Recipe for a GovState year to remember
Victoria Gómez is a student in Governors State University's (GovState) College of Art and Sciences (CAS), currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in English. She's also a student worker in the Office of Marketing and Communications.
When writing this piece, Victoria used a creative, hermit crab form, a style that uses a nontraditional structure, like a recipe, list, or set of instructions. For her “Recipe for a GovState year to remember,” Victoria reflected on the past year at GovState.
“As a creative writing minor, I love finding new ways to bring memories to life,” said Victoria about the inspiration behind her written piece. “Learning about the hermit crab essay in my creative writing class inspired me to use the recipe format because this year at GovState felt like something I mixed, tasted, and shared with my community. Each event became an ingredient, and together they formed something meaningful.”
By Victoria Gómez, Contributing Writer
Prep Time: 2 Semesters
Cook Time: Ongoing
Serving Size: An Entire Community
Ingredients
- 1 heaping cup of Jaguar spirit
- 2 tbsp of confetti from JaguarMania Homecoming
- 3 warm hugs from Graduation- Class of 2025 walking across the stage
- A handful of mini Jaguars listening to President Ester read during Investiture Week
- 1 full serving of Back-to-School Block Party laughter
- A generous scoop of Groovin’ at GovState summer concerts
- A bold splash of HEED Award pride
- 2-3 sparks of drone piloting excitement
- A sprinkle of new Jaguars receiving scholarships
- Optional: sunshine, music, and a few spontaneous photo ops
Instructions
Step 1: Warm the Community
Preheat the campus with early-fall energy.
Let the hallways fill with syllabi, iced lattes, and “Hey, I haven’t seen you since May!”
Fold in Back-to-School Block Party vibes until the patio feels golden and alive.
Set aside to rise, students will return bigger, louder, and hungrier (for snacks, knowledge, or both).
Step 2: Add A Big Celebration
Gently stir in two tablespoons of Homecoming JaguarMania, keeping the beat steady.
You’ll know it’s mixed well once the air tastes like popcorn, pep rallies, and GovState orange.
Allow memories to cling to the sides of the bowl: tug-a-way, singing, and a campus suddenly louder than a stadium.
Step 3: Pour in Leadership & Legacy
Slowly fold in the Investiture of President Joyce Ester, Ph.D.
Mix until her story blends perfectly:
- reading to future mini Jaguars,
- meeting students and poets,
- speaking her hope into the mic as if stirring new ambition into the pot.
Simmer until unity thickens.
Step 4: Sweeten with Sound
Add Groovin’ at GovState, one concert at a time.
Let the music dissolve stress, melt deadlines, and coat the community in summer warmth.
Tip: the key to flavor is letting people dance like no one’s watching- even though everyone definitely is.
Step 5: Whisk in Recognition
Gradually shake in the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award.
Stir with pride until the mixture glows.
Taste test: if you feel seen, represented, or celebrated, you’ve added enough.
Step 6: Toss in a Dash of Takeoff
Add a bold splash of excitement from the ever-growing drone piloting program-
a reminder that GovState is always rewriting the horizon,
empowering technology, and taking flight!
Step 7: Fold in New Beginnings
Stir gently as new Jaguars receive scholarships.
Let hope rise like dough; let possibility smell like fresh paper and future classrooms.
This is the softest part of the recipe- handle with care and a few tissues.
Step 8: Finish with the Grand Flourish
Right before serving, top with the biggest joy:
Graduation for the Class of 2025.
Fold in caps soaring through the sky, heartbeats under gowns,
and families cheering like they’ve never cheered before.
Serve warm. This is the taste of becoming.
Victoria Gómez is a College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) English Major and Marketing and Communications Student Worker.