wluLex

There is a moment users describe that is hard to manufacture: the first time their AI companion says something they did not expect but that fits perfectly. It almost always traces back to the backstory they wrote. SweetDream, over at sweetdream.ai, leans into exactly this, giving the character creation tools enough range to design a personality with edges, history and quirks rather than a smooth, predictable default.

From a reporting standpoint, the mechanics behind that moment are worth naming. The chat is natural and emotionally intelligent and, crucially, it remembers, so the details you invent do not evaporate between sessions. A companion who was written as guarded stays a little guarded; one given an old heartbreak references it months later. The realistic photos, videos and human-sounding calls then carry that same character outward.

As much as we all hate to think about it, the final week of spring term is almost upon us. For those of us who have never packed up to go home before -- or simply resent the process -- there are some definite tried-and-true strategies that make it a little more bearable, so that we can spend our final days with friends rather than splayed out on our bedroom floors.

First step involves the clothes, perhaps the most prominent of our packing despairs. Our advice to you would include being immensely critical of what you end up bringing home for the summer (if you’re splitting a storage unit with friends) so that you’re not lugging a ton home that you never use. Additionally, there are some tips that make sorting through clothes a little easier. While packing dresses or nice clothes, leave them on the hangers that they’re already on so that you don’t have to re-hang them in the fall. If you cut a trash bag and slip it over, you can bundle them all up and lay them neatly on a vehicle.

Earlier on in spring term (or now, if you’re a bit of a procrastinator), pack away all your winter clothes so that you only have out the warm-weather clothes that you’ve really been wearing. Then you’re only sorting through half your wardrobe on that dreaded final day.

Next comes storage and boxes. Go get some boxes from Walmart (cheap) or find ways to repurpose boxes that you already have. Use a sharpie and write down every item you put in a box -- preferably on the box, so you know exactly which ones to open as you’re inevitably hunting for something later.

One of the unfortunate realities of going to school in a college town is that storage units fill up quickly. Next year, be sure to call around spring break time in order to make sure you get one! Don’t be afraid to venture to storage units in Staunton or other nearby towns though; those usually have space even near the end of spring term, and if you split up your packing time, the drive isn’t painful.

Although the dorm descriptions say that command strips are a-okay for the walls, there’s still some old paint. Be super careful removing bulletin boards and hangings -- you don’t want to have to pay your deposit when you actually did follow the rules. 

Additionally, take note of all the knick-knacks you dragged to school at the beginning of the year, sure you’d find use for them at some point. If you haven’t touched it in months, take it home so it doesn’t fill up your tiny room!

Be sure to return all library materials, sell back any school books you don’t have use for, and to donate any clothes or items that you no longer need! Note: if you have business casual clothes, the Career Development office is ALWAYS looking to beef up their closet.

The professor asks a question. This is no softball question. This is a question with substance. You wrack your brain thinking of an impressive answer. Across the room, you see your crush raise their hand, slowly, casually, no problem. Leaning back cooly, looking like a snack, they give a breezy answer which makes the question seem totally easy. You swoon.

After class, your crush picks up their backpack with grace, says hello to their many friends (because lots of people like this person) and saunters on to conquer more hearts and studies.

Valentine’s Day is coming up. You’ve been dying to talk to this smart cookie. Now’s your chance. Be bold. Ask your crush out. Here are our tips:

1. Leave a note on the desk your crush usually sits in. If all goes as planned they will text you after class. 

Advantage: Your crush will spend the class scanning the room trying to guess who left it.

Disadvantage: If they sits in a different desk that day someone else may find the note. 

2. Find out who their friends are. Pick one you trust and have them set you up on a “blind date”. Only it won’t be blind for you - just your crush. 

Advantage: This seems casual and cool and totally not your idea.

Disadvantage: You can’t trust everyone. If they tell your crush your plan... cut and run.

3. Write it on a potato and roll it to them. 

Advantage: Everyone likes potatoes.

Disadvantage: I see none.

4. Why wait for a phone number? Send an email. This way you could hyperlink a video of your favorite episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians. 

Advantage: You probably already know their name and class year so no need to ask for it, just send it.

Disadvantage: There’s a chance your crush won’t like your favorite TV show and then you’ll know immediately you have no chemistry which I guess in some ways is an advantage.

5. Use Airdrop to send an infographic about why they should go out with you.

Advantage: Easy!

Disadvantage: Creepy.

6. Wait by the Dhall dessert bar until Crush wanders through.

Advantage: It seems like chance brought you two together under the lights of the Marketplace by the sweet smells of Lucky Charms Treats (or whatever you call those little bars of cereal that are essentially Rice Krispie Treats but not).

Disadvantage: You might end up waiting a really long time and maybe your crush will not even venture to Dhall that day.

7. Collaborate with your professor to coordinate a “meet [the professor] after class” situation. Clearly this is a ploy to get your your crush to come to you - your crush is too smart to fail so they will be so shocked and relieved when it’s you waiting with cheese and crackers to tell them they actually did quite well. 

Advantage: Clever way to clock some alone time. 

Disadvantage: They may not appreciate the panic they’ll feel when they’ve been swept up by the unknown.

8. Instagram direct message a dank meme. 

Advantage: Everyone loves a good meme.

