KINGSTON R.I. – February 11, 2011 – Twenty-five student groups made the fall semester finals period just a bit brighter as they decorated windows in the Memorial Union with cartoon-like drawings that represented themes of their groups and the holiday season.
But one group became especially excited when it recently captured first place in a contest designed to spread holiday cheer and foster some lighthearted competition. The Marine Science Society was the grand prize winner with its under-the-sea vision of the North Pole. The grand prize for the top organization was the use of a luxury box earlier this month at the URI men’s basketball game against Fordham. The winners and a few friends enjoyed a solid win and a fully catered meal.
The marine society’s president, senior marine biology major Stephanie M Schofield, of St. James, New York, was asked how the group’s winning idea took shape.
“I sat down, and was looking for a sea creature that could look like Santa Claus,” Schofield said. “I remembered Pirates of The Caribbean and Davy Jones and his beard. I wanted to make a sea animal that could be his reindeer, and I thought of The Little mermaid, and remembered that they used sea horses.”
Joining Schofield in the artwork was society member Connor Capizzano, of Hope Valley, R.I., a senior marine biology major.
“We were hoping to do more with the window,” said Capizzano “But we were not so sure how much window we could use. I like that I got a chance to do this…” said Schofield. “I didn’t even think about winning.”
Agreeing with Schofield, Capizzano said, “I was not expecting to win at all.”
Both Capizzano and Schofield said that when designing and drawing the painting, they wanted to make sure everything about the sea creatures was as anatomically correct as possible.
In all, 10 winning student drawings were honored. Following the Marine Science Society were: the Asian Student Association, and Students for a More Accessible Campus, along with The College Democrats, The Mob, P.I.N.K Women, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, URI Snowboarding Club, Student Alliance for the Welfare of Africa, and lastly the Latin American Student Association (LASA).
“A big thank you to all the URI student organizations for their creativeness and participation,” said Sheri Davis, Memorial Union coordinator. “ Their windows made the season a little brighter.”
Pictured above
Marine Science Society President Stephanie Schofield and club member Conner Capizzano smile and pose for the camera, as they stand in front of their first place window art. URI Department of Communications & Marketing photo by Michael Salerno Photography.