Our Peer Leaders were busy this term welcoming a new cohort of TRIO First Year students and attending the annual Student Leadership EOA Conference.
Peer Leader Mentor Meet Up: Building Connections & New Beginnings
By Krystal Gutierrez ’27
On Thursday, September 19, 2024, TRIO/SSS hosted its Mentor-Mentee Meet-Up at the TRIO House, bringing together first-year students and their peer mentors. The meet-up began with mentors proudly displaying personalized, creative posters featuring their names alongside those of their mentees. Everyone gathered outside the TRIO house on picnic blankets, soaking in the September sun for a relaxed introduction session. Mentors and mentees shared stories about their first week on campus, discussing academic interests, and exchanging tips on how to navigate the whirlwind of college life. Mentors also discussed their roles and expectations, encouraging open dialogue about how they could best support their mentees.
Mentees expressed a desire for mentors to offer real, candid advice on classes, campus life, and various experiences they might encounter in their first year of college. New students sought guidance on connecting with campus organizations, exploring career-related opportunities, and selecting classes that align with their prospective majors. A few groups played Two Truths and a Lie, a game that led to plenty of laughter and revealed fascinating facts about the mentees, which sparked deeper conversations, allowing students to feel more comfortable and connected.
This highly anticipated event offered a welcoming space for students to connect with their mentors and other mentees, ask questions, share experiences, and begin building a strong support network for their first year at college. This event is just one of the many opportunities TRIO/SSS offers to help students succeed in college! Don’t miss out on upcoming events and resources designed to help you thrive! Remember, TRIO staff and peer leaders are here to help—whether it’s about classes, campus life, or career advice. Follow us on social media and stay tuned for more exciting TRIO events!
Peer Leaders at EOA Conference
By Norman Colindrez ’25
TRIO Peer Leaders and staff headed to Kansas City on October 4th, 2024, to attend the EOA Student Leadership Conference, which featured the BRK-Through team-building competition on the first evening. The BRK-Through competition combined mental, physical, and teamwork-based challenges between TRIO leaders from across the region. One highlight of the competition was “Footloose-d,” where participants danced creatively to tiles marked in green while solving a thrilling scavenger hunt. Another standout was matching team outfits and tackling themed tasks, including a basketball challenge where Krystal, Gloria, and Francisco outshined their competition in style. Our team members Kevin, Kim, Fatima, and Heidi gave their best in the various challenges that came their way, but our hearts were with the Peer Leader Team: “2 Fast 2 Studious” made up of Norman, Francisco, Krystal, and Gloria–because it was all about slaying and playing.
Saturday kicked off with a motivating talk from Wesley Hamilton, founder of Disabled, But Not Really. Speaking at Avila University, Wesley shared his own story of overcoming adversity in life and reminded us to never give up no matter what challenges come our way. His words sparked a fire to continue the rest of the conference.
I attended a breakout session “Navigate Difficult Communications: Strategies to Understand and Connect with Others.” Other breakout sessions ranged over a number of powerful topics that included nutrition’s place in maintaining overall well-being and another very touching session about a former prisoner who told his own story of his being wrongly incarcerated. His story accentuated resilience and the need for a just justice system.
We subsequently heard from Lynette Woodard, an Olympic Gold Medalist and the first woman to join the Harlem Globetrotters. She gave such an inspiring message that made us remember our dreams are always within reach if we work hard and put in due diligence.
Wellness activities involving self-affirmation concluded the day on a relaxed note, with bonding over a foam party and a night of disco.
Sunday began with a pancake breakfast, flipped to perfection. The Amazing Race was a wellness activity that had participants think about the challenges and growth they had confronted. Equally memorable was peering out at peer leaders lighting up the dance floor in a rousing cha-cha challenge. In another emotional exercise, participants wrote about a challenge they had overcome and exchanged it for a symbolic key keepsake to remind themselves of how tough they were.
