Name: Ali Lorimer
Year: 4th Year
Program: Political Studies
Hometown: Ottawa, ON
First of all, Happy Homecoming Weekend! How does it feel to be celebrating your last Homecoming?
Thank you. It feels kind of sad, actually! But also exciting, and I feel like I’ll definitely be back next year.
Oh good, because I was going to ask you: can you see yourself coming back to Kingston for Homecoming in future years?
Yes, and I don’t know where I’ll stay or who I’ll be with *laughs* but yes, for sure, I’ll be back.
What would you say is your favourite part of Queen’s?
I think my favourite part is the community I found here, with my classmates, with new friends or with Queen’s Bands. It’s just such a close-knit community that I never felt back in high school or previously.
I know Queen’s Bands is a huge part of your life here at Queen’s, and you were even Head Dancer at one point; how would you describe your experience with Bands and getting involved?
It was honestly something that I wanted to do for so long. When I first joined, I was so overwhelmed, to the point where I asked myself: “Why am I doing this?”, but then I realized that all of my best memories from Queen’s were because of Bands. Travelling with the football team or dancing in front of thousands of people during Homecoming Weekend is such a special experience that I would never have had otherwise.
Do you have any words of advice for those who want to get more involved in the community?
If you think there’s something that you’re interested in, just go and check it out, whether it’s an information session or you just drop into a meeting. There’s no harm in just going once! I think that if you’re feeling really isolated or scared, whether it’s because this is a new town or you’ve just moved here, being involved in a club or a sports team is such an easy way to feel like you’re a part of Queen’s.
What’s your favourite thing to do in Kingston? Places to go? Restaurants?
I think one of my favourite places is the waterfront, whether it’s the Pier or downtown. It’s so nice to be able to sit in front of the water where it’s quiet. From summer to fall to spring, it’s just so nice. Maybe also The Brass. *laughs*