Talented, ambitious, creative, fun and positive- these are some adjectives that are very appropriate when describing Romie Sciscio, a first year fine arts student at Rhodes University. There is something uniquely different about her. She gives you a smile that encourages and welcomes you in and after speaking to her briefly, you may mistake her for being a friend that you have known forever. Her friends describe her as “a true gem” which seems a great fit since she sparkles as a person and her talent shines through. She sees herself as “a very tolerant and persevering person who is a good motivator” and is the perfect example of a well rounded University student.
Sitting at the Rat and Parrot (one of Grahamstown’s famous bars), she tells me that she had many expectations of Rhodes when she first arrived here this year “When I first got here I guess I expected instant gratification. I saw myself as a serious artist destined for stardom and success, but soon after I got here I realised that University is like a new language that you need to learn and get used to, and you can’t exactly become a star is a foreign place so it takes time to get where you want to be- and lots of perseverance!”
Like most first year students, Romie was excited about starting a new life for herself this year and loves her independence but also misses home as she is very family orientated. Luckily for her she has become extremely close with fellow art students as they spend countless hours in the art department together whilst working on their “masterpieces” and because of all that time spent together they have formed very close bonds and have become a support away from home. “I know that I can trust them and I really appreciate their opinions when it comes to my art. They support me and I don’t know what I would do without them”.
Growing up, she was always surrounded by art as her mother was always very crafty. Every Christmas she would receive paints and utensils from “Santa” and although at the time she wondered why she didn’t get Barbies like her friends, she is now “very grateful” and sees how her parents encouraged her right from the tender age of five.
She lists the accumulative growth of her artwork as one of her biggest accomplishments and after seeing some of her work it is easy to understand why. “With this year has come the realisation that you forever learn. I came here initially thinking that I would just do my own thing but I have become so inspired by how much more I can actually learn.”
Her advice to new students is for them to take advantage of all the opportunities that present themselves and not to be afraid to ask questions. “First year of Varsity went by so fast so it’s important to make the most of every moment you have to expand your mind, heart and soul.”
FAST FACTS ABOUT ROMIE:
1. FAVOURITE MOVIE: Kiss me Kate; from the 1950’s. I love TCM classics
2. FAVOURITE COLOUR: I’m an artist so I love all colours
3. ROLE MODEL: There are so many great artists to look up to but I want to be myself and bring something unique
4. FAVOURITE VARSITY MOMENT: Meeting new people every day
5. MOST EMBARRASING MOMENT: I was talking about my art lecturer and saying how she scares the crap out of me, and I turned around and found her standing right behind me. Blind one!!!
Friday, October 3, 2008
PROFILE ON A TALENTED ART STUDENT
Home Advantage
Energetic, funny, sporty, happy, easy going. That is how the world sees Thando, but how does she see herself?
When asked to describe herself in one sentence, Thando Eloquently replies “You could say I’m a little bit of this and a little bit of that and I’m trying to fit in wherever I can.”
Thando and her family have been Grahamstown citizens for many years, but she thinks differently to the way most first years do. Even though her parents live within Grahamstown, Thando goes home less often than other first years that live away from home. This is an achievement in terms of being a first year.
When arriving at Rhodes, most first years tend to get a bad case of ‘home sickness’. This home sickness starts out small, but it spreads like the flu. Once one person is missing home, everyone starts to miss it until it becomes an epidemic. Thando has obviously had her ‘home sickness’ shots because she stays strong and avoids remaining dependant on her parents.
Thando could go home every day if she wanted to, but she doesn’t. She feels that Rhodes is where she needs to be. She has had a fantastic first year: meeting many new people and growing as a person, but would this have been possible if she had gone home as often as she could? Would Thando have got the same Rhodes experience if she had lived at home instead of at res?
I doubt it.