Fall Fiesta Fridays
By Norman Colindrez ’25
Fiesta Friday #1
We launched the first Fiesta Friday with panache, as should be expected from TRIO. The atmosphere was electric-with everybody dressed to the nines, bringing their A-game. Many came in the finest suits and beautiful dresses, as students had come from presenting their internship projects, bringing a certain class to the occasion. Mention must be made of Norman and his razor-sharp attire that brought infectious enthusiasm to the podium.
TRIO students took their fashion sense digital and served looks in a dress-to-impress on Roblox. Foods served included pizza bagels-richly topped with pepperoni and a mix of cheeses that made them look as good as they tasted. The great combination of treats and professional presentations made for a fantastic afternoon!
Fiesta Friday #2
Fiesta Friday the second time around brought students together for charcuterie boards, fresh fruits, and an array of snacks with juices. And the pièce de résistance? A very energetic session of Just Dance got them all dancing! It was great to see the peer leaders take turns with students on the floor, dancing to Katy Perry’s “Hot N Cold” and “Who Let the Dogs Out” to create an atmosphere of energy and laughter. Indeed, seeing everyone on their feet made this Fiesta Friday memorable!
Fall Study Breaks
By Krystal Gutierrez ’27
TRIO Study Break #1: Games, Laughter & Cozy Vibes
On Thursday, October 31, 2024, TRIO/SSS hosted its first Study Break event of the year at the TRIO House, giving students a much-needed pause from mid-term studying. The timing couldn’t have been better—the first snowy day in Northfield made the atmosphere perfect for warm drinks and cozy company.
Students gathered at noon and were greeted by TRIO Peer Leaders with hot chocolate, tea, and plenty of Halloween candy. The event started with board games like Jenga, Uno, and Taboo, which added to the excitement and friendly competition. In Taboo, students took turns trying to describe words or phrases without using a set of forbidden words, which led to bursts of laughter and quick thinking. The room was filled with energy as participants eagerly tried to outwit one another in each game, with playful teasing and cheering on all sides.
The relaxed atmosphere allowed students to connect outside academic pressures, sharing stories, strategies, and laughs. Some groups huddled around Jenga towers, carefully planning their next moves, while others engaged in light-hearted Uno rivalries, creating a buzz of excitement that filled the room.
This TRIO Study Break was more than just a break from studies; it was a chance for students to unwind, build friendships, and enjoy the warmth of a supportive community. As the first snow gently blanketed Northfield, TRIO provided a cozy haven where students could relax, recharge, and find friendship. Keep an eye out for more TRIO events—these moments of connection and fun are designed to make your college journey both enjoyable and meaningful! Follow us on Instagram @carletontriosss to stay updated on our next study break and other exciting events!
TRIO Study Break #2: Slime, Laughter & Shared Struggles
On Thursday, November 14, 2024, TRIO/SSS hosted its second Study Break event at the TRIO House, offering students a fun and messy way to de-stress right before finals week. The event featured slime-making, pizza, and lemonade, creating the perfect balance of relaxation and creativity.
Students eagerly dove into the challenge of making their own slime, only to find it wasn’t as simple as expected! Mixing glue, Tide, and contact solution led to hilarious trial-and-error moments as everyone tried to achieve the ideal consistency. It quickly became apparent that none of us were naturals at slime-making, sparking plenty of laughs as we joked about how “bad” we were at it. The common struggle brought everyone closer, turning frustration into fun.
A standout moment was when Peer Leaders Francisco, Norman, and Krystal combined their individual slimes to create the ultimate masterpiece—a fluffy, perfectly balanced slime that wasn’t sticky. Their teamwork became a running joke and a highlight of the event, proving that collaboration really is the key to success, even in slime-making!
With the cozy atmosphere of the TRIO House, delicious pizza, and lots of laughter, this study break provided much-needed relief from the stress of Carleton’s academics. Events like these remind us that it’s okay to take a break, share a laugh, and lean on each other during challenging times. Stay tuned for more TRIO events to help you unwind, connect, and thrive! Follow us on Instagram @carletontriosss to stay updated!