My second semester in the Honors Concentration has been even more eventful and exciting than the first.

I feel that I had the opportunity to be more involved in volunteer work and recommended activities. The most satisfying event in my volunteerism was mentoring a second semester freshman inductee, Lydia Hanna. I was able to show her around Whitney and let her meet some of the Honors freshman housed in Mullica. We are now good friends and even went ice skating and on the trip to the Museum of Modern Art together. Next semester, we plan on starting a study group for organic chemistry. It was immensely satisfying to introduce someone to the Bantivoglio Honors Concentration and becoming good friends with her was icing on the cake. I am excited that Lydia can be a part of our family. I also enjoyed acting as a photographer for a few Honors events this semester. I took several pictures at the Honors Accepted Students Reception and also had the opportunity to take some at the spring picnic. Photography is a passion of mine and Im glad I could use it to help the Honors Concentration. But despite the selfless work to help my community, I enjoyed myself and learned from several Honors Recommended Activities. The first was Movie Night where I watched Mulan. As a kid, it was my favorite Disney movie. I loved the concept of heroine emerging from a male-dominant society. Watching it as a college student, I can still see that this is the overall theme. What really shocked me, however, was that the movie was loosely based on true events. I had grown up believing this was some story contrived by the minds of Disney. I spent the 3rd of March at the Museum of Modern Art. I am an uncultured Midwestern girl, so going to New York City still makes me giddy. The Museum, on the other hand, left me thoroughly confused. As I told my friends, there is nothing like being an engineer in a modern art museum. I could not wrap my head around the fact that an institution could pay millions of dollars for a plain white canvas. It accomplishes nothing. It does not make a statement. It was not even aesthetically pleasing. There was another piece that was simply a square hole in the dry wall. I stared at it for ten minutes attempting to determine if it was a piece of art or if the museum was replacing one piece with another. The terrifying thing about it was that I would not be surprised either way. Despite the interesting selection of modern art, the trip was an excellent experience. I had the opportunity to view and think about work that really pushes the limits and asks tough questions. I would never be able to do such a thing in the close-minded region where I come from. I am very appreciative of that.

10 hours Relay for Life 7 hours knitting squares 2 hours mentoring Lydia 2 hours photographing Honors Reception and Picnic

2 hours movie night Mulan 1 hour Willie Cole exhibit 8 hours MoMA trip 2 hours Convos and Cocoa with Dr. Pillay 2 hours Murder Mystery Dinner