Prior Cohorts

2023-2024
De'Maurion Shelley	What is your nerdy guilty pleasure? Learning facts about the U.S. presidents. If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Barack Obama. Which historical period/event would you have liked to experience? Ancient Greece at its peak. If you had one wish what would it be? To visit every place depicted in the Assassin's Creed game franchise. What is your theme song? I am not sure, but one day it will be “Hail to the Chief.”
Jenna Humble	What is your nerdy guilty pleasure? Crossing off assignments or meetings in my planner! There is something really satisfying about it. If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? I think I would like to have dinner with Edgar Allen Poe. I'm not exactly a fan of his work, I just think a conversation with him would be so interesting. Which historical period/event would you have liked to experience? I think the 1920's would be really fun, as long as I can also be a rich white heteronormative man. If you had one wish what would it be? Since there are no limitations, I think I have to wish for more wishes. What is your theme song? “You First” by Paramore.
Elizabeth Chavis	What is your nerdy guilty pleasure? Being meticulous with my daily planner. If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? C.S. Lewis. Which historical period/event would you have liked to experience? Though I understand that this question asks about a historical period, I would rather answer a question pertaining to a culture I would love to truly experience or integrate into if ethics and cultural appropriation were not a concern which would be modern Irish culture, specifically in Dublin, Ireland. If you had one wish what would it be? Unlimited Future Wishes. What is your theme song? I suppose anything piano.
Unmai M Arokiasamy	What is your nerdy guilty pleasure? I like to solve logical deductions for fun. If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. Which historical period/event would you have liked to experience? I would've like to experience Turtle Island pre-contact. If you had one wish what would it be? An end to the American empire :). What is your theme song? The entirety of the album DAMN. by Kendrick Lamar.
Angelina Henhawk	What is your nerdy guilty pleasure? Writing research papers on feminists for my own enjoyment. If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Deb Haaland. Which historical period/event would you have liked to experience? The Occupation of Alcatraz. If you had one wish what would it be? Land repatriation to Indigenous people #LandBack. What is your theme song? “Crystal” by Stevie Nicks.
Ahelayus Oxouzidis	What is your nerdy guilty pleasure? I like to read. If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Eric Schweig. Which historical period/event would you have liked to experience? Pre-contact. If you had one wish what would it be? Native Autonomy. What is your theme song? “Stone Cold Lover” (Mato Wayuhi).
Diana Evans	What is your nerdy guilty pleasure? My nerdy guilty pleasure is procrastination. I get overwhelmed, and sometimes I procrastinate doing important tasks. If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? I wish I could have dinner with my grandpa: John William Blackwood. He died when I was in middle school. He was the chief of police of Carrboro for many years. He has inspired me to go into the criminal justice field. It is hard sometimes because I know he isn't here to see me graduate, but I know he would be so proud of me. Which historical period/event would you have liked to experience? I would like to experience the 1970s, because of the fashion. In the 1970s you could freely express yourself through your clothing, and hairstyles. If you had one wish what would it be? I want to be successful in my life and create a better future for myself. I wish that in the end, everything will work out, and I won't have to worry as much. What is your theme song? “I Was Here” by Beyoncé would be my theme song because I relate to what she is singing about. Especially, when she sings, “I will leave my mark so everyone will know I was here, I lived, I loved, I was here.”
Brenda Chavez Soriano	What is your nerdy guilty pleasure? Color coding all types of important documents and notes for class. If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? La diva de la banda, Jenni Rivera. Which historical period/event would you have liked to experience? The beautiful Aztec city Tenochtitlán. If you had one wish what would it be? I wish I could save the axolotl so they wouldn't be in danger of disappearing. What is your theme song? “El Hijo del Pueblo” by Vicente Fernandez.
