Name: Courtney Brunson
Major: International Relations
Minors: Philosophy and Law, Public Policy & Human Rights
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
How would you define what Posse is for those who are unfamiliar with the organization?
Posse is an opportunity for leaders from various socioeconomic and racial backgrounds to come together as a group of 10 to transform their college campus communities.
How has being a part of Posse defined you?
It has taught me the importance of being on a team. Before Posse, I had only known what it meant to be on the team if I was playing a sport and working on a group project. Posse taught me what it meant to met 10 strangers and have them become your family. Truthfully, it hasn’t been easy (and being in a family never is) but it has given me immense insight on how to simultaneously support others and grow as an individual along the way.
What advice would you give to the incoming firsties that you wish you had known before embarking on your four year college journey?
Trust the process. MHC tries its hardest to expose you to different ideas from the beginning and it’s easy to simply resist them. Too often, people stay within their comfort zones and hang out with the same people and do the same things throughout their four years. Even though there is nothing inherently wrong with that, most of the experiences and memories I treasure the most have been from situations I would have never been in or with people that I never would have met unless I trusted what MHC was trying to do for every student that enters through the gates. There were a lot of things about MHC that I was skeptical about and eventually came around to loving (i.e. kale).
What would your ideal pizza look like?
I hate to say it but I am really not a big fan of pizza. Ever since I was little, I have only ever seen pizza as a starter or appetizer but not as an actual meal. I will say, however, that I am a HUGE fan of Antonio’s, which I know is based on their ability to place every topping known to man in amazing variations on pizzas.
If you had to live in one place for the rest of your life, where would you choose to settle down and why?
I’ll admit that I haven’t been to many places, so this answer might very well change in a couple of months, but I am absolutely in love with Washington, D.C. Location wise, it’s on the mid-Atlantic which means that it has four seasons but not atrocious weather patterns like South Hadley. Living wise, I really identify with the character of the city, which is always full speed ahead and focused on changing the world.
What is your favorite song at the moment that other people may not know about?
Because I was raised on old jazz, soul, and R&B, I will always have a great appreciation for really funky and soulful sounds, which I don’t hear often these days. However, after a live jazz concert at the Powerhouse in Amherst, I heard the musical selection of a band called Busty and the Bass and have been replaying their GLAM album ever since. My favorite songs include “The Real” and “Tryna Find Myself”.
What are your current favorite tv shows?
Where do I even start… Well, obviously I am a huge fan of Shonda Rhimes productions and religiously watch current and previous episodes of How to Get Away With Murder and Scandal. I also constantly rewatch my two favorite TV series that I believe were crucial to my development into the overly dramatic person I am today, which are One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl. Finally, when I need mindless television to help me feel better about myself, I watch Say Yes to The Dress or Keeping up With the Kardashians.
What is your favorite book that you could read over and over?
I am going to preface this with the fact that I love YA literature and have yet to read many books that can’t be found in that aisle. That being said, one of my favorite books is called Haters. It’s about this Mexican American teenager named Paski that moves from New Mexico to Southern California and has to learn how to fit in with a whole bunch of rich, beautiful, and hateful girls while simultaneously having a relationship with the most sought after guy in the school. On top of it all, she actually has secret psychic powers that connect her with nature and the woods. I never really understood why I love it so much but I think it’s because I identified with not really fitting in racially with people in my high school, and I think secret powers would have been a cool thing to have.
If you could bring back a trend or knickknack from the 90’s, what would it be and why?
I would really like to bring back the music of the 90s. Artists like Michael Jackson, Boyz II Men, Whitney Houston, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, TLC, and Usher taught me what it meant to both rock out to music and understand the message behind it, which I don’t think we have as much of anymore.
Do you have a savory or sweet tooth? What is your favorite food/dessert?
Savory! I love rich meals that have sauces and spices that create a little party in my mouth. For that reason, I’m a big fan of stir-fry and loaded pastas.
If you could be best friends with a fictional character, who would it be and why? And would you want them to live in your world or would you want to live in their world?
If I had to pick one person, I would probably be best friends with Will in the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. I grew up watching Fresh Prince and always thought he would be a ball to hang around because of all of the crazy antics he gets into for himself, his family, and his dreams. I’d definitely want to be in his world so I can chill with Jeffrey and Uncle Phil.
How has being president of SGA shaped your final year at Mount Holyoke?
Well, it’s definitely given me more headaches. On a serious note, it has also given me more purpose. I, as well as a lot of other seniors, are trying to set up our lives post graduation which can sometimes have an effect on our lives here. We might either check out completely or not value our moments in the way we should. Being SGA president has reminded me that there is always more work to be done to improve our campus and that it takes continued passion and determination to make sure it gets addressed.
If you would like to write for Her Campus Mount Holyoke, please email mt-holyoke@hercampus.com.