QUESTION 1: Why did you decide to run for Ms. or Mr. Mountaineer? Ms. Mountaineer: Emily Calandrelli: I have known about this title ever since I was in high school at Morgantown High. I believe that it would be such an honor to represent West Virginia University in this way. Chelsea Cross: Vanessa DeCesare: Maryn Shreve: Erica Sladky: Mr. Mountaineer: Masih Ahmed: Caleb King: Adam Sadowski: Michael Squires: Omar Wazir: QUESTION 2: How will do you plan to use your title if you win? Ms. Mountaineer: Calandrelli: Cross: DeCesare: Shreve: Sladky: Mr. Mountaineer: Ahmed: King: Sadowski: Squires: Wazir: QUESTION 3: If you won, whom would you like to thank? Who or what would have the biggest impact on your success? Ms. Mountaineer: Calandrelli: Cross: DeCesare: Shreve: Sladky: Mr. Mountaineer: Ahmed: King: Sadowski: Squires: Wazir: QUESTION 4: What is the best thing about running for this title and why? Ms. Mountaineer: Calandrelli: Cross: DeCesare: Shreve: Sladky: Mr. Mountaineer: Ahmed: King: Sadowski: Squires: Wazir: QUESTION 5: What has been your least favorite thing about running? Why? Ms. Mountaineer: Calandrelli: Cross: DeCesare: Shreve: Sladky: Mr. Mountaineer:I can’t really say that I have a least favorite part as its all been really fun so far, but if I had to pick, it would probably be the fact that I’m shorter than all the other candidates. Ahmed: King: Sadowski: Squires: Wazir: QUESTION 6: Why should you win Mr. or Ms. Mountaineer? Ms. Mountaineer: Calandrelli: Cross: DeCesare: Shreve: Sladky: Mr. Mountaineer: Ahmed: King: Sadowski: Squires: Wazir: Compiled from e-mails by Travis Crum, staff writer
So far, there has not been anything unfavorable about running for Mr. Mountaineer. I am not bothered by interviews and enjoy talking to people, and being in the public eye. The process starts early, and I have been anxious for it to end so we can finally know who earns the title as Mr. Mountaineer, but the journey through the competition has been very pleasant.There hasn’t been a negative experience with this yet. I am just thankful to be here.I can’t really say there has been a negative event of this whole experience. Maybe one negative event was waiting so long to find out if I was one of the finalists. Well, the most time-consuming process during this period was writing the qualifying essay, which was during a horribly hectic week of schoolwork. Not being able to make it to all of the events. Unfortunately, we are all very busy individuals, and it has kept us from experiencing this in its entirety. I’m enjoying it all. This experience has been wonderful – I have nothing negative to say. I have enjoyed the entire experience. We had the opportunity to ride in a convertible and throw candy to kids in a parade, receive tickets for our family to go to the football game, and get to walk on the field – not much that wasn’t to like. I loved meeting the other finalists. It’s not often that you get to meet the kinds of people I’ve been surrounded by during the selection process.
The best thing about running for Mr. Mountaineer would be the opportunity to better myself by running for this prestigious honor. While serving as the Mountaineer Mascot I learned a lot about the traditions that we have at WVU. To be chosen from a group of outstanding seniors to represent the University as Mr. Mountaineer is an honor in itself. The best thing about it is being able to run with my friends. I am extremely honored, and blessed to get to run on a court with some of the best young men and women I have ever met. Just being around the president of Beta Beta Beta, or the former Mountaineer, or the founder of SPACE, is a very humbling and exciting. Meeting and talking with the other candidates. It has been an honor to meet and talk with the Ms. Mountaineer candidates. They all are very nice young ladies, and they all deserve the recognition of this award. I would hate to be the judges and have to decide between them.I think the best thing about running for Mr. Mountaineer is all the events and people that are part of it. The other contestants are all friends that I knew previously, so it has made the experience even more exciting and it’s just been an honor to be mentioned alongside them. I truly enjoy running as an engineering major and representing the college. I think a lot of other students don’t really know how involved we can be in extracurricular activities, especially since we are in our own little world in Evansdale (Campus).I think this is an incredible honor, and to be completely honest, I’m flattered to be grouped with such wonderful candidates. I think this is a wonderful way to represent our pride and love for WVU. The best thing is having the opportunity to meet so many people and being able to share this experience with my family. Knowing that I have made a significant difference here at WVU. Meeting the other candidates has been great. Everyone has a lot of pride for our University, and it’s been nice getting to know them. The parade was a lot of fun, and being named as a finalist is a great honor.I think I would have to thank my family above all others. My Mom and Dad gave me the help, and guidance, which made me the person I am today. Each of my sisters would also deserve a huge thank you for supporting me and helping me along the way. Also, in my time here in Morgantown, I’ve been extremely lucky to call more than a few people my friend. They know who they are and what they mean to me. First of all, I would thank my Mom, Dad and sister, Becky, along with the rest of my family for helping to make me who I was when I got to WVU. Secondly, I would like to thank my girlfriend, Carlee, who helped to make me who I am now that I am at WVU. Third, I would like to thank Sonja Wilson, who was my scheduling coordinator during my term as WVU Mountaineer Mascot. Last, but not least, I would like to thank the WVU Gold Cheer Team coaches, Kris and Christy Davis.The list is endless. I would especially like to thank the Newman Club and St. John University Parish for supporting me. I would like to thank (assistant professor) Dr. Lloyd Carroll and the chemistry department for allowing me to take part in some amazing undergraduate opportunities. I would like to thank all of my friends and family because they are my inspiration for everything I do.First and foremost, God because without his direction I would be lost. Second, I would like to thank my parents for their dedication and sacrifice to give me the opportunities that they never had. Third, I would like to thank the WVU Alumni Association for seeing potential in me and awarding me a scholarship that made it possible for me to attend WVU. I would thank my parents first. They have been instrumental in shaping my character and desire to succeed as well as providing support in all my endeavors. I would also thank the many people at WVU, such as faculty and close friends, who have helped me stay motivated and achieve my goals. Student Organizations for facilitating and encouraging the formation of new organizations, and the Department of Chemical Engineering for my invaluable education. In addition, I’d like to thank the members of WVU Young Democrats for helping out during the campaign. I would have to say that one very inspiring professor helped me to realize I could accomplish anything I set my mind to, Dr. George Esper. He allowed me to see that anything is attainable if you just set your mind to it, and follow your dreams.I would like to thank all of my professors, bosses, and coworkers here at the University for making everything I have achieved possible, and my friends and family. My grandma, Helen, and Dad have had the biggest impact of my success, without their strength and encouragement, I wouldn’t be here today. My parents, who have given me the encouragement to always achieve my best, give back to others along the way, and have always supported my dreams and believed in me. I’d also like to thank the many professors that have given me the opportunities to achieve my best and guided me down the path to fulfill my goals. My brother, who has more Mountaineer pride than anyone I know, my parents, my professors and research mentors. Also, my friends and the NASA Space Grant Office who has provided countless opportunities beneficial to my future career in space exploration.If I won, I’ll probably try to walk-on the football team.
