Class:

Graduated 2011

Major:

English

What prompted you to join Honors when you came to Gallaudet?

I was seeking challenges that would exercise and expand my academic intellect and appreciation for higher education.

What benefits did you get from Honors during your freshman year?

It gave me a greater understanding of academic culture and provided me tools that supported me heavily throughout my studies. Without my reliance upon those tools, I probably would not have been able to venture that deep into my writings for my Capstone.

How did your participation in Honors help you through your core classes and major classes?

It made my studies for general courses a less strenuous task: the Honors Program gave me better studying habits and refined my research skills as well.

Why did you want to do a Capstone project?

I had always wanted to write, but I never was sure in what ways I would manifest such desire, until Capstone came along. Capstone, to me, was a way for me to push myself into writing.

What was the best part of doing a Capstone project, and what was the hardest? How did the hardest part of Capstone help you grow?

The best about Capstone is being able to put on that leather cap, and become Indiana Jones, venturing deep into the Intellectual Amazonia. The late coffee-less (yes, coffee-less) nights, in solitude, pondering deeply the ways of the world: that is the best part about Capstone. The hardest part is perservance. It was never a level ground, the entirety of the Capstone studies: almost always it was an uphill walk. And the even harder task is keeping that uphill; Capstone is about YOU challenging yourself.

What was your favorite thing about being an Honors student, overall?

In my earlier years, I would say having access to the Honors Lounge - but overall I would say being given extra, more intimate attention from the professors.

How did Honors help prepare you for life beyond Gallaudet?

The fact that Honors, more or less, has given me the ability to challenge myself and expand my intellectual understanding of the world has led me to continue with my writing. It is my goal to complete a work of fiction within six months from now. I also am traveling South America for six months - that travel is another fruit of that challenging ability that Honors has given me.

What is your favorite Gallaudet memory, in general?

Just being in the moment. The laughter and the simple recognition of others' smiling faces as I walk through the halls.