Looking back at all the exciting things I did this semester, it was definitely a fun one. Check out my favorite memories below:

1. The Weekender

The Weekender is a USC tradition where students head up to Northern California to see USC football take on either Cal or Stanford. This year was my first year going, and it was an amazing experience! Not only did I have a great time hanging out with my roommates, but we also beat Stanford in a close game. It was definitely one of my favorite football games I have been too, and I plan on going next year!

Fighting on at the game with my roommates!

Fighting on at the game with my roommates!

2. Panama

As a member of ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers), I was selected to attend the ASCE National Conference. This year it was in Panama to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Panama Canal. Attending the conference was a truly remarkable experience because I got to hear some distinguished civil engineers speak, and go on an exclusive tour of the Panama Canal. I also got to spend some time exploring Panama City, and learning about the culture of Panama.

USC ASCE on the exclusive tour of the Panama Canal!

USC ASCE on the exclusive tour of the Panama Canal!

3. USC Women’s Ice Hockey Scrimmage

After a few weeks of practice we played the LA Chill, a local women’s team, in a scrimmage. Although the game ended in a tie, it was great to watch all the new players experience their first game and see how much the returning players have improved the past few years. I can’t wait for our big tournament next semester!

The team after the game!

The team after the game!

4. Thanksgiving Trip

After a busy semester, it was great to have a relaxing Thanksgiving break! My mom flew out from Colorado and my mom, brother, and I drove up to Yosemite National Park. We went on multiple hikes and saw some really stunning views of the Yosemite Valley and some large sequoia groves.

With my mom enjoying the view in Yosemite!

With my mom enjoying the view in Yosemite!

5. Team Triangle

One of my favorite projects I worked on this semester was for my Building Science class, ARCH 305a. We spent all semester working on designing a beach house in Malibu both architecturally and structurally. The first version of the project was due halfway through the semester, and the final version was due this week. After working so hard on this project, it is really cool to look back and think that I designed an entire house!

Team Triangle posing in front of our project.

Team Triangle posing in front of our project.

 6. CEE Tailgates

Many people believe the stereotype that engineers aren’t social, but that certainly isn’t true! This year I went to two tailgates just for civil engineers! The first one was the CEE Club tailgate, which was a tailgate between all of the Civil & Environmental student organizations that I helped plan. The second one was a CEE tailgate put on by the Civil & Environmental Department. It was great hanging out with all the civil engineers and meeting new people!

Hanging out with the Dean of Civil Engineering at the tailgate!

Hanging out with the Dean of Civil Engineering at the tailgate!

 7. Bill Clinton

One of the best perks of my work study job is that I get paid to see cool performances and speakers! This semester I fortunately was scheduled to work the most exciting shift: Bill Clinton! I was positioned inside the whole time so I got to listen to him. It was an incredible experience getting to hear someone so distinguished speak.

Before Bill took the stage!

Before Bill took the stage!

 8. USC Men’s Hockey UCLA game

For a fun outing with my hockey team, we decided to go watch the men’s team take on UCLA! We all grabbed dinner beforehand and then made the drive down to Anaheim to watch the game. We had a lot of fun cheering on the guys, and USC ended up winning 6-3!

Watching the men's team take on UCLA!

Watching the men’s team take on UCLA!

 9. Canoe Destruction

For Concrete Canoe, which is a design team within ASCE, we had to get rid of one our old concrete canoes to clear up more work space. So we decided to destroy it! We all took turns hitting and smashing it which was a great distress after a busy semester. I’m looking forward to pouring a new concrete canoe next semester!

The canoe after we smashed it!

The canoe after we smashed it!

10. Fluids Extra Credit

For my fluid mechanics class, we were offered an extra credit assignment! We had to find three outdoor water mechanisms around campus, and measure something. We would then use a measurement to perform a calculation using the different principles we learned in class! My group had a great time jumping into different fountains around campus to get our measurements!

Measuring the height of the  Campus Center fountain!

Measuring the height of the Campus Center fountain!

Now I am looking forward to going home to Colorado after finals to enjoy some time with my friends and family. I hope everyone has a lovely break!

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Kelly

Kelly

Civil Engineering, Class of 2016, Learn more on her profile here!