Caroline McSwain

More by Caroline McSwain

Tan at Your Own Risk

5/3/2012

As the semester comes to an end and summer is quickly approaching, women (and men!) all over campus are in pursuit of one particular vacation accessory: the perfect, golden tan.
Students can be seen sunbathing at North Campus’s Lake Mary Nell or soaking up the rays on the grass outside Moseley. Others choose alternative methods of tanning, such as visiting one of the many tanning salons Burlington has to offer.
It’s no secret that going to the tanning beds is dangerous. It seems like every magazine and skin expert out there is preaching against the evils of the infamous “fake-bake.” Although many university women now opt for the safe, quick and easy spray tan, others choose to continue frequenting indoor tanning beds.
According to the National Skin Cancer Foundation, more than one million Americans use the tanning bed each day, and a vast majority of these people are women aged 16-29. Of these, one in 55 will be diagnosed with melanoma during their lifetime.

No matter what method you prefer, there are always risks to sun-exposure. It’s important to be aware of the signs of skin cancer so you can take care of yourself this summer.
The most important thing in terms of sun-safety is prevention. If you’re smart, you’ll take steps to ensure that the potential for your skin to be in danger is low. According to Katherine Tweed of FOX News, there are five major ways to prevent skin damage: minimizing amounts of exposed skin, wearing the correct amount of SPF, knowing the signs of skin cancer, having a relationship with a dermatologist, and consuming heightened amounts of antioxidants.

Katie Zanca-Elon's Budding Broadway Star

3/3/2012

Her personality is vivacious, and her smile is contagious. She lights up the stage, and the entire Elon campus.
 
Her name is Katie Zanca. Remember it- you’ll probably see it in lights on Broadway one day.
 
Zanca, a sophomore musical theatre major from Connecticut, took time out of her busy schedule to chat with Her Campus.

 
HC: So you’re a musical theatre major, right? Have you been in any plays or musicals here at Elon?
 
KZ: Yes! So far I have been in “Children of Eden” and “She Loves Me,” and I am currently rehearsing “A Man Of No Importance,” which will go up in the Black Box Theatre soon. I've also performed in the 2014 Freshman Showcase and in two cabarets that the department does every year.
 
HC: Do people recognize you around campus after shows?
 
KZ: People don't really recognize me after shows, but some of my close friends who have played leads in our productions definitely have that celeb factor! Maybe one day that will be me!
 
HC: Wow, you must be so busy! When did you first start singing? Did you always know you were talented?
 
KZ: I've loved to sing my entire life but really got into Musical Theatre specifically when I got involved in a children's theatre company in second grade. I'm not sure if I ever really thought I was talented as much as I just loved the feeling of performing and the entire process of putting together a show. When it came time to apply to colleges, I knew I would never be happy doing anything else.
 
HC: So then you decided to come to Elon. What is the musical theatre department here like?
 

Chase Tagen-Sophomore Philanthropist

11/19/2011

Name: Chase Tagen
 
Age: 19 years old, Sophomore
 
Major: Business Finance and Economics
 
Hometown: Westport, CT

 
Her Campus: What are you involved in on campus?
 
Chase Tagen: I am the Coach of Running Club, I volunteer with EV! Lunch Buddies, and I also tutor elementary school students. I was also on the Leadership Team for Special Olympics. On top of all that, I coach a basketball team of 5 and 6 year old kids.
 
HC: Wow, you are involved in so much! Can you tell a little bit about what you do in those programs?
 
CT: For running club, I make sure no one gets lost and to give tips on how to improve someone’s running times.
 
With Lunch buddies, I attend Sedalia elementary school and keep a 1st grade boy company while he eats as he talks to me about his life.
 
For tutoring, I teach fifth graders at Cummings elementary school and make sure kids are understanding and comprehending what they’re reading.
 
I am also EV coaches volunteer in which I am the head coach of basketball for 5-6 years olds. I run the drills and the entire practice teach the kids the fundamental skills of the game and about teamwork. I work off the court too, constantly sending emails to players about their child’s progress and helping find a sponsor for jerseys.
 
HC: That is incredible- you are really making a difference in the lives of so many kids. Do you have any free time?
 

Is Dating Dated?

11/10/2011

In an old episode of “One Tree Hill”, Sophia Bush’s character said, “Relationships are just too hard. Hooking up with boys is so much easier.”
 
In college, there is a wide range of types of romantic relationships. We have so many terms defining the countless stages of love and lust, ranging from just casually “hooking up” to becoming exclusively “Facebook Official.”
 
What do Elon students think? Is dating an old-fashioned tradition, dominated by casual hookups and one-night stands?
 
“People who are hooking up like each other, but they are not in a fully committed relationship as time consuming and emotionally taxing as dating,” sophomore Carrie Austin* said. “At this time in college, I prefer hooking up because I don’t feel as tied down to another person and their needs. You get to have fun and hang out with a person, but without the emotional rollercoaster.”
 
