Meet the class of 2015's new GSC reps!

The Gemstone Student Counsel, GSC, is a committee made up of representatives from each Gemstone cohort year. Usually GSC elections are held earlier in the year, but GSC has recently been graced by the new addition of two sophomore class representatives, Christina Winkler and Emily Brode. Emily and Christina are both members of GSC as well as the PR (public relations) committee. They were both kind enough to share some of their excitement and motivation behind joining GSC and getting even more involved with Gems than they already were... 

Christina and Emily

Christina: For me, I really enjoy student leadership, so I was eager to be a part GSC. Outside of GSC, I am very involved in Gemstone as a section leader, camp leader, and a member of the Gems100 Steering Committee. Since I am so involved in the program, I am always interested in finding new ways to make it even better. I thought that GSC was a great way for me to be even more involved, especially with planning events and fun activities for our students. While on GSC, I hope to plan events that both bring back upperclassmen who are no longer as involved in the program as well increase the number of freshmen and sophomores participating in gemstone extracurricular activities.

Emily: The obvious answer for why I wanted to be a part of GSC is because of the love I have for Gemstone. I fell in love with the program at Gems Camp my freshman year and was immediately sure that I wanted to become as involved as possible. As a result, I became a section leader, camp leader, and a member of the Gems Camp Planning Committee. When the opportunity arose to apply for a spot on GSC I knew I had to apply. As a sophomore representative on GSC, I plan to keep interest and help plan events that every student in the Gemstone Program wants to attend. I would love to get more sophomore and other upperclassmen to come to all the wonderful events and share the love for Gemstone that I do!

Christina Winkler: Class of 2015: Team VIRTUAL

Emily Brode: Class of 2015: Team SILVER

Student Activities Committee Fun!

Contrary to popular belief, Gemstone isn’t all about research—there are also many leadership opportunities and ways to get involved in the program. Within the Gemstone Student Council, the student activities committee (SAC) works hard to plan social events for the Gemstone-Ellicott community throughout the year. For Valentine’s Day, SAC and Ellicott Residence Hall Association (RHA) worked together to host a valentine-decorating event. Students were able to come down to the first floor lobby to decorate valentines. Residents wrote the name of their friend, significant other, etc. on the back of the valentine along with his or her room number. At the end of the event, SAC and Ellicott RHA delivered the valentines to their rooms!

Valentine decorating was just one of the events that SAC planned. Each month, SAC works to provide at least one small event for the Gemstone-Ellicott community. Other events have included Fall Food Olympics, a trip to a Washington Nationals baseball game, and restaurant fundraisers. In addition, SAC hosts a formal at the end of the fall semester. Currently, SAC is working towards planning their first spring semi-formal and “Maryland’s Next Top Gem,” which consists of a series of competitive events to determine the next “Top Gem.” Unlike other events, some proceeds from this event will be donated to Relay for Life, an event that fundraises thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society. Whether it’s being involved in the planning process or just attending the events, the Gemstone program provides lots of opportunities for leadership and fun! 

-Jessica Lee:  Team RITALIN: Class of 2014