Outstanding Senior Scholar: Sophia Upshaw
Each academic semester, Florida State University's Honors Program recognizes graduating seniors who have distinguished themselves by completing three exceptional academic achievements, earning the distinction of Outstanding Senior Scholar:
- Maintaining a 3.9 GPA or higher, graduating Summa Cum Laude;
- Challenging themselves and enriching their education by completing the University Honors Program, in which they completed a minimum of 18 Honors points;
- Earning Honors in their Major by completing a research or creative project.
To achieve any of these distinctions is a noteworthy accomplishment; achieving all three is a rarity. Sophia Upshaw, who graduated in Spring 2023 with dual bachelor's degree in English-Creative Writing and Media Communication Studies, earned a well-deserved spot on this semester's list. FSU awarded honors medallions to a total of 331 high-achieving graduates during a May 1 ceremony at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall.
Q&A WITH SOPHIA UPSHAW
(Conducted via email)
How do you think earning the Outstanding Senior Scholar recognition will benefit you as you pursue your post-undergraduate endeavors?
The Honors program allows students to augment nonhonors courses to earn credit toward their honors medallion by completing an additional project outside of the course curriculum. I used this resource twice. Coordinating with the professors of my Honors Augmented courses, I exercised creativity and self-discipline in accomplishing personalized projects designed to strengthen and broaden my skills as an aspiring writer. For example, in my Introduction to Shakespeare course, I experimented with different writing styles by producing a collection of Shakespearean-inspired sonnets.
Additionally, for my advanced poetry workshop, I curated a brief portfolio of my writing to submit to five literary magazine publications—two of which I was published by as a result!
The Honors Augmented courses I partook in formed just one small slice of the many steps to earn the Outstanding Senior Scholar recognition; however, in just those two projects alone, I have become not just a well-rounded writer, rooted in my own unique style, but a free-thinking, motivated individual, as well—all traits that will serve me greatly in my post-grad endeavors.
The Honors site reads that students need to “complete three exceptional academic achievements.” How did you plan your semesters at Florida State University to tailor your time to these program requirements?
Despite coming into FSU’s honors program as a freshman, I didn’t decide to pursue the Outstanding Senior Scholar distinction until the tail end of my junior year. I immediately scheduled an appointment with my English honors advisor and Michael Franklin [specialized faculty member of the Honors Program who oversees the HITM Program] to plan out the remaining three semesters of my undergraduate career, which I highly recommend doing for all interested in earning the OSS recognition!
Could you please describe the inspiration behind your honors thesis project and give a summary description of the contents?
Toward the end of my first semester, in English Professor David Kirby’s advanced poetry workshop, he approached me with the prospect of doing an HITM thesis. His teaching methodology and eclectic, rich, and oftentimes hilarious poetry forced me out of my literary comfort zone and gave me the spirit to reimagine my personal writing style. I owe much to him for who I am today as a writer and Master of Fine Arts student.
When I was in seventh grade, I would scribble lines of verse in the margins of my geometry notes (much to my teacher’s chagrin). Ever since then, poetry has been my constant companion. Needless to say, when Dr. Kirby first approached me about doing a HITM thesis under his guidance, I immediately said yes.
My creative project, The Muse Bites Back, is a collection of 35 poems covering a variety of themes such as hope, grief, love, anger, and everything in between; however, at its core, my thesis is an in-depth exploration—and bombastic expression—of the Self.
With its creation, my goal was to demonstrate that art doesn't always have to say something profound; sometimes just creating a space for the reader to exist is enough.
What advice would you give to any English students who want to earn the Outstanding Senior Scholar achievement?
When I was first accepted into FSU, I remember reading about the OSS requirements and my first thought being “I could never do that.” My advice for any English students interested in this recognition would be to not doubt yourself. Oftentimes, our “limits” are self-made and surface deep. Push back even a little and they’ll crumble, exposing a whole world of possibilities within your reach. You’re capable of so much more than you realize.
What plans do you have for post-graduation?
I’m excited to announce that I’ll be sticking around Tallahassee a little while longer to earn my M.F.A. in Creative Writing at FSU!
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