Meet Jared Beaulieu, a nominee for 2013 Homecoming King! Prepare to vote for your King and Queen starting October 15th.
Check out Jared’s Facebook page devoted to his campaign for King.
Alexa: What are you involved in at UMass?
Jared: At UMass I keep involved in a variety of facets. As an RA, I have been live-in staff for Multi-Year and Freshmen residents, in addition to having been on the RA Council. I was a member of the Wrestling Club until my schoolwork and theater involvement kept me too busy. Currently, I am acting in both Theater Guild and Theater Department shows, while also doing technical work in the Theater Department. In all of this, I also manage to work for the Film Studies Office.
Alexa: Why do you think you would be a good representative of UMass?
Jared: In my time here so far, I feel that UMass has given me so many opportunities and reasons to confirm I made the right choice to come here. I readily admit that when I first started the application process this was not my first choice, but upon arriving for Spring Open House I knew that UMass Amherst was where I belong. From my time as an RA to my time working UMass Fall Open Houses, I have already had to talk to people about my time at UMass and I am happy to share my experiences.
Alexa: What is your favorite UMass memory?
Jared: So far, my favorite UMass memory has to be from the last weekend in October Freshman year. There was a blizzard that came out of nowhere and took out some trees along with the power to the buildings, causing all of my peers to come out into the hallway and hang out instead of staying in the rooms.
Alexa: What’s your favorite spot at UMass?
Jared: My favorite spot at UMass is easily the Durfee Conservatory. Before living in other areas, I would always walk by it as I headed up OHill at the end of the day. Most people don’t know about this hidden gem on campus, but it’s tucked away between the ISB and Franklin DC and is the perfect quiet place to escape and do homework or just take a breather in the middle of a busy week.
Alexa: What is the most useful thing you have learned at UMass (in or outside of the classroom)?
Jared: The most useful thing I’ve learned has probably come from my experience as an RA. Some things you just have to learn on the job, and I’ve learned to be able to think on my toes and be ready for anything. Since being an RA is almost a 24/7 job, things can (and will happen) when they are most inconvenient, but I have learned to deal with handling whatever situations may come up; something I take with me and think about with any other job I might do.
Alexa: What is your favorite activity during UMass Homecoming week and why?
Jared: My absolute favorite activity during UMass Homecoming week is the hockey game, because I think it’s one of the best places to see the campus come together. I personally love sports, but know a lot of peers who don’t but would still go out to see the Minuteman on the ice. At a home game, there’s no one that UMass can’t beat, it just depends on the day. It’s great to see that fast-paced action with the roar of a maroon crowd in support.
Alexa: If you were to be crowned UMass Homecoming King 2013 what would your reaction be?
Jared: I think I’d be pretty speechless at first. Since the time I learned what Homecoming Royalty was, I knew I’d try my best to be on the court, and I’m pretty excited just to have gotten this far. Maybe after a bit of jumping up and down, I’d be sure to thank all the people that supported me and helped me throughout the application process and my time at UMass. It would be a humbling moment, but I’d do my best to continue to hold myself in the manner befitting someone representing the university.
Alexa: If you could give one piece of advice to UMass underclassmen that are aspiring kings and queens, what would it be?
Jared: I think that underclassmen should both literally and figuratively keep their doors open. This is much easier said than done after your freshman year when you already have kind of settled into a friend group, but there are great people all over UMass that can have a lasting impact on you if you give them a chance. You never know how some connection or new friend can help you down the road or vice versa. In life, as well as in running for Homecoming, those whom you meet along the way could always offer a leg up for support.