Local Students Work as RAs at UW-Whitewater

Each residence hall on the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus is welcoming not only new students, but also a new staff of resident assistants to help on-campus residents with everything from homework to social living.

"Students selected for the RA position are simply the best of the best. They excel both academically and socially," said Trelana Daniel, an assistant director of residence life.

There are 122 resident assistants, including:

• Jacob Boomgaarden, a senior mathematics major from Waukesha, Wis.

• Kaitlin Gebhard, a junior elementary education major from Waukesha, Wis.

• Sarah Hughes, a senior sociology major from Waukesha, Wis.

• Ryan Ledvina, a junior marketing major from New Berlin, Wis.

• Sarah Pirkey, a junior general business and Spanish major from New Berlin, Wis.

• Adam Sykes, a senior political science major from Waukesha, Wis.

• Danielle Widmer, a senior elementary education major from Waukesha, Wis.

• Abigail Widmer, a junior marketing major from Waukesha, Wis.

In addition to the position, they have to juggle school, athletics and extracurricular activities on top of their regular class schedule.

To hold the position, applicants must have a strong academic record and complete a number of interviews with their peers and faculty members.

"A position like this isn't only going to help them throughout their career at UW-Whitewater, it's going to make them ready for the professional world," said Daniel.