Through the Glasses of Waldo

By: Anton Dapcic


The Honors Scavenger Hunt began in a flurry of commotion in Juniper Poplar, as the teams received their instructions. I, dressed as Waldo, was seated in the corner, receiving strange looks from most of the crowd. These teams of four or five students were given a list of tasks to complete to claim their prize. After two hours, the group with the most tasks completed wins! Proof was recorded on either a digital camera or camera phone, and the evidence was presented to the judges at the end.

Beginning their journey, these courageous students endeavored to complete a multitude of tasks all around our USF campus. Some tasks, such as finding a book at a library, were relatively simple. Some activities were more strenuous, requiring students to stage a fake wedding or create a six person pyramid. However, some special events needed extra effort. As I was skating around campus, I was the target of a 120-person game of hide and seek. Their job was to find me, while my job was to be as elusive as possible. Capturing Waldo was worth a significant amount of points - and the goal of each and every group.

Nearing the completion of the event, teams began sprinting all over campus. It was a close race! Time was called, and students retreated to our starting location. Points were tallied, and winners were announced. Prizes included gift cards to several restaurants, and the notoriety that they were the winners of our First Annual Honors Scavenger Hunt!

A Reflection on Volunteering with the Boys and Girls Club

By: Jamie Hodes

When I was growing up, my father always said that you keep what you have by giving it away. I never understood the meaning in this seemingly contradictory statement—how could I keep something of material worth if I physically gave it to someone else? Wouldn’t I be left with nothing?

Fast forward to 2009, the year I began my freshman year in the Honors College at USF. I joined the Honors Council because I thought it would be fun to meet other people who had similar values as myself. Plus, I’d be able to help people and make a difference both in my school and in my community. I attended the general meetings regularly every Monday and it was there that I learned of an upcoming Halloween volunteer event with the Boys and Girls Club of Tampa.

In a nutshell, the Boys and Girls Club provides care for kids who otherwise would be left on the streets or without any adult supervision. It offers a safe environment and gives kids a sense of belonging that they might not otherwise experience. I did not know what to expect on the day of the actual event, but since it involved working with kids, there was no way I was letting it slide by without me!

After signing my name on the list, I began receiving e-mails about upcoming dates to prepare for the event. The volunteer council leaders finalized the budget along with the schedule of activities that would take place on Halloween. It was a bit hectic through e-mails at first because so many people wanted to volunteer and there was only enough room for about 30 volunteers. Although not everyone who signed up was able to volunteer, I was overjoyed by the number of people who were so willing and energetic to give some of their time to make a difference.

In preparation for the event, all the volunteers met in the Honors Lounge on the Wednesday before Halloween. This was where goody-bags for the kids were made, as well as room decorations and props for the skit. We also signed up for the different activity stations.

On the day of the event, everyone arrived wearing costumes to set-up before the kids arrived. All the chairs had to be stacked, the tables moved to their proper station, the stage decorated for the skit, and balloons scattered everywhere. By the time all 25 kids walked in the door, the room had been completely transformed!

Anticipation, excitement, and happiness colored the faces of every single child as they walked through the door. Activity stations included a football toss, door hanger decorating, mummy wrap, pumpkin coloring, and tons of dancing. Who knew kids could break it down like that? I was in charge of the football toss (which happened to be the most popular station). I found it so rewarding to see how happy the children were when they scored. Every child made it in at least once. At one point, one of the boys even said to the other, “Be careful, you don’t want to hit the lady!” That was so cute and it made my day.

A costume contest and an improvised skit on how to safely trick-or-treat spanned the rest of the Halloween festivities. First place for the girls went to a cute girl dressed as Tinker bell; for the boys, a muscular Superman stole the show.

Overall, it was a very rewarding experience. By the time 2:00 came around and the event came to a close, a chorus of “I don’t wanna leave!” could be heard all around the room. It felt so good to know that the kids had an excellent time while also taking away a valuable lesson about trick-or-treating and safety. Even though this event did not raise $10,000 to help cure cancer, it was still an act of giving—and even small steps make quite a difference.

My dad always says that you keep what you have by giving it away. As a young girl, the meaning of that phrase completely evaded me. After volunteering, however, I realized that the truest, most fulfilling aspects in life come from valuing relationships between other human beings. Material possessions come and go, but one’s spirit—well, that’s with them everywhere, all the time, and for life! Through volunteering, valuing relationships between other human beings, and being selfless, you strengthen and make joyous the one certain thing you will always have in life—yourself.

Honors Class a Boon to Deeper Thinking

By: Jenna Cummings

On a day by day basis, do you pay attention to just how much consumption surrounds you? How has it affected you? How has it affected others?

