Social Life through Honors
By Mike Hewitt
Every few weeks the Honors Institute holds social events for the hard working students in the institute. We started way back at the beginning of the year with the First Year Retreat. Approximately 65 first years (also known as freshmen) rode up to Higgins Lake on the bus or either of two college vans. The icebreakers were wonderfully short. The sports challenge was a fierce competition between newly formed rivals. For those that did not feel frisky enough to play Frisbee, wandering around the lake, woods, playing cards, or sleeping in their cabin was a relaxing alternative. The presentation by Dr. Skean was engaging enough so most people didn’t fall asleep. The talent show was just as raunchy and just as not politically correct as the year before. We all arrived dull eyed and frazzle tailed for breakfast. The group problem solving was somehow easier than expected so we got more sweet free time. The mock honors seminar generated some good intelligent discussion. By the end of the trip everybody got to know at least somebody and many friendships that are still around today were forged. And what is there to say about the ride home except we made it back.
The welcome back picnic was the next event I can remember. There us old honors students got the opportunity to say goodbye to our beloved Dr. Steinhauer, while the first years (who were noticeably touched) gazed out the window in anticipation of the munchies. It was there many honors mentors became introduced to their mentees (which Microsoft Word does not recognize). The food was good and the company was better. I felt energized to the exciting possibilities this year presented.
A little later we had an ice cream social in the observatory. It was a pretty big success with many people taking advantage of the free eats. Some of us even stayed an hour after the event discussing the eccentricities of many people who shall remain unnamed.
The last great event was the haunted house in Jackson and ice cream afterwards. We fired up two of the college’s best vans and made our way slowly to Jackson. Construction along I-94 allowed us extra time to chat amicably. After a harrowing experience in which a driver yelled at me to turn on my lights (whom I didn’t hear and just nodded but later was told my lights were not on) we arrived safely at the haunted theater. Unfortunately those with full bladders were not able to empty them immediately. The theater ranked 2.5 out of 5 on my spook-o-meter. The ghouls were not allowed to touch us, but one stabbed Kara’s knee. The best part was the ice cream. They served us huge portions of ice cream. It was super awesome. I swear the van was twice as heavy on the way back.
If you read this and are worried about what you are missing, don’t fret! There is trivial pursuit coming up in a couple of weeks, followed up by the Welcome Back dinner, and the Honors Formal. Good times? Great times.