Sharpies: Making Service Permanent

“If you’re having dorm problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 problems Botetourt ain’t one.”

When my Orientation Aides taught my hall this cheer at the beginning of the year to the tune of Jay Z’s “99 Problems,” I didn’t quite realize its significance. My dorm in the Botetourt complex – Spotswood – seemed like an average place. Yet after this past year, I realize Spotswood is not your typical freshman dorm with typical freshman students – it is the home of Sharpies after all.

“Sharpies” are Sharpe Community Scholars. This program for freshman students provides a basis for service learning and community engagement. Sharpe Scholars learn about community issues through their fresman seminars, and take what they learned and work with community partners on projects in the Spring semester.

I don’t exactly remember why I decided to apply to the Sharpe program. After senior year, I’m sure writing more essays was the last thing I wanted to do after applying to college. But over the summer as I read everything I could get my mouse on from the WM website and myWM tab for admitted students, I came across this phenomenon, and now I will forever consider a part of myself a “Sharpie.”

The nature of Sharpe’s application process makes it one of the most diverse dorms on campus. Down the hall I have friends from Singapore, Indonesia, England, and Afghanistan. Aside from their amazingly diverse experiences and backgrounds, Sharpies are leaders. Currently, we boast a Hall Council president, representatives in the campus-wide Student Assembly and Honor Council, as well as executive positions for Circle K International, Campus Kitchens, the Council for Fraternity Affairs, and the Inter-Sorority Council – all only as freshmen.

The following are a few of my favorite examples that show how motivated Sharpies can be:

• Example one – after making a late night dance video for Facebook, Spotswood’s video was challenged by another dorm in the Botetourt complex who made their own. In the face of competition, Spotswood soared, rising to the challenge and creating a second, even more creative dance video that could not be topped. (To see for yourself, check out the videos at the end.)

• And example two – after only one week as a team, the Spotswood Relay for Life Team – also known as the “Spottie Hotties” became the number one fundraising team, finishing with over $2,000 raised for the American Cancer Society.

Sharpe is an ever growing and changing program on campus. With its new partnership with the Office of Student Volunteer Services, Sharpe will now fall under the Office of Community Engagement and Scholarship. This partnership will help make Sharpe more than just a dorm to  live in freshman year. If you want – it can become a lifestyle, and make service a permanent staple in your life. Sharpe’s new marketing project will put a new spin on community engagement, and what it means to be a college student. If William and Mary will be your home for the next four years, then so will Williamsburg.

Incoming freshman should be sure to check out this unique aspect of William and Mary life the summer to this program. Sharpies will make a permanent mark on your freshman year and beyond.

Read more about the Sharpe Program!

And check out these videos:

Sharpe Freshman Dance Series #1

Sharpe Freshman Dance Series #2

– Anna Mahalak ’12