June 2016 -

Posted on June 28, 2016May 3, 2016 by Claire Dobransky — Leave a comment

JMK Student Model: Grace

Grove City may be a small, but there sure is a taste for fashion in the town. Nestled in a local pharmacy behind Broad Street resides a small fashion boutique named JMK. With the goal of affordable and timeless fashion, JMK Boutique has brought a fresh wave of fashion with their boutique, fashion show events and local models. Every fall and spring season, JMK Boutique hosts a fashion show which showcases their seasons clothing lines. With each show, JMK creates a theme that captures the essence of their newest clothing. Although each theme may be different, JMK stays true to their goal of affordable and fashionable clothing. Since their first fashion show in 2013, JMK Boutique has continued to recruit local ladies and men from Grove City College and the town to model their seasonal clothing lines on the runway. The fashion shows are great ways for students to connect with the town and for the locals to connect with students. Each show is always different and exciting, as there are always different people, different clothing and different themes. This series tells the stories of JMK student models who have modeled for two JMK fashion shows.

Name: Grace Meakem

Class: Junior

Hometown: Sewickley, PA

Fashion inspiration: Audrey Hepburn

It has been said that people are connected to their name and its meaning. For some, names carry significant meaning, culture and history. For Grace Meakem, she exudes all that her name carries; eloquence and kindness, the perfect combination for a JMK model.

Grace appeared in her first JMK fashion show, “Dauntless,” in the fall of 2015. She also modeled in the most recent JMK fashion show, “Coastal Revival.” Both of these experiences were positive, opposite of the self-hate and insecure feelings the modeling industry induces. Instead of inflicting feelings of mediocrity and uncertainty, Grace appreciates the positive and supportive atmosphere, “It is such an encouraging environment that truly builds up each person involved. I think a lot of modeling situations have the potential to hinder people’s confidence but I have always felt so confident and appreciated at JMK!”

It is easy to pick out a good model by their attitude. Grace’s attitude is something along the lines of, “hit me with your best shot” combined with “where can I help out?” She is resilient, low maintenance and adventurous, “I chose to do JMK because I wanted to challenge myself in ways I had yet to be challenged.” Since her pursuit for a new experience, Grace has evolved into a graceful and fearless model. Ready to try whatever is thrown at her, Grace has appeared on the runway in looks ranging from preppy and classic to trendy and edgy.

With each show, one of Grace’s favorite parts is connecting with students across campus and within the town, “I have loved getting to know girls that I would have never met before. It is fun to form new friendships and create bonds with other models.” JMK offers a unique way for students and locals to connect and build relationships. With each fashion show, the friendships grow closer and stronger. To Grace, these relationships are the most valuable aspect of the JMK modeling experience.

Posted on June 21, 2016May 3, 2016 by Rebekah Fry — Leave a comment

What Walter Mitty Taught Me About College

To see the world,
things dangerous to come to,
to see behind walls,
draw closer,
to find each other, and to feel.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

To see the world …to see behind walls. To pull back the curtain. To discover. These words, with their simple message, have caused me to ponder what it means to take part in ‘seeing behind walls.’ It challenges its listeners to lean in and peel back the layers of life – discover the deeper parts of existence.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is, for all intents and purposes, my favorite movie. It challenges its viewers to dive into a more purposeful reality. To shed to monotony and embrace life’s hills and valleys.

College will be an exciting, challenging and growing time of your life. You’ll have beautiful moments of joy and, at times, days of unfortunate struggle. For some, they’ll thrive during the bumps and curves, but others will succumb to simply holding on. I want to challenge you to embrace the mistakes, learn from them and continue to give it your all. Pay attention, be curious and trust that the Lord goes before you. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.

So be encouraged to see this world, things dangerous to come to …and to feel.

All the best!

Posted on June 17, 2016May 5, 2016 by obrienvl1 — Leave a comment

Adventures in Nantes: FC Nantes Football Match

In GCC’s ESC Program, students are not only tested on France’s incredible history, but also provided the opportunity to be immersed in the culture’s recreation. Fútbol, France’s national sport, is the country’s most popular pastime, which I was able to experience twice at the Stade de la Beaujoire. Located 30 minutes by public transportation, the stadium provided us with an ambience that reflected France’s true passion and sense of culture.

While in Nantes, I experienced my very first European Football Match. In order to show my game day pride for FC Nantes, I purchased a yellow and green jersey. The match took place at Stade de la Beaujoire, located just outside the downtown city of Nantes. Between the waving of yellow and green towels to the singing of the team’s anthem, Allez Nantais, I felt totally immersed in the competitive side of the French culture.

Nantes faced Reims in a long and tough match, with the first goal being scored in the second half. Unfortunately, Nantes, after receiving two yellow cards as well as two evictions, lost to Reims 0 to 2. After the stunning victory of Reims, the fans of Reims acted out of complete insanity, setting off red flares and running towards the field. Although Nantes lost, I truly enjoyed experiencing such a thrilling event where I felt as though I was a true citizen of France, specifically the region of Nantes. It was a communal experience I will never forget.

Posted on June 14, 2016May 3, 2016 by Claire Dobransky — Leave a comment

JMK Student Model: Alison

Name: Alison Kjergaard

Class: Junior

Hometown: Denver, Colorado

Fashion inspiration: Grace Kelly, Brigitte Bardot

Ali Kjegaard joined the JMK modeling family in the fall of 2015. She modeled in “Dauntless,” a fashion show which captured the “dauntless” woman—a woman who is strong, successful and stylish. In the spring of 2016, Ali not only modeled for the “Coastal Revival” fashion show but also appeared on their promotional marketing materials. She and another model were the faces of the Coastal Revival fashion show.

