P2SA Officer Candidate Bios

It's election week! This week, stop by the Plan II office to vote for next year's Plan II Students' Association officers and this year's Chad Oliver award winner. Below are the bios and platforms of the candidates running for election (posted as they're received, so they aren't all up yet; keep checking back for more):


Volunteer Co-Chairs: Laura Wright and Edgar Walters 

Laura and Edgar believe that Plan II Volunteer events should be frequent, fun, and accessible. To that end, they propose hosting at least one "Service Saturday" a month at non-profits around Austin like the Capital Area Food Bank, the Austin State Hospital, and Austin Pets Alive. "Service Saturdays" would allow Plan II Students to spend a few hours helping out the community while getting to know a local non-profit and their fellow Plan II-ers. With 2+ years of experience on P2SA and established relationships with several non-profits around the city, Laura and Edgar are ready to put their plan in action and are committed to expanding the Plan II Volunteer experience.

Volunteer Co-Chairs: Margaret Wellik and Daniel Grube

NEW IDEAS:

Plan II Alternative Spring Breaks: we already have connections to facilitate a trail-building & invasive species removal project in the beautiful state parks of Arizona AND a week of home-building in New Orleans' 9th Ward

One weekend of camping & outdoor restoration work in the hill country area per semester.

Volunteer at Austin's numerous festivals...and then enjoy the perks of free admission (this may or may not be how Margaret and Daniel will be enjoying the Austin Reggae Festival for FREE).

OTHER REASONS TO VOTE FOR US:

1. We're volunteer junkies...this will give our lives a purpose.
2. We do cool stuff, especially when we volunteer.
3. We'll organize some ridiculous volunteer outings.
4. We're road-tripping from Austin to Vermont and Maine for our respective jobs this summer, and this will give us something to talk about.
5. We like mud.

ABOUT US:

Margaret spent a year in AmeriCorps (aka "domestic Peace Corps") before coming to UT. Through this experience she has connections with several non-profits (see "Alternative Spring Break" plans above), and has practice organizing large-scale volunteer events. She is currently in UT's Social Entrepreneurship & Non-Profits Program, and interns as the Volunteer Coordinator for HOPE Farmers Market.

Daniel just dropped his second major in the College of Natural Sciences and now has loads of free time to plan volunteer events. He also enjoys dragging people along onto ridiculous caving trips. 

Communications Co-Chairs: Paige Harriman (studying abroad Spring 2013), Meredith Stark, Sarah White

Paige Harriman: She's in the Sesame Street Big Book! (Look for her in the index!!!!!! It's pretty much her claim to fame. Big Bird said that he's proud of her.) She has measured out her life with coffee spoons, Facebook likes and awkward hand gestures. Easily flustered. Meredith Stark: Sometimes forgets that book characters aren't real. As an engineering honors student, she is the Jedi Master of all things related to human communication and interaction. Also related to Iron Man. Liam Hemsworth once proposed to her, and she said no. She was already married to Plan II. Sarah White: Doubles for both Tinkerbell and Conan O'Brian. Fluent in both sarcasm and parseltongue, however her English isn't always up to par. Considering switching her major to enigmatology. Sarah once ran a low fever. This is commonly known as global warming. COMMUNICATION GOALS: ~ We plan on making Plan II more present on TWITTER. That's right, you cultured, hip, newly reborn Austinites, TWITTER. Tweeting about awesome/important events for Plan II students ~ Updating the P2SA BLOG more frequently with events, ideas, articles, and more ~ Utilizing FACEBOOK to its fullest extent to make Plan II students more aware of what's happening in the Plan II community, increasing Plan II student unity ~ Coordinating and PUBLICIZING events pertaining to anything Plan II SOCIAL/FUNNESS: ~ HOUSE CUP: All World Lit classes to be sorted into the four houses (Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, Gryffindor), which will then compete against each other for GLORY. ~ MOVIE SCREENINGS of "Harry Potter/A Very Potter Musical" (complete with Red Vines™, pumpkin juice, tasty baked goods and chocolate frogs) ~ QUIDDITCH MATCHES (no Muggles allowed, sorry) ~ "POTIONS CLASSES" Mischief Managed.

