Still hard at work…
Students may be gone on Feb Break right now, so campus is pretty quiet, but that doesn’t mean life stops here in the Gilliam Admissions House. Actually, a group of us took a late-night snack break from reviewing applications to head over to the new Sweet Frog location close to Rockbridge County HS. Appropriately enough, Sweet Things, Lexington’s own ice cream parlor right downtown on Washington Street, is undergoing renovations, so besides Dairy Queen, that seemed like the best option. I have to admit that I didn’t really like the cheesecake flavor, but the thin mint cookie was delicious!
I digress. We’ve been spending the past week going through some pretty hefty stacks of applications and had three days of full staff committee meetings at the end of the week. As I look out the window, I see that it is sunny and in the 60s, so pretty gorgeous outside…and it is still February?!?
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Wow, is Mock Convention already over?! Like Ali said, the weekend was a grand success. She deserves a major congratulations on all her hard work as the Facilities Chair! While I got to sit and listen to speakers such as Eric Cantor, Jon Huntsman, and Haley Barbour, Ali stood at the end of the Warner Center with her headset on and clipboard in hand as she made sure that the entire show ran smoothly. I have heard nothing but kind words from fellow students, reporters, and guests about how wonderful the Convention went. Bravo, Ali!
With all the meetings I’ve had in the past two weeks, I’ve practically lost track of time. We have midterms this week?! And it’s Valentine’s Day already?! I hate to tell all of my secret admirers that I’m too busy to go out for a romantic dinner at the Southern Inn tonight. Just kidding! But I know that many of our cutest W&L couples will hit the town for scrumptious meals at the Bistro on Main, brix, and the Red Hen tonight. My friends and I will celebrate Valentine’s Day at our weekly RUF meeting. This semester’s series is on “The Reality of Relationships,” and how ironic that our regular Tuesday night meeting falls on Valentine’s Day!
Whether you’re celebrating with a significant other or enjoying the festivities with friends, give yourself a hug! You deserve it (and a box of chocolates if you have a sweet tooth like yours truly)!
A whole new world!
Mock Convention is over, and I have to say, it went very well. We certainly stepped it up this year with a revamped VIP room, an added Thursday night session, and a wrap-up band party at the Pavilion. Our speakers line up was the biggest ever and we raised more money than any convention before. We also had the first female General Chair in Mock Con history, the highest number of delegates on record, and more law school participation than ever. All in all, it was a success, but now that we have predicted our nominee, there is still one big question to answer. What now?
With nearly three years of work behind us, what do we do now? Granted, no one involved in Mock Convention was only involved in Mock Convention. Our General Chair is a Peer Counselor and our Personnel Chair a former Fraternity President. Members of the Steering Committee are involved all over campus, sitting on the Panhellenic Council or the Student Judicial Committee, anchoring on the Rockbridge Report or serving as President of the College Democrats. But now that we all have a lot more time on our hands, it seems like there is a big void where Mock Con used to be. With all of our newfound freedom, I have a feeling that the Executive and Steering Committees are going to be finding new ways to get involved on campus, and I can’t wait to see how!
Game Time.
Washington and Lee University’s 2012 Republican Mock Convention begins this Thursday. As in, three days from now Thursday. As in, the last two years of planning have led up to this Thursday. As in, 72 hours away Thursday.
Over the weekend we announced the addition of Ambassador and former candidate Jon Hunstman to our Friday evening session. But Huntsman will not be the last speaker we announce. One more will be revealed this afternoon, and while I can’t say who it is, I can guarantee that it is an exciting and important addition.
The addition of Huntsman and our latest “Mystery Speaker” to the line-up will not only provide the big names synonymous with the best of Mock Convention, but also the political legitimacy that we hope to have in a political exercise. These two speakers are coming because they decided that the Washington & Lee Mock Convention actually matters for the candidates they endorse in this increasingly unpredictable race. What happens this weekend can make an impact, it can be more than a political exercise. Mock Con matters.
Calm before the storm…
TGIF! It’s been another long week of meetings and memorabilia sales for next weekend’s Mock Convention, and I am so ready to take advantage of my final opportunities to kick my feet up before the madness festivities begin!
As a treat to myself (and as a courtesy to everyone I will shake hands with next weekend), I finally journeyed to Encore Salon and got a manicure (apologies to all the guys reading this and rolling their eyes). Just a short walk from campus, the salon has been a major hit with the female members of campus (but I have heard of male students and professors who get their haircuts there!). The friendly service and colorful decorations quickly helped me unwind and enjoy my forty-five minutes of R&R–something we all need every now and then but tend to deprive ourselves of. Two thumbs way up for the sweet ladies I met today at Encore!
I’m especially glad that I finally tried out this salon since I recommended it to one of my alum friends several months ago. She babysat me growing up, graduated from W&L in 2008, and is now planning her summer wedding here in Lexington! She emailed me about places where she and her bridesmaids could get their hair and makeup done before her big day, so I’m glad I can finally confirm my friends’ glowing recommendations of Encore!
I hope that everyone has safe, restful, and scrumptious weekends! I’m already dreaming of my annual Super Bowl Sunday feast of chips, salsa, and guacamole! Yum!
Tony
jratzel
Robert
vmama
Jonathan
Sarah
Camie
Chris
Ali
