Cincinnatus Scholars Return to Help Year 2000 Competitors From: University of Cincinnati Currents Date: February 25, 2000 By: Mary Bridget Reilly Awkward and uneasy is how freshman James Derek Mize recalls his first time traveling solo as an 18-year-old from Ridgeland, Miss., coming to UC's Cincinnatus Scholarship Competition last year. "I came alone. I flew alone. I'd never taken a taxi before. I stayed in a hotel room in Northern Kentucky by myself for two nights. I spent the time alone. I didn't know anyone. It was horrible. It was, literally, so cold here and lonely," Mize recalls. In his next breath, the 1999 full-scholarship winner counters that he's grateful for the experience: "It was a shock treatment that better prepared me for the times in college when you are away from your family and the familiar." It's a shock that Gina Goettl, 17, of Burnsville, Minn., a participant in the Feb. 19 Cincinnatus competition, was happy to forgo. Though she echos Mize in saying, "I've never traveled by myself before. I've never flown by myself before," she did not spend the weekend in solitude, thanks to new efforts by the Cincinnatus planners. For the first time, the event planners worked to pair traditional-aged students travel ing alone to Cincinnatus with past Cincinnatus winners serving as hosts. So while Mize hosted William Figueroa, 17, of Lorain, Ohio, giving him the spare bed in his dorm room, 1998 full-scholarship winner Emily Dow hosted Goettl as well as Natalie Vajba from Albuquerque, N.M., in her off-campus home. "Right now, we're hosting a few students. I hope this will grow, and we'll be hosting a lot of Cincinnatus students in the future," said Mize, who also volunteered his time on the day of the competition as an official student greeter. Fellow volunteer and host Emily Dow, an interior design major from Lancaster, Ohio, said that, for her, the Cincinnatus competition of 1998 was relaxed and fun; however, she adds, she didn't travel alone. In fact, it was hearing Mize talk about how hard it was for him to travel and stay on his own that convinced Dow to serve as host to Goettl, who is applying to UC's College-Conservatory of Music. "Everyone at UC was willing to help me before and after Cincinnatus. I called with so many questions, and they were all answered. I just want to do the same for Gina," added Dow. Having a host was a relief for Goettl, who could then concentrate on the competition. Fellow competition participant William Figueroa agreed. "The most challenging thing now is the number of people involved. That has me a little nervous as it means a lot of competition," he said.