Carson 5K race to break records
Last year’s Eve Carson Memorial 5K for Education was nothing short of a celebration. And on Saturday, the celebration will continue.
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Last year’s Eve Carson Memorial 5K for Education was nothing short of a celebration. And on Saturday, the celebration will continue.
Freshman Sarah Jamison blends in with the rest of the students filling the cafeteria. As she rests her head in her hand and begins to speak, though, she clearly belongs some place else.For Jamison, coming to college was her “default decision” upon leaving high school.“Some people go to college to figure out what they want to do with their lives,” she said. “I want to figure that out first.”After a few months at UNC, Jamison has determined that college is, in fact, not the right place for her. Instead, she plans to move to Portland, Ore., to make music and to raise awareness about organic farming.“Being here, I realize I need some time to figure out what I want to do and whether I need a college degree to do it,” she said. “I see it as practical to experience the real world before I spend four years wandering around academia aimlessly.”Jamison’s roommate, Mary Lewallen, described Jamison as self-sufficient and independent.“Her ability to make decisions for herself, weigh the consequences and devote herself once she’s made a choice will help her immensely,” she said.Beginning in January, Jamison plans to live with her aunt, uncle and cousin in Oregon as an alternative to college life. She chose Portland because of its vibrant music scene, in which she hopes to take part. Jamison plays what she describes as “old-time music,” a mixture of banjo and guitar, that is “traditionally Appalachian” in origin.“It’s hard for me to define because it’s been a part of my life for so long,” she said of the music. Her dad first taught her to play the banjo. Music has been a huge part of her life ever since.“I remember the first time I heard her play,” Lewallen said. “She sang me to sleep playing her guitar and an old-time lullaby. Her voice is truly entrancing. It just draws you in, in the most subtle but intense way.”Portland’s music scene is only the beginning of Jamison’s journey.After raising money for a few months while living in Portland, Jamison and her friend, also an old-time musician, plan to buy a pickup truck and travel across the country to different farms.They plan to work in exchange for room and board and play their music for anyone willing to listen.Jamison’s time in Portland will mark her longest period away from her friends and immediate family, and she said she will miss them.Still, she said she would love to be able to incorporate her music into her future.“Old-time music is obscure,” she said. “You definitely don’t make a lot of money out of it. But I’m fine with living simply.”Contact the Features Editor at features@unc.edu.
Even though he’s off duty, Willie Tatum’s eyes dart back and forth behind dark sunglasses, following the cars on South Road.
Iridescent green and sea blue adorn the lids of Katrina Roberson’s excited eyes. Dressed in her work uniform, she looks like a star, flashing sly grins at the students while swiping cards at Rams Head Dining Hall.For Roberson, each day is a chance to showcase her makeup skills and, more importantly, to celebrate the things most dear to her.She travels 30 minutes to Chapel Hill each day to work, leaving behind her mother and six siblings.“I love my family,” she said. “I want to be with them all the time.”But Roberson has found a way to keep her family with her while away from home. She models her makeup after her seven family members, using a different color to represent each member of her family. “Red is my mama’s big heart and the love she shares with all of us. Yellow is for my sister, Melodye, because she is like an orchid — beautiful and sweet,” she said. “Orange is my brother, Ben, because he brightens everybody’s day. Blue is for Johnny, like the sky. You can always look to him for guidance.”Since she was a young girl, Roberson said she has loved dressing up for her family, modeling, singing and acting as characters from television shows. She said she would love to someday showcase her bold makeup to the world outside of Chapel Hill.“I want to be a model,” she grinned, “But I know there’s more than just being beautiful.”Indeed, Roberson brings a bit of glamour to Rams Head every day. Her colorful makeup also brightens UNC students’ days.“It helps the students,” she said with a smile. “Without it, I feel like I’ve let the students down. If I’m not wearing any, the students ask, ‘Are you feeling OK?’”Freshman Kelly Olesiuk said she enjoys guessing the color Roberson will wear next.“It’s like when I was little and I used to watch Wheel of Fortune, and Vanna always had on a different color dress,” she said. “I always wonder what color makeup this lady is going to have on.”Roberson said students often make suggestions as to what color she should wear.“Even the guys say, ‘I love the eye stuff you have on,’” she said.After the last lone students have trickled from the dining hall, Roberson said she realizes what is most important in her life.“I’m afraid if I get into the modeling business, I will forget where I came from,” she said. “I don’t want to do that. I love where I’m from. I love Chapel Hill. I love my family. I just don’t want to lose the fun.”And though she is happy to return to her family each night, she looks forward to each new day — head held high and eyes sparkling with the varying colors of her world.Contact the Features Editor at features@unc.edu.