On November 18 and 19, the Honors Program hosted two events that focused on integrating members of the Honors community. The Honors Olympics and the Run Run Rudolph Run 5K events demonstrated the outcomes of hard work put together by Honors members, and how people that come together enjoy fun activities.

The Honors Olympics, which took place on November 18 in I-Wing gym, consisted of free pizza, different sports, and overall teamwork building activities. We first played “knock-out”, a basketball game that determined who would be the team captains. They ended up being two freshmen who showed enthusiasm, and also motivated their teams before each sport took place. The activities we played included dodge ball, volleyball (with a blow-up beach ball), a hula-hoop game, and a relay race. Although my team lost, it was an evening filled with fun, laughter, and friendly competition.

On November 19, the Honors Program hosted Run Run Rudolph Run, a 5 kilometer race that took place throughout Stockton’s trails around Lake Fred. Volunteers and runners woke up bright and early, and arrived at the TRLC near the freshmen housing. All the proceeds made during this fundraiser were to offer a local family a more joyful holiday. Volunteers spread out throughout the course, offering runners support as we raced.

Unfortunately, halfway through the course, another runner and I made a wrong turn and got off the planned route. By the time we returned near the TRLC where the finish line was, we were still one mile short of reaching the approximately three miles required for a 5 kilometer run. Nevertheless, we persisted on running around the freshmen quad until we completed all 5 kilometers. It delayed our time a bit, and we partly ran a different route than intended, but we still finished—sweaty, but accomplished.

Following the race, the first place runner won a basket filled with various snacks, while the rest of the runners hydrated inside the TRLC. The volunteers joined us, and we enjoyed the sounds of Christmas music playing in the background.

We then returned several hours later to reflect on the positives and negatives of the run. The director of events considered our suggestions for next year, such as advertising the event better so that there would be a better turnout. Despite less than twenty runners participating in the race, the event came together organized and full of spirit. This comes to show that the honors community truly puts their best efforts forward in integrating members of Stockton. Because the Honors Program is centered around service learning and helping the local community, we go above and beyond what is expected so that we get the most out of our college experiences. Learning also takes place out of the classroom, so events like the Honors Olympics and Rudolph Run reveal our underlying desires for high achievements.

As the semester comes to a close, all the events I have attended, even those not required for the Honors Program, have made positive impacts on me that I will always cherish.

-Jillian Umali

November 8, 2016, was considered a monumental day for me, as well as thousands of other Americans. This election was the first one in which I was old enough to vote, and as a first-generation American, this civic right was an especially significant one to exercise.

The days leading up to Election Day brought forth high levels of anxiety. It seemed as though my entire environment was an organized chaos characterized by doom, hatred, and fear. Numerous reminders called attention to Election Day madness: news reports broadcast their final analysis reports of who would win what states, Snapchat released various filters urging people to vote, and almost every conversation on campus mentioned “Trump” or “Clinton.” I had never known the election process caused so many unsettling emotions and unforeseen stress. Fortunately, the Political Engagement Project and Office of Service Learning made the voting process much easier. By providing a voter shuttle that brought students to and from a nearby voting site, there was almost no excuse for students not to vote.

It was only within half an hour before I left campus when I decided who to vote for. My nervousness gradually increased as I headed towards the Arts and Sciences circle to ride the voter shuttle. After about five minutes of waiting, a white minivan showed up, and the driver welcomed me and another student with open doors. I mentioned to the driver that this was my first time voting, and that I didn’t know what to expect. However, I was reassured that voting was a very simple process.

Upon arriving at the voting site on Pomona Road, a few tables and voting booths were set up. My name was not in the poll book since I live in a different county, but nonetheless, I filled out a provisional ballot by hand and cast my vote. I then received a patriotic “I voted” sticker from the voter shuttle and took pride in my action. It was just a matter of hours until America would find out who would be the next president.

Later that night, an Election Day Party, hosted by the Stockton Political Engagement Project, was held in the Board of Trustees Room. We ate pizza and gathered together as we watched polls close throughout the country. The restlessness grew as more results were continuously updated. Like a New Year’s Eve countdown, the news projected ticking clocks that increased angst as the seconds decreased. Each percentage, each blue number, each red number, were indicators of triumph or disappointment. America watched as the fate of our country changed right before our eyes.

By midnight, Trump was leading in electoral votes. My minority self— Asian, female, first-generation American, educated—was in shock. I tried to convince myself that maybe Clinton still had a chance at victory. But with only a handful of states whose electoral votes were still undetermined, the projected numbers just wouldn’t add up. I went to sleep dreadful of what I would wake up to hours later.

Amidst the numerous assignments, projects, and papers that need completion, first-year college students can easily gain the dreaded “Freshmen 15” if they neglect to fit exercise into their academic schedules. However, with the availability of free fitness classes offered by the Wellness Center in Stockton University, freshmen don’t have to worry about going off-campus to stay in shape.

Every week, students can look forward to Monday and Wednesday evening Zumba classes in the I-Wing gym, while Tuesday and Thursday evenings offer Boxercise classes. (Beware, the intense cardio and strength training can make you sore for days!) If sweating off stress doesn’t sound appealing, then yoga offered on Tuesday in the Lodge, and Thursday in the TRLC, can also put the mind and body at ease.

Going to these classes helps in many aspects of achieving optimum health. Not only do they aid in staying fit physically, but they also improve emotional health since exercise and meditative techniques in yoga relieve stress. Furthermore, exercising with others also creates a support group who helps sustain motivation throughout the workout session. Rather than focusing on how difficult a Zumba dance may be, or how challenging it is to do one hundred pushups, everyone in the gym can maintain their energy and return every week to repeat the process.

What I like most about Stockton’s fitness classes is that they fit easily into one’s schedule. As long as night classes or sports don’t interfere, there is bound to be at least one weekly fitness class that will suit almost everyone’s schedule. Even just attending Boxercise once or twice a week is better than not going at all. Plus, based on the past two weeks I have been going to Boxercise, my body has felt stronger and healthier since I first arrived on campus.

Additionally, fitness classes can vary the activity of a previously established exercise routine. For example, I regularly use the Nike+ Run Club app to track my runs around campus. But with the addition of Stockton’s fitness classes, my exercise routine benefits from a number of activities other than just running. These fitness classes have helped add more structure to my routine, allowing me to actually look forward to my evenings—rather than contemplating about what to do. Especially with the immense amount of free time after academic classes, they help me stay on my feet and maintain an active lifestyle.

Since the start of fall fitness classes on September 12, my attendance at most of them has provided me with many more reasons as to why I love it here at Stockton. My days are filled with academic rigor, while my nights are filled with either upbeat dance combinations, intense ab workouts, or relaxed breathing. Altogether these free activities make me feel content with my choice to attend this college, and I can’t imagine going anywhere else. I haven’t felt this productive with my daily routines in a very long time, and I hope it continues for the years to come.

-Jillian Umali