Sophomores gonna put a ring on it... joining the Black Ring Mafia

You are probably asking yourselves: "What is that mysteriously sounding Black Ring Mafia?" I can ensure you that it has nothing to do with an organized crime group or any illegal activity. Rather, it is a colloquial term by which Scotties refer to one of the greatest traditions at Agnes Scott - the Sophomore Ring Ceremony. Every year in February, second- year class (the sophomores) at Agnes Scott participate in this formal event. They invite their families and friends to join them in this celebration during which they officially become a part of Agnes Scott legacy. Black onyx rings became a symbol of this membership. In fact, this tradition has been present in our community for many years. It originated from a jewel, first awarded in 1929 as a way to recognize the contributions that Dean Nannette Hopkins had made to the college at that time. Later on, the jewel changed its form to the black onyx ring that we use today. Last week, on February 22, my very own class of 2016 joined the "Black Ring Mafia" and was welcomed to the circle of Agnes Scott women from the past, present and the future.

As you can imagine, a lot of organizing was involved for many weeks before the actual event. It must be that the class of 2016 is very hard working and has a big class spirit because everything turned out very successful. The Sophomore Ring Ceremony committee was formed with the supervision of Hiram Ramirez (director of the Center for Student Engagement) and Emaline Laney (the president of the sophomore class). We prepared a slide show, set up decorations, communicated with the rest of the class members - in short, there were many opportunities to a leadership role and to practice teamwork skills. 

Megha Patel, representing the creative part of our committee.

We spent many hours working on different projects.

One of our committee goals was to get the entire sophomore class excited. I think we succeeded.

 

Even though President Elizabeth Kiss didn't graduate from Agnes Scott, she is highly respected among Scotties and therefore she also proudly wears the Black Onyx ring. Photo credit: Lena Glowka

All the students and even their parents wanted to take a picture with President Kiss. Photo credit: Hannah Plank

Blue and purple dresses dominated during the ceremony, as they are the colors of our class and Agnes Scott, respectively. Photo credit: Celeste Whitman

I felt so honored to join the Black Ring Mafia. Photo credit: Lena Glowka

The traditions at Agnes Scott make me so proud to be a part of this

Photo credit: Nana Nimako

community. The Sophomore Ring Ceremony will forever remind me about the values that I am exploring during my education here. A lot of times we hear stories from Agnes alumna about their own rings and places all around the world where they were able to meet other Scotties because of this symbol on their fingers. I hope that one day a similar experience will happen to me or that someone asks me about the meaning of my ring. I know for sure that there will be a lot I would want to share with them about the impact Agnes had on me.

Karolina Klimczak '16

Office of Admission International Fellow

141 E. College Ave

Decatur GA 30030

globaladmission@agnesscott.edu

Scotties LOVE Agnes Scott

Greetings from Decatur that, at last, is waking up from a long period of winter hibernation. We can finally enjoy days when jackets and boots are not necessary. All the Scotties look forward to the spring when everything starts to bloom and spending time outside is technically compulsory. 

This beautiful weather was a perfect opening to the event "Love Actually" hosted this week by the International Students Association. As the celebration of the February 14th Valentine's Day, we invited three students from Ghana, Japan and Mexico to talk about the relationships and marriages in their home countries. Our audience consisted of the international as well as the domestic students who enjoyed the presentations and were able to compare them with their own experiences. Our talented photographer, Alice Malkova, an exchange student from Russia, was so fantastic to document the event for us. 

Sarah Adams Inkoom (Class of 2014) told us that there are many tribes in Ghana and if your loved one comes from a different tribe than you, both families engage in intense talks about the possible marriage.

"Some Japanese couples like to match their clothes to look cute." - Rumiko Imai & Kaori Yamazaki (exchange students)

Did you know that singing serenades is still common in some parts of Mexico? In the picture: Karina Santamaria (Class of 2017)

The audience really enjoyed learning about customs in other cultures.

Some participants became so enthusiastic about the topic that they jumped up from the audience and told us the stories from their own countries. Here, an exchange student from Malaysia shares her story.

In fact, several students got inspired to share with us their experiences. Here, Varsha Thebo from Pakistan (Class of 2016) speaks of her country.

The organizers were happy for the successful event. Pictured above is Xiaofei Xue from China, Treasurer of the ISA (Class of 2016).

Love is actually celebrated all around the globe in one way or another. What about your country? Is Valentine's Day a common tradition?

I look forward to hearing from you on my e-mail: globaladmission@agnesscott.edu. Please, don't hesitate to ask me any questions about your application or share concerns regarding living and studying at Agnes Scott. 

Now, I am off for the preparations to one of the greatest traditions of Agnes Scott: the Sophomore Ring Ceremony. It's a time for my very own class of 2016 to join the Black Ring Mafia... more to come in the next post.

