The Patriot Bloggers

Meet the bloggers! Scroll down to read  more about Jenny, Grant, Kathleen, Gabriela, Adam, Zach, Heather, or Hayley

Meet JENNY…

Junior @ Mason

Hometown shout out: A mixture of surprise and confusion immediately follows my answer to the question, “Where are you from?”  Despite my jet-black hair and olive skin, I was actually born in Montoursville, PA.  Ten years later I moved to Fredericksburg, VA, where I graduated from Stafford Senior High School.  

Why Mason? At Mason I’ve been able to attend concerts in DC, social dance in Maryland, eat my way through Alexandria’s food tour and browse the National Portrait Gallery all while making it back to campus for dinner.  Not only is it the location ideal for wide range of weekly adventures, but also the diverse campus offers a fresh sense of perspective through its students.  Conversations with other students are never dry; and I have learned more about the customs of different cultures more than I have anywhere else.   

Academics: I am a marketing major and though I am not certain where my exact place of employment will be, I hope to become a freelance writer and photographer in my spare time while perusing the streets for blog worthy material.  

Campus Involvement: As the Historian of the GMU Swing Dance Club I capture pictures and videos of our club meetings and events.

This year’s to-do list: I hope to become involved with the American Marketing Association and to expand from my microwaving skills with CAFÉ-GMU. 

Best tasty treat on campus that you simply can never seem to pass up: Starbucks’ Caramel Macchiato is my staple drink, but nothing has been able to beat One Stop Patriot Shop’s f’real creamy milkshake concoctions.

Why you’re here to write about life as a Patriot: Prospective students can visit Mason, but rarely are they able to capture the essence of what it is like to live here.  It is my job to invite prospective Patriots to see, hear, smell, taste and feel what it like to be a student on a day-to-day basis. I will also provide exposure to both on campus events and off campus opportunities, exploring the multitude of adventures that our proximity to Washington D.C. and Maryland allows. 

Random fun facts: I have a habit of mistaking UGG boots as puppies and an uncanny ability to fall asleep in any position.  You can find me bopping to beats while organizing the stacks at Fenwick library or scouring the streets of Washington DC for good eats.  I have an irrepressible urge to stop and take pictures and I am a recovering photo packrat.

Most interesting class so far that you’re taking/have taken: My favorite class by far has been my Reading the Arts class, which focused on the history of dance from the Sub-Saharan African dance to current day trends in contemporary dance.  

Free space! I will never pass up an opportunity for food adventure; expect photos and reviews frequently throughout the blog. During my free time I enjoy swing dancing and have had the honor of being instructed by world champions here at Mason.  Other activities I find enjoyable include hiking and attending concerts and festivals. 

Meet GRANT…

Sophomore @ Mason

Hometown shout-out: My family now lives in the southside of Richmond but my heart will always be in Rock Hill, South Carolina where I spent my childhood.  I went to The Chesterfield County Mathematics and Science High School at Clover Hill.  

Why Mason? I came to mason because I love its proximity to DC and I love the campus feel.  Also the band kinda rocks so I had to come.

Academics: Right now I am majoring in History and Political Science with a minor in Intelligence Analysis and maybe jazz studies.  I haven’t decided yet.  After Mason I want to live a happy life and work for the betterment of mankind in whatever capacity I am placed.

Campus involvement: I am finishing up my work with the Office of Orientation and Family Programs and Services.  I am in a fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and I am in a Christian group called Chi Alpha.

This year’s to-do list: I really want to get involved with habitat for humanity on campus because I love building houses for people and also I really need a job so I’ll be looking for one on campus.

Best tasty treat on campus that you simply can never seem to pass up: Well, I eat a Burger King every day.  So I can obviously never pass it up.

Why you’re here to write about life as a Patriot: I am here to tell people about the Patriot Life because I want perspective students and their families to really understand what it is like to be a student here so they can make their best and most informed decision when picking a college to go to.  Also, I just love mason so why not while away my hours talking about something I love.

