The Observer, December 7, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 13
Smith third floor named National Community of the Month for October
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"Legendary – how Smith third floor wants to be remembered." So began the nomination that got this floor of freshmen recognized for being the best residence hall community in the nation in the month of October. The Smith third floor became a campus winner, then a regional winner, and finally the national winner.
"I just really wanted to show them that being close-knit and caring about others is something that doesn't go unnoticed," said Christina Colasanto, the third-floor RA. Her nomination allowed the Smith third floor to become a national standard for excellence.
The residents on this floor are supportive of one another, and make an effort to include everyone in their activities. Their floor was one of three teams to participate in RHA's dodgeball event, even though it was pouring outside. They took second in the tournament, but challenged the other two teams (combined) to a rematch and ended up winning.
Colasanto's nomination lists several other achievements for the third floor. After fall break, the floor held a birthday party for two of the residents of their floor, to celebrate and relax. For the Halloween Door Decorating Contest, the floor decided not to leave anyone out. They came up with the theme of Dante's Inferno, and decided that every two doors could represent a different level of hell. They had everything from a fake marsh to a castle and they made sure every door was decorated, even those of students who couldn't help because they had to study all night. About half of the floor participated in the trick-or-treating program later that night, and the students made sure that everyone had a costume, and that everyone who wanted to participate could.
The National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) is the group on campus that makes such recognition possible, on both a campus and national level. NRHH believes that recognition helps develop a strong sense of community in the residence halls. Every month, Of the Month awards (OTMs) are given to commend Case leaders and outstanding campus programs that improve our residence hall communities. These awards are given to those who make a difference in lives and residence halls. The awards are more than just a campus-wide activity, and these nominations regularly become regional and even national winners. The Smith third floor is Case's second national winner this year for an OTM. Stephanie Ash was the National Student of the Month in June.
Since the beginning of this school year in August, Case has had ten regional winners. Anne Kowalski, Haley Lindemood, and Kelvette Beacham were regional advisors of the month for August, September, and October respectively. In September, the regional first-year student of the month was Sam Coffey. The regional diversity program of the month was "Express from Turkey: Finding Room at the Inn." The regional educational program of the month was "Cyber Survivor." The South Side Residential Village Beach Party was the regional social program of the month. In October, the regional first- year student of the month was Laura Boylan. Kristi Repinski was the regional executive board member of the month, and Laura Gibbons was the regional student of the month. Each winner made outstanding contributions to residence life in the month for which they were nominated.
Anyone in the community is encouraged to write an OTM nomination if they find a deserving candidate. There are many categories for OTMs, including advisors, communities, resident assistants, organizations, students, and first-year students. Alternatively, you can make a nomination for a social program, an educational program, a diversity program, or a community service program that benefited the residence hall communities. Nominations are available online at http://otms.nrhh.org.