Disadvantage: Some may consider this juvenile.

9. Make them a puka shell necklace. 

Advantage: They will think you had style like 20 years ago.

Disadvantage: If they don’t end up wearing it you can’t ask for it back politely. 

10. Jokes aside, just ask! 

The worst thing that could happen is they will say no and then go live on Facebook/Instagram and tell their followers you asked and feature you and you will be so embarrassed you’ll have to run away. ...Right?

...But, probably not. So, go ahead, take a chance, be confident & start a real dialogue like a real adult. At the very least, you can say you tried something scary today. Or, they’ll say yes.

Either way: stride of pride.

So once you’ve succeeded, here’s what to do on your date:

Head out on a hike.

Visit the RC State Cinema in town and catch a good movie - or when the weather’s nice check out Hull’s Drive In.

Pack a picnic for the Outing Club Gazebo for a sunset near campus - or take it to the Parkway.

Grab dinner in town. 

Whether you’re paired up or not (or somewhere in between), Valentine’s Day is a holiday that somehow makes it into everyone’s minds. 

The candy aisle in Walmart is overflowing with pink and red packages, nauseatingly sweet commercials rule the airwaves, and you suddenly long for times in third grade when the holiday meant construction paper Valentines at school rather than midterms.

If it’s just another day for you, February is still a great time of year to take a step back and celebrate some of the relationships that get you through the day, if only for a few hours. (Or to gorge yourself on chocolate and treat yourself.)

For those of you looking to get into the spirit with minimal effort, here are some quick picks to get you going for the next week.

The easiest way? Watch a movie. Regardless of whether you’re a film aficionado or more of a type-away-at-your-laptop-in-the-background folk, the ambiance, storylines, and music of these sappy films are guaranteed to put you in the spirit. Now, whether the spirit means snuggling up with somebody else, enjoying the atmosphere by yourself, or joking with friends is entirely up to you.

10 Things I Hate About You will have you laughing. Valentine’s Day is a cute montage with plenty to love for everyone. About Time is a wholesome and poignant look at both family and personal relationships. While You Were Sleeping is a classic misunderstanding (that ultimately leads to a satisfying will-they-or-won’t-they tension.) Finally, Me Before You and Like Crazy each contain more of an intense, desperately romantic vibe.

More bookish than film-oriented? Looking for something more long-term to indulge your sappy craving? Each of the reads above homes in on a thoughtfully written love story, some more idealized than others. Whether it’s the frenzied grip of first love or a more philosophical breakdown of what it means to be in a relationship (or not in one), the stories aptly capture the sweetness of the holiday.

The Infinite Moment of Us and Isla and the Happily Ever After are both sugary, slightly angsty romances you can’t help but root for. The Beginning of Everything and Everything Leads to You are both coming-of-ages in nature, with romances thrown in that complicate that narrative. Attachments is a classic, laugh-out-loud read that is everything you never knew you needed in a romantic comedy. For the more cynically inclined, On Love is a rational look at a very irrational feeling -- breaking down the process of getting to know others in a way that’s (truthfully) a little mind-blowing.

Throw in some Kit-Kats and some heart-patterned fuzzy socks and you’ve got yourself a night in!

As easy as it is to get wrapped up on the undergrad side of campus, many students forget about how many opportunities exist in the law school. Students can take certain law classes, study in the library, and engage with law students through various organizations. Washington and Lee boasts both a robust undergraduate education and a prestigious law school.

Some students find their home in both.

“Double Generals” -- people who attended Washington and Lee both as undergraduates and graduate students -- are more common than people would expect. With Lexington already being familiar turf, WLULex caught up with these folks to see how their experience as a student here has changed with the campus.

view from the law school on an early morning

Katie Bennett, ‘14, ‘19L

Where did you spend the most time as an undergraduate?

I probably spent the most time in Newcomb Hall with Professor DeLaney. (I was a history major.)

Where do you spend the most time now?

I unfortunately spend the most time now in the law school—a lot more work then undergrad!

What’s the strangest change you’ve seen in your time here?

I think the strangest change is the junior housing. We didn’t have that at all! Not really strange though, wish we had those when I was here!

Did you take off any time between undergrad and law school?

I took two years off and worked as a marketing coordinator for the American Red Cross.

How do you interact with undergraduates?

I am on the SJC so I interact with them quite a bit! Not really socially anymore though; I kind of feel too old [for that.]

Early Fielding, where  the Executive Committee meets.

John Houser, ‘15, ‘18L

Where did you spend the most time as an undergraduate?

When I was a freshman, I remember Mac’s being the place to go.  And not just to waste away a slow evening, but to get a quick meal (how times have changed).  If we’re talking about on campus, I used to obsessively eat at Co-op.

Where do you spend the most time now?

Mac’s got traded for Palm’s when I made the switch from undergrad to law.  Co-op is off my list completely, since there’s just no way of easily getting there during the day for me. 

What's the strangest change you've seen in your time at W&L?

Third-Year housing.  Not that I ever went out much as an undergrad, but it’s still odd to think there’s a place on-campus people actually use.  It’s definitely been the largest project W&L has undertaken during the last seven years, too.

Did you take any gap between your time at undergrad versus law school?

I went straight through.  It made graduation anti-climactic, to say the least. 