I would use it to the University’s advantage by showing young people that their chances are endless at WVU. Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer have a unique chance to do this by reaching out to younger people, and giving them a road to follow in their journey to find themselves and become adults.All of the finalists deserve to be Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer. If I win I want to give my time, which is really all I have, to helping promote Mountaineer Week. West Virginia is the best place to experience Appalachian culture, and I believe that the people of this town, and all of West Virginia, need to be praised for their dedication to Appalachian heritage. I believe that Mr. Mountaineer should be chosen based upon your passion for WVU. If I win, I hope to spread my love of WVU to other current and prospective students. I would use the title to promote all the different aspects of our University that make it unique and an institution where one’s ambitions can be achieved. I would also encourage recognition of other students for their achievements because there are a lot of deserving individuals at WVU. It’s not really imperative to mention my Ms. Mountaineer title in every situation, as I’d like to remain humble about it. I think, however, it would be beneficial to bring up in resumes, conferences and any other situation that requires me to show that I am a graduate from WVU. I think it will shine a positive light on WVU, showing that the school produces just as successful students as any other school. I would try my hardest to continue to make WVU proud by continuing my love and devotion to this University. Even after you step away from the classroom and graduate there are still several ways to give back, and honor WVU in return for all that it has offered. I would use the title to encourage fellow students and upcoming freshmen to take part in all of what WVU has to offer. Most importantly, I want students to know that anything is possible if they put their mind to it. I would use my title to encourage students around the state to follow in my footsteps, to become involved in campus activities, give back to the community, to achieve academically and most importantly, to become a Mountaineer.Ms. Mountaineer represents WVU in a positive light through experiences had and differences made. If I were to win, I would continue this reputation throughout my undergraduate and graduate education, and wherever my career may take me.Last year, I learned a lot about the award from Robby Queen, former (WVU Student Government Association) Governor, so I was pretty familiar with it. When I eventually saw this year’s announcement that they were accepting applications, I decided to give it a shot. I decided to run because I thought that this would be an award that I could really value after my time in college. I’d be honored to win because of what the award stands for. I wanted to run for Mr. Mountaineer because I thought that it gave me a perfect opportunity to represent the University. I have had so many great experiences at WVU that have basically made me the person that I am today. Mr. Mountaineer gives me the chance to give back to the University by showing others the possibilities that they have here. I decided to run because I thought it was a great way to represent an organization that I strongly believe in. I honestly didn’t think that I would be a finalist, and I am very thankful for the opportunity and support to be a Mountaineer finalist.I decided to run for two reasons: First, I am president of Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honorary (Society), and I wanted to improve my organization’s campus visibility. Also, my other reason for running is because my mother also ran for Ms. Mountaineer in 1975.This continues to be one of her best memories from her time here at WVU, even though she did not win the title. I ran for Mr. Mountaineer because it is a prestigious award and a tradition that I have wanted to be apart of since setting foot on this campus. It is a real honor that acknowledges one’s academic record, community service, campus involvement and Mountaineer pride – all things that mean a great deal to me. I learned about the award from a professor in my department of chemical engineering. I knew that a Ms. Mountaineer finalist should demonstrate merit, positive impact on WVU and Mountaineer pride. Because of grades and the political awareness I encouraged at WVU, I felt I had the desired qualities to represent WVU as Ms. Mountaineer. Sonja Wilson (Mountaineer Week Advisor) told me I’d be a great candidate, and I remember having had a very good friend of mine apply last year, so I thought why not? I absolutely love this University, and have tried to make the most of my experiences. I have had so many wonderful opportunities, and experiences here at WVU that have shaped me into the student and person I am today. I decided to run because I feel I could represent WVU in an honorable manner and show other students that WVU can open up so many doors in their lives. My experiences here at WVU have allowed me to achieve many honors, become an active volunteer around Morgantown and become involved in many campus activities. I believe that I fulfill the characteristics that a Mountaineer should encompass; therefore, I decided to run for Ms. Mountaineer.
MEET THE CANDIDATES FOR MR. AND MS. MOUNTAINEER
Published: Friday, November 6, 2009
Updated: Friday, November 6, 2009
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