By: Brianna Pearson
On Feb. 1, 19 Saint Leo’s Resident Assistants left for Jacksonville, Florida for the annual Florida Resident Assistants Symposium (FRAS). Over 25 universities and colleges across the state of Florida attend this event to learn about other techniques and see what other RAs do on their campuses. The years’ symposium was held at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida.
Two of the Residence Assistants from Saint Leo that attended were Wakens Leonard, Junior Criminal Justice major, and Amanda Waters, Sophomore Developmental Psychology major, both were eager to give their account of the event.
This was Waters’ first year being an RA on campus and Leonard’s first year of being a RAD, but second year in the residency assistant program. Waters explained that she went on the trip to Jacksonville to, “receive information on how to become a stronger RA for my residents and staff”.
At the event, many schools presented for the edification of others, bolstering their knowledge on working with students and professional staff. Waters presented on behalf of Saint Leo, while many of the other RA’s who attended were able to watch other presentations gaining valuable information. Waters’ presentation was based on, “how to have a great first impression in your residence halls.” Leonard also did a leadership presentation called Earth to RA. Other presentations included; the five pillars of programming and “The Seen and Unseen” which was a presentation focused on diversity awareness, presented by Dominique Redhead, junior Social Work major.
Every day of FRAS, the students/attendees were asked which school has the most school spirit, which was answered every day, the Saint Leo residency staff showed their school pride and it paid off. At the end of the week, the school was given the award “Most School Spirit” bringing with it a floating trophy. The award is the most coveted title at FRAS and was stripped away from Saint Leo in 2018, after holding it for three consecutive years prior. As 2020 approaches, the RA’s and RAD’s have another year to prepare to keep the title of Most School Spirit in Saint Leo’s paws.