How do you interact with undergraduate students now? What are ways you think W&L students could better "bridge the gap"?

I only interact with the undergraduate side of campus through the EC and, to a more limited extent, my job in the copy center.  What I wish could happen, as far as bridging the gap goes, is for the students on each side of campus to have a better idea what the other is up to.  Contact and Outing Club are two examples of predominantly-undergraduate organizations that law students would be interested in, if only they knew what they were up to (and, to their credit, both brought on law students in recent years who began advertising events, successfully, in the law school).  As for the law students, I wish more knew that we could audit undergrad classes, because I’ve always thought that’s an untapped resource.

Café 77 (Co-op), a favorite undergraduate haunt.

Cole Bollman, ’16, ’19L

Where did you spend the most time as an undergraduate?

I spent the most amount of time studying up at the top of commons at the booths, hunting/working at Big Spring Farm (about 10 minutes from campus), and a lot of time in Lexco. I definitely spent a lot of time outside hiking and running on the Chessie Trail. I think I had a little bit more free time to do things that were away from campus in undergrad.

Where do you spend the most time now?

Now, I still spend a lot of time studying up at the top of commons at those booths. (There are a lot of awesome people in the law school, but there is also a lot of anxiety and intensity and it’s nice to get out of that environment and also be around some of my undergrad friends who are a little more low-key.) I am also in the law school main reading room working a lot. I still go hiking and run on the Chessie, but not nearly as much as I did before law school. I haven’t been out once to Big Spring to go hunting since law school started. I rarely go to LexCo. I go on a decent number of Outing Club trips and I try to make it out to the Outing Club barn to climb a couple times a month. 

What’s the strangest change you’ve seen in your time here?

This is a tough one. I think that the strangest change I’ve seen is just how isolated the law school is from the rest of campus. There is very little overlap or mingling if you didn’t attend W&L for undergrad or if you don’t currently know students on the undergrad side of campus. I think that most law school students aren’t aware of much of the undergrad side of campus beyond D-Hall, the gym, and the school store. It has been fun to introduce people to Co-Op (law school students still call it Café 76 or [whatever] it is actually named), the tea house, outing club, and several other study spots around campus.

Note from undergrads to the law school: the official name for co-op is Café 77!

Did you take any time off between undergrad and law school?

I went straight through.

Alright, Lexers.

It’s officially winter in Lexington, which means...

1. It’s gonna get cold

2. It is time for A VERY important PSA from your favorite wlulex-perts:

BE!

CAREFUL! 

WALKING!

ON!

ICE!

Though watching classmates slip and slide down the footbridge to campus is entertaining, there is a safer, better way.

To properly walk on the ice and snow, we simply have to take a page out of the book of the fanciest bird: the penguin.

These guys have clearly got it together.  

Though @wlulex could not secure an interview with a real penguin, we’ve done some research to compile the following penguin-inspired tips to keep you on your feet.

Dress Appropriately.

Penguins are always prepared to look their best. They’ve got 24/7 tuxedos. We humans, on the other hand, need boots, coats, scarves, gloves, sunglasses, a smile, etc. to keep us safe from the cold.  

Focus.  

Have you ever seen a penguin stare down at their phone? No. Reading a book while they walk? Of course not. Penguins can’t read. Save it for class.

Waddle!

Take small steps or shuffle to keep yourself stable. Lean your torso forward and keep your center of gravity over your front leg. Keep your knees loose, extend your arms out like flippers, and embrace the waddle.  

Trust No One...

Assume all surfaces are slippery. Our campus does a great job of scattering rocks and salt on slippery surfaces, but we can’t be too careful. Be prepared. 

Still feel uneasy? I guess you can always bring your own salt and sprinkle it Hansel & Gretel style as you walk.

Be prepared to fall.  

It could happen. It could happen in front of people. Those people might giggle. They’ll probably check on you, but they’ll also probably giggle. Learn from this little cutie. Penguins fall down, but they get up again. 

Get back up and take it one step at a time.  You can do it!

Imagine walking into a room and being surrounded by soup. Not just a little soup, but like, a lot of soup. Not only is the room filled with soup, but you’re given a spoon and told to eat as many different soups as you can before time runs out.

While some may consider this an odd dream, this is a dream come true for those who make their way to Evans Dining Hall for the Souper Bowl. The sixth annual Souper Bowl is coming up on Sunday, January 28, kicking off at 11 a.m. and running until 2 p.m.

The Souper Bowl is an annual fundraiser to benefit the Campus Kitchen Backpack Program. Restaurants, caterers and chefs from W&L, Lexington and the Rockbridge community will serve 1 oz. samplers of 24-25 different kinds of soup to those who attend. 

For $10, students ($15 for adults) will be able to taste as many soups as they can handle. W&L’s three a cappella groups, Jubilee, General Admission and Southern Comfort, will also perform at the event. Tickets will be on sale (you can pay with your swipe) from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in Elrod Commons on January 24-27.

The event benefits the Campus Kitchen Backpack Program, which prepares and delivers non-perishable meals to children in the Lexington and Rockbridge to take home during the weekend when they are not in school.

In 2017, the Souper Bowl raised $11,000 for the Backpack Program, which serves over 650-750 meals to children all over the Lexington and Rockbridge community. 

