If you haven’t seen her on campus, on an intramural field, in the classroom or even just around Orono, I would be very surprised because this week’s Campus Celebrity devotes a lot of her time to making UMaine a happy and fun place for all of us! With that said, our Campus Celebrity for the week is Sarah Porter, from winning Homecoming Queen to being the current Vice President of Student Organizations and more, all while being a normal college student. Sarah Porter certainly has made her time here at UMaine a memorable one for herself, as well as her fellow students by helping plan various campus activities! I caught up with the busy senior Psychology major to get a few more details, from what keeps her going to where she’s planning on heading after graduation and more!
- Basic Info:
My name is Sarah Porter and I am from Presque Isle, Maine (for those of you who don’t know where that is, keep going about 2.5 hours north of Orono and look for the potatoes). I am 21 years old, which is easily the best age to be, and I am in my last year as a Psychology major with minors in Anthropology and Business at UMaine.
- What activities/groups are you involved with on campus?
I have been involved in a variety of organizations throughout my time here at the university. After spending my first year adjusting and adapting to college, I really threw myself into a lot in a short amount of time. The first group I became a part of was the Sophomore Eagles Honor Society, and that experience introduced me to so many amazing people and opportunities I will always be thankful for. Soon after that, I became the Hancock Hall ROC Rep before moving up to Communications Liaison for Residents on Campus, and a senator for Student Government. I then joined Team Maine in the spring, and I must say, Summer Orientation 2011 changed my life; Team Maine was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. My recent participation with the Student Wellness Resource has also been an excellent experience. Currently, my top priorities are my involvement with the UMaine Alumni Association, serving as the Fundraising Chair for the Class of 2013 Council, and representing Student Government, Inc. as the Vice President of Student Organizations.
- What are some upcoming or recent activities these groups have put together on campus/for students?
Being the Vice President of Student Organizations, I play some sort of role in most of the events that student groups put on both on campus and off. It is my job to make sure student organizations at UMaine are successful and thriving. I could not be more proud of the groups who are actively holding fundraisers and events that benefit our campus and community, but we can always do better. My goal for this next semester is to help more organizations grow and find a purpose so that they too can help improve UMaine as a whole. Also, since Student Government is in charge of bringing acts and performers to campus, the area of Student Entertainment is very important to me. If students want certain performers to potentially come to our university, they need to voice their opinions and get involved with Student Entertainment. Fingers crossed, if everything goes according to plan then we will be having an epic performance come spring!
4. What are some of your favorite times/memories here at UMaine?
There are so many good ones, I don’t know how to possibly narrow it down! My first semester of college, the Secret Santa party my friends and I had on our floor in Gannett Hall. Getting to hang out with the band Fun. on their tour bus when they came to UMaine, before they really hit it big. Iota Nu Kappa’s first formal last spring easily makes the list; that was one of my best nights in college. Carving pumpkins in the basement of Beta Theta Pi my sophomore year. The week of my 21st birthday. Summer Orientation 2011 with Team Maine. Painting the paws on campus. The student section at hockey games. Our Student Gov Exec retreat last summer in Portland. Finally, Homecoming Weekend this year. Getting crowned the 2012 Homecoming Queen was a pleasant surprise and huge honor, but honestly, it was just so amazing to see all of my best friends who had graduated come back to Orono. I couldn’t have been any happier.
5. Plans for next year after graduation?
Ahh, the million-dollar question that ironically never actually involves a million dollars for graduating students. If it did, we would all be significantly less stressed about our futures. For me, there are several paths I could follow come May. I have applied to a number of graduate programs all over the country to receive a Masters of Public Health degree in Health Policy. My goal is to be either a lobbyist or policy analyst for health care organizations and initiatives, and someday, work for the World Health Organization. Now I am just playing the waiting game to hear responses from the schools, which is infinitely (and shockingly) worse than the application process itself. After the overwhelming amounts time and effort I put into those applications, all I can hope is that at least some of the programs want me as much as I want them. A recent press conference with a newly elected state senator also opened my eyes to other opportunities in politics, which resulted in many conversations and resume exchanges. So basically, my future is up in the air—but I couldn’t be more excited at the prospects. I have a good feeling that something will come together soon enough. Honestly, as much as I love my parents, if I can have a plan that does not involve moving back home after graduation, then I will be happy.
6. Favorite things to do for fun in the Orono area?
Karaoke at the Roost on Wednesday nights. Seeing live local bands at Woodman’s. Eating the world’s best burritos at Verve, and everything at Harvest Moon because it is all so delicious. Going to UMaine sporting events; we have a lot more sports at UMaine than just hockey and football, and they are all fun to go watch. The rope swing when the weather is nice. Making and carrying out scavenger hunts around campus and Orono with friends on the weekends. Playing intramural sports, like soccer and basketball. Pretending we aren’t in college for an afternoon and throwing snowballs with friends when the snow is just right. Honestly, if I’m with good people, I can always make sure it is a fun time!
7. Any advice you would like to give to the underclassmen or future students in regards to UMaine and all the activities and opportunities that we have offered while here?
Students hear this all the time, but honestly, the best advice you can give someone is to get involved in the UMaine community. The people who will have the most lasting impressions on you in college are the people you first meet in your res hall freshman year, and the people you are in organizations with. Common interests go a long ways in strengthening relationships, so truly take advantage of all of the opportunities UMaine has to offer. One of my goals as VPSO is to make students aware of all of their options. The phrase “there is something for everyone” may be cliché, but it is definitely accurate. Getting involved does more than just introduce you to fantastic people; it helps you grow and find yourself. Do not be afraid to change; college is meant to be a transitional time when students can experiment, explore, make mistakes and learn from them. Basically, be a college student. I can easily say that I am an entirely different person than I was when I arrived at UMaine, but for me, that is a good thing. I believe it is better to change a lot than not at all. Also, show some school spirit. Go to sporting events; support departments and organizations on campus; wear blue and white and spread some Black Bear pride. We go to an amazing school that most of us take for granted, so make sure you don’t graduate with any regrets. Finally, live in the moment. We all spend each week counting down to the weekend, or the last month wishing for the end of the semester. All the days end up blurring together and we don’t allow time for anything special to really happy. Take it from someone with only one semester left—it goes by fast enough, don’t try to speed up the process. Make sure that when you graduate, you are ready to, and that you had all the fun you possibly could.