Dr. Shawn Bingham builds the course Consumer Culture around concepts such as these. One of the main topics discussed in this class is George Ritzer’s theory of the “McDonaldization” of society. Throughout the semester, this “McDonaldization,” as well as the overall idea of consumption, is applied to a broad range of topics including family life, nature, health, love, sex, and individualism. From this application, students learn not only about advertising, commercialization, mass production, and the market, but about the social and psychological effects of this consumer culture.

Perhaps due to this, students are benefiting from this class in a way that lets them apply what they learn to their everyday experiences. One of the class assignments was a consumption chronicle paper in which each student was required to keep either a time log on how they used their time for two weeks, or a consumption log on how they spent their money over the course two weeks.

"The consumption chronicle paper made me realize just how ridiculous my spending is. I should probably cut back on it," said student Megan Bridges.

Overall, it seems that this Social/Behavioral Science Honors course has really hit home for students by providing them not only with Honors credits, but time for introspection on the culture they are surrounded by.

Picture by Ashley Martinez

Free Food with a Side of Education Abroad

By: Ashley Martinez

On October 17th, the Global Living Learning Community hosted Tapas Night. Prior to the event, many eagerly anticipated what types of discussions would transpire during the night, but only one thing was certain: a promise for free food, which was thoroughly fulfilled. Upon entering a classroom in Juniper Poplar Hall, students were greeted by a table full of international dishes from plantains to yucca, to guava pastries, hummus and sushi. International students and Honors students alike stuffed their faces with home-style food they could only wish was served in the dining halls. Amidst all of the stuffed cheeks and bellies, Lisa Booth, also known as the mother of the Global Living Learning Community, ushered the students into the classroom.

The aura of the room was very relaxed as a representative from the International Affairs Department discussed the study abroad opportunities for the 2010 Summer and Spring semesters. Some of the more enticing awards discussed were scholarships specifically for study abroad are available for Honors students. Due to an agreement with other universities participating in “student swaps,” USF students are able to study abroad for the same tuition they'd pay in Florida.

Following discussion of study abroad opportunities was a chance to hear about the experiences students had studying abroad and are currently experiencing here at USF. Leonardo Cirigliano from Venezuela discussed his decision to travel to the United States and pursue his four-year degree here at USF. Cirigliano described life in Venezuela as more restricting, explaining that here in the United States it is safe for him to roam around outside, whereas in Venezuela, due to a high crime rate, he would be more restricted to staying indoors, at school or at the mall.

Chandrakanth Saravanan, a resident of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, also discussed his decision to pursue a four-year degree at USF, explaining that the Middle East does not have many universities, so it is essential to study abroad. Saravanan specifically chose USF because his father works and travels frequently from Dubai to the nearby Orlando.

Jacksonville native Linda Rogers also spoke about her experiences through Rotary International, having the opportunity to study abroad in Turkey for the summer and in India for an entire year. Rogers encouraged students to seize the opportunities they have at studying abroad.

“Traveling is what I want to do with my entire life,” Rogers said.

Monstars Win Annual Dodgeball Competition

By: Brian GoffOn September 23, over 90 players on 18 teams competed to be crowned dodgeball champions, but only one team walked away victorious. The top two teams each won a gift card to Chili's, but that wasn’t the top prize. These teams were playing for glory, for the right to call themselves number one.

The tournament, hosted by the Honors College Student Council, began at 5:30 p.m. The tournament was split into three beginning brackets of six, with each team playing three different opponents from their brackets. Points were assigned to the winning team based on how many of their players remained standing in the end. The two teams with the top two points would then move on to the next bracket. The next bracket of six teams, called the Winners Bracket, would each play three games with the top two teams moving on to the final four. The other two teams from the final four would come from the Consolation Bracket, which was created so that all teams stood an equal chance at reaching the final four.

It was clear from the beginning that there were two teams fated to meet each other in the final match: Balls of Fire and Monstars. Both teams swept through their initial brackets with intense focus on their court, so they had no knowledge of how the teams in other brackets were doing. They swiftly and handily destroyed all challengers such as Dodgeballs to the Face, Unpeggables, and Atkins 4 Fat Kids.

Both Monstars and Balls of Fire advanced to the Winners Bracket undefeated and ready to take on a new caliber of opponents. As fate would have it, these two great teams avoided playing each other in the Winners Bracket. As a result of this, both teams again easily demolished their competition and advanced through this round unscathed and undefeated again.