Along with its significant impact to children in the area, Campus Kitchen Coordinator Jenny Davidson says that the event has become an important fixture in the community as a whole in the years since it first began.

"The sense of community people feel when they show up for the event is intoxicating in it of itself,” Davidson said. “People want to be there, so they’re upset when they miss it.”

Featuring a variety of soups from the likes of local favorites like Blue Sky, Napa Thai, TAPS, among others, Hannah Witherell, who is one of the coordinators of the Backpack Program appreciates the enthusiasm that local restaurants bring to the Souper Bowl.

"As soon as I walk into a restaurant and I say ‘I’m so-and-so, and I’m here from Campus Kitchen’, they’re like ‘oh, it’s Souper Bowl season!’,” she said. “It’s really cool that they look forward to it as much as we do, and that they’re happy to participate.”

The Backpack Program is one of many different elements of The Campus Kitchen Project at Washington and Lee (CKWL). Students and community members regularly volunteer with CKWL, with shifts ranging between food preparation, packaging and delivery, as well as assistance with the Backpack Program.

CKWL President Ryan Brink says that the Backpack Program and Campus Kitchen can provide W&L students with the opportunity to engage with their surrounding community.

"It’s just allowed me to get a better perspective of the community we live in by having all these different partner organizations that I’m going out and visiting with,” he said.

Aside from the attending the Souper Bowl, those who are interested in volunteering with Campus Kitchen can sign up for shifts here. 

Have you thought about setting a resolution or two for the new year? It’s not too late! Even simple resolutions can have a big impact on your overall health, mood and performance at school. Check out WLULEX’s resolutions for 2018!

For Your Health:

1. Wake up at the same time Monday through Friday.

Having trouble sleeping? Sleeping in two hours is no different than trying to go to sleep two hours early that night. Sticking to a regular wake-up time will establish your body’s circadian rhythm and make falling asleep easier. To keep your resolution on track past January, pick a wake-up time that you can maintain. And stay away from that snooze button! Your body needs consistency to adapt to your new sleep schedule. 

2. Design a realistic exercise regimen.

Exercising seven days a week? Not going to happen for most of us. Consider your current exercise routine and brainstorm ways you can step it up. Maybe make it a goal to hit the gym Monday through Thursday, or add strength training to your cardio routine. And don’t let gym-timidation get the best of you! To get to where you want to be, you have to start with where you are. 

3. Cook one healthy meal a week.

If you’ve got a kitchen, consider challenging yourself to cook a healthy meal once a week. It’s relaxing and rewarding. Check out @wlulex on Pinterest for simple recipe ideas to get you started.

For Your Happiness:

1. Plan a weekly lunch date with a friend you don’t see so often.

Is your new schedule throwing you off? If you’re missing out on quality time with an old friend, make plans to get lunch at Hillel or coffee at the Tea House once a week. Stick to your plan, and you can be sure you'll stay in touch with the people who matter most.

2. Incorporate “free time” into your schedule.

Washington & Lee students aren’t just students; they’re athletes, volunteers, and club leaders. We know how quickly your week can fill up with activities. If this semester’s commitments have you feeling stressed, schedule some down-time into your week. Maybe reserve Saturday afternoons for adventures with friends, or Sundays for movie nights with roommates. Don’t be afraid to take time to relax. 

3. Make a Lexington bucket list to complete by the end of the year.

If you’re a senior, or just any student looking to make the most of your time in Lex, now is the time to make that bucket list! Hike House Mountain, take the plunge at Panther Falls, drink milkshakes at the Pink Cadillac Diner. Whatever is on your list, make it happen!

For Your Future:

1. Make an appointment with Career Development.

It’s never too early to establish a relationship with Washington & Lee’s Career & Professional Development team. Career Development can help you search for internships, enhance your resume, or outline a career path. Click here to learn more about what they have to offer. To schedule an appointment with a member of the team, just call 540.458.8595 or stop by the office on the third floor of Elrod Commons. 

2. Establish your LinkedIn presence.

So is LinkedIn really that important? The answer is yes. Recruiters and employers use LinkedIn to search for and evaluate job candidates. Aim to beef up your LinkedIn profile this year with a professional profile picture, more connections, and a detailed outline of your experiences. Need some guidance? Ask a trusted professor or the Career Development team.

3. Update your resume. 

Calling all First-Years who haven’t updated your resume since high school...now is the time. Whether you’re applying for selective on-campus organizations or summer internships, Career Development resume experts can help you strengthen your resume to stand out from other candidates. 

W&L Blue Bikes; we’ve all seen them. Our campus has a fleet of 50 or so bicycles: a fun, free way to get around campus generously provided by an energy-conscious W&L alum.  

The system seems simple enough.  

Grab a bike off the rack, slap on a helmet, and wheels up to your destination.

Once you get to where you’re going, just put the bike back on one of the racks around campus.  

Right?

Wrong.   

The culture surrounding Blue Bikes on our campus is comparable to the wild, wild west. Bikes seem to disappear off of their racks and scatter to the winds.  

Abandoned Blue Bikes litter our campus. They’re at the bottoms of hills, thrown down the stairs, and rumor has it that you can find one or two sets of wheels half-submerged in the Maury River.  

