Words from an area college author
Kody Keplinger is a student at Ithaca College. She recently published a Young Adult novel entitled The Duff. Not only was I impressed with her being a YA author, being a writer myself, I couldn’t believe that at such a young age, she had managed to connect to an agency and publisher during the hectic years of college.
Contacting her nearly days after her hard-cover novel graced the shelves of Barnes and Noble, Borders and other well-known stores, I decided to ask her some questions about her being able to thrive in the literary world as well as taking on the stress that being a college student brings.
1) What are you studying at Ithaca College? I’m a Writing Major, focusing in Creative Writing (particularly fiction).
2) How did you find the time to write, edit and find a publisher all while being a student?I was in in high school when I wrote and found an agent for THE DUFF. It was less work then. Now a days, it’s a little harder to edit and write and do homework. But the simple answer? I don’t sleep much. Haha.
3) What has been the biggest struggle when it comes to being an author as well as a student? Having a social life. Seriously, when I’m not doing homework, I’m writing or editing. Sometimes it makes seeing my friends really, really hard. But a social life is necessary to stay sane, so I do my best.
4) What has been the most rewarding factor about being an author as well as a student? It’s nice to know that I already know what I want to do. So many of my friends have no idea what they want to do after college, but I already know. My dream was to be a writer, and now I am. It’s nice to know that I at least have that one thing figured out.
5) What do you do to relieve stress when feeling overwhelmed? I listen to VERY loud music. It helps more than you think.
6) What are some helpful tips about organizing your life? Haha. Sadly, I’m the one who needs the advice. I’m so not organized. Ever. I just take it day by day and hope I don’t leave anything out. I slip up all the time, so if you find anyone with good advice, let me know!
7) What advice would you give college students when it comes to following their dreams? Never let anyone tell you it can’t happen. And if they do, just use that as more motivation to prove them wrong. Trust me, spite can be a powerful tool when it comes to chasing your dreams.
D.R.I.V.E. students talk about winter
Winter is known for being a time of homework overload, frigid weather and the intense preparation for final exams. However, there are positives that come with the icy season. Five students from the Keuka College D.R.I.V.E Program discussed their most adored parts of the season during an afternoon lunch. These were their responses:
Helen Katherine ’12
“Christmas and my birthday because you get presents.”
Danny Rossman ’14
“Snow, hot chocolate and watching the snow come down.”
Elaine Marie ’11 and Maggie Lynn ’12
“I like Christmas songs and I like French Vanilla Cappuccinos.” (Elaine Marie)
“Going to Starshine in Penn Yan.” (Maggie Lynn)
David Hull ’11
“Christmas food – Christmas candy!”
Simple Gifts Revealed
It’s getting closer to Christmas and as the exams grow nearer, the need to buy presents for friends and family grows closer as well. Sure, we’re college students and do not have the money to afford something expensive and alluring. However, we do have the ability to buy smaller gifts and cards that will tell our roommates, professors and family that we do care about them during this hectic season.
CARD AND CANDY – Target and Wal-Mart have simple, blank cards that can be used for any kind of message. Buy a pack of holiday themed cards, some Hershey Kisses or candy canes and attach them to the card. This gift shows you care without the need to spend all of your work-study pay check.
HOLLY RUBY GLASS JEWELRY – Up ‘Til Dawn will be selling nice, classic jewelry in December benefiting the children at St. Jude’s Research Hospital. The jewelry is simple, colorful glass that any mother, sister or aunt would adore. When you see a vendor in the Phillips Lounge, take a moment to gander at the products. You never know what kind of gift there may be.
FLEECE TIE BLANKETS – You’ve seen friends hugging a warm fleece blanket and have probably wondered how they are made. They do take some time, but who doesn’t like a warm blanket on a cold, winter evening? Go to JoAnn’s Fabrics and ask for two large pieces of fleece (sizes differing depending on person). Spread the two pieces on the floor over each other. Cut the sides into long slices and then begin the tying process. Before you know it, you have a wonderful new accessory that anyone would enjoy.
KEUKA COLLEGE GEAR – Who doesn’t like receiving a t-shirt from a college? At the Keuka College Bookstore, there are low-cost t-shirts, in a variety of colors, that can be given to siblings, parents or friends. If your parents are coffee drinkers, purchase a KC Mom or Dad mug along with a small pouch of Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts coffee. That in itself is a wonderful gift.
