Hey everyone!

I hope you all have had a good start to the semester. I can’t believe I already have my first midterm next week. The fall semester always seems to fly by way too fast.

I’m so excited to start my sophomore year here at USC! My schedule is tough this semester—analytical chemistry, physics: electricity and magnetism, and thermodynamics—but I’m also enrolled in ballroom dancing, which is proving to be so much fun! We’re currently learning the fox trot, and a few of my engineering friends like Alex Coco are taking it with me!

Besides classes, I’m thrilled to start my research this semester. I’m doing research under Professor Paul Ronney studying microscale combustion reactions. Samantha Kaplan and I are also working in connection with Professor Khoshnevis’ 3D printing lab to help with the design process.

So much has already happened this school year! The first week of school was Panhellenic formal sorority recruitment, and at the end of the week, we got to welcome the 74 newest members of Tri Delta with a bid night celebration, complete with a photo booth, DJ, airbrush glitter tattoos, a food truck, and lots of pink.

Welcoming fellow chemical engineer, Cory Cochran, home to Tri Delta!

Welcoming fellow chemical engineer, Cory Cochran, home to Tri Delta!

On Bid Night we wear pink!

On Bid Night we wear pink!

Patrick and I decided to get away from the city this past weekend, so we packed up and headed down to San Diego. Patrick had never been to San Diego before, and I haven’t been since I was 8 years old. We spent Saturday exploring the San Diego Zoo! I loved seeing the pandas. It was the mama panda’s 22nd birthday, and the zoo had celebrated by giving her a piñata and a 200 pound ice cake full of fruits and bamboo. My favorite animals we saw were the giraffes. There was even a baby (which was already 7 feet tall) that was running around with the adults.  On Sunday, we explored the city, visiting different areas such as Old Town, the Gas Lamp District, Seaport Village, and Coronado.

San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo

I loved seeing my favorite animals!

I loved seeing my favorite animals!

Seaport Village San Diego

Seaport Village San Diego

Along with being a Viterbi Student Ambassador, I am on the executive board for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). This year, we are starting a new mentorship program where we are going to create “families” comprised of at least one freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior. I’m so excited for this because I love getting tips on classes from the older students and sharing what I’ve learned so far in my time at USC with the freshmen. We have our first meeting next week, and I can’t wait to find out who my family will be!

And as always, I am so excited for football season!

Sarah

Sarah

Chemical Engineering (Nanotechnology), Class of 2015, Learn more on her profile here!