship day,” and it’s all about appreciating non-romantic love between family and friends. But that doesn’t mean there’s no romance. Couples also celebrate their love, and if you are single (and ready to mingle) you can ride around on a “love bus” and meet others looking for a special someone.
In Ghana, Valentine’s Day is all about chocolate! In 2005, the Ghanaian tourism authority made February 14th “National Chocolate Day.” This holiday was established to promote tourism and encourage domestic chocolate production and consumption, as these are very important industries for the Ghanaian economy.
Domestic chocolate production allows a much larger portion of profits to stay in Ghana’s economy, and decreases the ability of big chocolate companies to exploit farmers by paying them unfairly low wages. Several companies selling domestically produced Ghanaian chocolate have expanded to the US market in recent years, including ‘57 chocolate, a company run by two Ghanaian sisters. The name commemorates 1957, the year of Ghana’s independence.
Okay, so this isn’t exactly a cultural tradition, but it’s certainly a pop culture one! Galentine’s Day started as a fictional holiday in the sitcom “Parks and Recreation,” but it has since transcended the screen and become a real tradition for many people.
Galentine’s Day is celebrated annually on February 13th, and it’s all about appreciating the gift of friendship. So no matter your Valentine’s Day plans, remember to celebrate the amazing friends in your life this February 13th.
One of Florida State’s main selling points is campus life. You can go on any campus tour or read any informational brochure, and they will for sure mention the 500+ student organizations, unions, and teams that exist here. They market it as a community for all, a school that supports you every step of the way. In my experience, this description is fully accurate. There are so many opportunities to connect with others. The campus life here is thriving, vibrant, and it is easy to find involvement in niche discourse communities that not only align with your interests or personal development, they also give you a feeling of love and belonging.
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I wanted to explore this phenomenon of campus love. I decided to ask Honors students: where do you see love on campus?
What or who on campus inspires feelings of love and community?
Personally, I can see it almost everywhere I go. From the couples holding hands, to the friend groups cheering in Doak Campbell Stadium, to the teams and organizations I am a part of myself - there is an underlying tone of love and encouragement. Even just walking around our beautiful campus, I am reminded why everyone here chose this school. Not only is it beautiful and academically excellent, everyone here takes pride in attending the school. And that seems to be the general consensus among the students interviewed; it is easy to take pride in a school that is overwhelmingly happy. For many, campus is their support system and home to the organizations, places, and people they love.
So, where do Honors students see love at FSU? Here is what a select sample said:
“At yoga club. I feel a real sense of community there. It’s nice to do something like that with other people.”
“When friends or couples are just hanging outside on Landis Green.”
“I love the sunsets here. They’re always so gorgeous, and I cannot tell you how many photos I have on my phone. Still, the pictures never turn out quite as well as the real thing.”
“At football games. Some people go crazy for the team; I’ve seen fights break out.”
“The Westcott fountain is so pretty all the time. It’s also cute when people are getting thrown in by their friends at midnight.”
“Watching people when they encounter the campus cats. Those cats are so pampered and loved. They have to be the most photographed cats ever. ”
“A very prominent figure of love on campus is Mrs. Killings. She just radiates such warmth and positivity, and even if you ’ re having a bad day, one of her famous ‘I love yous ’ will cheer you up in no time.”
“Anytime I see my friends. I like hammocking with them and other people.”
Are you searching for a perfect match? Looking for the one you’ll love? Sometimes choosing a book to read can feel like scrolling through a dating app, never quite finding anything that holds your interest. Well, I’m here to make the search easier with some handpicked recommendations! Call me a literary dating coach.
P.S. If you like surprises, you can pick up a “Blind Date With A Book” at Strozier Library. Sometimes shaking it up is just what you need!
Unaccustomed Earth is a wonderful collection of eight short stories by Jhumpa Lahiri. These brilliantly crafted tales explore the complex interactions of relationships, culture, and human nature. The stories are incredibly diverse, told from a wide range of perspectives and set across the globe. However, there is an overarching theme of immigrants balancing cultural identities and adjusting to a new home- unaccustomed earth. I personally love how these stories explore the beautiful complexity of relationships- between family, friends, or lovers- while avoiding obvious conclusions. This book is incredibly compelling and touching, and if you ’ re anything like me, you’ll have a very difficult time putting it down.
