As the sun reflects off the soft waves of the downtown canal in the humid but blue-skyed day, there are footsteps pacing back and forth on the nearby cement as groups of students engage in rowing practice. Some steps are rushing to assist rowers in and out canoes and others are directing students on standby.
There was exactly one week left before Regatta, Indiana University Indianapolis’ annual canoe race. The event is the campus’ personal take on its own version of homecoming and simultaneously serves as a scholarship fundraiser for students.
For everyone who is going to be in attendance, there is an equal amount of excitement and restlessness.
But for Rebecca Charbonneau, a sophomore majoring in biology on a pre-med track, she can be sure of one thing–that despite being over 500 miles from Brunswick, Maryland, she has found her home away from home.
Charbonneau is one of the eight individuals participating in the event’s Regatta Royalty Court. Students who are chosen for the court work as ambassadors in the weeks following up to Regatta, helping to demonstrate support, morale and campus spirit.
Nolan Campbell, executive director of the event, emphasizes Regatta Royalty as a strong component of support in building up collective zest for the event.
“They kind of work to show off what they do as students and what we’re [Regatta] is all about,” Campbell said.
For Charbonneau, taking part in Regatta Royalty court is much more than wearing a sash and eloquent smiles. Despite her initial worries when she first arrived, Charbonneau found strength in the university’s warm atmosphere and abundance of support through events like Regatta. Charbonneau hopes to serve as a similar example for any students struggling to transition to university life.
“Things like that really gave me the opportunity to meet new people and provided a welcoming atmosphere, and I expected it to some degree, but it really resonated with me,” Charbonneau said. “So, going into this year, I want to be that person for somebody else.”
Naturally always having the mindset of a workaholic, Charbonneau recalls how engaging in Regatta in her first year also propelled her into appreciating the significance of letting loose.
“What really stuck with me about Regatta was the really open and inviting atmosphere and how many people went there to just have fun,” Charbonneau said. “It was very refreshing to be like, ‘yeah, it’s okay to take a step back and just do something for fun,’ and not just because you’re trying to get ahead or you need to, but just to breathe.”
Having such a memorable experience from the prior year, Charbonneau was more than sure when the Regatta Royalty Court’s applications opened that she wanted to leave her mark in it.
Shortly after submitting her application, Charbonneau received an invitation to be interviewed for the position. On the day of the interview, her mind swayed with anticipation and yet an ounce of doubt.
“I’m going to be honest, I was really nervous,” Charbonneau said. “I know firsthand that a lot of the students here are amazing, and they’ve achieved so much, and I’m only a second year [student]. I honestly did not expect to make it past the first round.”
A few weeks after, Charbonneau had been notified that she had been selected to join the court. During the court photoshoot, Charbonneau had the opportunity to connect with the diverse group, which ranged with majors across business, journalism and more.
Charbonneau describes Regatta Royalty as demonstration of school pride and a representation of the student body.
“We work hard, we have fun, and we’re exemplifying that through Regatta,” Charbonneau said. “And you also kind of have this responsibility [to be an example].”
Before the days leading up to Regatta, Charbonneau participated in several associated events to demonstrate support and encourage student engagement. On the particular day of Regatta Battleships, Charbonneau was dressed in a bright red off-the-shoulder top, white corduroy pants, red converse shoes that had been gemmed out by her mom, a distinct sash and a warm smile.
The smell of chlorine was pungent and the natatorium was filled with nondescript chatters as Charbonneau made her rounds to greet event participants and other court members. Once the event host made an announcement to kickoff the game, participants were quick to vigorously throw buckets of water into their component’s canoes. When the first canoe went down, there was a mixture of louds cheers and lighthearted wails.
Charbonneau, who despite had an exam the very next day, was the least phased and entirely focused on the event. She was just happy to see how the event is working to create such a fervent atmosphere for the campus community.
“Things like this really help to create teamwork and encourage people to work together,” Charbonneau said.
As the moments draw closer to prospectively being crowned, it is not the royale votes or the hopes of tuning in favor from the student body that permeate Charbonneau’s mind–it is the contentment in knowing the campus impact she brings from being a part of Regatta Royalty Court. For future applicants, there is one piece of advice she hopes they will keep close to their hearts.
“Really make sure you know why you’re doing it,” Charbonneau said. “What they’re really looking for is someone that is like, ‘I want to represent, I want to help other people.’”
Heaven Xiong is a senior majoring in human resources, management, international studies and journalism, with a minor in economics. She is a writer and Copy Editor for The Campus Citizen.
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