DECORATED PICTURE FRAME – If you have a good picture of yourself and your friends, frame the photograph and decorate the frame. This can be given to any of your friends along with a small card. By going to Picnik.com, you can change the photograph and add text to the picture. By individualizing a photograph or frame, the person receiving the gift will always have a savored memory.
Interesting November Dates
NATIONAL MONTH OF COMMUNICATION. During the month of November, find ways to connect with others by communicating better. Be a reflective listener and take the time to absorb what your peers are saying and find a clear way of expressing your own ideas.
WORLD KINDNESS WEEK (NOVEMBER 8-15): Take the time to appreciate your friends, peers, co-workers and professors for all they do to sculpt us into the individuals we are today. Do something unique or special for them just to show them how thankful you are for what they do.
LIGHTEN UP DAY (NOVEMBER 14TH): On this day, relax and do something that keeps you at ease and without stress. Take an hour to read a book or play Call of Duty with your friends. Whatever it is that you do, do not take things too seriously.
GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT (NOVEMBER 18TH): For all of those students you see smoking outside of Dahlstrom or working to light up a cigarette on their way to class, stop and do something to help make them stop. You do not need to be aggressive, but show that you care.
NATIONAL DAY OF LISTENING (NOVEMBER 26TH): Be a reflective listener and allow a friend to vent to you if they are stressed or overly anxious. Sit down with them and help them talk about what they need to discuss. Be there for whatever they need to say and help them find a way to ease the stress.
ELECTRONIC GREETINGS DAY (NOVEMBER 29TH): This day does not mean you can whip out your Blackberry in class and text a nice message to your friend across the room. Throughout the day, message a friend or two and tell them how great they are or thank them for something they have done to help you.
What Are You Thankful For?
It’s that time of the year again – when the scent of pumpkin pie and lean turkey fill your senses almost instantly when the thought pops up. It’s also the time of year when people begin to think about what they are thankful for and what they take for granted. Several students were asked the question, “what are you thankful for” and answered the following:
Jenn O’Donnell ’12 – “My family, friends and that I’ve had a great semester.”
Heidi Biechy ’13 - “The soldiers overseas this Thanksgiving.”
Meagan Watters ’13 - “My health.”
Peter Contario ’11 - “My health and the health of my family.”
Amanda Gagnon ’11 – “The health and love of my pets.”
Mike Donals ’14 - “Going to a good school.”
Matt Brady ’11 - “Getting an education.”
The KC “Bucket List”
Most of us have either seen the movie or heard of the term. However, have we really thought about it concerning ourselves? “Bucket Lists” help individuals establish goals they want to complete before they “hit the bucket.” This can help open someone’s eyes to what is really important to them and set goals to help them personally succeed.
Since we are at college and have the rest of our lives ahead of us, many don’t take the time to think about the here and now. What do we want to complete before we graduate besides receiving perfect grades? How can we influence others, as well as ourselves, through our actions?
Students should come up with their own personal “Bucket List” of what they want to complete before leaving their college career at their heels. This doesn’t only expand your own individual understanding, but allows you to do what you want before entering the crazed workforce. By setting up a list of what you want to accomplish at college, you work towards success in both academia and your personal life.
MY BUCKET LIST:
1) Succeed efficiently as the founder/President of “For the Kids.”
2) Maintain a GPA of 3.0
3) Remain dedicated in my search to find an agent for my latest novel and work to get published.
4) Keep a stable group of friends.
5) Work towards being named Experiential Learner of the Year 2011 or 2012
Up ‘Til Dawn Does Letters For a Cause
The second annual Keuka College Letter Sending Party took place Tuesday, Oct. 26 in the Geiser at 7 p.m.
Lots of students appeared in the cafeteria to address letters to support donating money to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.
At the event, there was music, an inflatable twister board, larger-than-life Connect Four and a life-size Life game. Also, there were tables set for students to create cards for patients and paint pumpkins when their letters were finished. Marks Pizzeria donated two large pizzas and along with pizza, there were soft pretzels and cotton candy. Raffle prizes were given out to students through out the night and the big prize (an iPod Touch) was given to Melinda Reynolds ’13 at the end of the event.
As of Oct. 27, 3,300 letters have been collected to be sent out in hopes of donations for the hospital. Up ‘Til Dawn will continue to move toward the goal of $60,000 in three years in support of this noted cause.