Being at Rhodes has really brought Thando out of her comfort zone. She has met people that she would never have met before, and made many new friends. The Rhodes experience has brought enrichment into her life. She tries to get involved in everything she can: from playing an excellent game of hockey on the Rhodes first team, to getting a first in her last statistics test. “It’s all about choice,” she explains, “There are a lot of different things you can do at Rhodes but it’s up to you to choose which things you want to be a part of. You should make a choice and stick with it.”
It is important to try to keep a balance between your academic, sporting and social life, she says. Thando’s philosophy is that “you work hard but play even harder.” According to her, it’s all about tolerance. A person can only have so much fun before they must do the right thing and do their work. Work should always come first, no matter how much you want to go to that hockey match or party.
Thando can teach us all that it is good to break away from our parents. Even though we might miss them sometimes, and they might be close by, by going home too often we miss out on life as a student at Rhodes. A balance between the different aspects of being a student is also very important for a happy and successful first year.
Fast Facts
Favorite movie: Forest Gump
Favorite Colour: black
Role Model: I’m getting there…there are too many…my mother.
Favorite varsity moment: My first hockey fines meeting.
Most embarrassing moment: I don’t really get embarrassed, so none. I have had a lot of hilarious moments though.
When asked to describe herself in one sentence, Thando Eloquently replies “You could say I’m a little bit of this and a little bit of that and I’m trying to fit in wherever I can.”
Thando and her family have been Grahamstown citizens for many years, but she thinks differently to the way most first years do. Even though her parents live within Grahamstown, Thando goes home less often than other first years that live away from home. This is an achievement in terms of being a first year.
When arriving at Rhodes, most first years tend to get a bad case of ‘home sickness’. This home sickness starts out small, but it spreads like the flu. Once one person is missing home, everyone starts to miss it until it becomes an epidemic. Thando has obviously had her ‘home sickness’ shots because she stays strong and avoids remaining dependant on her parents.
Thando could go home every day if she wanted to, but she doesn’t. She feels that Rhodes is where she needs to be. She has had a fantastic first year: meeting many new people and growing as a person, but would this have been possible if she had gone home as often as she could? Would Thando have got the same Rhodes experience if she had lived at home instead of at res?
I doubt it.
Being at Rhodes has really brought Thando out of her comfort zone. She has met people that she would never have met before, and made many new friends. The Rhodes experience has brought enrichment into her life. She tries to get involved in everything she can: from playing an excellent game of hockey on the Rhodes first team, to getting a first in her last statistics test. “It’s all about choice,” she explains, “There are a lot of different things you can do at Rhodes but it’s up to you to choose which things you want to be a part of. You should make a choice and stick with it.”
It is important to try to keep a balance between your academic, sporting and social life, she says. Thando’s philosophy is that “you work hard but play even harder.” According to her, it’s all about tolerance. A person can only have so much fun before they must do the right thing and do their work. Work should always come first, no matter how much you want to go to that hockey match or party.
Thando can teach us all that it is good to break away from our parents. Even though we might miss them sometimes, and they might be close by, by going home too often we miss out on life as a student at Rhodes. A balance between the different aspects of being a student is also very important for a happy and successful first year.
Fast Facts
Favorite movie: Forest Gump
Favorite Colour: black
Role Model: I’m getting there…there are too many…my mother.
Favorite varsity moment: My first hockey fines meeting.
Most embarrassing moment: I don’t really get embarrassed, so none. I have had a lot of hilarious moments though.
Follow the ways of a Debate Master
Extroverted, ambitious, level-headed, successful and down- to- earth but how does Luyanda Mfeka see himself? “I am a very adventurous person but try to stay grounded in everything I do,” he said.
Luyanda, or ‘Lu’ as he is known to his friends, resides in Jan Smuts residence which of course comes with a reputation of debauchery but as you enter his neat room and are comforted by his bright smile it is obvious that he is not one who enhances this reputation in any way. His room is well organised which reflects in his nature and appearance with trim stylish hair and slight stubble.