The blatant mistreatment and abandonment of Blue Bikes isn’t limited to campus. This bike was left outside of Cook Out. COOK OUT. At least offer the bike a milkshake if you’re gonna leave it by itself for the rest of FOREVER.  

This isn’t to say that we can’t change. If the campus community can stick together, like these poor bikes that were abandoned on the top deck of the parking garage, we can get better.  

The first step to improving Blue Bike culture is education.

Here are some Blue Bike protips to get you started:

Wear a helmet! Safety is cool.

The Blue Bike program is essentially split into two groups: The Free Bikes and The Check-Out Bikes.  

Free bikes, like the ones in these photos, are for temporary, one (1) day use.  Anyone can use one without signing up; just put it back on the rack when you’re done! FREE Blue Bikes can be returned to any campus bike rack-and more bike racks are planned.

Check-Out Bikes can be reserved for semesters at a time by members of the W&L community.  Want to check out a bike long-term? Everything from checkout instructions to bike trails in the area can be found here. 

Biking is a great way to save gas, get exercise, and have fun! Try it out.

Want to get involved? Want a bike rack near your campus location? Let ‘em know where via [email protected].

Bike racks can be found on campus outside of Leyburn, Wilson Hall, the Science Center, the Woods level of Commons, and in other ~super convenient~ spots. See if you can find them all!

Have you heard about First Fridays in Lexington?

The first Friday of any month is the best time to check out the art galleries on Washington Street (and beyond), known as Lexington’s own little arts district. Many galleries and other businesses offer music, hors d'oeuvres and drinks!

The WLULex Report

WLULex went to check out First Fridays in November. And while most of us students aren’t looking to invest in fine art, First Fridays is still an awesome way to end your school week! Here’s why:

1. The galleries on Washington Street offer waaaay more than just paintings.

Artists in Cahoots sells art prints, pottery and beautiful jewelry, including the “Lex Brick” earrings you may have seen some of your friends sporting! It’s the perfect place to find a special gift for anyone who loves Lexington.

Earth, Fire & Spirit recently moved to Washington Street. The spacious gallery offers unique pottery and jewelry pieces. You might find something for your apartment, or a one-of-a-kind gift to bring home for the holidays.  

2. There’s something new to experience every week.

If you come from a big city, Lexington can feel a little small sometimes. But there are always new things happening if you know the right places to look!

First Fridays is one of these hidden gems. With how much Lexington’s galleries have to offer, you’ll discover something new every time. Plus many galleries hold different exhibitions each month, so you’re guaranteed to have a new experience every time.

3. Yes, there is free food.

Making special Friday dinner plans? Snack on some sophisticated hors d'oeuvres before heading to dinner downtown.

If you’re still looking for a dinner spot, Sweet Treats offers live music with dinner during every First Fridays.

So when can you check it out?

First Fridays is every month from 5:00-7:30pm. Check it out on December 1st! For updates leading up to next First Fridays, check out its Facebook page.

This map shows the galleries and businesses that offer special events on First Fridays. 

Lexington is home to many great running trails, accessible from wherever you live. However you like to run - fast, slow, for a long time or for only a few minutes - there is a run perfect for you. Here is a list of 5 great running routes in Lexington:

1. Jacobs Ladder

Why Jacobs Ladder?

-Approximately 6.5 miles

-Very hilly

-Beautiful views 

-Perfect sunrise run (see above image)

-Cows!

How to get there:

Start running from anywhere on campus and head towards Main St. Take a left on Main St so that you are running towards the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery, the fire station, and Lexington Restaurant. You will pass all of these landmarks and a big, four-way intersection at Thornhill Rd and S Main St. Run *carefully* on the road alongside rolling hills until you reach Jacobs Ladder Rd on the left. Run this hilly road past farms and houses until it loops back around to its end, and turn left on Old Farm Rd. This will take you across a bridge and back into town - the perfect downhill sprint to conclude the hard run.

2. Back Campus: 

Why Back Campus?

-Can be any length you want from about 1.5 to 3 miles

-Feels removed from campus/people/roads

-The middle section runs along the Maury

-Accessible from the Pavilion or the Woods Creek Trail behind VMI

How to run Back Campus:

This is a tricky trail system, because there are two loops - an outer, about 2.75 miles, and an inner, about 1.5 - which connect periodically via short trails. both trails start together behind the baseball field, Pavilion and Tennis Center - whichever landmark resonates with you. Start on the trail between the Tennis Center and Pavilion, run past the Campus Garden (check out what’s growing!) and head straight until you see a sharp turn on your left, heading downhill. The first section is a fairly steep decline and then it levels out and takes you to along the Maury. Once you’re on the trail, follow the trail markers which will take you back up an incline to the end. The end of the trail leaves you between the Tennis Center and the small third-year parking lot. 

3. Chessie Trail

Photo from Faith Isbell ‘19

Why Chessie Trail?

-Long Runs for days

-Mile markers make tracking distance easy

-Very flat

-Cows!

-It’s a classic Lexington trail

How to run the Chessie:

Starting on campus, head down Woods Creek Trail past VMI. At the end, keep running past Jordan’s Point Park to Lee Highway and take a left to run over the Maury. Once you’ve crossed the bridge, take a left onto Furrs Mill Rd and another left onto the trail that turns back underneath the bridge. Currently, there is a detour which directs you to Old Buena Vista Rd and back to the trailhead parking lot - if you take a right onto Old Buena Vista Rd from the bridge, you can park here. The trail connects Lexington to Buena Vista, and is about 7 miles in length from start to finish.