Justin Fatica Shakes Up Keuka Students
You are beautiful. Powerful. Amazing. Justin Fatica arrived on campus Sunday October 17th hoping to have students open up their hearts and listen to their peers. However, I don’t think he or the students knew how big of an impact he was going to make.
He met with RAs, RDs, peer counselors and the leadership team Sunday evening – giving a preview of what the week ahead looked like. Many students began telling their stories and opening their hearts that night as well as listening to what Fatica had to say. I was a member of the leadership team and did not expect to tell my story or to hear the stories of others. I learned things about people I never expected and felt the need to help others more than I already do.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were days that allowed people the chance to speak and listen. Commitments were made and students began to change before everyone’s eyes. We learned that no one should pass judgments on others because they have their own story to tell: one that many people need to take the time to listen to.
Justin Fatica truly affected Keuka College positively and will be a speaker who no one will forget. His time spent at Keuka was needed and adored and the students will continue to spread their love and understanding throughout campus day after day.
“Your mess is your message.”
Club Spotlight: For the Kids
“For the Kids” is a campus-wide club dedicated to helping hospitalized children gain positivity and confidence through social interaction.
This has been a dream of mine – to make an organization that travels to area hospitals and facilities to help children in need. After working diligently over the summer, emailing hospital after hospital, success finally arrived. Upstate Medical Hospital in Syracuse, NY wasn’t only the hospital that cured me of childhood cancer, but also began our volunteering journey for “For the Kids.”
Other facilities such as the Women and Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, NY and the NICU ward at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester are working with our club to help Keuka College students get out into the community and interact personally with children undergoing treatment for cancer and other pediatric illnesses such as sickle-cell. As a club, we also work to spread awareness for children with disabilities by attending events and walks.
“It’s a great club to get involved with,” states Ashlee Eilers, the club’s secretary. “We get to interact with the kids and get the kids to do activities to get them away from their hospital rooms.”
As the Fall season turns into Winter, “For the Kids” will be doing a lot to get our name noticed. We will have a rubber bracelet sale ($2) throughout October as well as an Awareness Week during the week of October 25th. We will be sitting in the Philips Lounge doing an activity called “I Care to be Aware” where students can decorate their own awareness ribbon with the colors that represent them personally. “For the Kids” will also be attending the Up ‘Til Dawn Letter Sending Party to support St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital on Tuesday October 26th.
As the club progresses and grows, we hope to expand our visits as well as bring children to the campus itself. These are all goals and dreams that we hope will happen within the next two years. Continue to support the club and help spread awareness by attending meetings (Mondays at 5:30 in the Harrington Lounge) or participating in activities.
Keuka Traditions
The fall semester kicks off with academic convocation, where new students are officially welcomed to campus and words of wisdom and encouragement are delivered by the reigning professor of the year.
Family Weekend, another longstanding tradition, is held in late September and allows moms, dads, siblings and others to see how “their college student” is progressing at college. There are also performances by the Dance and Step teams and usually some fall sports action.
Speaking of sports, the winter season convenes with Storm Madness, a takeoff on the popular Midnight Madness theme. Members of the winter teams (men’s basketball, women’s basketball, synchronized swimming) are introduced before the basketball players take part in shooting and dunking competitions.
The College marks the end of fall semester classes and the start of exams with two events: a holiday candlelight service in Norton Chapel and Midnight Breakfast, where faculty and staff come to the Geiser Refectory to cook and serve students a nourishing meal before they put their brains to use.
Most Keuka students conduct their Field Periods during January and a few weeks after spring semester classes commence in February, the annual Snowball formal is held.
A number of recognition luncheons (Student Employee of the Year, Experiential Learners of the Year) are held as the spring semester winds down along with the BAKU Fashion Show. Another Midnight Breakfast is held as well.
Perhaps the most storied of all Keuka College traditions is May Day Weekend.
Honors Convocation, the Leadership/Moving Up Ceremony, the Annual Carl and Fanny Fribolin Lecture, and the crowning of the May Day king and queen have been May Day Weekend mainstays for many years. Years ago, the College staged a May Day pageant—complete with maypole—and while there is no longer a pageant, May Day Weekend is still an import part of the academic year.
Spring Weekend follows May Day Weekend and then its Senior Week and the academic year officially comes to a close with baccalaureate and commencement.
That leaves one more tradition before a new academic year begins in late August: reunion. Alumni return to their stomping grounds in June to renew friendships and remember the good old days.