Aaliyah Valdez	What is your nerdy guilty pleasure? I have many nerdy guilty pleasures; one would be the fact that I cosplay and go to anime/cosplay conventions. Another is the fact that I collect fashion dolls, like Barbies and Bratz. If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Micheal Jackson. Which historical period/event would you have liked to experience? A Korn concert in 1999 or 2000. If you had one wish what would it be? To be a billionaire. What is your theme song? “Barbie World” (with Aqua) [From Barbie The Album] by Nicki Minja, Ice Spice and Aqua.
Genesis Gregory	What is your nerdy guilty pleasure? I watch ancient or animal documentaries before I go to bed. If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? My ancestors would be the people I would most like to have dinner with if I could, both living and dead, so that I could learn about their challenges, treasure their memories, discover how similar we are, and inform them on the progress of our family. Which historical period/event would you have liked to experience? The event that I would've liked to experience was Live Aid Concert in 1985 so I could see Queen, Tina Turner, David Bowie, and many others in 1 day. If you had one wish what would it be? Able to speak over 100 languages so I could conversate and help others in different situations. What is your theme song? “Pretty Girl Era” by U KALA.
Brennan Walker	What is your nerdy guilty pleasure? Anime and playing Roblox. If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Nat Turner. Which historical period/event would you have liked to experience? I would like to go back and experience the hip-hop scene of the last 80s and early 90s. If you had one wish what would it be? If I had one wish it would be to experience food from every culture. What is your theme song? “It Was a Good Day” by Ice Cube.
Kayla Wingfield	What is your nerdy guilty pleasure? I love to smell the old books I read. It has such a good smell to me! If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? To be honest, Jesus. He sounded like a pretty chill person. Which historical period/event would you have liked to experience? The Harlem Renaissance. If you had one wish what would it be? To have an infinite amount of wishes! What is your theme song? “I Love Me” by Demi Lovato.
Teresa Fernandez	What is your nerdy guilty pleasure? Musical theater! I love any and everything Broadway. If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Probably my great grandma. I've heard so much about her and would like to see how we both interact. Which historical period/event would you have liked to experience? Either the Victorian or Regency Era in England. They intrigue me a lot. If you had one wish what would it be? To buy my mom and grandma a house. It would be filled with flower gardens all over. What is your theme song? “Dog Day’s Are Over” by Florence + the Machine.
Mason Schwenneker	What is your nerdy guilty pleasure? Pokémon (Video Game). If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Ulysses S. Grant. Which historical period/event would you have liked to experience? The Creation of America If you had one wish what would it be? To become the go to expert in my field. What is your theme song? “Lose Yourself” by Eminem.
Heather Lowry	What is your nerdy guilty pleasure? I tend to turn anything into a math equation. For example. If I'm traveling I'll say, this trip takes 1 hr so if i listen to 12 songs about 5 min long I'll be there. If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Kurt Cobain. Which historical period/event would you have liked to experience? The Italian Renaissance. If you had one wish what would it be? Everyone to be exposed to the resources they so desperately need. Whether therapy, food, healthcare, etc. What is your theme song? “You Don't Own Me” by Lesley Gore.
Kiki Cohen	What is your nerdy guilty pleasure? Environmental Sociology. If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? My late grandfather. Which historical period/event would you have liked to experience? The 80s-90s. If you had one wish what would it be? A billion dollars. What is your theme song? “Glorious” by Macklemore.
Christopher Green	What is your nerdy guilty pleasure? Every once in a while, I recite all of the U.S. Presidents in order. If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Karl Marx. Which historical period/event would you have liked to experience? The Civil Rights Movement. If you had one wish what would it be? More unity in society. What is your theme song? “Holiday” by Green Day.
Tiffany Smaw	What is your nerdy guilty pleasure? Learning how to do coding and programming. If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Dev Hynes/Blood Orange. Which historical period/event would you have liked to experience? New Orleans Jazz Era. If you had one wish what would it be? To have an unlimited amount of wishes forever. What is your theme song? “Cafune” by Tek it.
