Meet the Queen and King

Caroline Shurig

IDS Why did you decide to come to IU?
SHURIG The African Studies program. I actually transferred here as a sophomore. I looked at all sorts of schools to transfer, and I just really liked Bloomington as a town and the things to do. It worked for me.

IDS What are you involved in on campus?
SHURIG I just finished last January my term as a director on the Union Board, so I was director of Live from Bloomington. And at Middle Way House I am an on-site advocate. So, my job is when there is a rape or domestic violence victim at the hospital, I’m the first responder who meets them at the hospital, helps them learn about their rights, helps address the situation and try to figure it out. And I’m an intermediary between the police officers and the doctors. I’m also on the Political and Civic Engagement student advisement board.

IDS What are some of your hobbies outside of those activities?
SHURIG I like photography a lot. I work at Three Dog Bakery on breaks and during weekends, so my dog and I are connected at the hip. She works with me a lot. Also, running.

IDS What’s a typical day for you?
SHURIG This semester has been doing a lot of reading and research for myself. My thesis is on placing adoptive children in homes internationally after crises or disasters and studying policy legislation based on how that works. I usually read about 3,000 pages a week. I run if it’s not raining. And I take calls for Middle Way Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings, and I usually do three or four nights a week. Shifts are anywhere from four to 12 hours long.

IDS What’s your best memory of IU so far?
SHURIG  When I was on Union Board I put on the 25th anniversary concert for Live from Bloomington, and at the time all of the alumni from Live from Bloomington flew in from all over the country to come see this show. And we all had dinner the night before, and it was kind of one of those moments where we were like family. We were all laughing together. We’d never really met, but we had so many memories we had in common.

IDS What do you plan to do after graduation?
SHURIG I’m applying to law schools right now, so hopefully I’ll know where I’m going in a few months. I want to go into international adoption law, so that’s my focus.

IDS What went through your mind when they announced your name as queen?
SHURIG I actually did not think they said my name at first, it took me a few seconds to realize what they had just said. I think I was just stunned. The other nominees are such talented women, I was just honored to be included in the court.  It really took a few hours for me to realize that I had won.

IDS How do you feel now that you have been crowned?
SHURIG I guess honored is my most prominent emotion right now.  My cousin Mary, who has Down Syndrome, couldn’t be more excited to see my crown and wants to discuss my nail polish color for Saturday, I’ve had fun today enjoying her excitement.

— Lauren Sedam


David Osborn

IDS Why did you want to apply to be a homecoming king?
OSBORN There are a couple of reasons why I thought about applying, the first being that I’ve just tried to have fun and take advantage of anything I might not have done in the past. I’m trying to make the most of my senior year. I also wanted to do it for Chick and the Evans House. Chick Evans had a dream to send caddies to college on scholarship. I’m living Chick’s dream.

IDS What went through your mind when they announced your name as king?
OSBORN I’m not really sure what I was thinking.  It was just pretty cool to be there with all the people running in the Nearly Naked Mile.  Good atmosphere.

IDS How do you feel now that you have been crowned?
OSBORN I don’t really feel any different now then I did before.  It is something I’m glad to be apart of and I’m excited for the rest of the week.  
 
IDS What are you involved in on campus?
OSBORN I’m a member of the Evan Scholars house on campus, and with that, I’m involved in a lot of house and charity events. I ride for our Little Five team and was a manager for the men’s basketball team my freshman and sophomore year.
  
IDS What do you like to do in your free time?
OSBORN There doesn’t seem to be as much of that this year. I’ll typically do whatever is thrown my way. This year, I’ve checked out Bloomington Speedway and the quarry for the first time. I enjoy hanging out with friends and throwing the football around. I’ll go the gym or for a run, and I like playing intramural football and basketball.

IDS What is your best college memory so far?
OSBORN That’s a tough question. My entire study abroad experience in Ghana was a great experience, and something I still think about every day. The pace laps and start of the Little 500 are great memories, as was being in the real Assembly Hall for the Purdue and Kentucky basketball games.

IDS What are your plans after college?
OSBORN I’m not 100 percent sure what I’ll be doing a year from now. I’m doing the whole recruiting thing on campus, so I’m looking forward to what job opportunities I might end up with. I’m also thinking about going to graduate school.

IDS What is your dream job?
OSBORN My dream job would be being the men’s basketball coach at Indiana or Duke. I wouldn’t mind being president, either.

— Jake Wright