Whitworth University has many phenomenal students in the graduating class of 2019, including senior Katie Lacayo. Katie is majoring in English (Writing Track) and is a strong member of the Whitworth Honors Program.

For her final Honors project, Katie is designing a WordPress website to aid the English Department. Her project will be titled “The Westminster Attic”.

“The goal is to store the history of our English department, as well as the work of its students, in one accessible location.” Katie notes, “This can be used by faculty, alumni, or potential future students.”

We asked Katie about her experience in the Honors Program and here is some of the insight she shared:

1. Overall, how would you describe your Honors experience? My Honors experience has been like a carwash: I was all-in at the beginning, came out the other end clean and sparkly, and thought I wouldn’t need the carwash again. I drove off into the sunset and went on to other adventures at Whitworth. But I progressively got scuffs and scrapes and ended up back at the carwash by the end of my Whitworth career, realizing how valuable it is to park right by the carwash, as it makes my education far more rounded and, in a way, completes it. I’m all shiny now, and grateful for it.

2. How do you feel your experience at Whitworth has been enhanced through your participation in this program? The courses I have taken in the Honors program have given me a wonderful amount of perspective and have poured into my understanding of the real world. Race Across America, the Honors Jan-term trip, especially gave me insight into the problems and potential within our nation for change. My current Honors creative project is also allowing me to gain an incredibly practical skill-set.

3. Do you feel that being a part of the Honors program will help you post-graduation? If so, how? If not for the little Honors shoutout going on my resume, the real value I find from this program is what I’ve learned here at Whitworth. The coursework, knowledge, skills, and work ethic I’ve acquired through this program will most definitely carry with me into future employment.

4. What advice do you have to students currently in the Honors program? College feels like a lot of hard work for a long time, and it is. But if you really think about it, your university days are short. Use this time to do three things: come to terms with your identity, reach out to develop real relationships, and work your butt off in school. It’s meant to be a hard and busy time, and you’ll become a better person through pushing yourself to be your best. Don’t give up, persevere, and allow yourself to have a little fun with it. You’ve got this.