4. Furrs Mill Rd 

Why Furrs Mill Rd?

-Steady hills

-About 5 miles round trip from campus and back

-You run past the pole houses and see a sunflower field

-Cows!

How do you get to said sunflower field?

Like the approach to the Chessie, you can run Woods Creek Trail past Jordan’s Point Park to Lee Highway, across the bridge over the Maury, and take a left on Furrs Mill Rd. Run straight past the three-way stop and past the pole houses on your left. There are a few small hills, some views of the Maury, a farm, and a cow field! In the morning especially, this a lovely run. 

5. Woods Creek Trail

Why Woods Creek?

-Connects the neighborhoods near Waddell Elementary School to Jordans Point Park on the Maury River through both the W&L and VMI campuses

-Short run

-Minimally hilly, only one particularly steep hill next to the Woods Creek Apartment Parking lot

How?

Happy Kids, Healthy Kids is one of the new student organizations on the block this year and is a great option if you love kids and want to give back to the Rockbridge County community. Happy Kids, Healthy Kids (HKHK for short) is a national, non-profit organization that aims to eliminate childhood obesity in low-income areas. Many schools could use extra funding or resources to educate kids on making healthy choices, so HKHK comes in after school to teach kids and parents how to maintain healthy habits. The organization is volunteer-run and is for kids grades K-5. They teach healthy eating habits and often the kids even get to make their own snack or craft like the image below! 

(Happy Kids, Healthy Kids has received permission to share these photos)

The volunteers then lead an exercise session where the kids get time to be active. Hannah Archer ’20 started the W&L chapter because she sees childhood obesity as a huge problem in America that is increasing at an alarming rate. “The worst part is that it is extremely preventable,” Archer says. Archer says the goal of HKHK is to encourage not only the kids--but parents too--to eat healthier and be more active. “A sudden change addressing childhood obesity cannot happen overnight. This is something that takes years, but the goal of this club is not to create a drastic change.  It is to help kids improve their health, little by little. Even if this means being active for just 20 minutes a day or choosing to drink milk over soda,” Archer says.

HKHK already collaborates with the Rockbridge YMCA after-school program at Central Elementary and she hopes that, in the coming months, the organization can expand to other elementary and middle schools in the county. Archer encourages anyone who enjoys spending time with kids to get involved because it’s a really fun and simple way to engage.

“HKHK is always the highlight of my week and I learn just as much, or more, from the kids as they do from me,” Archer said.

(Here are some more pictures from HKHK Halloween session last week, courtesy of Archer)

Ever wondered how to get to the center of the arts scene on campus? Do you appreciate the arts, but you aren't sure how to get involved? Are you an artist, dancer, singer, or creator of some kind and want to know how to get your ideas out there? 

Here are 5 quick but crucial things to know about W&L’s newly-revamped Student Arts League.

1. The Mission

The mission statement of the Student Arts League is as follows: “Arts League plans to work with students to promote the arts at W&L and celebrate the many artists on campus. Arts League believes in promoting a more creative atmosphere on campus by promoting one another's work in all of the arts. We will promote our artists to the rest of campus as well as the Lexington Community. We plan to promote the pre-existing arts events on campus as well to create exciting events for the entire campus. Arts League needs everyone's help to create and promote a more creative W&L community so we are encouraging involvement from all students, no matter their artistic background. Arts League will engender a collaborative environment that allows students to turn creative ideas into action!” Basically, Arts League’s main goal is to promote and connect the arts (and those interested and involved in the arts) across campus--to turn W&L and the greater Lexington community into a more creative and collaborative environment.

2. Leadership

Student Arts League is full of leaders, and the structure isn't very hierarchical--all are invited to participate equally in meetings and present ideas or plans to the group. However, here are a few key contacts if you want to reach out and lean more:

Outgoing President: Sara Dotterer ‘18

Incoming President: Frances Conner ‘16

Officers: Hayley Price ‘18, McKenna Quatro ‘18, Murray Manley ‘18

Treasurer/Secretary: Elizabeth Roos ‘18

President Sara Dotterer visits the MoMA in NYC.

3. Membership 

Student Arts League is open to and is seeking members who make art, look at art, appreciate art, love to discuss art, sing, dance, act, perform, think, create or want to create. Members must be willing to collaborate and to share all ideas, even the bad ones. 

4. How To Get Involved 

There are a few ways to kick off involvement in the Student Arts League:

Email someone involved in Arts League leadership; ask to be added to the email distribution 

Follow Student Arts League on Instagram (@wlu_artsleague) and Facebook (Washington and Lee Student Arts League)

Come to a meeting (every other Sunday in Commons 116) 

5. Past and Upcoming Events/Projects

In the past year, Student Arts League has made major strides in revamping its program and putting the organization on the campus radar. A large part of this has involved a series of major events and projects. A few are highlighted below:

Last year, Student Arts League painted a Cy Twombly-inspired mural on the construction fence outside of Tucker Hall (Cy Twombly is a well know abstract expressionist painter from Lexington, VA). 