Random Fun Facts: My biggest worry about coming to college was doing my own laundry.  I love the TV show scrubs and sometimes I imagine my life is an episode.

Most interesting class so far that you’re taking/have taken: Government 338 Government and Politics of Russia.  One of my future career possibilities is being a political analyst for Eurasia so I loved it.  Also, the professor had a good sense of humor so that is always the best.

Free space! My favorite poem is: 

The Road Less Traveled

 Two roads diverged in a yellow wood. And sorry I could not travel both. And be one traveler, long I stood. And looked down one as far as I could to where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally layIn leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sighSomewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.  

 by Robert Frost

 The other thing I want you to know is music runs in my blood.  Without art earth would just be eh so I like to find the art and beauty in everything.

Meet KATHLEEN…

Freshman @ Mason

Hometown shout-out: I’m from Bethesda, Maryland and for anyone reading from that general vicinity, you know that we always consider ourselves “D.C. city people.” I am also a LOTA, also know as a Lady from the Academy of Holy Cross, my high school.

Why Mason? I chose Mason because I am a huge fan of non-judgmental acceptance and at Mason Premier, loved the vibe I got from both the faculty and the Patriot leaders.

Academics: I’m a part of the Majors and Career Exploration LLC at GMU, though I’m thinking about a major in the sciences, with a focus on something non-blood related. So for anyone who’s undecided, not to worry, I’ll take you through the steps!

Campus involvement: For the first semester, being a freshman and learning the ropes, I’ve decided to take it slow on all the activities. However, I’m thinking about joining the Catholic Campus Ministry, the Music Productions Club, and Habitat for Humanity. In the spring semester, my floor is creating our own intramural soccer team, and in the meantime, I’m excited about having a new audience to blog for!

This year’s to-do list: For future involvement, I aspire to become involved in Student Government!

Best tasty treat on campus that you simply can never seem to pass up: There are so many great places to eat! I love Red Mango, which recently opened up, especially since it’s right next to Auntie Annie’s! My friends, however, love Chik-fil-A and it’s a great value for the meal plan. Since Starbuck’s fall season now features Pumpkin Spice latte, all these great places are vying for my time…

Why you’re here to write about life as a Patriot: I believe that this is a great opportunity for prospective students to understand and read, first-hand, about how a Mason Patriot goes through her first year, overcomes the challenges, and adapts to the college lifestyle. Sneak Peak–it’s going to be great!

Random Fun Facts: Some weird facts I actually discovered about myself last night: My Youtube videos are on numerous other websites, including a cooking one. Interesting facts about myself: I love accents and frequently switch back-and-forth between several different kinds. I have very expressive faces, from watching That’s So Raven, and luckily, both of my roommates understand the acquired trait. I prefer being Goalie in soccer to any other position, which led me to take up an interest in Kickboxing.

Most interesting class so far that you’re taking/have taken: My most interesting class so far is my Research class because we are required to see guest speakers every Friday, though all of them seem enthralling, and take group trips into D.C. to visit museums, etc.

Free space!  My friend, Bridget, is currently a Film major at NYU and she, too, is very expressive and shares her thoughts in a blog like mine. One blog, titled Kindergarten, expresses how as you get older, you feel like there are too many things to do in a day:

In Kindergarten, you have naptime because you are growing and need to rest.  Why is it that, come college, naptime disappears and the thought of getting more than five hours of sleep seems unreal?  Are we not alive?? Basically, I need a nap.

Meet GABRIELA…

Junior @ Mason

Hometown shout-out: I was born and raised in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. When I moved to the U.S., my family and I moved around quite a bit, going from Houston, Texas; to Manville, Rhode Island; to Leesburg, Virginia.

Why Mason? Location, location, location! I am interested in field work and museum studies, so D.C. is the city for my career. I like Mason because it is SO close to DC yet it is still far away enough to have some peace and quiet. I also like the multiculturalism of the university! During my first visit as a high school senior, I loved the environment and I could see myself spending several years here.