Karolina Klimczak '16

Office of Admission International Fellow

141 E. College Ave

Decatur GA 30030

globaladmission@agnesscott.edu

A cup of hot chocolate with international students at Agnes Scott

Scottie Snow Day fun all day long

Warm greetings from a recently cold Decatur. You might have heard in the news that last week the Southern states experienced a "snowpocalypse" i.e. a very unusual snowstorm for this part of the U.S. Although the weather didn't seem too extreme to me and students who come from the parts of the world where winters are more severe, here snow is considered very abnormal and the cities are simply not able to cope with it. As a result, most of the institutions, including Agnes Scott, were closed, and Atlanta literally shut down. Scotties really enjoyed snow days running and playing in this crazy weather. It was so great to share the excitement with some people who have never seen snow before in their life.

In a cold weather like last week, there is nothing better than enjoying a cup of hot chocolate with friends. I used this opportunity to meet a bunch of international students at Agnes Scott and learn about their experience here. Hopefully, it will become a source of motivation for you as you wonder what it will be like once you become a Scottie.

Aine Sherry (on the left), exchange student from Ireland

How did you feel before coming to Agnes Scott? What were your expectations? What were you most worried about?

I was initially nervous as I had never visited US before. When I found out that I was going to all women's college in the South, I imagined a strict and conservative school. Soon I realized that Agnes Scott was far from my initial thoughts. The environment here is really open minded and it has given me a broader perspective of the world. I got my eyes opened, in a positive way. I had no other real worries about coming to Agnes except how would I deal with the hot weather.

What is your favorite this about Agnes Scott College?

My favorite part of Agnes Scott is the support network provided for students, like the Center for Writing and Speaking, tutoring hours for every class or the Center for Student Engagement. I also think the environment and atmosphere around the college is wonderful. I really enjoyed the college traditions like Black Cat Week- we really have nothing like that in Ireland. 

What has been the biggest challenge since you arrived to the United States?

Apart from being the only Irish person on campus and people not understanding my accent, the work load was hard to get used to at Agnes. It's like being in the secondary school for me, with regular readings and assignments. College life at home is much more relaxed. Students have bigger assignments but less often. However, I got used to the new routine after only couple of weeks. I realized that the workload made me actually motivated to achieve good grades.

What is the biggest change you have seen in yourself so far?

Motivation and independence. I used to think that these two particular aspects of my personality were already strong. However, I found out that moving a few thousand miles away from home and not being able to see my family whenever I want is actually very hard for me. By saying this, I mean that I became more independent and it benefited me a lot- I wouldn't change it for sure! I also started appreciating my upbringing, family and friends- they are a wonderful support system for me. Lastly, Agnes Scott really motives me into doing as much as I possibly can, which is great. I definitely push myself far more out here than I would do back at home. I am eternally grateful to have the opportunity of being a Scottie.   

Lulu Xiaoxuan Liu, transfer student from China

How did you feel before coming to Agnes Scott? What were your expectations?

I have already studied in a university in China for two and half years before I transferred to Agnes Scott. I decided to go to a medical school in the US and the requirement I had to meet was to get the U.S. undergraduate degree. I was looking for a school where I could focus on my preparation for the medical school. I didn't know much about Agnes Scott before but I was attracted by its small classes and the beautiful campus. I felt it was something for me.

What is your favorite thing about Agnes Scott College?

I love the professors here. I admire their knowledge and achievement and I appreciate that they are always willing to help their students. I visit their offices often and I always get a lot of inspiration from them. I remember once, I talked with a professor until 2 a.m. in her office about science. It was crazy, but I really enjoyed it.

What has been the biggest challenge since you arrived to the United States?

I went to a university in China before so it was very challenging to switch to a foreign language suddenly. 

What is the biggest change that you see in yourself so far?

I became more confident. Agnes Scott encourages me to chase my dreams. No matter what the students are interested in, as long as they devote themselves in it and work hard, the school will support it. Now I am more confirmed in my dreams of becoming a cardiologist. 

Bethel Wondwossen, first year student from Ethiopia

I was neutral before coming to Agnes Scott. I didn't know what to expect so I didn't have my hopes high or low. I was open-minded because I knew that change was inevitable. I found myself really like Agnes Scott because it is so easy to meet the professors on a regular basis and the environment on campus is conductive to success. I also appreciate the small size of Agnes Scott. I love the campus. It is the ideal place for me. 

However, I have also experienced some challenges. The first challenge was accepting people different than myself such as in their sexuality. In fact, I opened up more as year progressed. I can say that this challenge modeled me into a more compassionate, understanding and loving person. 

Can you empathize with any of the feelings shared by the Scotties? Please, feel free to share in the comments section your own concerns and expectations towards your arrival to the United States and Agnes Scott. As always, I am happy to correspond with you via e-mail (globaladmission@agnesscott.edu). Be on the look out for the next post about the Valentine's Panel, organized by the International Students Association for the next week, during which some students from different countries will give presentations about the norms in relationships and marriages in their home countries. I look forward to hearing from you.

Karolina Klimczak '16

Office of Admission International Fellow 

141 E. College Ave

Decatur GA 30030

globaladmission@agnesscott.edu