Recruitment Co-Chairs: Kelsey McKinney and Sara Saastamoinen

Hello lovely Plan II-ers! We're Kelsey McKinney and Sara Saastamoinen, and we're running for P2SA Recruitment Co-Chairs!

KELSEY MCKINNEY
+ Works as the Plan II Intern at the beautiful Harry Ransom Center.
+ Still knows all the words to every Britney Spears and Eminem song.
+ Is 83 at heart and loves quilts, pie, wearing her glasses, and reading novels.

I have a memorized Plan II speech that I can recite on command and teach to anyone. Confused about how to tell your great aunt’s second cousin’s boyfriend what the heck you are studying? Do not fear! Plan II Recruitment chairs are here!
We hope that you will consider in your decision not only the level of our qualifications, but also who you want to represent the Plan II body to high school seniors and their parents. What could be better than two blonde girls, right? ;)

SARA SAASTAMOINEN
+ Hails from the cold North (AKA Finland, hence the multitudes of A's in Saaaastamoinen).
+ Really enjoys Oxford commas, making crème brulees, and watching film noir movies.
+ Likes to fill the cookie jar with Girl Scout cookies, especially Samoas and Thin Mints.

I've worked for almost a year now with the multiple stages of the Plan II admissions process, and the information sessions Jennifer and I hold are SUPER important to explaining what the heck Plan II is to prospective students/parents/little brothers, and I’m really dedicated to making them even more wonderful next year! I've been coordinating the Recruitment Co-Chairs this past year, so I already have a ton of experience recruiting and coordinating the ambassadors!
Also, I have a 2-hour memorized spiel about the fantasticness of Plan II that I recite to prospectives. ASK ME ABOUT IT.

What it's like to be dating Mr. Plan II

Alright, people. Let's be honest: Sam Liebl is a stud. Everyone can appreciate his sculpted legs, his penchant for debate, and his right eye, which squints ever so slightly more than the left one when he smiles. So when Sam volunteered himself to compete in this year's Mr. Plan II competition, I naturally assumed he would win - both because we're attached at the hip and because, I mean, just look at him. 

For those who don't know, Mr. Plan II is P2SA's annual male beauty pageant, an event that honors the manliest and most talented guys among us. With his win, Sam has joined the ranks of such illustrious figures as Dylan "I won $20,000 for my thesis" Bumford, James "Hot Catholic" VanMatre, and David "Caligula" Fisher. Past competitions have included dogs (way to go, Kevin Vermillion), bodysuits, full drag, banjoes, booties, and more. Under the scrutiny of a panel of P2 staff judges, which this year included Director Michael Stoff, Associate Director Alexandra Wettlaufer, Alumni Coordinator Phillip Dubov, Office Manager Elsie Rebolloso, Admissions Director Jennifer Scalora, and Academic Advisor Mary Dillman, the this year's competitors strutted their stuff in a dance, formalwear, swimwear, a talent, and an interview.

When we arrived at the Black Box Theatre before the event, I sighed. Sam had some pretty tough competition. I mean, the lanky, luxurious Edgar Walters was there. With TWO female escorts - Elyssa Klann and Jenny Kutner - who were looking pretty intimidating in their Orange Jackets attire. Bespectacled, quiet artistic type Russell Beaumont and his escort, the inimitable Courtney Lee, were planning hilarious-sounding gags. Goofy Naveen Pattisapu tuned his guitar. Famous Facebook-obsessed freshman Krit Mankhali folded his hands and looked like he didn't give a damn. 

How was Sam going to beat these boys?! I'll be honest: he did a great job showing off his tush in a speedo, and he certainly wooed Jennifer Scalora with a collection of sexy Shakespearean monologues. But I thought it was totally over a few times - when, for example, Russell walked out for formalwear in a "Canadian Tuxedo" - all denim - and presented Courtney with a denim rose. Or when Edgar rocked out on piano to a song he wrote himself about our glorious honors program (see a recorded version here: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150658319952236). The audience gave Edgar a standing ovation.