Academics: I am majoring in Anthropology with minors in French and Conflict Analysis and Resolution with a concentration in Global Conflict. There are several things I would like to pursue after graduation (besides graduate school): museum studies, activism anthropology, journalism, non-profit work, and field work. Eventually, I would also like to teach at the collegiate level.

Campus involvement: I am involved with the Animal Rights Collective, the French Club, the Iranian Studies Group, the National Society for Collegiate Scholars, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and now the Patriot’s Life blog! I am also a Resident Advisor and a Peer Advisor. Lastly, I just started a credit-bearing internship with the Smithsonian’s Latino Center where I will be helping with the Central American Ceramics Research Project.

This year’s to-do list: Amnesty International and a photography club.

Campus tasty treat that you can never seem to pass up: Starbucks and Jazzman’s! I am a coffee fanatic, so any café will make me happy.

Why you’re here to write about life as a Patriot: There is so much to do at Mason and I think new students have a hard time figuring out where to get started to get involved. Following the life of a current Mason Patriot exposes new students to a fraction of student organizations and other possibilities at Mason. Also, it seems like a great way for me personally to reflect some of my experiences here and to be able to share them with people.

Random fun facts: I am a vegan…some people find that weird. I am also SUPER organized…several people find that weird as well…..I think the weird facts will come up as I live life, because I can’t seem to think of any at the moment!

Most interesting class that you’re taking/have taken: That would probably be the Mesoamerican anthropology course I took last spring with Dr. Benitez. That’s a tough question because I’ve had amazing classes so far.

Free space! 

When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.

-Jimi Hendrix

Meet ADAM…

Senior @ Mason

Hometown shout-out! I’m from Rochester, NH, in the southeastern part of the “Granite” state. If Rochester doesn’t ring a bell for you, you might remember national media coverage of a 2008 hostage situation that occurred at a Hillary Clinton campaign office in our tiny downtown. Our high school was on lockdown and everything. It was all over mainstream media news for an afternoon. 

Best news, no one was hurt.

I attended Spaulding High School in the same city. In high school, I played lacrosse and worked at a local Kohl’s store. Great discounts.

Why Mason? I chose Mason because after visiting campus in the fall of my senior year, it felt like home. I really loved the campus and just the Fairfax area. I had been to D.C. once in eighth grade and was also drawn to the campus for its proximity to the city. I knew it would be a great area to explore the journalism field and hopefully find a job after graduation (I graduate in May all you fine employers!).

Plus, the basketball team is pretty good!

Academics: I am an English major with a concentration in Nonfiction Writing & Editing. My career goal is to work in the media industry as a writer, reporter, or editor. I am also 3 credits from completing a minor degree in Russian language.

Campus involvement: I work for Student Media at Mason as a Managing Editor for Connect2Mason.com, the student-run media website. I am a student leader with Catholic Campus Ministry. With CCM, I help organize large events and lead a weekly bible study on campus. And, of course, I blog for Admissions!

In past years I have studied abroad on a Mason exchange program in St. Petersburg, Russia, worked as a Resident Advisor in a freshman residence hall, participated in club sports with men’s lacrosse and roller hockey teams, worked at a sports bar on campus and as a desk assistant for University Information.

This year’s to-do list: I’d like to find time to help the Center for Global Education get the word out about some great study abroad programs and participate in some events with Undergraduate English Society.

Best tasty treat on campus that you can never seem to pass up: I’m a Starbuck’s guy. Not necessarily because of the tasty food, but the coffee is great and it provides an awesome study environment or just place to relax. I lived in Northern Neck (where the Starbuck’s is located) during my sophomore year and made full and frequent use of the convenient location.

