Florida State is home to over 650 clubs and extracurricular activities. There’s no shortage of ways to get involved and spread that Seminole spirit, and for some, this is best done through painting war stripes. This week I had the opportunity to interview Carolina Barber, a senior here at Florida State and the Activities Coordinator for Lady Spirithunters.
Her Campus (HC): What is Lady Spirithunters?
Carolina Barber (CB): LSH is a registered student organization (RSO) on campus that is dedicated to celebrating Seminole spirit at Florida State and spreading it across Tallahassee. You’ve probably seen us out in our garnet-and-gold vests painting war stripes on the faces of spectators at a varsity athletic home game! In addition to spirit-based events, we also participate in social events, like date functions and big/little, as well as philanthropy, both local and national (i.e. Dance Marathon, Relay for Life, Camp Kesem).
HC: What are the responsibilities of your position as Activities Coordinator?
CB: As the Activities Coordinator, I plan and oversee all paintings that we do, organize our Intramural Sports team, as well as host Spirithunter-on-the-Move activities, which include anything from attending Group Fitness classes at the Leach together, to orchestrating the infamous new-vs-returning member kickball game, to kickstarting our brand new running club on Strava!
HC: What made you decide to run for a position on the executive board?
CB: I ran for exec because LSH was my entire life. I fell in love with it almost as soon as I joined, and I knew that I wanted to help see that this organization that I loved so much would flourish. Running for an executive position seemed like a no-brainer for me! I really just wanted to be involved in an impactful and hands-on way.
HC: What is your favorite part about being a part of LSH?
CB: My favorite part of LSH is definitely the vast array of opportunities it brings that are so unique to the whole club scene at FSU. I feel like there is never a shortage of new and fun activities to do with our organization, and because of that, there is always room for us to grow! Being in LSH, I have become so involved in athletics, and I can thoroughly say that I love a good Seminole Baseball game in the Spring. I’ve participated in entire shifts at Dance Marathon and Relay for Life, which I wouldn’t have ever done had it not been for LSH. I’ve also been so blessed as to have been given the best family, with my Big, Melissa, and my Little, Sophia!
HC: What have been the highlights of your term thus far?
CB: I would definitely have to say that the highlight of my term was our Painting Palooza event. We had seven paintings in one day, so over 40 of our Spirithunters gathered and went to each sporting event—from Baseball to Tennis to Beach Volleyball—and watched our ‘Noles play, supporting them the whole time. All of us woke up at 7 AM and we stayed until 7 PM for the Tallahassee Glow 5K. It was a long day but turned out to be so much fun!
HC: What’s been the most challenging part about being on the Executive Board?
CB: The most challenging part of being on the executive board is figuring out how to do my job to the best of my abilities while also succeeding in school and work at the same caliber. It can be difficult to find a balance of work and play, but my time in office has allowed me to work on that flexibility.
HC: What are your hopes for the future of LSH?
CB: My hope for LSH in the future is that we’ll find more ways to be involved with spreading spirit on campus and with our athletics department. I hope that our member class can double in size and that we can foster a strong family of Spirithunters from all different backgrounds, races, ethnicities and walks of life.
HC: How do you like to spend your free time when you’re not working?
CB: I love to spend my free time with the people I love—my family, my fiancé and my best friends. Oh, I also really enjoy powerlifting.
HC: Do you have any advice for people interested in LSH or a leadership position in general?
CB: Consider if you’re willing to go through hard times for something you love so much. Being a leader is not always easy, and you can be put in situations that might make you uncomfortable; however, the beauty of being a leader is that you grow and learn from experience, and you become a better version of yourself as a result. As for joining LSH, do it! Spring recruitment is just around the corner after all!
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