The Colgate Odyssquad is an elite task force of passionate writers, comprised of all class years, cliques, clubs, and cohorts. Established in August 2015, our team has worked hard to achieve journalistic integrity and bring unheard voices to the forefront of our small community and share their words across the world wide web. Welcome to the Writer Showcase Series, where we introduce you to our staff the best way we know how - in 500 words.

MVB: So let’s start easy. What’s your background like?

CO: I’m from Long Island, specifically Manhasset in Nassau County.

MVB: You’re a junior this year right? Are you excited?

CO: It’s kind of a bittersweet feeling. I’m excited to be an upperclassman, but I’m not too thrilled that my time here is coming to an end. I am not at all ready to be thrown into the adult world (I literally still have my roommates cooking for me because I set pizza bagels on fire once and no one ever trusted me again.) Also, I miss all my friends who went abroad that I won’t get to see for basically a year.

MVB: How do you feel this year may be different than recent ones? Is being an upperclassman a significant change for you?

CO: I think this year will be different mainly because it’s really time to get my shit together and start thinking about my future. I no longer have the safety net of figuring out what I want to do and having time to reevaluate my decisions; I need to commit these last two years to securing a future for myself that I will be happy with.

MVB: What’s your major? Any idea what you want to do with it in the future?

CO: Psychology. Ideally, I want to work in a hospital as a child psychologist, specifically for children with eating disorders. Obviously (if you have read some of my articles), I struggled with anorexia when I was an adolescent and I did not receive treatment that was beneficial to me until I had progressed much too far into the disorder. I want to be the kind of help I never received.

MVB: Besides classes, what else do you get involved in on campus?

CO: I’m in Tri Delta, which takes up a good amount of time and has given me friends I would have otherwise never met. I’m also involved in Active Minds, and I think this year I’m going to try to be more involved in some other activities--if not just for the opportunity to experience new things then at least for the resume boost.

MVB: Has any of these activities really influenced you more than the others, or just one that you might enjoy the most?

CO: I think I enjoy being in Tri Delt the most; I was not entirely sure I wanted to rush last year but I’m glad I did. I am so thankful for the friends I have made and the opportunities I have had as a result of being in this sorority.

MVB: Since you’re now going into your third year at Colgate you probably have a pretty good feeling of what it’s like here. What do you love about it? What do you think you’ll miss the most?

CO: Definitely the people. I considered transferring as a freshman and the one thing that stopped me was the fact that I knew I would never be able to find friends like the ones I currently have at Colgate. They have been with me through some of the most enjoyable and also traumatic experiences of my life, and I know that even now when I go home and I don’t get to see them everyday, I miss being around them. Colgate forces you to make extremely close ties with those around you because you are literally stuck in the middle of nowhere, and I think that is one of the best parts about it.

MVB: How long have you been an Odyssey writer and what made you decide to join?

CO: I joined Odyssey second semester sophomore year at the recommendation from a friend. I used to write strongly worded letters all the time or just pieces for fun, and my friend thought I should really voice my opinions publicly.

MVB: What’s your favorite piece you’ve written so far?

CO: How to Approach People With Scars.

MVB: What’s your favorite article you’ve read on Odyssey?

CO: Why the "Talking" Phase is Unhealthy by Macey Rafter. I thought it was so spot on and especially relevant on our campus, which is known for the ever-popular “hookup culture.”

MVB: Why do you want to see others write for Odyssey?

CO: More than anything I think we all have an opinion and a voice to share, and Odyssey has been an amazing outlet for me to share my voice. You don’t have to be a world-renowned author to write for Odyssey, you just have to have something to say. I can’t tell you how many times people have come up to me or messaged me that they love my articles, and it makes me feel amazing and encourages me to keep writing even if/when I am convinced that I should stop talking altogether. I think everyone deserves the chance to feel like that, so I do hope more people become inspired to join.

MVB: Anything else you think people might like to know? 

CO: I’m an equestrian and I love animals, I hate tomatoes, I play the piano and have a keyboard in my closet at Colgate much to the dismay of my roommates, and basically I’m only 75% as scary as I look.

MVB: That seems like a solid ratio.

Want to learn more about Courtney? Read her articles here.
To apply to become a member of the illustrious Colgate Odyssquad follow this link.