‘Lu’ attended Alexander High School in Pietermaritzburg where he had as scholarship and served as head boy in his senior year. It was at Alexander High that he first became involved in debate, mainly due to his headmaster who felt it was necessary to excel in all forms of school activity to keep a scholarship and according to ‘Lu’ he, “wasn’t in the mood to play chess,” so debate became a part of his life. ‘Lu’ feels that debating is enjoyable but what he enjoys most is the challenge, “I like to see if I can argue my way out of anything.” said ‘Lu’.
‘Lu’s decision to come to Rhodes was based on his experience of the Grahamstown festival as well as,” the party experience and the experiences that I had heard from my friends.” Being confident in nature ‘Lu’ felt little apprehension upon entering the Rhodes community and was exited about experiencing a new environment and set of people. “You get over the nervousness quite quickly all you need to do is find a good bunch of friends because as a survival mechanism first years bunch and being alone can be quite rough.” Said ‘Lu’.
For ‘Lu’ joining the Rhodes debating society was a natural progression from high-school, he just wanted to see what would happen and had low expectations,” Quite frankly I expected to get my but kicked,” said ‘Lu’. This however was not the case and ‘Lu’ soon found out that you don’t have to be ‘Ultra-intelligent’ to debate and he began to make his mark on the debating scene. ‘Lu’ became so successful that he and his debating partner Luxolo Matebese reached the final of the English Secondary Language (ESL) debate division. ‘Lu’ admits to being nervous in the debate competition, facing fourth years on occasion, but realised that at times, “I could run circles around them.” ‘Lu’ added to his debating achievements when he made the Eastern Cape provincial team and received an award from the province. He also picked up an award for best new speaker from Rhodes.
After an excellent maiden debating season at Rhodes ‘Lu’ was also chosen as secretary of the Rhodes debating society and adding to his C.V was voted as a student’s representative counsel (SRC) hall rep for Jan Smuts Hall.
Luyanda Mfeka is not just a survivor of first year at Rhodes; he is someone who has achieved much in a short space of time. He has also gone about achieving what he has in a very humble way and so has made many friends throughout the year. This grounded nature and achievement is something that all prospective first year students can aspire to an ‘Lu’s’ example is one that can be learnt from and should be followed.
Fast Facts:
Favourite Movie: ‘V for Vendetta’
Favourite Colour: ‘black or blue, never been able to make up my mind on that one’
Role Model: Ruth Everson, ”The woman left me close to tears after attending one of her lectures and I have been a fan of her work ever since.”
Favourite Varsity Moment: “For better or for worse, the night of the 8/08/08(those concerned will know) legendary night at the monument filled with good buds and the bear.”
Most Embarrassing Moment: “Many but failing to pronounce the word homeopathic while participating in a public debate in high-school about alternative medicines.
Luyanda, or ‘Lu’ as he is known to his friends, resides in Jan Smuts residence which of course comes with a reputation of debauchery but as you enter his neat room and are comforted by his bright smile it is obvious that he is not one who enhances this reputation in any way. His room is well organised which reflects in his nature and appearance with trim stylish hair and slight stubble.
‘Lu’ attended Alexander High School in Pietermaritzburg where he had as scholarship and served as head boy in his senior year. It was at Alexander High that he first became involved in debate, mainly due to his headmaster who felt it was necessary to excel in all forms of school activity to keep a scholarship and according to ‘Lu’ he, “wasn’t in the mood to play chess,” so debate became a part of his life. ‘Lu’ feels that debating is enjoyable but what he enjoys most is the challenge, “I like to see if I can argue my way out of anything.” said ‘Lu’.
‘Lu’s decision to come to Rhodes was based on his experience of the Grahamstown festival as well as,” the party experience and the experiences that I had heard from my friends.” Being confident in nature ‘Lu’ felt little apprehension upon entering the Rhodes community and was exited about experiencing a new environment and set of people. “You get over the nervousness quite quickly all you need to do is find a good bunch of friends because as a survival mechanism first years bunch and being alone can be quite rough.” Said ‘Lu’.