Bunny is a darkly comedic and surreal exploration of the cutthroat world of graduate creative writing programs. It tells the story of Samantha, a young student who becomes increasingly entangled in a bizarre clique known as the “Bunnies.”
As she struggles to keep up with her master's work and escalating social obligations, she begins to question her own sanity. This sharp, witty, and enthralling tale will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat!
All the Light we Cannot See is a tragically beautiful novel set in World War II Europe. It tells the parallel stories of two teenagers, a German orphan and a blind French girl, as they fight to survive the horrors of war.
I love how this book alternates between two very different perspectives, revealing the unexpected and miraculous ways that we touch each other's lives, often without even knowing it. I also appreciated how the plot incorporates real historical details in a fascinating way. I actually learned a lot of interesting information about WWII, but it never felt boring or instructional. Simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming, All the Light we Cannot See highlights the strength, courage, and beauty that can be found in our everyday lives, even during the darkest of times.
Have you ever wondered what an alien would think of our society? The Humans answers this question in a brilliant, devastating, and hilarious fashion.
It tells the story of an extraterrestrial visitor who takes over the body- and life- of a middle aged math professor at Cambridge University. While his first impression is not exactly positive, he soon discovers that there is more to humanity than meets the eye.
I would describe this book as a love letter to the extraordinary wonders of life on Earth, from poetry to peanut butter. The Humans is a wonderfully poignant exploration of the struggles and confusion of being human and the miraculous delights of everyday life that make it all worthwhile.
SISTER CINDY: THE SISTER CINDY: THE CROSSROADS OF CROSSROADS OF PREACHING, PREACHING, PERFORMANCE, AND PERFORMANCE, AND
Earlier this semester Florida State Campus was blessed by the presence of Sister Cindy, an eccentric traveling preacher who has made it her life’s mission to spread the gospel at college campuses across the nation.
Cindy Smock has been preaching for over five decades, longer than most of her audience has been alive. Over the years, she has coined catchphrases that rely on shock value, utilizing vulgarities and bold (often politically incorrect) claims.
Cindy’s messages are aimed at the college woman, urging them to leave behind their lives of sexual indulgence and turn toward Christianity. To quote some of her latest work:
“Leave the burden of the heavy ho chain to Nicki Minaj and Cardi B.”
While the entity of Sister Cindy is not a new phenomenon, her presence as a pop culture icon is. After discovering videos of her sermons were going viral on TikTok, Cindy made her own account, amassing over 400 thousand followers and almost 9 million likes. People found her hilarious; they could not believe this woman was real life. Some even became ironic fans of her. As a result of her TikTok fame, she was able to commercialize. She gives out merch at her campus visits now, gifting ‘Ho No Mo’ buttons and bibles to people who ask or answer her questions. She made t-shirts which she wears while preaching, and even has brand deals. Despite all of this, Sister Cindy has not appeared to sell out or change her values. The fact that she has been preaching her entire life proves this. She seems to have simply found her niche by playing into her success as an entertainer.
And she is entertaining! Anyone who saw her speak on Landis Green can tell you it was more than just a sermon, it was a calculated and rhetorically strong performance. What separates Cindy from the average campus preacher is her eccentricity.
She knows she’s crazy, and she relies on it to grab the attention of her audience and it is what allows her to build and maintain a large following. During her recent threeday visit to FSU, she seemed to have a crowd around her at all times. The crowd was actively listening too, and participating, shouting out questions for her to answer.
What makes Sister Cindy so interesting as a part of pop culture is the fact that her fanbase, for the most part, stays following her because she is funny, not because they agree with what she has to say. In fact, the groups she targets most seem to be the biggest fans: college-age women and members of the LGBTQ+ community. It makes you wonder if anyone has ever taken Sister Cindy seriously, if she has ever actually made an impact in someone ’ s life. It makes you wonder why she keeps going on these tours across the country, why she continues to spend her entire life preaching to an audience that makes fun of her. Commitment to faith is part of it, I’m sure, but one could even question if it’s more than that, if it’s a commitment to the art of performance.