Not having any prior modeling experience, Ali was contacted by Saria Dorsey, JMK Creative Director. Flattered by the opportunity, she agreed and began the new adventure of modeling. Before any type of performance, feeling nervous emotions is typical and almost expected. When it comes to modeling, there is a unique pressure on the models. Not only is there the possibility of tripping, but the models are also presenting the clothing to the viewers. For Ali, she was definitely feeling the nerves, “I didn’t want to trip and ruin the whole show.” Thankfully, she didn’t. Aside from the nerves, modeling in a fashion show is most definitely a unique experience, which Ali definitely appreciates.

“The thing that I enjoy most is that though I’m such an awkward person (I’m kinda tall and just stand out in a crowd), this is when being tall isn’t a bad thing and my awkwardness doesn’t show in the pictures. Modeling has let me embrace the things that make me different–isn’t that the point of dressing well; to allow us to appreciate the things that make us who we are?”

Having the chance to find yourself in a different way is very special because it peels back another layer of who you are. Discovering a new part of yourself can be quite intimidating but also exciting. Ali channeled her unique gift of beauty into a passion of modeling, something she did not consider before. Be on the look out for more of this stunning student model!

Posted on June 7, 2016May 3, 2016 by harringtonrm1 — Leave a comment

Study Abroad Spotlight: Electrical Engineer

For Grove City College students, studying abroad is far from a foreign concept. Earlier this semester the Office of International Education hosted its biannual Study Abroad Fair in the Hall of Arts and Letters, where recruiters from various programs spent the morning selling their exotic wares to students pining for a good adventure.

Although an entire semester away may seem daunting when it comes to meeting academic requirements, graduation still rolls around on time for those who study abroad, and the value of the experience will often boost those grads’ chances of landing great jobs. And although it may be tough for engineers to take time away from their hover crafts and thermodynamics for foreign excursions, especially compared to those in the fields of, say, international business, communications, foreign languages and the like, Grove City engineers have equal opportunity to take part in the study abroad experience—a rarity at many other schools.

Meet Austin Eckhardt—a junior Mechanical Engineering major at the Grove. This past fall, Eckhardt ventured to France. Aside from getting his fill of crepes, baguettes and Brie, Eckhardt took advantage of the opportunity to travel and explore Europe, hitting Spain, Italy, Ireland, Switzerland and the Netherlands and made more memories than he could count.

Eckhardt was also grateful that Grove City only charged him $300 on top of tuition to go abroad, the fee of which covered the entirety of the trip, including airfare.

After having such a formative experience during what he considered a worthwhile investment of a semester, Eckhardt would highly encourage all students to take advantage of the study abroad program. Eckhardt is already getting his passport ready for more stamps. Could your passport be talking to you?

To get a glimpse of Eckhardt’s life as a Frenchman, check out his video below that captures the multifaceted beauty of Europe and the essence of the study abroad experience.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB7e3msjFFo]

Posted on June 3, 2016May 5, 2016 by obrienvl1 — Leave a comment

Adventures in Nantes: Let The Fun Begin

Last semester, I studied abroad in Nantes, France as part of Grove City College’s study abroad program. Below I talk about some of the French towns I visited.

During the first six weeks, GCC’s ESC Program requires students to attend field trips to local cities and towns located in France’s Bretagne area as well as France’s capital, Paris. The first six field trips are mandatory as a participation grade for Engineering Management and Cross-Cultural Communication (an academic course that both GCC and ONIRIS students participate in, over the course of the semester) and costs are completely covered by Grove City College. I could write endless pages about each city, but I will give the top highlights of two French towns, Pornic and Anger.

Located on the Northwestern coast of France, Pornic is primarily known for its quaint shipping port and historic castle. The town is filled with bright colored buildings, seafood restaurants and cute shopping boutiques. The people of the sea are inviting and friendly, expressing the relaxed and genuine vibe the region gives off. Although Pornic appears peaceful, the tide hides a hidden terror. During the daylight hours, the tide is far out to sea, causing the shore land to be dried out. As the day turns into night, the tide swiftly comes into shore, causing the marina to fill up. If not careful, the tide can easily sweep away uninformed individuals.

Once we stepped off the TGV (France’s high speed bullet train that reaches up to 200 mph), we headed to the beach where the air was cool, the sand soft and the water very clear. I found numerous pieces of sea glass on the water’s edge as I walked the shoreline. Some of the guys on our trip had courage enough to brave the freezing cold waves and dive in. After leaving the beach we headed to one of the best gelato/sorbet shops I have ever been to. Pornic is specifically praised for their chocolate pears as well as strawberries, so I enjoyed a beautiful assortment of these flavors in a delicious waffle cone.

Anger, southwest of Paris, is the third most populous region in Northwestern France. As I stepped off the TGV I felt as though I was a princess entering a magical kingdom. From the cobblestone passage ways, to the half-timbered buildings, Anger exemplifies France’s historic Gothic and Romanesque style and history. We first visited the St. Maurice Cathedral which is preceded by an enormous stone stairway. The cathedral stands tall with large stained glass windows, flying buttresses and vibrant towers. The pulpit is carved out of wood and dates to the 19^th century, representing the Word of God from the Old and New Testaments. The relics of Christian martyrs are also found at this cathedral, located behind the High Altar. Anger’s incredible castle, Chateau d’Angers, is home to the Revelation Tapestry, also known as the Apocalypse Tapestry, which depicts Jesus’ and St. John’s intimate experiences in the book of Revelation. The tapestry stretches for a yards and includes the original 90 scenes.