My LAS honors experience
As I begin to wrap up my time as an undergraduate, I have been able to reflect on the many incredible opportunities that I have participated in throughout my four years at the University of Illinois. Very quickly, I noticed a commonality among many of the best experiences I have had – the LAS Honors program. 
The LAS James Scholars (the students who make up the honors program) are strongly encouraged to great academic achievement. However, they’re also urged to explore their interests and hobbies, engage in new experiences, and develop critical skills and knowledge while giving back through community service. We are given the tools and support we need to turn our time here at Illinois into a legacy. We’re collectively driven to turn our program into the nation’s premier honors experience through our achievements.
One of the greatest features of the LAS Honors program is the point system that awards honors credit for a wide range of activities. These include everything from presenting at various conferences to holding leadership positions in Registered Student Organizations, and even studying abroad.
For part of my honors credit, I was able to combine my love of the environment with my desire to volunteer by helping Fighting Illini football fans properly dispose of their concession waste at the Game Day Recycling Challenge. By the end of this project, the other volunteers and I had helped tens of thousands of fans classify their bottles, forks, napkins, and other items into compost, recycling, and landfill receptacles, resulting in the diversion of over 9.2 tons of reclaimable materials from entering nearby landfills! Let me tell you, it takes a LOT of bottles to make a ton.
Another great opportunity: the James Scholar Student Advisory Board (JSSAB). This group connects many members of the LAS Honors program, provides creative and useful workshops, and allows us to give feedback in shaping the future of the program. My involvement with JSSAB has helped me meet some of my greatest friends and create a network for myself of similarly-minded peers to draw from in times of need and look to for inspiration and support.
This program has helped me balance my academic experiences with valuable extracurricular activities and has supported me as I have challenged myself to grow. And, the amazing LAS Honors staff members have been an invaluable resource and sounding board as I have considered my future career aspirations and goals, often sharing their thoughts and experiences to help me succeed.
As I head into my graduate studies, I am overjoyed to have been able to participate in such a rewarding and engaging program. LAS James Scholars are preparing themselves to be the leaders of the future, and I look forward to staying in touch with my honors friends as we begin to make our mark on the world.