Spotlight
McKenna Ross Managing editor mross@statenews.com
ambassadors and their stories Ms. Natalie Gotko Hometown: Rochester, Mich. Majors: Marketing and Professional Writing Even before she was accepted to MSU, Gotko knew that she was a Spartan at heart. “Both of my parents went here and half of my family went here, so I’ve like considered myself a Spartan my whole life,” Gotko said. Her acceptance to MSU gave her the ability to pursue not one, but two interests in marketing and professional writing. She was also presented with a variety of opportunities to leave her mark on her fellow peers and the university. “When I finally got accepted to MSU and decided to go to MSU, I arrived on campus and I just wanted to experience it all, and I think that’s why I got so involved on campus. I think that it’s important that students really dig in and do as much as they can to help themselves grow, and help students around them grow, and then help the university as a whole grow. I think it’s all connected,” she said. Soon after arriving at MSU, Gotko dove right into the vast amount of opportunities presented to her. She’s held leadership roles at numerous organizations on MSU’s campus. She’s worked with the University Activities Board for three years; and this year, she serves as the marketing assistant to the MSU Union. She’s also the public relations team president for her sorority, Alpha Xi Delta. By becoming an ambassador to the Homecoming Court, Gotko knew the exact goals she wanted to fulfill on campus. “I think that, to this campus specifically, I think that I’d want to bring a positive attitude and a love for this school,” she said. She added that she is grateful to serve as an ambassador on the Homecoming Court for this reason and how the experience has impacted her. “It was amazing because I got to feel that I had done good, if that makes sense. It was almost like a point of pride for me, to be able to share with my family and everything like that. My favorite thing about being on court is the fact that I get to share it – the experience – with my friends and family,” Gotko said on being nominated. She’s still forging a pathway for what she wants to do after college, but that doesn’t stop Gotko from dreaming about the career she would like to have in the future. “My dream job currently, though, is to eventually at some point down the line, run a presidential campaign because I kind of see campaigning and politics, specifically campaigning,
as branding a person. How can they put their best self forward, how can they use the slogans that encapsulate the ideas that they have for the country and everything like that? So I think it’s like –with marketing and professional writing and learning how to use persuasion and rhetoric and language altogether – it’s like constructing this idea that people can support and rally behind. I think that would be really cool,” she explained. Ms. Yixi Dong Hometown: Sichuan, China Major: Nursing Minor: Psychology She’s been everything from an intercultural aide to an English mentor, a research assistant to a teaching assistant. Currently, she works at the Olin Health Center on MSU’s campus, in order to promote student health. From abroad in Sichuan, China comes Dong, an international student who, like her fellow peers on the Homecoming Court, has many aspirations in life. When she received news that she would be a part of the Homecoming Court, Dong said she felt wonderful because she could represent fellow international students like herself. “The first feeling I had is, ‘I can represent international students, this group of people, because I’m from China.’ The main purpose for me to apply to become (part of) the Homecoming Court is not only about myself, it’s more about I want to talk more about international students’ issues and situations because I feel like a lot of people still have this gray area – they don’t see us, they don’t see international students very clearly,” she said. She seeks to bridge the gap between international and domestic students. “I can talk more about issues and maybe let other people understand our situations more,” Dong said of her position as ambassador on the court. Dong, who is working toward a nursing major and psychology minor, expressed her desire to go into a field in which she can work in improving children’s mental health. “So my dream job, to be really specific, is pediatric psychiatrist,” she said. She cited her coursework in nursing and psychology acting as a catalyst in her decision of a future career. Her classes, she said, are interesting. “I felt like I would probably go to do something, combine children’s mental health and nursing together,” she said.
Communications senior Makaila Marshall is pictured on Oct. 16 at Communication Arts and Sciences building. PHOTO: SYLVIA JARRUS
Ms. Makaila Marshall Hometown: Toledo, Ohio Major: Communication Minor: Cognitive Science Makaila Marshall hails from Michigan’s southern neighbor, the state of Ohio. Her studies at MSU include a major in communication and a minor in cognitive science. Becoming an ambassador for the Homecoming Court, she said in an email, was a journey that she took seriously. “I actually have known several of the yearspast homecoming members. It was something they always suggested I applied for but it wasn’t until I was anonymously nominated to apply, that I actually did,” Marshall said in an email. The process of applying, Marshall said, was well-worth it.
“I’ve always worked to leave my footprints on this campus and I am very excited that being member of this court will be my last one as an undergraduate,” she said. “Upon graduation, I hope to inspire others to follow their dreams and to never limit themselves.” Along with her status as an ambassador to the Homecoming Court, Marshall juggles several other leadership positions at MSU – she’s been a resident assistant, a residence hall representative and a 2015-16 Miss Black and Gold title holder representing the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. at MSU. Marshall talked about her own heritage being an inspiring factor in her decision to pursue these goals. “As a woman, and more specifically a black woman, I understand the difficulties,” Marshall said.
CAMPUS CENTER CINEMAS proudly presents
October 19-22 The House Thurs: 7:00 & 9:00 pm @ Conrad Auditorium Fri & Sat: 7:00 & 9:00 pm @ 119B Wells Hall
Detroit
Sun: 9:00 pm @ Wilson Auditorium
Thurs: 8:30 pm @ Wilson Auditorium Fri & Sat: 7:30 pm @ 117B Wells Hall Fri & Sat: 8:30 pm @ 115B Wells Hall Sun: 8:30 pm @ Conrad Auditorium
HOLLOWEEKEND October 26-29 Get Out
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Thurs Wilson Aud 9:00 PM Fri & Sat 115 B Wells Hall 7:00 & 9:00 PM Sun Conrad Aud 9:00 PM
Thurs Wilson Aud 7:00 PM Fri & Sat 117 B Wells Hall 7:10 & 9:10 PM Sun Conrad Aud 7:00 PM
Marketing and professional writing senior Natalie Gotko is picture on Oct. 15 outside the MSU Union. PHOTO: ANNTANINA BIONDO
T H U RS DAY, OC TOB E R 1 9, 2 01 7
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