The Final Four rolled around and the crowd was anxious to see the two teams face off, but this time rules got in the way of their match. The two winning teams would each play a team from the Consolation Bracket to determine the players in the final match. Balls of Fire and Monstars would have to wait one more round to face off, and to ultimately decide who would claim the title.

Unfortunately, the match between Balls of Fire and Monstars never happened. Balls of Fire lost due to a technicality, running out of time, to a team from the Consolation Bracket. The Monstars went on to win their match and to easily defeat their competition in the final match. In a stunning display of might, the final match was over within seconds of it starting. Clearly, they deserved to be called champions.

The Monstars were led by team captain Ben Gillie who was joined by Brittany Berta, Meghan Wilhelmsen, Megan Lamb, Richie Ball, Rob Boelke, and Nick Stack.


Left: Team Monstars / Right: Team Pantalones Calientes. Photos by Kayla Richmond.

Even if you weren't able to register, come out to see your friends play for prizes!

When it Rains, it Pours

By: Roy Elias
The Fall Picnic had a higher turn out of Honors Students than any previous picnic. Upon arrival to Riverfront Park, it was raining ... and then it started pouring. This weather was not an obstacle to fun however, as a friendly yet competitive touch football game that separates the men from the boys was played in the inopportune weather. When the rain began to let up there was excellent food, volleyball, and canoeing. It seemed that everybody was enjoying something about the picnic whether it was socializing with friends, eating, or just having fun with the activities. Fall Picnic was a fun way to spend a couple hours on Sunday, and a testament to the fact that a little rain never hurt anyone.




Aside from the obvious weather problems, the picnic was a lot of fun. It was cool to hang out with the administrators of the honors college outside of the classroom. - Sean Carr

The picnic went really well, even though it rained I definitely enjoyed my cheeseburger, courtesy of Dean Silverman. That man has a way with a grill. - A.J. Jones

LLC's Board Game Night

Here are a few pictures of Board Game Night taken by Pulse photographer Joseph Michalsky. Promoting the Living Learning Community, Game Night brought a group of Honors students together to unwind and have fun on a Wednesday night.

Honors Convocation Marks Start of New Year

By: Ashley Martinez

On building to the Marshall Center, treated like royalty as they were welcomed by the chant of trumpeters as they walked through the doors. Ascending the stairs September 4, a flock of nearly 350 Honors students strolled from the Administration and making their way to Room 2703 for the Honors Convocation, an inauguration of sorts for the entering Honors class. On stage were the Honors College faculty, wearing full robes that resembled outfits from Harry Potter.

Dean Silverman took the podium and congratulated the entering Honors students, taking note of the great achievement of USF having the largest Honors College in the state. Dr. Naomi Yavneh followed, emphasizing the approximately $380 million of research funds raised at USF. Yavneh encouraged the class to take advantage of such plentiful resources, emphasizing that research is not necessarily black and white, yet assumes the vibrant pastels of creativity. Finding a place for everyone is possible, whether that place would be be studying Dance, French Studies or stem cell research.

Dr. Kleine prevented any possibility of wavering attention by declaring the “elitist” motto: “We breed better Bulls.” Dr. Kliene further supported the statements by encouraging the students to separate themselves from the rest of the USF population by becoming less conformist, attending more events, receiving more scholarships, networking far more, and achieving more than the rest; overall, to break away from the herd.

“Only dead fish go with the bull, a better bull is a fish that makes waves,” Kleine said.

Following Kleine was Scholarship Advisor Linda Lucas, alerting the fresh mass of Honors Students of the several scholarships available to them. Next up was Honors Advisor Reginald Lucien, encouraging others of the great Honors courses with the perks of the possibility of traveling abroad. The assembly concluded with the students being awarded the first half of their graduation medallions, their sash, a symbol of inspiration to graduate with their Honors in the future.

Pictures from top: Honors students climb the stairs to attend convocation./Students face each other to participate in the ceremonial exchange of sashes. Pictures by Ashley Martinez.

Honors Students Win Big at Film Festival

The Atlanta Symphony Hall was filled with talented student filmmakers from four Southeastern states as Sarah Wilson and her crew accepted their second Best Picture Award at Campus Movie Fest's Southern Regional Grand Finale for their short film, Rhapsody. The group had experienced their first taste of recognition a month prior, at CMF's stop at USF, where the film also won Best Picture.

Wilson, director of the film, has been involved in filmmaking for some time and had previously won awards in the competition. She met Joyce Yong, and Dan Nguyen, the producers of Rhapsody, at last year's CMF, and the three co-taught the Narrative Filmmaking class offered by the Honors College last fall. Many of the members of the team that made Rhapsody had either taught or taken the class, and the foundation of Rhapsody was laid even while the class was taking place, long before the film was shot.