Why you’re here to write about life as a Patriot: I love blogging and sharing experiences. I believe my experience resonate with what a lot of students are experiencing here at Mason. I am proud and happy with what I’ve been able to involve myself in and accomplish in my years at Mason and eager to share whatever information might be helpful with prospective freshmen.

Random fun facts: In high school I had two “Letters to the Editor” published in Newsweek. That was way cool.

Most interesting class that you’re taking/have taken: I’m taking a class right now called Post-Print Fiction. The title and course will be hard to explain in a few sentences but it essentially explores and debates the conventions of a book and introduces some examples of “experimental” fiction in the print and digital realms.

Free space! Check out Connect2Mason here: http://www.connect2mason.com. Or, read my travel blog I authored while in Russia. http://www.petersburgblog.wordpress.com

Meet ZACH…

Senior @ Mason

Hometown shout-out!  What’s up Centreville?!  I’m from right down the street, not even twenty minutes (according to Google maps, but let’s be real, it’s NoVA) away.  I graduated from Westfield High School in Chantilly in 2007, so yes, I know a thing or two about winning state championships…

Why Mason? I came to Mason in the summer of 2010 as a transfer student from Virginia Tech and can definitely tell you I made the right choice.  Believe me, this is nothing against Tech and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, but I decided I wanted to study something a little more pertinent to what I want to do after graduation (see below) and knew that being so close to DC would provide a huge amount of opportunities for internships and work experience while at school.  Honestly, I came here with the mindset of buckling down and focusing entirely on my studies, but have found Mason to be an awesome fit for me and a great environment and community to be a part of.  The people here are fantastic, the faculty is incredibly supportive, and as a whole there is nothing about my experience here that I would change since I’ve arrived.

Academics: I’m finally settled and content pursuing a major in Criminology, Law, and Society with a concentration in Homeland Security and Justice.  Hopefully, if everything goes as planned, I’ll be right back here on campus after graduation to pursue my Master’s in Biodefense and International Security so I can be sure to make as big an impact as possible down the road.  In terms of a career, I’m looking very closely at joining the intelligence community or national security field in a related role, but really any path that will help me make a difference is all I’m looking for…keep an eye out for me in the 2040 presidential election.

Campus involvement: Currently I’m involved with several organizations on campus, primarily run through the Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) Office…you’ll hear plenty about the office and how GREAT it is as we get to know each other better.  I am a member of the L-TEAM, which works as leadership outreach to other student organizations on campus, am on the executive board for LEADScholars, the leadership honor society here at Mason, am Vice President for the GMU chapter of Tau Sigma National Honor Society (shout out to any transfer students out there, let me know if you’re interested!) and basically try to get involved with random events and activities whenever possible!

What’s on the to-do list this year: This year I hope to become a member of the Mason chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma, the national honor society for students in the criminal justice sciences, and Lambda Alpha Epsilon, the national organization for criminal justice students.  Outside of that, I’m working to involve myself more in the community; there are what feels like hundreds of organizations and events in the area, and hey, I guess I have a little bit of free time.  Oh, and I GUESS I’ll try to make it to a basketball game this year…

to pass up: Another moment of honest reflection: my on-campus dining experiences have thus far been relatively few and far between, but that’s one of those things I’m starting to get accustomed to as well.  You can never go wrong with a Red Mango smoothie any time of the day, but outside of that I definitely recommend the Rat (Rathskeller) for anything you could imagine coming from a sports bar (burgers, chicken fingers, etc.) plus there’s a Chick-fil-A right next door if you have a craving (still hoping they add the spicy chicken’s though!)

Why you’re here to write about life as a Patriot: See above – I love it here!  I saw the opportunity to write for The Patriot Life and immediately was hoping to get the chance to share my experiences with you.  I’m here because I have had the absolute best experience here at George Mason and have (almost) nothing but awesome things to say about every aspect of the university: the students, faculty, staff, organizations, and the community.  I’ll be honest with you, I came here last summer with relatively low expectations, but within a couple of months of being around campus those expectations were easily surpassed; I overlooked Mason when I finished high school, looking to put a little distance between myself and home, but I would encourage you to not make the same mistake.

