HPSC Candidates for Election - January 2013

Below is the list of candidates for Class of 2016 representatives to serve on the Honors Program Student Council from January 2013-January 2014. Two students from the Class of 2016 will be elected to the Council.

Madeline Artibee
I am from Nashville, Tennessee. I am interested in studying philosophy, spanish, and environmental studies. On the weekends and breaks I read, garden, and various social activities. I want to join the Honors Program Student Council because I am very excited to work with my fellow peers to make learning fun again!!

Katherine Brown
Hometown: Richmond, Virginia
Academic Interests: Elementary Education, Music
Co-curricular Interests: Member of Sweet Tones, Figure Skating
I would like to be a representative for the class of 2016 to help better connect the students who live on the Honors hall with other Honors students.


Emily Dallas
I was raised in Allentown, NJ and graduated from Peddie School with Cum Laude honors. I am majoring in biology and environmental studies and I am interested in chemistry. At Sweet Briar, I am involved in several activities, including the field hockey team, riding, Outdoor Program, Environmental Club and orchestra. I also enjoy shooting sports, agriculture and travelling. As a member of the Honors Program Student Council, I plan to develop a more effective method to communicate the goals and requirements of the Honors Program to prospective and current students. I would also like to plan events to help Honors students connect with one another. In addition, I believe that the Honors Program should be more present in all aspects of Sweet Briar, and Honors students should have opportunities to get the most of their liberal arts education.

Lydia Fleck
I am from Poquoson, Virginia.  I am an Engineering major, Y:1 and Honors participant, on the First-Year Honors/Dean’s List, and a campus lifeguard.  As a member of the Vixen swim team, I was the November Vixen of the Month and an Old Dominion Athletic Conference Honor Roll member.  Balancing the time commitments of academics, swimming, and community service has led to developing strong organization and time management skills. Prior to enrolling at Sweet Briar, I was a Virginia Girls State Delegate as well as an active member of several organizations including the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Math Honor Society (Mu Alpha Theta), Model UN, and Key Club.  As a member of the Honors Program Student Council, I will bring ideas to the Honors Program and look forward to working with students of all majors.  Of particular interest is offering a variety of Honors classes to include math and science; mentoring first years through the process of identifying variants and Honors projects; and scheduling functions outside of the athletic practice time in order to allow our athletes to take a more active role in promoting bonding within the program.

Kiersten Garcia
I am 19 years old and I am from Altavista, VA. I am a Biology Major and a Chemistry Minor and Pre-Med. After Sweet Briar I would like to go to medical school and get my degree to become a medical examiner. I am a member of the Varsity Swim Team and a member Sweet Dancers. I am also really interested in becoming more involved in outdoor program events this semester. I would like to become a part of the Honors Program Student Council because I have a multitude of experience with being in leadership positions and I feel like I am a good candidate for this position. I will listen to the Class of 2016 and make sure that the events that they would like to see for the Honors Students are heard and considered. Please elect me to be a Class of 2016 representative for the Honors Program Student Council. Thank You.

Mariam Javed
Mariam Javed was born in Kuwait to Pakistani-Christian parents, and moved to the United States when she was fourteen. She has lived in her hometown of Annandale in Northern Virginia ever since. She likes English Literature, but would like to major in Biology and someday become a neuro-surgeon. In her spare time, Mariam likes to read fiction by Anne Rice and C.S. Lewis, play badminton, and watch re-runs of old shows. She is also currently attempting to write a fictitious novel. As a member of the Honors Program Student Council, Mariam would try her best to help freshmen Honors perspectives transition into the Honors program. She would also encourage students to continue with the Honors Program and inspire others who are not Honors students to take some Honors courses. She would also try her best to organize fun activities for the Honors students in an attempt to bond them together.

Katriana Jorgensen-Muga
I am from Bellingham, Washington which is a small city north of Seattle by the coast. Currently I am planning on majoring in biology and government with the hope of working in the field of public health. At Sweet Briar I am a part of the swim team where I mainly swim backstroke and freestyle. I am a member of pony club (HB rating) and have been a member for the past eight years and while at home I also volunteer at a local therapeutic riding center.  Outside of the academics I enjoy riding, in particularly eventing, hiking and traveling. As an Honors student I am interested being part of the governing body of the Honors Program in order to help shape the direction of the program in a way that mirrors the student bodies interests. I would love to be involved in setting the direction of the Honors Program and help to improve the program for current and future students.  Being a part of this council would allow me to meet my fellow students and hear their ideas regarding the Honors Program and then take action to  implement their ideas. My own ideas for the direction of the Honors Program involve getting a wider variety of classes and increasing the involvement of students in events put on by the Honors Program.

