Prioritizing Wellness as a College Student

As college students, we all know that we encounter stress through school and our daily lives. I thought I would take this opportunity to shed some light on resources around campus and within Madison that help make those stressful moments a little more tolerable.

I always like to work through my stress with some sort of physical movement! Here are some of the free resources to utilize on campus for physical health. As a student, your access to any of the on-campus gyms is completely free. There are four fitness locations on campus: The Nicholas Recreation Center, The Shell, Nielsen Tennis Stadium, and the Holt Fitness Center. If you are in the market to get a good run, lift, walk, or shoot some hoops and you are located on the east side of campus, the Nicholas Recreation Center AKA “The Nick”, is the right place for you! The Nick is home to 30,000 square feet of fitness space, 8 courts, 5 studios, an Olympic size pool, and more! It has all your needs for both cardio and strength! With full lifting platforms, rows and rows of benches, a vast array of cardio equipment, and a track on the top level - the Nick has anything you may need for your workout. On top of all of its resources, the Nick is also home to racquetball courts, a turf area, and an Olympic-sized pool to get some laps in. If you feel as though you need some guidance in your journey, the Nick has various ways to help out! They offer various fitness classes, such as yoga, cycling, and strength, along with personal trainers. There is always someone to touch base with or lean on for support at the Nick! You can sign up to attend a class and pay a small fee, or get a semester fitness class membership.  

The Shell and Holt Fitness center may be a bit less glamorous than the Nick, but they have so many resources for students to get a good workout in, on the east side of campus! The Shell is attached to the side of Camp Randall and is a resource for lifting platforms, various cardio and lifting equipment, basketball courts, and an ice skating rink! Although it is a bit smaller, it is still a great resource for students! The Holt center gym is located in the center of the lakeshore dorms, just behind Showerman hall (A hall that is part of the Kronshage dorm system). It is the smallest fitness space of the four gyms and hosts a range of cardio and strength equipment! It caters to those in the lakeshore dorm area and is an extremely convenient workout space with the rebuilding of the previous gym that used to be located in that area! 

In the market for a friendly game of tennis or squash? That is where the Nielsen Tennis Stadium comes in handy, located near Dejope Residence hall ! Are you a beginner? No worries, with the 12 indoor tennis courts, two squash courts, equipment rental and racquet services, and a system to help you find a tennis partner, the Nielsen Tennis Stadium is here to support you in your fitness journey! Working out does not have to be running until your lungs burn or lifting the heavy weight until your legs burn- fitness can be a friendly (or not, your choice) game of tennis with your best friends! The Nielsen Tennis Stadium is always a great reminder of that! 

Are you looking for some outdoor options? I know it is tough to think about right now, but in the warmer months, there are so many options to choose from around Madison! Starting with the lakeshore path, you can go on a casual jog, walk, or bike through the beautiful Lakeshore Nature Preserve. If you are looking for something that is a bit more group friendly there are various tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, and a large turf area for use by students and community members alike. The majority of the outdoor sites are located on the east side of campus, with a few volleyball courts located over by the Kohl Center! In addition to the Lakeshore path, there is also the Madison Southwest Bike Path that is great for longer, bikes, runs, rollerblades, etc. The entirety of this path is paved, unlike the lakeshore path, so for those of you who like rollerblading, this is the path for you. This path offers a wide array of scenery ranging from greenery to campus buildings, all the way to lake Monona. 

However, I want to make it clear that although we have all of these wonderful resources for physical wellness, your mental wellness should always take the forefront. Physical wellness can help with the release of endorphins and can be a good way to work through some stressful emotions, but always remember to take care of your mental wellness! 

By Molly Nooyen

Campus Community Engagement Director

Why and Where to Eat Local in Madison

As a student, it can be hard to find food options that are accessible, high-quality, and budget-friendly. Sometimes, a meal has to be whatever you can find the fastest, cheapest, and easiest; often just seen as one more task to get “done” on a busy day. But, when considering your choice as a consumer, local restaurants can meet your needs and more. They are definitely worthwhile, often having tastier food and a higher value for the money spent. This blog post will discuss the value of choosing to support local restaurants in the Madison area when you decide to eat out, highlighting some amazing places to eat near campus!