Random Fun Facts: I eat Chipotle at least four or five times a week, and have been doing so for a few years now.  If I could afford it, I’d be there daily, and have been known to binge and go twice or even three times in a day or simply go through the line twice during a single trip.  It is the greatest restaurant and food in the world, and any arguments otherwise will fall on deaf ears. 

Most interesting class so far that you’re taking/have taken: My three favorite classes have (not surprisingly) been within my major; last spring I took Homeland Security and Law Enforcement, which was awesome.  I’m currently in CRIM 490: Bioterrorism Law and Policy, which has been just as exciting as you’d imagine while also making me a little nervous about what could be out there, and am also in the Honors Seminar for the Criminology, Law, and Society department, in which we’re researching the impact of the criminal justice system on victims of sexual assault, and that class has been eye opening to say the least.

Free space!  Since we’ll be getting pretty familiar with one another (at least you’ll get to know a lot about me) over the next few months, there are really just a couple of things you need to remember, and this information will pretty much give you a complete picture of who I am.  I love my country, my community, Chipotle, Harry Potter, sports, and Christmas music pretty much anytime of the year, though for my friends’ sakes I only tune in from Thanksgiving to Christmas.  Feel free to follow me/ask me any questions on Twitter as well…I don’t use it THAT often, but it’s something I’m working on…@USAandCHIPOTLE

Meet HEATHER…

Freshman @ Mason

Hometown shout out! Hometown shout out to Lansdale, PA (for all the girls its near King of Prussia mall)! I went to North Penn High School, the MTV High School Pranks show where the senior prank was forking the school grounds might ring a bell, if not definitely check it out!

Why Mason? Well, you’ve probably heard the same spiel about every school about how great the academics are and how there’s thousands of clubs to join etcetera etcetera, but out of all the schools I was looking at, I felt most at home at Mason, which coming from out of state is a huge thing because it will literally become my new home. Also, the diversity, atmosphere, and excitement I felt from other students on campus made me feel like it would not be hard to fit in and find new friends. At the same time, wanting to compete at a D1 level for sports was high on my list and the facilities and coaches were just what I was looking for in order to continue competing at a collegiate level.

Academics: Currently I am a bioengineering major, I definitely want to enter the medical field and do research when I graduate.

Campus involvement: Currently I am on the varsity cross country and track and field team at Mason. Being a student-athlete takes up ALOT of time, so my teammates and I often joke that we’re our own little sorority since we’re always together. Also, I have joined SWE which is the Society of Women Engineers.

On the “to-do” list this year: Hmm…still exploring what else I would like to join…this will probably have to wait until the spring semester though once I’ve learned the ropes of everything.

Best tasty treat on campus that you simply can never seem to pass up: Smoothies from Red Mango are always a tasty treat, but so are the cookies at Southside. I can never resist taking a few cookies for the walk back to my dorm when I leave (the M&M ones are the best!).

Why you’re here to write about life as a Patriot: When I was trying to make my college decision, it was the small stories that people told me about their lives at Mason and the interesting things I learned from talking to students at Mason that helped persuade me to come to Mason. Even now, being on campus for over a month, I am still learning about different programs and opportunities on campus. So even though you can visit campus multiple times (I’ll admit I visited 4 times before I made my decision) and let the Mason Ambassadors give you a tour, I want to inspire you to become future Masonites as I give you a tour of Mason through my experiences and daily life.

Random fun facts: I am obsessed with neon colors and tie-dye…you can probably find every neon color multiple times in my dorm room. Also, before coming to Mason I had never been to DC…crazy right?!?!

Most interesting class so far that you’re taking/have taken: Considering that I only have four classes to choose from, I would definitely have to say my CS 112 (Intro to Programming Class). It’s surprisingly interesting and the professor makes the hour and a half go by so quickly.

