[New Year, New Staff] Meet Residential Counselor Emily Burns

With the start of a new year at the Gatton Academy comes several new personalities to the staff. We are excited about these passionate and dedicated individuals who have joined our team. They come to us from different parts of the country with a host of varied experiences. Over the last few weeks, the staff has had a chance to get to know each other. It’s now your chance to meet the new faces behind the Academy. Each day this week, we’ll profile a new staff member.

Academy Avatars sat down with each new staff member to post ten questions in hopes of getting to know them better. Avatars came up with five questions that we asked each person. Each Avatar also posed five unique questions of their own choosing to ask as well.

Up next is Residential Counselor Emily Burns.

Interview by Emily Hall, Academy Avatar

1. Why did you decide to join the Gatton Academy staff?

Working here for two years I’ve learned to appreciate the opportunities that the program provides to high school students. I’ve grown to love the community and the atmosphere.

2. Where did you attend college and what subjects did you study?

I just graduated in May with a major in Math and a minor in Psychology here at Western.

3. What are you looking forward to the most about the coming school year?

I can’t wait to meet the new students, and get to know the Class of 2010 better. I am also looking forward to being more involved with the program than I have in years past.

4. What contributions do you hope to make to life at the Gatton Academy?

I would like to contribute by providing support and encouragement to students. I would also like to help plan programs and events that I would otherwise not get to experience.

5. What do you think makes the Gatton Academy a unique educational experience?

Apart from the fact that it’s the only high school academy in the state, I think that it very effectively allows a diverse group of students to connect socially and academically.

6. How do you think working as an RC will be different from working as Desk Staff or as an RA?

Definitely being more involved and seeing people more often than just when they were going to class. I think being an RC is definitely more personal than only seeing kids in the more professional environment of the desk.

7. If you could have lunch with any person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?

My grandfather. He passed away while I was in high school and I think it would be really neat to just have a conversation with him about life.

8. What would you say was the most defining year that helped you become who you are now?

I think it was the first year working as an RA in the Academy because I was also really involved with other campus organizations. It helped me to be more outgoing and helped me to learn what I’m really passionate about and where I want to go with it.

9. If you could offer advice to any high school or college kids, what would you say?

I would say to never believe that you know everything. Constantly strive to continue learning. There is always room for growth academically, spiritually, and socially.

10. Which is better? Red, Purple or Green Ketchup? And why?

Red. Ketchup is not supposed to be purple or green. It also has a different texture.