Student life can get very busy, therefore efficiency is usually the highest priority in making decisions about food. A student’s budget is also a huge factor that comes into consideration when making food choices. When you choose to eat out at a chain restaurant, it may feel more efficient and cheap, but that is not always the case, and it is not always the most satisfying. With a lot of chain restaurants opening up on State Street in the past couple of years, it brings both competition for local restaurants and an important choice for students and other potential restaurant patrons to make. For example, whether to get Chipotle, Cane’s, Jimmy Johns or to stop by locally-owned Chen’s Dumpling House, Estacion Inka, or Parthenon Gyros to name a few. Although some items on the menu at these local restaurant examples may be out of the average student’s normal budget, all three of them offer more reasonably priced dishes along with fast, high-quality service.

At Estacion Inka, located on University Ave., you can get bang for your buck with daily Lunch Specials where you can get one of their signature dishes like Pollo a la Brasa con Arroz Blanco y Frijoles Negros (Grilled Chicken with White Rice and Black Beans) for $8.99. The classic Gyro at Parthenon, located on State St., is jam-packed with the flavors of their house-made ingredients, is $9.95, and Chen’s Dumplings has an extensive menu with lots of options for very reasonable prices.

Dining locally, as opposed to chain restaurants, has many benefits. When you choose a local restaurant you are investing in the community. And oftentimes, you will find more fresh and higher quality ingredients–likely from local sources– and a personal experience and a connection with your community members. So the next time you are thinking about eating out, consider going local for great food and valuable connections.

WASB’s own Sophie Rewey has developed an appreciation for local businesses through her job at Short Stack Eatery. Rewey finds it beneficial to work at an independent establishment because it allows for flexibility, support, and collaboration among and between staff and management. When considering the employee experience in the service industry, which Rewey has provided some insight into, there is an aspect of accountability that comes with being a business owner in your local community that you also share with your employees. Rewey finds that working in a non-corporate business makes it “easier to communicate the staff’s needs to [her] boss and managers.” In local restaurants, employees and managers work more closely and have the opportunity to connect and collaborate more deeply and independently than

perhaps chain restaurants that are overseen by large management bodies that are disconnected from the nearby community.

Rewey argues that the high quality of food and drink at Short Stack makes it worth a couple of extra dollars. In a thoughtful consideration of cost, Rewey commented that, although, “it can cost more than a chain restaurant, [...] supporting local businesses is healthier for you and [supports] local industry.” A large majority of food and drink ingredients at Short Stack are from local Madison organizations and farms, in addition to their pastries and bread made in-house or locally sourced. Because of this, Rewey argues that the quality of food at Short Stack and other local restaurants is much better than that of their chain counterparts. Investing in your local community is worthwhile for the high quality and freshness of food in your meal, and for the greater good. Sophie Rewey’s favorite thing on the menu is a tie between the sweet potato short stack and the breakfast sammy on the Stella’s Roll. Short Stack Eatery is located on the corner of W. Johnson St. and N. Henry St.

And finally, here is a collection of some WASB members’ favorite local restaurants in Madison:

One of Ava Schumway’s favorite places on campus is Taiwan Little Eats, on State St., and she loves the popcorn chicken meal. Ave also recommends breakfast at Sunroom Cafe & Machiques City Restaurant and Bassett Street Brunch Club.

Anna Staresinic highly recommends Madison Sourdough near the east side of Madison, for the best sourdough loaves ever.

Claudia Delgado’s recommendations for delicious local eats are Sol's on the Square, Korean food on E. Mifflin St. or Ha Long Bay for Thai food, and Buraka for Ethiopian food, both located on E. Williamson St.

Danielle Anderson’s favorite spot is The Globe, on N. Henry St., and her favorite thing on the menu is the Tic-tac Curry with Tofu.

Elena Tomchek recommends Ramen Kid, on Gilman St., and her order is the Shoyu Ramen.

And finally, I highly recommend Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry located on N. Frances St. for the best burgers in town, or Gotham New York Bagels & Eats on E. Mifflin St. for the most delicious bagel breakfast sandwich.

By Sara Browne

CCE Team, Bucky’s Wellness Workshop Co-Chair

Living in a Winter Wonderland: Recommendations for the Snowy Season

Tis’ that season again! The snow is on the ground, the temperature is rapidly declining, and love is in the air. While it can be hard to enjoy the Winter months (yes, even for native Wisconsinites), there is plenty to do around Madison during the snowy season. So, whether you are looking for a new place to impress a crush, stare lovingly into your significant other’s eyes, or is someone who loves exploring and wants to tap into some self-care by going solo to a new dive... here is a comprehensive list of off-campus activities for the winter season.

