Meet your new study buddies

 

By Michael J. Vagle

Hurray, exams are coming soon! 

On the eve of finals, I am reminded of a pleasant recent experience. Yep, studying in the library for midterms. You remember: It was such a quiet and peaceful place to get work done. I can only hope it will be the same for finals.

I was able to interview the three people who I met back in October who made studying, well, more of a community experience. These folks have taken it upon themselves to ensure that the library is a very productive place to study. They have a special place in my heart. Here they are:

Nextelia Phonerson: She looks like a normal library user researching for a paper. Don't let her looks fool you. Nextelia isn't studying, she's waiting for the bass beat ring tone on her cell phone to go off.  She knows that this thunderous bass beat will not only pump up others who are trying to study; it will magically help us all concentrate.

Not only does Nextelia provide great study music, she also serenades the audience with conversation. "Oh my God! How'd you finish already?  I want to party at Scholars with you so bad, but I still have so much to do. This is taking forever…Frankie's there? OH MY GOD, he's so cute and funny." Leave the library to finish the gossip? No way. Such conversations have been known to inspire students in need, particularly those momentarily cramped with writers' block.

Thank you so much, Nextelia, I don't know how I would have started my paper on Augustus during midterms without you. And I hope your brilliant phone conversations will be there to guide me too during finals.

Sonya Powerfinger: Anyone who was in the library during mid-terms can easily identify Sonya's rhythm.  The way she pounds the keyboard keys is a soothing cadence that fills the library with soul.

Sonya is conscientious. She pours her heart into creating a percussionist masterpiece, working the PC keyboard like an accomplished musician, soloing in front of an audience. Sonya has a vision: one day the production manager for Big Mama's will hear her wicked sound and ask her to put on a show Friday night. What better place to test new beats?  I can’t wait to hear what Sonya has come up with since mid-terms.

Imer Poder: Many were confused with Imer during mid-terms. His mission was not as easy to understand as Nextelia or Sonya.

Imer is proud of his superior taste in music. That much is true. Why else would he be blasting Master P loud enough for all to hear? "Breakin fools off cause I'm a No Limit soldier, At ease, and salute this pass me the dolja," fills our ears. No doubt, we all hope to sit by Imer this week. Bumping to Master P will make memorizing Giotto's paintings easier and more enjoyable.  He is a true saint who sacrifices his eardrums so we can all get an A on our finals.

Nextelia, Sonya, and Imer (not their real names) are respected members of the John Cabot community who do the little things to make Frohring Library the best place to study on Earth. I'll be saving you a seat.