David Foxx	If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? Rome. I have always wanted to see the Sistine Chapel. What do you want people to remember about you? I was always willing to have the conversation. Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer? I really love the time between Halloween and New Year's. It is a fantastic time to reconnect with friends and enjoy time with family. If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be? Mark Morrison's “Return of the Mack.” What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with? Kayne West. He is equal parts brilliant and insane. He is also extremely candid and would likely have an honest dialogue.
Chandler Allred	If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? Ireland. What do you want people to remember about you? I want to be remembered as a human being. Not a perfect human or an imperfect human, just a human. Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer? Summer. If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be? Stone Cold Steve Austin's WWE Entrance Anthem. What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with? If they had to be alive, it would be Professional Lacrosse player Miles Thompson (Onondaga), or if they can be famous from the past, it would be Chief Tom Blount (Tuscarora).
Julia Colborn	If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? Back to Italy, in my own rundown castle on a large and dying vineyard. What do you want people to remember about you? The things I inspired them to think about. Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer? Autumn. If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be? “Classical Gas” composed by Mason Williams. What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with? There are just too many to choose from, I could not pick just one.
Aedyn Poole
Jenna Wise	If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? Santorini, Greece. What do you want people to remember about you? I want to be remembered as someone who could accomplish anything they put their mind to. Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer? Spring. If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be? “Pepas” by Farruko. What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with? Emma Chamberlain.
Hunter Levy	If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? Germany. What do you want people to remember about you? My life story. Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer? Winter. If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be? “More than a Feeling” by Boston. What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with? Owen Wilson.
Diego Contreras Ortiz	If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? I would go to South America and visit as many countries in the continent as possible. What do you want people to remember about you? I would like for people to remember me for being a person that persevered against all odds. Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer? Fall, because it is not too hot or too cold, but on the cooler side. If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be? “Applause” by Lady Gaga. What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with? Definitely Harriet Tubman.
Hannah Irving	If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? I would travel to Vík í Myrdal in Iceland to see the Reynisfjara beach and the Northern Lights. My only true bucket list item is to see the Northern Lights one day. What do you want people to remember about you? I hope people remember how much I love my family and how dedicated I am to my passions. Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer? Spring, although Fall is a close second. If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be? “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley. What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with? I would love to share a coffee with Morgan Freeman.
Brennan Jenkins	If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? Honestly, I could not choose just one I'd love to go all over the world. But if I had to narrow it down, I would love to go to Ireland or Nigeria. What do you want people to remember about you? I would hope they would remember me for my passion in history or in anything that I end up doing. I want to be remembered as a hard worker and as someone who loves what they do. Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer? Definitely Winter. If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be? “The Winds of Winter” by Ramin Djawadi in the Game of Thrones season 6 soundtrack. What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with? Definitely Lady Gaga, she's an intriguing and kind person. Her work really inspires me. She is the epitome of a performance artist and has an extensive knowledge in art history.
Santevia Reaves	If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? If I could go anywhere in the world, it would be to a safari trip in Botswana, Africa. What do you want people to remember about you? I want people to remembered for being a loving soul who has a deep passion for helping others. Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer? Summer. If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be? “Express Yourself” by Charles Wright. What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with? Ari Lenno.
Aria Huntley	If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? The Maldives. What do you want people to remember about you? My willingness to always listen and lend a helping hand. Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer? Winter. If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be? “Pretty Girl Rock” by Keri Hilson. What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with? Michelle Obama.
Peace Ajirotutu	If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? If I could go anywhere in the world, it would probably be London! I have always wanted to see “Big Ben” up close! What do you want people to remember about you? One thing I want people to remember me as is a hard worker who tried her best in everything. Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer? Winter! I hate being hot! If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be? “Flourishing” by Chungha is the song that would play every time I entered the room. What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with? A famous person I would love to have coffee with right now would probably be British Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton!
Madison Bathke	If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? The highlands of Ireland. What do you want people to remember about you? I want people to remember me as an individual that was kind and respectful but also can help them find the best within themselves. Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer? Spring and Summer! If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be? “Original” by Sia. What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with? Avi Kaplan or Eric Whitacre.