Monroe Street 

Let’s start with Monroe Street. Second, only to Williamson, Monroe is a wonderful place to start your day of adventures! Try a dessert (or 5) from Bloom Bake Shop. My favorite bakery in Madison offers a ton of options for those who are gluten and/or dairy-free. Then, head on right next door to the wonderfully indie and cleverly named book lovers paradise that is the Mystery to Me bookstore. A mom-and-pop shop, the lovely owners and workers are always looking to dish out fresh recommendations to get you out of any reading rut, however perilous. With a new book in tow and the high of supporting two local businesses, our last stop on Monroe is Barriques Cafe. There–and only if you want to have your life changed and drink copious amounts of peanut butter–try the Sprocket Smoothie. The delightfully strange combination of PB, vanilla, peach, and banana sounds weird, but trust me, it just works.  

Regent Street 

Close to Monroe is Regent street. Known for the sub-par bars and crazy tailgates, during the off-season, there are some hidden gems. Indie Coffee is one that absolutely sparkles. Small, brimming with the sweet scent of chai, and chock-full of humans donning their sweaters, it is the stuff coffee shops from the movies are made of. Perhaps you are feeling the holiday spirit and want to try one of their seasonal specialties, or maybe just a wee bit adventurous. If the latter is for you, look no further and get the goat cheese fig sandwich. On cranberry bread with ham and drizzled with honey, it is the perfect balance of sweet and savory! 

For a night on Regent, try the best Phö in Madison at Nam’s Noodles and Karaoke Bar. In addition to obtaining a bowl of soul-healing soup, you can go with friends and belt out carols in the back room, far, far away from the other patrons. After singing and noodles, hit up Leopold’s Book Bar Caffé (do you see a theme?). Great for sitting to crack open a book with a steaming hot chocolate in hand or perusing the shelves and feeling like a main character bookstore love interest, you won’t regret making the stop.  

(Close to) Capitol Square 

Around the capitol is the perfect destination if you are looking for a more modern, upscale destination to spend your money. If you are looking to get your blood pumping and make some gains during break but have fun doing it, look no further than Boulder’s Climbing Gym, Dragonfly Hot Yoga, and Kanopy Dance Studio. Boulder has a great pay-what-you-can program for students who aren’t height-inclined. With walls only 15 ft tall at the max, bouldering is a super awesome sport focusing on problem-solving and twisting your body to reach new heights. Dragonfly Hot Yoga is awesome if you are looking to sweat the seasonal depression right outta your pores. Kanopy Dance is also a great option if you wanna woo your boo with some brand-new moves. With classes ranging from salsa to ballet, you can learn new techniques and push yourself out of your comfort zone, something that is necessary to break the monotony of the gray days. These places are all great for partaking in joyful movement while learning a new skill and surrounding yourself with some of the most amazing people in the city. If you are less interested in working out and more interested in eating, capitol square has that too! Sol’s on the Square is a wonderful Korean BBQ joint with everything from bibimbap to the most interesting soup flavors that you can think of (I recommend the beef rib, ginseng, and date or the Altang spicy fish egg). And of course, I need to mention at least one ice cream joint, we’re in Wisco after all! Good News Ice Cream is the best around the square with lots of creamy, vegan options, and shakes to satisfy your dairy-filled dreams. Walking around with cones in hand on a snowy night, listening to ooey gooey lovey dovey Spotify playlists… what’s more romantic than that?

Willy Street 

Our last stop on this journey through Madtown is the wonderfully quirky, granola street that is Williamson. It is a hippie's paradise and my personal favorite for a day of adventure. Here’s a comprehensive list of where to go to make the most of the best street in Madison:

Food

• Feast Dumpling House: FEAST. Nuff said. 

• Ha Long Bay: It probably has the longest menu you’ve ever seen. That being said, you could close your eyes and point to a meal and it would be one of the best in your life. 

• Burraka: The only Ethiopian restaurant in the city, it doesn’t disappoint in flavor 

• Lazy Jane’s Cafe: Straight from your nanna’s home, this cafe serves great brunch and even better scones. The upstairs is decorated with local artists and lots of reupholstered, paisley high-backed chairs  

• Madison Sourdough: The best loaf of bread in all of Madison. Take my word for it. 

Shopping

• Willy St. Treasure Shop: stacked with the wackiest trinkets that you never knew you needed in your life 

• Hatch Art House: Local art to satisfy all of your creative longings 

• The Madison Greenhouse Store: Plants and more plants…

• Still Goods: PROCEED WITH CAUTION. The thrift shop where you will not leave without 3 items… at least. 