In the end, Sam did win the crown, with Edgar and Russell coming in second and third places, respectively. And all the other boys fought a good fight, with some excellent improvised ribbon dancing from Ben Johnson and Loktao Shing, a delightful impromptu speech from Krit, and the most delicate "Blackbird" ever from Naveen. (Have I forgotten anyone?!) 

You might ask how Sam's life has changed since winning the crown. Honestly...I don't think it has. But I sure am proud of him, and his name'll show up on that plaque in the Plan II office pretty soon. And in the end, we were all just thrilled to put on a good show and celebrate our honors program. It's pretty sweet to be dating Mr. Plan II, but it's even sweeter just to be dating Sam Liebl. 

(cue sounds of awe and disgust)

xoxo Jillian Owens

On Hair Maintenance

Hair maintenance should not be left to chance, nor to brand indecision. I recommend, for your own sanity and well being, a sense of brand loyalty. It will make your trips to the store much easier. One must weigh equally cost and quality. Unlikely bedfellows, they. Over the course of my travels, I have decided upon Garnier Fructis. It comes in a festive green package, and is priced at approximately $4.00 per bottle. A true bargain, in the opinion of Your Humble Narrator. Right. You'll also want to consider the leave-in conditioner. It is well-worth the additional $2.00. A resilient, wide-tooth comb is the next necessity. Hair should be combed while wet, lightly towel-dried, and then combed once more. Ancient guru wisdom. Which brings me, incidentally, to sandals. The perennial question, it seems, is toe-strap or no toe-strap. Many otherwise-productive hours have been squandered over this matter. Though the absence of a toe strap does invite the possibility of the classic wool-sock-sandal combination, it leaves one with the unpleasant responsibility of pressing down the big toe at each step. This problem is easily solved by the presence of the toe-strap. Ultimately, the comfort and ease provided by the strap outweigh the marginal stylistic benefits of wearing socks with sandals. Q.E.D.

Indulgently,

Travis

Courtney's Birthday Weekend!

Can’t wait to celebrate my 22^nd birthday in the greatest city of all time. The weatherwoman has cleared the skies, and there are a handful of things I’d like to do that will not fit into 1 day. Thus, it’s Courtney Week, más o menos. Behold, the list:

Places to eat

• Julio’s for breakfast migas and mimosas
• Barley Swine for a swanky dinner: http://barleyswine.com/menu/
• Frank for a souped up hot dog and a palette cleansing beer
• Din Ho for my favorite Chinese food in Austin
• Justine’s for a fine, classy evening of pretentiously delightful French food and wine

Activities

• Friendship potluck
• Friendship picnic at Auditorium Shores
• Friendship cinematic experience at Violet Crown
• Friendship night out on the town (east 6^th, dirty 6^th, Rainey Street, or all of the above)
• Jazzy-sassy friendship concert: http://www.facebook.com/soultrackmind

Note: the word “friendship” indicates copious amounts of laughter, handholding, hugging, and general tomfoolery.

Last college birthday. Going to do it right. A beber y a tragar, que el mundo se va a acabar.

Courtney Lee

Co-President

Night of the Living Dead Voltaire's Cinema


On Thursday, October 27th, about 30 zombie Plan II students showed up to watch the classic horror film Night of the Living Dead. Matt Valentine, Joynes Room Program Coordinator, creative writing professor, and zombie enthusiast, gave a brief history of zombies and how the film defined the zombie genre. The living dead in attendance munched on pizza and brains while they watched.


-Richard Griffin and Sam Liebl
Academics co-chairs, P2SA

Welcome!


P2SA has finally entered the blogosphere! Use this space to keep up to date on all things Plan II, official or otherwise. Read about upcoming P2SA events, advertise events of your own, and share anything from photos to an interesting class! Because after all, Plan II is not just about awesomeness and cookies. It makes you part of a community with a level of awesomeness far exceeding any other organization. And the internet is all the better with us.

-David Fisher and Courtney Lee

Co-presidents, P2SA