2 The experience extended beyond presentations. Ann Sarah found the greatest value in connecting with students from other campuses, while Laila enjoyed exploring the host campus and town, and even trying axe-throwing for the first time! Together, these moments made the conference both academically engaging and personally memorable. When asked what advice they would give to other honors students, both shared an enthusiastic message: go! Whether it’s to gain confidence in presenting, discover new academic interests, or simply meet like-minded peers, the conference offers something valuable for everyone. As Laila noted, it can even help students who are unsure where to begin with their research by exposing them to ideas they may have never considered. And, as Ann Sarah put it simply, it’s “one of those experiences that feels both exciting and meaningful,” the kind that stays with you long after the conference ends. Ann Sarah presenting her research Laila axe throwing! Ann Sarah Paul presented her poster on Language in Music Shaping Performance During Word‑Search Tasks and Cognitive Processing. Paul has always used music while studying and one day wondered if the music actually helped. She researched not only music, but also if the language of the lyrics changed performance. She shared, “Presenting at the conference felt like a roller coaster...but the support from Dr. Heather Scott and Dr. Hannah Walters made all the difference. By the time I was standing next to my poster I realized, “Okay, I actually can do this. I have come to realize that I know my research the best.”
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