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Scholars at the Starting Line
Then and Now
Glenn Kendall
Charles Merrill- Osenbaugh
Border Lines
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 It's 8:30 a.m. and we're in the "coolest" residence hall on campus,
as Elizabeth describes Mechoopda Hall. At this time of the morning,
one month into a new semester, it may also be the quietest.Elizabeth is sitting in her dorm room applying mascara and eating
breakfast-- a handful of Bagel Bites. The all-purpose snack is
a gift from home that she stores in a small refrigerator in her
cozy room. Outside the door, Mechoopda begins to stir with waking
students easing into their pre-class, morning rituals.The day's first big decision? What to wear. She has three themes, Elizabeth says. Skateboarding days call
for "little-boy outfits" - T-shirt, jeans, and Converse low-tops.
A flowery blouse, pants, and Doc Martens are fine most other times.
A dress with pumps is best for formal occasions -"For when I attend
a reception with President Esteban," says Elizabeth.At noon, Elizabeth, like most of her classmates, arrives early
to instructor Steve Metzger's Honors English class. The students
filing through the door are relaxed and gabby, and there is a
nice feel to the small classroom in Siskiyou Hall.When class begins, Elizabeth reads a selection from Dorothy Parker,
whose dry, sophisticated tone of voice Elizabeth assumes with
ease. Once during the semester, all students in the class must
choose a work of literature they particularly appreciate and read
it to the others.At 1:45 p.m., Elizabeth meets her roommate, Sarah Quinby, who
is also from Nevada City. They walk across campus to the BMU to
grab a bite to eat. The meal is lunch and dinner, she says. Afterward,
she will put in hours of study, as she does most nights, often
until midnight. Classes, meals, conversation with a friend or two, and hours-long
study sessions-typical day, says Elizabeth. For now, that's the
way she wants it. She doesn't drink and isn't interested in joining
a sorority. She has met a few people in Mechoopda and a few more
through her classes.But "meeting people hasn't been a goal," she says. "I haven't
had time. "On most weekends she goes home to Nevada City, sometimes
leaving on Thursday evening, sometimes on Friday morning.
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