For ‘Lu’ joining the Rhodes debating society was a natural progression from high-school, he just wanted to see what would happen and had low expectations,” Quite frankly I expected to get my but kicked,” said ‘Lu’. This however was not the case and ‘Lu’ soon found out that you don’t have to be ‘Ultra-intelligent’ to debate and he began to make his mark on the debating scene. ‘Lu’ became so successful that he and his debating partner Luxolo Matebese reached the final of the English Secondary Language (ESL) debate division. ‘Lu’ admits to being nervous in the debate competition, facing fourth years on occasion, but realised that at times, “I could run circles around them.” ‘Lu’ added to his debating achievements when he made the Eastern Cape provincial team and received an award from the province. He also picked up an award for best new speaker from Rhodes.
After an excellent maiden debating season at Rhodes ‘Lu’ was also chosen as secretary of the Rhodes debating society and adding to his C.V was voted as a student’s representative counsel (SRC) hall rep for Jan Smuts Hall.
Luyanda Mfeka is not just a survivor of first year at Rhodes; he is someone who has achieved much in a short space of time. He has also gone about achieving what he has in a very humble way and so has made many friends throughout the year. This grounded nature and achievement is something that all prospective first year students can aspire to an ‘Lu’s’ example is one that can be learnt from and should be followed.
Fast Facts:
Favourite Movie: ‘V for Vendetta’
Favourite Colour: ‘black or blue, never been able to make up my mind on that one’
Role Model: Ruth Everson, ”The woman left me close to tears after attending one of her lectures and I have been a fan of her work ever since.”
Favourite Varsity Moment: “For better or for worse, the night of the 8/08/08(those concerned will know) legendary night at the monument filled with good buds and the bear.”
Most Embarrassing Moment: “Many but failing to pronounce the word homeopathic while participating in a public debate in high-school about alternative medicines.
HERSELF v OURSELVES -RHODES CRITICAL COURT
Withdrawn, quiet, obedient, shy and very observant. This is how everyone sees her but how does she see herself. She shuffles her feet hesitantly to let me into her room. A smile creeps onto her face as she notices the reassuring one on mine. The room she owns is so much more colourful than I expected it to be, a sharp contrast to her seemingly colourless life. Something stirs the need to know what else the interview will reveal underneath her layered self.
Nyasha speaks slowly cautiously, as one would if they were forced to step onto quicksand. She stiffens; wringing her hands on her laps and braces herself for the oncoming questions. She has been through the most challenging year in her life so far. She came to Rhodes expecting an easy flowing life but it turned to be quite the opposite; a hurdle track.
When she arrived she had no friends at all and felt homesick most of the time. Her facial expression confirmed that telling the story was just like reliving it. As if homesickness was not enough, she felt too shy to approach anyone about her problem adapting to Rhodes. She did not know her way around campus and always found it difficult to have to ask for directions to go somewhere. She explains how meeting new people has always been one of her biggest fears. She touches my cords of emotion when she says, “there is nothing as fearful as having to face your fears.” A true revelation of how she felt when she came to University.
Her biggest fear however was that she would not fit in. At first every first year was in the same boat; scared and observant. When everyone else had moved on to a faster university life, Nyasha was still the same. This sparked a lot of criticism from everyone around her. She shakes her head and almost whispers, “I felt so much like the ugly duckling of the university.” For some time this affected her academic work. She could not concentrate in lectures because she kept thinking that everyone who looked her way was talking about her.
She relates one particular incident that she encountered. On her second Saturday at Rhodes, she was getting ready for bed when she heard a sharp commanding knock on her door. She opened the door to find a group of first years she barely knew dressed in skimpy, glittery attire. She knew immediately that they were on a mission to show the nerd what real university life was about. Her lips trembled, reluctant to smile.
The tall gal who dominated the gang simply said, “Get dressed.” Nyasha just stood in awe with her mouth agape. She slammed the door shut in their faces and slumped against the door. She could not stand to think that everyone thought she needed someone to help her discover herself. She throws her head back and laughs. A real laugh.
Thinking back now she has every reason to laugh at how stupid she was, to think she had to fit in when all she had to do was be herself. She is not at all what people perceived her to be but one thing was certain. She is unique.