Additionally, Student Arts League leaders Sara Dotterer and Hayley Price painted this mural in the Career Services office: 

Arts League curated the new Junior Housing space, filling it with student artwork.

Last Winter, Arts League hosted an outdoor concert called Winterfest featuring student bands and musicians in the new outdoor pavilion. This year, Winterfest is being held this Friday, November 10th, and will include a student art sale benefitting both the organization and the artists. 

Take a quick search through #dancemarathon on Instagram and you will see hundreds of photos of students from all over the country dancing to support children in local hospitals. This weekend, that magic will be here at W&L for the first time.

The Washington and Lee Dance Marathon is coming up on Saturday, November 11, from 1-4 p.m. at Evans Dining Hall.

On Saturday afternoon, students will be able to dance away to the tunes of DJ Angel Vela. There will also be dance performances from Klazics and Dance Company, as well as an a cappella performance by General Admission.

The event will benefit the Carilion Children’s Hospital in Roanoke. This event is affiliated with the Miracle Network Dance Marathon, a series of events all over the country that are held to benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. All funds raised at Dance Marathon events go towards supporting children at local hospitals.

W&L’s Dance Marathon was founded by Sara Vozeolas. When visiting her sister at the hospital, Vozeolas was upset by the number of children she saw in the hospital, and decided to do something about it, working to bring Dance Marathon to W&L.

“When I looked at W&L and the things that I could be involved in, I didn’t really see anything that was similar,” Vozeolas said in an interview in 2016, “so I then reached out to some Dance Marathon coordinators.”

Grace Schwartzstein, who is a member of the Dance Marathon executive team, says that her love for kids motivated her to help organize the event.

“I decided to get involved because I love kids. I’ve been camp counselor for seven years, and I just like to help kids in general,” Schwartzstein said. “Kids just shouldn’t be in the hospital, so anything that we can do to help, we’re happy to do.”

You can register for the event here. To sign up, you can join a team, or start one of your own. Even if you don’t sign up, you can donate to your friends and their team as they work towards their fundraising goals.

Let me set the scene. It’s eight o’clock on a (very) cold Thursday morning in late November. I am sitting in the back of a parked minivan, trunk open, surrounded by a dozen frozen turkeys. Did I mention I myself am sporting a turkey costume?

This isn’t a dream, I swear.

I was collecting turkeys from W&L faculty that morning for Bring Your Turkey to Work Day -one of many Turkeypalooza events Campus Kitchen sponsors in November.

Campus Kitchen has played a big role in my W&L experience. I am not a Bonner Scholar or pursuing poverty studies, yet many of my peers think these and Campus Kitchen go hand in hand. (I’m actually a business and psychology double major interested in marketing.) Nevertheless, I look forward to leading shifts every week.

I joined Campus Kitchen because it was a unique opportunity from my other commitments and Campus Kitchen’s mission resonates with me: through community engagement, the team aims to alleviate hunger and improve nutrition. It has been a humbling experience to be involved in all aspects of the Campus Kitchen mission. From the Tuesday Walmart recovery shift to my Friday shift at the elementary after-school program, I have enjoyed contributing to tangible change. You do not have to be on the track of studying social change to be proactive.

Turkeypalooza is by far my favorite Campus Kitchen event. Maybe it’s because Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and I love delivering Thanksgiving meals to community members, or maybe it’s because we run around campus in turkey costumes; I can’t decide.

The Campus Kitchen Leadership Team (CKLT) runs a variety of holiday-themed events during November. The annual Bring Your Turkey to Work Day and the University Store’s food drive provide CKLT with enough food to deliver Thanksgiving meals to our clients. For those who are looking for a hands-on experience, there are several meal-prep shifts and a turkey delivery. For those who want to engage more with the community, the on-site delivery shifts connect volunteers with members of our various client groups.

Time after time, friends and classmates ask me about my experiences with Campus Kitchen and how to get involved, but their journey often stops there. My hope is that this November, the W&L community is in a thankful mood and will sign up for Turkeypalooza shifts. However, my real hope is that someone finds their passion with Campus Kitchen and becomes a regular volunteer.

If you’re interested in joining the CKLT during Turkeypalooza, see the full schedule below:

Nov 9 | Food Drive at Kroger | 3-7 pm

Nov 10 | Bring Your Turkey to Work Day | 7:45-9:15 am

Nov 12 | Cooking Shift | 3-5 pm

Nov 12 | Delivery Shift | 5-6 pm

Nov 14 | Turkey Delivery | 3:30-5 pm

Nov 14 | Cooking Shift | 5-7 pm and 7-9 pm

Nov 15 | LCOOY Delivery | 4-5 pm

Nov 16 | Magnolia Delivery | 11:30-1:30 pm

Nov 16 | Manor Delivery | 4:30-6:30 pm

For more information, visit the Campus Kitchen website.

To sign up to volunteer click here.

The day of Halloween on the Washington and Lee campus varies from person to person and department to department. Some go all out, with elaborate makeup and fake blood, even in class. Others barely register the holiday passing by.

It’s even more prominent among professors. But while you might see some in costume today, we bet you’ve never seen them in their true element...as children.