Free space! I am very passionate about running, so there is a good chance that it will be in many of my blogs, so future athletes tune in to my blog as I conquer the challenge of balancing school, sports, and my social life!

Meet HAYLEY…

Senior @ Mason

Hometown shout-out! When people ask me where I’m from, I always say “the middle of nowhere in Ohio,” although, admittedly, that’s true for most of Ohio. I’m actually from northeast Ohio, about 90 minutes south of Cleveland. I attended Dover High School, home of the Marching Tornadoes, the first high school marching band in Ohio!

Why Mason? I initially began looking at Mason because my sister was pursuing her master’s degree here. When I came to campus for her graduation, I immediately fell in love with it. I applied early decision and got my acceptance letter less than two weeks before Christmas. I started dancing on my front lawn when I saw the large white envelope in the mailbox! I love the diversity here at Mason–I can live, learn, and work with students from across the country and across the globe. There is no “cookie cutter” Mason student–we are all unique, from different backgrounds and cultures, and I learn something new from my classmates every day.

Academics: I am an Honors College student, pursuing a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a minor in American History. I have always been passionate about writing and about working with others, so communication was a natural fit for me. This past summer, I completed an internship at the U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce and am currently enrolled in the Communication Honors program, which is allowing me to complete my own independent research about the green movement. After graduation (which is in less than nine months–eek!), I plan to move to San Diego, California, and apply my journalism skills wherever possible. Ideally, I’d like to work in the green industry.

Campus Involvement: I am the Vice-President of Membership for Kappa Kappa Psi, the National Honorary Band Fraternity. We are a co-ed, service-based fraternity, and we give back to the School of Music, which has given so much to us. I am also a member of the Green Machine, led by no other than Doc Nix. I am also a proud Mason Ambassador–you may see me giving a tour on campus! Finally, I serve on the Honor Committee, a division of the Office of Academic Integrity.

On the “to-do” list this year: I would really like to try underwater hockey and/or Quidditch. I talk about how amazing these clubs are each time I give a tour, and I’d like to have first-hand experience!

Best tasty treat on campus you can never seem to pass up: This is a tough one. I love Starbucks, but that isn’t a treat unique to campus. I would have to say the sandwiches and bagels at La Patisserie (La Pat). The Buffalo Chicken Meltdown is the best sandwich on campus, for sure. Their bagels are almost always perfectly toasted, too. Yum!

Why you’re here to tell them about life as a Patriot: Over the past three years, Mason has become my home, and I can say without reservation that I love everything about this place. I have had such an amazing college experience here, and I want to be able to share that with all of you as I journey through my senior year!

Random Fun Facts: I have been to 35 states, and most of that travel has been completed over the past two summers. During the summer of 2010, my boyfriend and I took a cross-country road trip all the way from San Diego to Maine and back. This past summer, we drove from Ohio to San Diego and back. Of course I think California is beautiful, but I also loved driving through the Midwest, which I had never appreciated as much as it deserves to be. Tennessee was probably my favorite state.

Most interesting class that you’ve taken: Right now, I’m taking a Political Journalism class with Professor Farnsworth. In conjunction with Purdue University, The Washington Center, and C-SPAN, we have the opportunity to have class in the GMU-TV studio and interview notable people in politics. Two weeks ago, during our interview with Gerald Rafshoon (President Jimmy Carter’s media strategist), President Carter called into the interview. As someone who loves history, I was as excited as a kid on Christmas morning. I also had the opportunity to take a class called Family and Dynasty in Revolutionary Virginia with Dr. McCord. The majority of the course was taught from years of Dr. McCord’s research about the Page family. It was such a unique experience to be taught not out of a textbook, but from a professor’s personal research.

Free Space! For my foreign language requirement, I took two years of Latin and loved every minute of it. I walked away with such an appreciation of language and literature, as well as some really cool phrases that I have stored away. My favorite? “In omnia paratus,” which literally translates to, “For all things ready.”