Smith is bae

Julie Pham | Class of 2018 | Capen House ΧΠΝ

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Jittery's Live - Izy Coffey

This past week (SEC) the Student Event Committee welcomed Izy Coffey from Hampshire College to perform for us! It was a very chill and low-key performance for Smithhies and those in the five-colleges to enjoy! As per usual, there were snacks--cookies, coffee, tea, etc. for the audience to enjoy and some good vibes all for FREE!!

We also had our very own Mia Caroline Llyod '19 open for us! It's always nice to support a fellow Smithie and to recognize those talented individuals!

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This was one of my favorite House Events that Capen had!!

We started off with a blank puzzle and residents in the community decorated it with what they wanted out of Capen this year or what they like most about Capen. It was a great event that really brought members of the community together and we put the puzzle together too, once all the puzzle pieces were decorated!!

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Smith-to-Do!! Ping Pong Lights

This past Saturday, Smith-to-Do hosted a ping pong light making event!! It was way easier than I thought it would be and surprisingly quick! It was definitely a fun event and de-stresser from weekend work and the previous week!

Here Andressa '19 is making her lights and designed a cool, yet simple pattern to adorn her ping pongs!

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Jittery's Live! - Calico Blue

Our last Jittery's we welcomed Calico Blue--a Local band from the Amherst area! They had an indie-rock vibe about them that was perfect for a destressing Thursday night! Although there were some technical issues during the performance, Calico Blue continued on as if there weren't any issues at all--super professional!

Not only was Calico Blue performing, but we also had a band comprised of Smithies as our openers!! As you can see there was tons of support from fellow Smithies this night!!

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Big Sib, Little Sib

This is another one of Smith’s many traditions--Big sib, Little sib.  It’s pretty self-explanatory, but basically it’s when new Smithies, the Little, get paired up with another Smithie, the Big.  

The whole purpose of this tradition is to provide a resource to new Smithies within the house community.  Big Sibs are generally there for you if you need a little guidance or advice in the house and really breaks the barriers you may face adjusting to a new environment. 

This usually happens during the Fall semester and depending on the house, there will be roughly a week or so of gifting and clues.  This is to welcome you to the community and will lead up to a reveal, that may happen during another Smith traditon--Tea.  

Its a super exciting time that many Smithies enjoy and sometimes these connections may lead to lasting friendship for the rest of your Smith career and beyond!  

Below are some pictures during my experiences with Big Sib, Little Sib!

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Gingerbread Cookie Decorating

This past week the Student Event Committee did Gingerbread Cookie Decorating again! This was a campus wide event--stop by--that Smithies were able to go to, and have a little fun and sugar.  ALL FOR FREE!  This was especially needed for me, as finals are looming this little break was much needed. 

Also, this was also where the big reveal happened!!! Drum roll..... OUR SPRING SPEAKER IS VIOLA DAVIS FROM HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER!!!!

I’m so pumped and excited for her to come to Smith! Let the countdown begin! Thank you SEC!

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Food Appreciation Friday: Arigato!

This past week I traveled--via the B43--to Amherst to try out Arigato!  I first thought that this was a just a Japanese restaurant, but turned out to also have some Korean dishes as well!  I ordered the Dolsot Bibimbap--unfortunately I forgot to take pictures before eating--and it was delicious!  Their sushi was also really yummy too!  Pricing wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be and had a filling meal for under $15. 

It was definitely a worthwhile trip to Amherst with fellow housemates!

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Jittery’s Live: Jeff LeBlanc!

This past week, we had to pleasure of having Jeff Leblanc perform for Smithies!  Jeff--originally from New York--travels and performs around colleges; as well as opened for acts such as, Andy Grammar; Gavin DeGraw; Colbie Caillat; and many others! We also had Imani ‘19 stun us with their powerful voice!  This night was packed filled with talent and good vibes!

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Smith Tradition: Starlight Ball!

Starlight ball is an annual event that usually happens sometime near the end of the school year in the spring.  This past year it was held during prospie weekend and some were able to celebrate and have fun with us Smithies!  SEC–the student event committee on campus–hosts this event, and did a spectacular job with decorations and food! As you can see through some of the pictures there were platters and platters filled with food and beverages! SEC also brought in a live band for music and a photo booth, among other things!

ALL OF THIS WAS FOR FREE YOU GUYS!

I can’t wait for starlight ball to happen this year, I’m sure it’ll be just as amazing if not better!!

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Jittery’s Live: Student Openers!

This past week we welcomed some amazingly talented Smithies on stage to perform!

These performers from top left to bottom right:

Elizabeth Gooen ‘16: Elizabeth is currently a senior here at Smith, and you can listen to some of their material via Facebook, iTunes, and SoundCloud!

Jaclyn Walsh ‘18 and Izzy Emerson Levy ‘17: Jaclyn, a sophomore, (on the left) and Izzy, a junior, (on the right) were both amazing; you can find some of Jaclyn’s material on their BandCamp!