Ambiance

• Gibs: The place to be if you are a hip, young college student who wants to escape campus and hang with the big kids. Attached to Grampa’s pizza, grab a drink and a slice and bask in the aura of coolness :)

• Cafe Coda: Live jazz, Latin, and tango socials every month, this place is not to miss if you love music

• The Moth at High Noon Saloon: So technically this one is a little off of Willy St, but it has the same vibes so I thought it best to include it here. Every month, there is a StorySlam where people from all over the community convene to share 5-minute stories on a particular theme. They pull names from a hat and each person has little time to prepare but every story will make you laugh, cry, and nod your head in the understanding that you share the common humanity with everyone in the room. It is a truly beautiful experience.

There you have it! I challenge everyone reading this to dive headfirst into the winter season. By trying new things, exploring new places, and celebrating with new and old friends, we can all discover things about ourselves that sometimes seem buried under snow. Winter can make us feel stagnant, but it is also the perfect time to tap into the joy that the small things bring. I hope all of these suggestions bring some warmth to your cold-weather frolicking. 

By Claudia Delgado

WASB Event Spotlight

WASB has so many amazing events that are all special in their own way. In my eyes, each event is characterized by the hard work that goes into planning it and the group of individuals that it brings together. This is my second semester on WASB and while many of the events are repeated semester to semester, they always have felt unique. I asked members of WASB what their favorite events are, both to plan and attend. Here is what they said...

Conversations on Wisconsin

“It’s so fun to remove the structure of college and grades and allow students to bond with and learn from professors. Professors and alumni get time to talk and engage with students about passionate and innovative ideas and it is so fun for students! I love it.”

Conversations on Wisconsin (COW), planned by the Campus & Community Engagement team, bring students and professors together to engage in valuable conversations about the Wisconsin experience and a variety of other topics. These conversations can take place virtually, at the host’s residence, or at a local Madison establishment. Sometimes free food is included! For example, during the conversation with James Ntambi, I got to learn about community health in Uganda and how the Lweza-Mukono Center is helping (check out https://www.lwezahealth.org/about_us for more information). His story is truly inspirational and I fully plan on getting involved to help make a difference. COW takes place twice a year in November and March.

Bucky’s Urban Odyssey

“It is a fantastically fun and creative event to plan, and I would argue it’s one of the most enjoyable events to participate in as a student. Also, I think it’s also super fun to volunteer as a WASB!”

“It’s a great way to start ACP. It is especially fun to watch people running around all of campus.”

Bucky’s Urban Odyssey (BUO) is a part of the All-Campus Party (ACP), a week-long series of events in April that celebrate UW-Madison’s community. Bucky’s Urban Odyssey is an “amazing-race” style scavenger hunt where participants run around campus, stopping by historical locations and local businesses, solving puzzles, and playing games. The prizes are always awesome (I remember wishing I could compete!) but the real prize is getting outside and participating in this fun event with your friends. I can’t wait to volunteer at BUO this spring.

Badger Voices

“It is an awesome collaboration with WUD Music that lets student musicians perform at Memorial Union and share their gifts with their peers.”

Badger Voices, planned by our Campus & Community Engagement team, is insanely fun for everyone involved. Student musicians and groups can sign up to perform at Memorial Union, and anyone can attend. It brings WASB and community members together to enjoy good music and allows student artists to gain countless devoted fans. I have never seen more talent in one space! 

Breakfast with Bucky

“It is one of the first events of the All-Campus Party and the first time that we are really ‘in the face’ of the students that week. It is a great way to start the week off and let students know about WASB and ACP and get them excited. And also, who doesn’t love free breakfast?”

Breakfast with Bucky is also a part of ACP and is a very memorable event for me. Members of WASB set up tables at several locations around campus and hand out free breakfast to the Madison community. It was incredibly fun to directly engage with community members and see their smiling faces as they left with free breakfast. Even Bucky stops by for some food! Make sure to keep an eye out for us in the red and white stripes this spring to get some breaky and say hi!

WASBs Come Home

“It was the first event I ever planned on WASB and it was our first time hosting an alumni brunch so this event is very special to me!”

