F EATU RES
MAY 2, 2014
Seniors prepare for graduation and post-coil^ate iHe
Senior members of the Greenleaf Co-op James Escobedo (left), Rose McIntyre (middle) and Lyes Benarbane (right) discuss their plans, hopes and emotions about graduating on May 17.
BY TRAY LYNCH
Staff Writer
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All the late nights spent in the library
devoted to writing papers and studying
for exams are over now.
You did it. You made it through college.
There is an undoubtedly enormous
emphasis on a student's senior year of
college: a sense of pride that against
all odds you made it to the finish
line.
"Being able to walk across the stage
after 16 pulse years of education feels
good," said senior Phillip Smith.
"Graduating is one of the best feelings
in the world, especially being one of the
first males in my family to do it," said
senior Nicholas Mearite. "The stereotype
that black males are not smart and can't
finish college just pushed me to go harder
and prove those people wrong."
Graduating from college is both exciting
and terrifying, as students must make
plans for their future.
"It feels good to be a senior, and it
definitely feels good to have a plan after
college," said senior Kevin Tiller. "I'm
not nervous about graduation or life after
school because I have been preparing for
this. I'm definitely blessed to be continuing
my education at Virginia Commonwealth
University"
College seniors without preparation
for the "real world" are much like deer in
headlights. They are aware that life after
school is much different from college life,
but the fear of the unknown is terrifying.
"It feels good to be a senior, but it's bitter
sweet," said Wayne Marsh. "It's good that
I'm graduating, but I'm nervous. It's a
change from what I'm used to."
With the economy doing poorly, it's
almost mandatory to have a college degree
in order to get a good job. Although, a
diploma won't necessarily guarantee a job
for students after they graduate.
To improve their chances of employment,
many students continue on to graduate
school to refine their skills.
Regardless of the pride and sense
of accomplishment you get from your
diploma, it is essential that college
graduates ask themselves the inevitable
question: "what do I do next?"
"Senior year of college is one of the most
important times of your life," said senior
Lawrence Blake. "We always say how we
have all our lives to do whatever we want
to do, to be whatever we want to be, but
it isn't always good to look at it that way.
"If you look at it from that perspective
you will not be prepared for the real world.
I believe I took advantage of my senior
year, and I made some job cormections,
which can guarantee a better future for me
right after college."
This is a key point: job connections.
Seniors don't necessarily have
to continue on to graduate school
immediately after graduation in order to
be prepared for the "real world." Making
valuable connections is another great way
to prepare for the future.
There is no right or wrong plan to
guarantee success after graduation, but it
is very important for seniors to have one.
Graduating from college is just a stepping-
stone. The real work comes from finding a
job in your profession and excelling at it.
Publication 1 Don^t Do Boxes^ explores queer creativity
BY ABE KENMORE
Staff Writer
The plate glass has been removed from the old storefront
and the space once occupied by window displays now
houses three swings. Behind this, in the old thrift store turned
museum, the editors of "I Don't Do Boxes" — a publication
focused on Queer Southern stories — discussed the newest
issue.
"I like that it's queerly shaped," said one of the editors
seated aroimd a hodgepodge of tables, as he examined a
mockup of the magazine the size and shape of a CD case.
The place is Elsewhere: a museum made from the collection
of one Sylvia Gray, who practiced what Elsewhere calls
"Hoardiculture" for over 50 years. The collection includes
everything from electronics and musical instruments to
buttons and zipper pulls. It is frequently re-arranged into art
displays by resident artists or passing patrons.
In addition to the ever-shifting artwork. Elsewhere also
has ongoing projects — such as the nightly co-op dinner and
QueerLab, which works with LGBTQA youth to produce "1
Don't Do Boxes."
The first issue was published last year, with 35 submissions
from around the coimtry; about half came from North
Carolina.
This year there were more than 70, including some from
the U.K. and Canada.
While there are no limitations to where submissions can
come from, the magazine focuses on Southern stories.
In addition, the editors are all Southerners — something
unique to "I Don't Do Boxes."
"Being from the North ... I kind of had a hard time
adjusting (to the South), even though Greensboro is fairly
liberal," said first-year Ellie Weiner, rising PRIDE officer. "It's
good to have that place where people can share their stories,
in (a place) where LGBTQA people aren't accepted as much."
At this meeting, the editors performed triage on the
submissions of art, writing and music before gathering in the
communal kitchen for Pad Thai and blondies.
"(Editing) is another creative outlet," said editor Allen
Moore, a high school junior and former Elsewhere intern. "(It
is) a way to view other people being creative."
Over dinner, Chris Kennedy, education curator at
Elsewhere, shared some history of "I Don't Do Boxes."
A project of QueerLab and GSAFE — a Greensboro
organization dedicated to LGBTQA youth — "I Don't Do
Boxes" includes both what Kennedy described as the "typical
coming out story" as well as a "cornucopia" of other works
on being queer.
In the last issue, entitled "School's Out," a gay young man
from San Francisco reflects on past girlfriends, a teenager
from N.C. conducts a queer Tarot reading and an ACLU
legislative representative who works on LGBTQA issues
shares his inspiration.
Other articles explore queer Hip Hop music, give tips on
safe chest binding for those who present as male and list
ten ways to practice consent. The last was written by Eric
Ginsburg '10, former staff reporter for the Guilfordian.
This diversity is different from other LGBTQA publications,
which can "over-sexualize bodies and primarily cater to
white men with privilege," said Kennedy.
"Tm just excited to have something that's focused on
the creativity that comes out of the queer community," said
sophomore Cara Messina, secretary of Guilford's PRIDE
club. "People who aren't necessarily famous artists, poets or
writers can still have their voices heard by a wider audience."
2014 issue of Don’t Do Boxes”
will be released June 7
Help support publication of new issue:
Farm to Table Dinner (hosted by QueerLab)
May 30 @ Elsewhere
Buy tickets or read last year’s issue:
WV/W.IDONTDOBOXES.OR