Meet , Savannah Van Leuvan-Smith a nominee for 2013 Homecoming Queen! Prepare to vote for your King and Queen starting October 15th.
Alexa: What are you involved in at UMass?
Savannah: I’m very involved at UMass and love doing a variety of things. I am a member of the Student Government Association and was recently elected the chair of the Diversity and Student Engagement Committee where we work with the administration, Town of Amherst, and members of the State Legislature to create lasting change for the student body. I am a sister of Alpha Chi Omega and a member of Shaha, a social justice education peer-theater troupe. I am also in the Accelerated Masters Program for Political Science and am involved in the Theater Department shows.
Alexa: Why do you think you would be a good representative of UMass?
Savannah: I think I would be a good representative of UMass because I am very involved on campus. Through my time on campus, I have had the opportunity to talk to many students about what they see for the campus. I love UMass and am always looking for new opportunities to get involved and meet people.
Alexa: What is your favorite UMass memory?
Savannah: It’s hard to pick just one UMass memory, but the first day that I felt like I was a part of the campus was when I went to one of the home football games my freshman year on my birthday day. During the game one of our players intercepted the ball and scored a touchdown. The excitement of the students in the stadium made me realize just what kind of university I was at. After the game, they had a firework show. I still have some of pictures from that day on my phone.
Alexa: What’s your favorite spot at UMass?
Savannah: My favorite place at UMass is one of the benches by the campus pond. On a beautiful day when the leaves are turning, it’s a great place to relax and enjoy the day. I also particularly love watching the geese and the ducks in the pond. It’s a great place to hang out and read a book.
Alexa: What is the most useful thing you have learned at UMass (in or outside of the classroom)?
Savannah: The most useful thing I learned at UMass is that people are all capable of achieving great things if they put their mind to it. I have watched many of my friends grow during their time at UMass and I have seen them do things that I never would have thought they could do. I’ve learned that if I put my mind to something, I will also be able to achieve it and that there are very few things that can get in the way of what I want to do.
Alexa: What is your favorite activity during UMass Homecoming week and why?
Savannah: My favorite activity during Homecoming week are the Homecoming Parade and the Homecoming Hockey Game. I love seeing all of the different groups on campus get together for the parade to show off their school spirit. I love the Hockey Game because I lover UMass Hockey and have an amazing time at the games. During Homecoming, I love seeing the energy and spirit of UMass students at the game.
Alexa: If you were to be crowned UMass Homecoming Queen 2013 what would your reaction be?
Savannah: If I were crowned Queen, I would be excited and overjoyed. After the initial moment of shock wore off, I would start thinking about everything I could do in the year ahead. I would love to represent the UMass community and the student on our campus. To me, being the Homecoming Queen would be a year of doing great things for the community.
Alexa: If you could give one piece of advice to UMass underclassmen that are aspiring kings and queens, what would it be?
Savannah: I would tell them to get involved. Doing things on campus is the best way to figure out just who you are as a person. Being involved at UMass is a great way to meet people and it’s a great way to grow as a person and find your passions. Even if you don’t like the club you join, you can always find more ways to get involved. One of my favorite things about UMass is how easy it is to get involved.