The first-ever WASBs Come Home was planned this semester by our Professional Connections and Alumni Relations team. One of WASB’s missions as a student organization is to connect students' past, present, and future. This event does just that, bringing current and past WASBs together for brunch. If you are looking for a reason to apply to WASB, here’s one: this organization connects countless people from all points in life and exposes you to so many unique experiences. I’ve learned so much from WASBs who have now graduated and I know that they would do anything to help me succeed. The event does a great job of highlighting the supportive community ingrained in WASB.

By Grace Parker

All Campus Party Team, Mad City Sessions Co-Chair

Senior Spotlight; Anisa Pontes Experience Abroad, Growth as a WASB Member, and Plans for the Future

As the fall semester comes to an end, Anisa Pontes is approaching her final semester at UW-Madison and as a member of the Wisconsin Alumni Student Board. Growing up as a Madison local, Anisa was eager to discover the new opportunities which UW-Madison would entail. She now reflects on her experiences of growth such as the roles she's held as a member of WASB, her main-character moment when studying abroad in Portugal, as well as her goals for the future. 

As a new member of WASB this past semester, I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to learn more about Anisa’s experiences. One thing that I have learned this semester as a new member is that turning to a fellow member and asking questions can be an extremely valuable experience. Each member of WASB– and student at UW-Madison– have unique experiences that shaped them into the person that they have become. 

Joining WASB during the Spring semester of her freshman year, Anisa was passionate about finding a place within the UW-Madison community that she could define as her safe space. “My cousin introduced me to the organization and presented WASB as a place that helps you find your voice and your community. Being the lost freshman that I was, I decided to apply and hope for the best.” Beginning as a Community and Campus Engagement co-chair, she developed a partnership with Slow Foods, to engage the campus community on topics of food sustainability and food culture. Although the semester’s initiatives were disrupted by COVID-19, Anisa was pleased with the results of what her team accomplished and how WASB managed to adapt to the sudden change. “The beauty of WASB is that the month and a half I had was a sufficient enough time for me to feel like I had found my stride and place on campus,” she says. 

When school resumed, Anisa shifted to a more permanent standing as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion co-chair. As a BIPOC student, she felt that her time would be best served on the DEI team, where she could attempt to support the demands of the BIPOC community of UW-Madison with the support and connection to WAA. “I shifted my energy internally towards more passionate efforts of holding workshops within WASB that were intentional in forming concrete steps toward making our organization less performative. Instead, we worked to analyze the lack of general diversity both on campus and within the organization, and how we could continue to make an inclusive and welcoming space for all students.” Anisa is excited to see the new opportunities that her team brings when she returns from abroad. 

Anisa sadly had to extend a farewell to her WASB family this past semester as she studied abroad in Portugal. As an international studies student with certificates in public policy and global health, she chose to take classes in the Portuguese language with a focus on grammar, oral, and pronunciation. While studying Portuguese culture, she stresses that the time spent away from familiarity has been a defining opportunity for personal growth. Likewise, being immersed in an environment that has always been a part of Anisa’s identity allowed her to understand herself in a more definite manner. She expressed, “Abroad has been a series of emotions that is hard to conform into one sentence or even a paragraph. I will say despite any of the negative moments, I would not change a single moment because I know how grateful I am to have been given the opportunity to meet the people I have and immerse myself into a different culture.” Reflecting on her time spent abroad, Anisa realizes the importance of immersing herself in opportunities that are unfamiliar to her. “Being someone who grew up in the same city I currently go to college has given me the privilege of having all my resources, family, friends, and a good education, within my radius. However, sometimes it made me feel stagnant in my “growth.” Thus, abroad for me confirmed it is the best and sometimes the scariest opportunity to challenge yourself into becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable while also becoming more confident of yourself —which will inevitably hone so much growth.”

When asked about her long-term goal, Anisa wants to establish and maintain a healthy balance between work and life. Her college experience has offered what feels like an endless amount of meaningful moments. All WASB members have specific times that are momentous from the rest. “My favorite memory on WASB is All Campus Party week. The energy that is formed that week is truly unmatched and I cannot wait to run back again this year!” When returning to campus this Spring, Anisa is thrilled to make the maximum amount of memories that she can form. Her advice for new members joining WASB remains as a tribute to her younger self– a time when she felt hesitant, inspired, and eager all at once. “My best advice to give to freshmen is whenever you start to doubt yourself just remember that you were selected to be in this space for a reason which means there are 64 people who have and will always see your potential. See you all so soon <3.”

By Addyson Farias

Marketing Team, Wasblog Co-Chair