Quincy Dean-Slobod‘17: Quincy is currently a Junior here at Smith, and you can find some of her material via Facebook and BandCamp!

Jackqueline Granillo ‘19: Jackie is currently a first-year here at Smith, you can find some of her material and covers via YouTube.

Sam Davis ‘16: Same is currently a senior here at Smith, and you can find some of his material via BandCamp!

This was a night filled with great performances! It’s always nice to recognized some of the many talented Smithies on Campus!!

And again, there were free snacks and beverages provided! FREE!!

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Pet a Pet Day!!

This past week Smith held it’s first Pet a Pet day of the year! This day is meant to be a stress reliever for Smithies during stressful times!  As you can see by the pictures, there are an abundance of animals to pet and gush over.  Another bonus was that they were offering APPLE CIDER and CIDER DONUTS.

It is actually proven that pets–especially dogs–are beneficial towards your mental and physical health!! 

This was my first time going to pet a pet day, and I will definitely go again next semester!

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Jittery’s Live: Katie Costello!

We welcomed Katie Costello–from Brooklyn, NY—to Jittery’s Live this past week!  Katie just released a new EP within the past week and Smithies were the first audience that she performed some of her newer material for!  We had a pretty packed room filled with Smithies who wanted and/or needed a break from the first week back from fall break–why did you leave us so soon fall break??

We also had some amazing student openers–Zoe Langsdale ‘17 and her guest partner (sorry I couldn’t get her info)–blew the audience away with their vocals and talents!

Fun facts:

Katie is a native of California–specifically the LA area, but left for New York to pursue her music career.

Katie shot one of her music videos during the NYC People Climate March in September 2014 and is an advocate for protecting the environment.

Katie performed the Dalai Lama Mantra FOR THE ACTUAL DALAI LAMA’S 80TH BIRTHDAY in CT.

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Noche Latina!

I recently went to the annual event, Noche Latina, that is hosted by Latinos Unidos, the Residential Hall Association (RHA), and Nosotr@s!

This cultural event was held in the Student Union Ballroom at UMASS and was open to all in the Five Colleges.  This event was to pay special honor to Selena Quintanilla--a Mexican American singer, songwriter, spokesperson, actress, and fashion designer. 

We were served some amazing Mexican inspired food--wish I had pictures to show everyone--as well as presentations and performances from different individuals/groups among the student body of the 5 Colleges.  At the end there was a party to celebrate not only Selena, but the Latin Culture!

In two of the photos you can see students from Nosotr@s getting ready for their performance as well as in the middle of performing. 

In the group photo are the other members of Nosotr@s--who were not performing--as well as other Smithies were there to show support!

TBH: The Smithies in the audience definitely brought the energy to this event!

***Entrance fee: $6

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Jittery’s Live with Julia Weldon!

This past Thursday SEC (Student Event Committee) hosted their weekly-biweekly Jittery’s Live!  This is one of the numerous events that SEC hosts on campus, where the org brings in artists to perform to Smithies for FREE!  During Jittery’s there are usually snacks and beverages provided, plus its a nice way to distract yourself from a busy week!

We were so happy to have Julia Weldon come back to Smith--Julia visited Smith a couple years back--and perform for us!  It was a very intimate and casual performance, which is something that I really appreciate about Jittery events; since it isn’t a huge crowded concert!  Julia even took a selfie with us! (Click here to see Julia’s Facebook page aka where the selfie is posted!)

Fun Facts: 

Julia Weldon attended and graduated from Vassar--a Seven Sisters College!

Julia Weldon dated a Smithie and even wrote a song about a Smithie!

Julia Weldon plays the guitar, ukulele, harmonica, and probably lots more!!

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Smith’s Third Annual Fall Festival!!

This past Friday I went to my first Fall Festival--I wish I knew about it my first year--here at Smith!  This event is a fairly new one at Smith, where various unity organizations on campus congregate in one location to share food items from their cultures and background!  It is a really fun event where you can go with your house or your friends, plus FREE FOOD, FREE MUSIC, AND FUN!  This event is something that I’ll definitely look forward to in my remaining years here at Smith. *Wish I took a picture of my plate of food, but it was too yummy to resist and it was gone before I knew it!

Where: Davis Ballroom

When: September 25th, 2015

Participating Unity Organizations: Asian Students' Association (ASA), Black Students' Alliance (BSA), Chinese Inter-Regional Student Cultural Org (CISCO), South Asian Student Association of Smith (EKTA) International Students' Organization (ISO), Korean American Students of Smith (KASS), Multiethnic Interracial Smith College (MISC), Nosotr@s, Smith African and Caribbean Students' Association (SACSA), and Vietnamese Students' Association (VSA). **For more information about Unity Organizations click here!

Advice: If you plan on attending this event I would recommend going early because the line can get crazy long--as some of  my pictures depict.