Within the Melting Pot
Writer: Caroline M. / Editors: Savannah T. and Ariana W. / Photographer: Bella D. / Photos editor: Brooke F. / Graphic Designer: Savannah T.
Melting pots are important; they hold a copious amount of different ingredients and always seem to be a vessel for amazing food. Whether it’s cheesy fondue or some kind of delicious dessert, melting pots somehow take so many different elements and meld them together to create something impeccable. Madison M., a senior in Kappa Delta and a finance major, described Florida State as a melting pot and I understood what she meant immediately. Florida State can be a place where everyone can add their own individuality which creates a better environment. Even before she came to Florida State, Madison has always been involved. In high school she was involved with Student Government and she continued that legacy when she came to college. But she wanted something more. She wanted to be inundated within the melting pot. She was very passionate about finding a close-knit friend group and determined to find leadership opportunities. Not only did she join Panhellenic, but she was elected to be a Student Senator for the College of Business--as well as become the Chair of The Movement, a political party on campus.
Panhellenic had always appealed to Madison. “I have an older sister that was in Kappa Delta at FSU. I got to see what she loved about the sorority and when I would come visit, I would see all of her close friends and go to meals with her at the house,” she explained, “I was always looking for a close-knit friend group like [my sister] had in college. It was something, going into college, I knew would be extremely important to me.”
When she was welcomed into Kappa Delta, she became very involved, as leading groups of people and managing events was something she liked doing. Madison became the Big Events Chair for two years and during that time, she even helped shape the position for a smoother transition from one chair to another. From that position, she learned incomparable organizational skills that she would later apply to her position within Student Government, as well as leading a political party.
For Madison, working with Student Government is about making sure funds are being allocated correctly and that the student body of FSU is being represented. “I’m very passionate about making sure there is representation from each community within SGA. As Chair of a political party, that’s really something that I’ve tried to put forward, that every community is being outreached to because as one student, I can’t represent every single community at FSU. However, if I surround myself and collaborate with students from multiple communities around campus and we work together, that’s how we’ll be able to represent the entirety of the student body,” Madison explained when asked what made her want to join SGA.
As Chair of The Movement, Madison, along with her Vice Chair and Co-Chair, manages the 50 individuals on the executive board that are chosen to represent the student body. From one corner of Florida State to the other, Madison emphasized that The Movement’s goal is to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Their job is also to ensure that the committees within The Movement are working as a team. Madison also has the responsibility of being the face of the party. She says that in everything that she does, she has to keep in mind The Movement and perpetuating it’s goals and ideals.
Her drive for representation is fueled by her idea that good legislation is created by having conversations with the people that it’s impacting and building lasting relationships. “In order to represent the student body, you need to understand the whole student body,” Madison explains. Even if you are having conversations with those that you may not agree with, coming to a collaborative conclusion is vital to the decision making process.
Overall, Madison not only pushes herself out of her bubble, but encourages others to do the same. Like Madison herself said, FSU is a melting pot with so many different types of students. The outcome of the melting pot would not be the same if there weren’t so many different ingredients; the ingredients are what make the melting pot so special and so unique.