"Every spare second we had from October to February was spent working on the movie," Yong said.

Participants in the Campus Movie Fest competition, the largest student-run film festival in the nation, must plan beforehand for the movies they will be making. The competition engages students from over 50 universities as they are provided equipment and given only one week to bring their vision to fruition. After the week of filming, the short films are screened and the best 16 movies are shown.

The inspiration for Rhapsody came from George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," which the film is set to, and which Wilson spent hours obtaining copyrights for. The colorful film showcases the plight of a teenage boy caught in a world of stereotypes who "finds joy and happiness where he least expects it." Ten official team members and dozens of extras helped bring the story to life through animation, acting, directing, and editing, with plenty of stress and complications along the way. However, the film was a joy to make for those involved.

"This project was our movie, it was something we all really loved," Wilson said.

All of the hours and effort put into the project paid off at the USF stop of CMF. Not only did Rhapsody win Best Picture, but the female lead, Shannon Stewart, won Best Actress. This was the second year the competition was held at USF, and more schools participated in the Regional competition that Rhapsody went on to win. Wilson described these honors as "unbelievable."

"Considering the extreme level of craftsmanship and talent we were up against Sunday night [at the Regional competition], that is an extreme honor," Wilson said.

Wilson is a telecommunications major and plans to continue making films, and is even going to the Cannes Film Festival as an intern in May. Though Yong is majoring in Biomedical Sciences, she still appreciates the satisfaction that comes from filmmaking.

"There something in the making of a film that is exclusive to the process," Yong said.

Rhapsody was be screened at the International Grand Finale at Paramount Studios in June, and won nationally with Best Picture. The film can be viewed online at the Campus Movie Fest website.


From top: Members of Rhapsody crew accept award at the Regional Finals/Sarah Wilson films a scene from Rhapsody/Dan Nguyen and Daniel Wang create set for opening animation/Promotional picture for the movie taken by Daniel Wang

Trip to Panama Helps Natives, Students

By: Sarah Monson

During Spring Break '09, students enrolled in the course Panama Beyond the Classroom put the accumulation of knowledge learned about the Central American country in class to good use. The group traveled south to volunteer in two organizations catering to the needs of at-risk and undernourished children and provided medical and educational supplies at two charity locations in Panama.

The group of upper level and first and second year students participated in course work for Major Works/Major Issues and Geographical Perspectives, respectively. The upper level students planned many aspects of the trip, and all students enrolled in the course were required to do research on topics pertinent to Panama.

Prior to traveling to Panama, the students raised $1,250 through the fundraising event Sabor Latino, which they used to purchase supplies for the children. They also took donated medical supplies, games, children's clothes, toys, a TV and a DVD player with movies along with them.

Once in Panama, the students volunteered at two locations. The first, Nutre Hugar, helped bring malnourished children back to health. The second location, Casa Esperanza, provided a place for children to go after school to keep them out of trouble. In both locations, students had to speak in Spanish to communicate with the children they served, even if they only knew limited amounts of the language. At both locations, students provided love and attention the children desperately needed.

"This was our attempt to get the students to give a little back," Lucien, one of the instructors of the course, said. "With the project, we could show students how easy it is to get involved in meaningful work, and how even a little amount of time can still make a big difference."

Many students were impacted by the connections they made with the children at the organizations in the week they were in Panama, including sophomore Anton Dapcic who took the Geographical Perspectives section of the course. Dapcic, who had previously traveled to other countries to volunteer, felt a special connection to the Panama trip.

"None of the trips I have been on were as valuable as this one. Being able to do what we did was worth the cost of the trip by itself," Dapcic said.

Relay for Life Success

By: Melissa Leddy

This year Honors College Student Council participated in Relay for Life, and once again it was a great success. With online donations, $1,340 was raised, and this does not include the additional check and cash donations made before and during the event.

Everybody who participated in this event was enthusiastic and excited to help with the cause. Courtney Hayes, the team leader for the Honors College's Relay for Life Team, was particularly helpful and kept the team on track and up to date throughout this entire event. She had actively worked towards directing the team with the relay goals since the beginning of the spring semester.

Lexi McGarvey as also a great benefit, and was very passionate and driven when it came to volunteering, raising money, helping with decorations, helping with set up, and helping with everything at the event. When she was asked to do anything, she would also go above and beyond what was required.

With the help of Hayes, McGarvey, and the rest of our Honors College Student Council, Relay for Life was very successful this year. The Honors Council looks forward to participating again in the future and encourage students to become involved. Thanks again to everyone that helped in making this year's Relay for Life a successful event!