For other students, something that starts out as just a casual hook up can turn into a committed relationship. Sophomore Kim Wisniewski met her future boyfriend the first week of her freshman year at Elon, and after hooking up for a few weeks the pair started officially dating.
 
“When hooking up, you can never fully know if the other person’s intentions are real, and it’s much more casual,” Wisniewski said. “But in a committed relationship, the feelings are stronger and you’re more likely to stay together for a long time.”
 
Although their relationship started out as nothing more than a hook up, Wisniewski and her boyfriend have now been together for almost a year.
 
As students get older, many feel it’s time to start settling down. But others want to take full advantage of their last year in college.
 

Katie Link, the Queen of Multitasking

10/19/2011

Meet Wonderwoman… better know as Elon senior Katie Link.  

Link is the president of her sorority, Phi Mu, as well as the sweetheart for Pi Kappa Phi, however she is not only involved in campus Greek Life. Link is also a member of Student Government, College Republicans, and the Senior Giving Committee. Although these jobs are time-consuming, Link makes time to get good grades and spend time with her friends.
How does she do it all?

   
HC: You’re the President of your sorority. What responsibilities does that position entail?

KL: As president of my sorority, my responsibilities include, but are not limited to, maintaining correspondence with National Headquarters and Elon. I also oversee all activities and events our organization holds.

HC: Cool! Is that job fun, or more work? Is it what you expected when you were elected last spring?

KL: Being the president of any organization takes patience and time management, and Phi Mu is no exception. The position is a little more time consuming than I expected, however I am so happy I was elected for the position. It has turned out to be my most rewarding leadership position I’ve ever held. Although it is a lot of work, the position is definitely fun and without it, I would not have had the opportunity to work with some of the people that I do.

HC: How do you remain so involved in Greek Life while also keeping up your grades and making time for your friends, etc.?
KL: Maintaining my grades is definitely a top priority. It is easy to get sidetracked with everything going on outside of academics, but prioritizing my work makes it easier for me to allocate time for my friends and my involvement in organizations.

HC: What have you learned from your leadership positions?

How To Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World

10/11/2011

How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World:
The Art of Living with Style, Class, and Grace
Book by Jordan Christy
 
This sassy guidebook is the ultimate road map on how to maintain classiness in an increasingly trashy, pop-culture obsessed world. How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World gives advice on everything from impressing cute boys to dealing with catty girls. Chapters like “Keep Your Chin Up and Your Skirt Down,” and “Less is More” supply tips on choosing your friends wisely and being your best self.
 
Classiness is lacking on many college campuses, but with this book that doesn’t have to be the case at Elon! “Being classy is an attitude and outlook on life,” author Jordan Christy writes. “The art of gracefulness is how we behave and act when no one is watching; being stylish is how we present ourselves to others. It might involve our clothes, but it’s not defined by designed labels.”
 
At Elon, it sometimes seems like women are judged based on the brand names they wear or the quality of the highlights in their hair. This book reiterates the importance of health self-image and confidence.  “You can live with style, class, and grace no matter who you are, who you know or what you do.”
 

I highly recommend this book. It’s a lighthearted, entertaining read chock full of useful information and inspirational quotes from the classiest of ladies. So Elon women, if you want to be a Hepburn and not Hilton, pick up this book and start living with style, class, and grace.

Young at Heart

10/8/2011

“You look absolutely beautiful today, honey,” Eleanor said to me as we walked around the rose garden. I looked down at my outfit. I was wearing old gym shorts and a baggy t-shirt. I thanked Eleanor and smiled. Eleanor is a friend of mine. She is also a resident at Blakey Hall Assisted Living retirement home.
 
Last Christmas, I went to Blakey Hall with some friends to sing carols and sip cocoa. The old folks were so genuinely sweet and joyful, and ever since that night I wanted to go back.  So, at the start of this semester I started going to the retirement home two days a week. It’s only a short walk from campus, and I always look forward to my afternoons spent there. Whether walking in the garden, playing 20 Questions, or just sitting on the porch talking, I always leave the retirement home in high spirits.
 
The residents of Blakey Hall may be elderly, but they are so incredibly full of life. They love to tell stories about their high school sweethearts, their homes growing up, and the grandchildren they love to spoil. Their eyes light up when I walk in the room, even if my hairs in a mess and I have no makeup on. My friends at Blakey Hall don’t judge me based on what I look like or my social status, they just love to have someone to spend time with, someone who isn’t getting paid to take care of them or doing it with an ulterior motive.

 
I feel like I can be my truest self when I’m with my 80-year-old friends. No matter how busy and overwhelmed I am, I never regret taking a couple hours out of my day to go to Blakey Hall. I wish more young people would take the time to be with those who are so often forgotten. Volunteering at Blakey Hall has deeply enriched my life, and I am incredibly grateful for the time I’ve gotten to spend there.