This week’s Campus Cuties are the amazing women of Oceana: Jesse Kannam, Jess Wright, and Janan Shouhayib! These seniors are on the executive board for Connecticut College Oceana, a collegiate chapter of the International Ocean Conservation Organization. After working at prestigious internship programs this summer, these women are ready to tackle senior year and go out with a bang! But first, let’s learn about their favorite ocean animals.
Class Year: 2016
Hometowns:
Janan: Washington D.C.
Jess: Sudbury, Mass.
Jesse: Wellesley, Mass.
Majors:
Janan: Psychology.
Jess: Biological Sciences with a focus in Ecology.
Jesse: American Studies.
Minors or Certificate Programs:
Janan: English and Global Islamic Studies.
Jess: Goodwin-Niering Scholar and Environmental Studies Minor.
Jesse: PICA Scholar.
Extracurricular activities:
Janan: I’m PR rep for Oceana and the co-president of Active Minds, as well as the president for Psi Chi.
Jess: I’m the co-president of Oceana and the treasurer of Cakes for Care.
Jesse: I’m also the co-president of Oceana and a co-pitch for Miss Conduct.
Celeb Crush:
Jessica: Ashton Kutcher
Jesse: Julian Morris
Janan: George Clooney-Alamuddin
Relationship status:
Loud unanimous: LOL
Describe your ideal date:
Jesse: Stargazing on the beach.
Jess: With a picnic!
Favorite nature documentary?
Janan: Cosmos
Jess: Oceans
Jesse: Planet Earth
What type of whale most resembles your personality?
Jess: Definitely a Blue Whale.
Jesse: Orca.
Janan: I’m a Narwhal.
Jesse: You’re more of a Beluga.
Janan: No, I want to be a Narwhal, stop smothering me.
Jaws or Sharknado?
Janan: Sharknado
Jess: Jaws!
Jesse: I haven’t seen either, I’m afraid of sharks.
Janan: Sharks are friends!
What are your favorite sea animals?
Jesse: Killer whale.
Jess: Mine’s a type of sea slug, wait I can’t remember what it’s called (pulls out phone to Google it).
Janan: Jellyfish are very elegant, even though one stung me once.
Jess: Oh, mine is called a sea bunny! So cute.
You’re stranded on an island, what 3 objects would you bring with you?
Jesse: I’d bring some form of music.
Janan: A book called Orientalism, a map of the world…
Jess: A desalinator, soylent, and Moby Dick. I never get sick of that book.
Jesse: I’d probably also bring some of my favorite food.
Janan: Figs! Figs. I’d bring figs.
Jess: I’d bring these three beautiful people (interviewer included).
Janan: Nah, I’d still bring figs.
Favorite class you’ve taken at Conn?
Janan: Politics and Ideology in Literature about the Middle East
Jess: Humans and Other Animals in 19th Century American Literature
Jesse: Globalization of Urban Poverty
What events are you excited for this year?
Jesse: I’m always excited for the Polar Plunge.
Janan: I’d like to plan a follow-up event to the environmental racism panel we held last year with some of the other environmental clubs on campus.
Jess: We’re also trying to plan a big event at Ocean Beach with some local bands, so that should be cool.
What is one thing you have not checked off your Conn bucket list?
Jesse: I kinda want to find a way to camp in the library for the night.
Jess: I want to camp out on Mamacoke Island.
Janan: I’ve already done everything :/
Jesse: That’s sad.
How long can you hold your breath? Winner is the best pretend mermaid. GO!
Janan holds her breath for 59 seconds. She is the victor. Jess and Jesse collapse in exhaustion.
How do you feel about being Campus Cuties?
Jesse: I’m honored to be chosen alongside these amazing ladies.
Janan: I’d rather have done this alone, actually.
Where did you guys meet, anyways?
Janan: I met them at Oceana!
Jess: I distinctly remember painting my nails with Jesse after our first round of class registration during freshman year.
Jesse: Oh, you were there?
Jess: Cool.
Follow these powerful women on Instagram at @conncolloceana and on their Facebook page Conn Coll Oceana for pretty pictures of sealife!