Tag Archive : avatars

by Sammi Hawtrey, Academy Avatar

Classes don’t begin for another week, but several Gatton Academy students are already hard at work.

With the air brimming in anticipation of the new juniors’ arrival, these select few have arrived four days early to ensure that everything is ready in time. Since Wednesday, the Academy Community Leaders have been participating in a variety of seminars and meetings to prepare for the upcoming year, filling the Schneider Hall with energy and excitement.

Community Developers (CDs) are student mentors who reside on each wing. Their purpose throughout the year is to be leaders in their community who aid in conflict resolution and are available to help fellow students in need of advice. During the past week, they have been involved in numerous seminars on goal-setting, diversity, leadership, effective communication, and resolving conflicts. In addition, they have been decorating the wings according to their various themes in order to make them feel more like home.

“As a CD, I am looking forward to being an exemplary role model to not only my roommate, but also to other juniors on my wing and throughout the building,” noted second floor CD Hannalore Clause.

“Last year, the seniors really helped me manage stress, and I want to support the juniors in the same way,” added third floor CD Paul Fleischmann.

Also participating in many of the diversity and leadership seminars are members of the Student Government Association (SGA). Voted into the position by their peers, SGA representatives are there to voice the opinions of students to the Academy leadership. Their main occupation has been planning the year’s course and learning ways to best represent incoming juniors, who may not feel comfortable speaking up. Throughout the year they will be coordinating more student activities and seeking to play a bigger part in everyday student life.

Another group which has been hard at work is the Academy Avatars. As the student outreach representatives of the Academy, they have been participating in multiple brainstorming sessions, examining current methods of publication to discover how they can be further improved. Learning how to answer questions quickly and efficiently and seeking to build better one-on-one communication with potential applicants have been primary topics of interest.

Michael Crocker, a current Avatar, took the position in order to help others better understand the Academy experience as an opportunity:  “I want to work towards increasing public awareness of this school and let more people know about the incredible opportunity it presents.”

During the year, the Avatars will be primarily assisting with preview weekends and information sessions, as well as writing articles and continuing to communicate with potential applicants. “I am most excited about meeting students who might be here in the years to come,” said Crocker.

This exemplary group of students has been working diligently in eager anticipation of the new juniors’ arrival and the return of existing seniors. It is evident that their hard work has one purpose: to bring about yet another stellar year at the Gatton Academy.

2011-12 Community Leaders

Community Developers

Hannalore Clause, Daylynn Allison, Samantha McKean, Jordan Curie, Lori Lovell, Taylor Leet, Rachel Metcalfe, Jesse Matherly, Layne Webb, Keaton Smith, Nick Zolman, Alex Gutierrez, Paul Fleischmann, Jon Warren, Nathan Lasley

Student Government Association Leadership Team

Holly Morris, Chris Brown, Hannalore Clause, Nick Zolman

Academy Avatars

Andrea Eastes, Erin Walch, Charlotte Humes, Sammi Hawtrey, Rachel Metcalfe, David Sekora, Will Bickett, Michael Crocker, Jon Warren, Logan Eckler