FAST FACTS
Favourite Movie: Bourne Ultimatum.
Favourite Colour: Blue.
Role model:Oprah Winfrey.
Most embarassing moment: i stepped on a wet spot and fell in the dining hall as i was going to place my tray on the trolley. What made it worse was that the leftover custard in the tray spilled all ober my face.It was like a movie scene.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Um, ja....hi me
Yo Jay,
If there is one person you should be completely honest with it’s yourself, so…..you’re lazy- but you know that and you’ve been told it a million times by teachers, parents, student councillors and even your friends. Thing is, at Rhodes you’ll have to find a way to motivate yourself because no one else is going to, not even the wrath of your mother can be incurred upon you from 1400 kilometres away, and the trend in your life has been the older you get, the less push you get from others and the lower your marks end up being.
Attend as many lectures as you can(which you don’t do currently) and think of them as a social period, that’s where you are going to meet people and, just like class, you can screw around most of the time while still taking something in. As king of procrastination it is very important that from day one you develop a habit of doing work before time, I’m even writing this letter late so it won’t be easy, maybe you should get a really uptight girl involved in your life- it worked in primary school. Also stay away from DC! It’s a program that allows you to download different movies and types of music and it will be the end of you- it won’t be your social life that suffers, you know you would never let that happen!
Its important that you realise weekends are not exclusively free or sport time and sure, recover from your hangover on Saturday but do a little bit on Sunday, it’ll make your life so much easier. Just think of that weekend with Suki, it started a long line of failures in for Ms Cerisier that you were lucky to crawl out of.
Party hard but you don’t want to find out what repeating a subject is like and that’s one thing I have to look forward to so don’t make the same mistake.
Attend as many lectures as you can(which you don’t do currently) and think of them as a social period, that’s where you are going to meet people and, just like class, you can screw around most of the time while still taking something in. As king of procrastination it is very important that from day one you develop a habit of doing work before time, I’m even writing this letter late so it won’t be easy, maybe you should get a really uptight girl involved in your life- it worked in primary school. Also stay away from DC! It’s a program that allows you to download different movies and types of music and it will be the end of you- it won’t be your social life that suffers, you know you would never let that happen!
Its important that you realise weekends are not exclusively free or sport time and sure, recover from your hangover on Saturday but do a little bit on Sunday, it’ll make your life so much easier. Just think of that weekend with Suki, it started a long line of failures in for Ms Cerisier that you were lucky to crawl out of.
Party hard but you don’t want to find out what repeating a subject is like and that’s one thing I have to look forward to so don’t make the same mistake.
Cheers,
From your older self
From your older self
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Hello!!
I am so glad you will be coming to Rhodes next year. It’s been so long since I saw you and I cannot wait to share my Rhodes experiences with you. At least you do not have to worry about finding your way around campus because I could be your atlas for the first few days. Hopefully after that it will not be so difficult.
There is so much more to university than meets the eye. Believe me; I had my fair share of experiences. All of them I remember well but nothing beats having to balance social life and your academic work. When you arrive you can’t really go out because you are not yet familiar with the places to go to and the people to go with. It takes some time to actually get the courage to go out, so most first year students would rather sit back and observe for a while before getting captivated by the night life.
You should try to at least squeeze in all your assignments before Friday, just to be on the safe side. Personally I dread the weekend .Not that I have anything against it .I just hate dealing with the pressure that comes along with it. Somehow I always manage to save my precious work for the last minute. Just when I think I should start planning my weekend extravaganza I realise that I should actually be planning an essay. And I wonder why they won’t just let us party, after all it’s what we Rhodents know how to do best.
But be warned, partying can be very addictive. This is because you will feel the need to let off some steam after struggling with assignment deadlines. Since they usually come on a Friday, you will probably indulge in a weekend of hard partying. So just make sure that no matter how much partying you intend to do, academic work always comes first. I am looking forward to seeing you soon.
Yours sincerely,
The future you.
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