The Colby Echo

Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Caroline Dickson Cassie Jendezjec '08

Despite her self-proclaimed love of Maine winters, there is absolutely nothing cold about Cassandra Jendzejec '08. Jendezjec, a Maine native, said of her international studies major, "It was the right major for me because I'm all over the place, and I was really given the opportunity to explore." It is this sense of exploration, the scattering of herself across experiences, places, and people that makes Jendzejec a unique individual and ideal senior class representative.

Though apologetic about her scattered demeanor, it is precisely this characteristic that allows Jendzejec to connect with her class, and connect well. Her ability to be thoroughly invested in each individual aspect of her life, though there are many, is one that translates directly into her responsibilities as senior class representative. The two senior class representatives, Jendzejec and Sarah Switchenko, are currently in the process of designing and coordinating events for Senior Week, the week after finals during which seniors engage in a variety of activities before graduating. Jendzejec says of their plans, "It's really just a time for seniors to enjoy the Colby campus without pressures, and really to enjoy their senior class before the senior class is scattered throughout the world." Senior Week activities include white-water rafting, a campus-wide barbeque, and a dinner sponsored by alumni. Serving as senior class representative involves more than just event planning, though. "Being senior class rep has definitely allowed me to get a lot closer to the senior class. Because I go to all the events I coordinate, I've been able to meet new people, and it's amazing that even in senior year, I'm still discovering new aspects of Colby campus," Jendezjec said. One such discovery for Jendzejec is her newfound relationship with the administration, which Jendzejec referred to as incredibly responsive and helpful. "I was able to work with the administration on a much closer level [this year], and it was something that I thoroughly enjoyed," Jendzejec said.

Another of Jendzejec's current projects on campus is organizing Relay for Life, an 18-hour walk designed to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Of this experience she said, "I think there can be a certain apathy on campus, like a stigma about being in Waterville where students on campus feel they are limited in what they can accomplish. But even with Relay for Life, there has been a huge response, and each year we raise roughly $35,000" - and that is significant. It's people like Jendzejec who propel such movements forward, who raise awareness and push students in the Colby bubble to do more and be more. "There has definitely been an improvement on Colby's effort to move out of this bubble since my freshman year," Jendzejec said.

Jendzejec grew up in York, Maine, which is two hours away from Colby, and acknowledges that adjustment wasn't difficult. However, in her junior year, Jendzejec went abroad to Bolivia, which she said "completely opened up a different world. I grew so much as a person, I experienced a different culture, a different people." It makes Jendzejec's move to Atlanta, GA, where she was offered and accepted a job with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, a bit less daunting. "I'm more excited than nervous," she said, after a moment of thought. "I think I'm ready for something new." Although Jendzejec confessed that she's "most nervous about the heat," Georgia's weather will be nothing compared to the warmth Jendzejec will bring with her, as she scatters herself across experiences, places, and, most importantly, people.

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