Amy Kvien
I am an Economics major with a Government and Math minor. I was born and raised in Tifton, Georgia until I was twelve years old, when I moved to southern Maryland. Over summer and winter breaks, I work at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station as an intern in the Comptroller’s Office. One of my biggest interests and hobbies is studying and following politics. I am a member of the Students for Liberty club and I also serve as the News Editor for the Sweet Briar Voice, Sweet Briar’s newspaper. I am interested in serving on the Honors Program Student Council to help promote the Honors Program and serve its members as well as the student body. I hope to help the Honors Program host events and programs that will be useful and popular with Sweet Briar students. I also hope to be a resource to members of the Honors Program and the entire student body for information on the Honors Program as well as its upcoming events.

Brigette Parker
I am nineteen years old. My hometown is Hot Springs, Arkansas, but I live in San Antonio, Texas with my mother and younger brother. I enjoy reading and drawing along with playing my flute. I am a people-person, and I am always ecstatic about meeting people and making new friends. I am also a huge nerd. Pokemon, Minecraft, manga, anime, XBOX, and calculus take up my free time. The Honors Program Student Council is a great way to become involved on campus, and I would like to become a part of that involvement. As an outgoing person, I can easily move around the campus and gain input from my peers. This includes finding new ideas for events and activities the Honors Program Student Council may host.

Laura Patlan
I am 20 years old and from North Carolina. My interests include studying history and languages, reading, and standing up for the rights of animals. I attended Sampson Early College High School, so I had a double course-load of honors high school classes and college classes for five years. I was the valedictorian of my class, and graduated with high honors from Sampson Community College. I’m majoring in archaeology and planning on minoring in Medieval and Renaissance Studies. Even though I am a freshman, I am planning on graduating in three years. I’ve always known how important grades are, and I understand that sometimes it can be difficult balancing school and social life. Because of this, I feel like I am pretty well-suited to be part of the Honors Program Student Council. I would really like to help out in any way possible. I’m really easy to get along with, and I’ll definitely listen to any suggestions you may have. I want to help get your ideas out there, and I want to help make the Honors Program become even more accessible, fun, and exciting for everyone.

Elspeth Schalk
I am a Biology major interested in the Pre-Veterinary Program, and I would like to serve on the Honors Program Student Council. I grew up in a small community on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, which afforded me the opportunity to enjoy many activities on the Chesapeake Bay. Although I was homeschooled for much of my education, I completed my junior and senior years at public high school. I’ve played on various travel softball teams and most recently joined a roller derby team. Throughout my childhood, I owned and enjoyed a wide variety of animals, from hamsters to horses, and it came as no surprise to anyone when I choose to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. It is my goal to attend the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine after my graduation from Sweet Briar. As a representative for the Class of 2016 on the Honors Program Student Council, I will carefully and conscientiously fulfill my responsibility to inform Honors students about the ideas and events pertaining to the Honors community.  I believe myself to be a very approachable and open individual, who will be available and receptive to your opinions and ideas and ready to present your views at council meetings. I recognize how undergraduate studies shape our characters and help us achieve our career goals, and I would be pleased to have the opportunity to work with my fellow classmates and the Sweet Briar faculty to ensure that class offerings are relevant and attractive. My objectives will be to enhance the curriculum, the honors program, and student life. I believe that I am well qualified to assume this task, and I would be pleased and honored to have the opportunity to represent you on the Honors Program Student Council.

Sarah White
I am a first year here at Sweet Briar. I was born and raised in Philadelphia. All throughout high school I attended PA Leadership Charter School, which is a cyber school. For three of those for years I attended their art program at the Center for Performing and Fine Arts. I was apart of Student Government for three years. I was a member of the yearbook committee, east chair for the Prom and Dance Committee for two years, and the chairperson for SADD. I was also the president of my 11^th grade class and the schools National Honors Society during my senior year. I really enjoy swimming and art. Art gives me an opportunity to take what is going through my mind and make it into something beautiful out of anything negative. I plan on majoring in studio art with a minor in music and psychology. Hopefully going into a career of graphic design, or art therapy.