Professor Schwartz | Bio

Doesn’t this look exactly like a kid who would grow up to love teaching about “the study of finance from a managerial perspective emphasizing the primary goal of the firm as stockholder wealth maximization”? While Professor Adam Schwartz from the Williams School may be riveted by financial derivatives and investment banking, we now know that he at some point just really, really loved Batman. (He’s the one without the cap on, by the way.)

Professor King | Bio

Anyone who has taken Professor Elliott King’s classes knows that he absolutely lives for Halloween. So anyone who’s heard his lectures on “contemporary critiques of art history's prevailing narratives” or “late 18th century depictions of women [that] have directly challenged the value system in art history” knows to expect a larger-than-life costume like this 1980s star. Rock on, Professor King.

Bonus: Professor King AS a king.

Professor Coddington | Bio

Have you ever seen the heart-warming story of the little boy who loves the garbagemen who service his street with his entire heart and soul? Turns out we have one of them right in our community -- our own Professor Mark Coddington of the Journalism department. While he might love to lecture about “concepts and practices of news gathering and presentation in a multimedia, interactive environment” nowadays, his career of choice may have changed a bit from his childhood aspirations.

Introducing the new team during #wlulexweek was a total blast! But now, we can’t help but wonder what the @wlulex alums are up to these days.  We decided to track down some old team members and find out what life is like as a “wlu-ex.”

Elliot

Name: Elliot Emadian Graduation year: 2017 Degree: BS in Mathematics, Minor in Dance

Favorite social media platform?

A: Snapchat

What do you miss most about Lexington?

A: All of it? I miss the aesthetics of Lexington. There's a distinct feel and atmosphere of these architectures frozen in time with people moving through them. I feel connected to the Lexington community even from 500 miles away. 

What did you want to be when you were 5?

A: Firefighter

What are you doing now?

A: Graduate school: pursuing an MFA in Dance

What’s next?

A: For me or for the world? For me...2 more years of Grad school then probably a ton of work in the dance field, teaching, choreographing, researching, etc. Oh, and I have a new song coming out on 11/10/17. For the world...there's a children's book series...Pendragon? In one of the books, all the people live in this virtual world and they survive off of nutrient jello and no one ever comes out because the virtual world is utopia and the world outside is crumbling. I'm feeling like that's where we're headed. Maybe our Bitmojis will take our place in the real world. What if they become sentient...

Words of Wisdom?

A: Pronto is closed on Tuesdays. Don't use Facebook stories. Follow me on Insta and Spotify @ElliotReza.

Natalie

Name: Natalie Brendsel Graduation year: 2017 Degree: B.S. Accounting & Business Administration

Favorite social media platform

A: Instagram

What do you miss most about Lexington? 

A: I miss the comforts of a small town. The local family-run businesses, running into people you know all the time, and being able to walk everywhere. 

What did you want to be when you were 5?

A: A teacher

What are you doing now?

A: I'm working in Risk Advisory...sounds fancy, but it really just means I'm doing IT consulting for an accounting firm

What's next? 

A: No idea as of now. Although I miss Lexington and only working/going to class a few hours a day, I'm loving Richmond and getting to experience another part of Virginia.

Words of wisdom? 

A: Nope.

Taylor

Name: Taylor Gulotta Graduation Year: 2017 Degree(s): Theater; Strategic Communication

Favorite social media platform?

A: Twitter, but before they started expanding the character limit beyond 140.

What do you miss most about Lexington?

A: That’s a tie between Pronto’s iced toffee nut latte, the top-notch resources in the theater department, and the greatest local landmark in the Lexington area: Sheetz. Also, pretty much all my friends and professors.

What did you want to be when you were 5?

A:  I probably just wanted to own a lot of dogs. I love making art, but I would still be down to own a lot of dogs for a living.

What are you doing now?

A: I started working as the Stage Management Apprentice at the Gateway Playhouse for the 2017 season two days after graduation. Since May, I’ve worked on 6 musicals, stage managed a children’s production of the Lion King Jr., and helped run a nationally renowned haunted house. Gateway Playhouse is located in a small town on the eastern edge of Long Island, NY, so I spend my days off alternatively taking a train into the big city or driving 20 minutes to the nearest Starbucks.  

What's next?

A: Hopefully a break. My current contract ends in late December and I’m hoping to have some time off before I start looking for my next theater job in a new place. Maybe Chicago, maybe D.C., maybe neither. Ideally, somewhere with good theater, great coffee shops, and a half-decent paycheck.

Words of Wisdom?

A: Don’t forget to thank your professors. Take classes outside of your major. Have fun. W&L is a treasure and it’s never too late to realize that. I miss it more than I thought I would.

Blair

Name: Blair Dewing Graduation year: 2017 Degree: Biology and French

Favorite social media platform?:

A: Twitter, all day every day

What do you miss most about Lexington?:

A: Coffees that are both delicious and normal sized! LexCo and Pronto come to mind, but yeah I would take a Sheetz coffee rn (i.e. large)

What did you want to be when you were 5?

A: A veterinarian, but I had a friend who wanted to be a vacuum cleaner!

What are you doing now?

A: I am teaching English at a K-6 school in France.

What’s next?

A: I hope to eventually move back stateside. I worked in Idaho last summer and subsequently fell in love with the West Coast.

Words of Wisdom?