Trojan Spotlight Sydney Wilfong

NAME: Sydney Wilfong
MAJOR: English
YEAR: Class of 2023

•  Why did you choose your major?
  I have always loved reading, analyzing text, and writing, so choosing English as my major was perhaps the easiest decision to make. It was a no-brainer, really.
  
  
• What made you choose Allegany College of Maryland?
  My father is a professor of English at ACM, and so when I began looking at schools, ACM became the best choice and best fit overall for me. It was nice, too, to know that I wouldn’t be commuting alone! Choosing ACM was the best thing I could have done.
  
  
• How was/has your experience been at ACM?
  Fantastic. I absolutely loved my time at ACM. Any ACM alum that I have met always feels the same way, too, and we end up gushing about our different experiences together. Your experience at ACM will stay with you forever!
  
  
• Why would you recommend Allegany College of Maryland to future students?
  ACM is a beautiful campus that offers great opportunities for all students. The professors and staff at ACM are some of the kindest and most dedicated people you’ll ever meet, I promise.
  
  
• What motivates you? Why?
  What motivates me the most is the love I have for English, for literature, and for creative writing. When you truly love what you are studying and what you are doing, you will always be motivated, no matter what.
  
  
• What are some challenges you did/have encountered as a college student?
  Mainly, I’ve encountered challenges involving time management (i.e., procrastination). The best way to combat issues like this is to plan extensively. Always keep an agenda or calendar with you. In my opinion, you can never plan too much.

• What advice would you give future college students?
  Enjoy your time at ACM. There are so many interesting classes available that are taught by equally interesting people. Keep your notes, too, so you can always look back at what you’ve learned. You’ll have graduated before you know it!
  
  

• When did you graduate and what were your plans after college?
  I graduated from ACM in Spring 2024 and will graduate from Frostburg State University this Spring 2026. After I graduate from FSU, I plan on furthering my education by either pursuing a Master’s or, possibly, an MFA.

• What advice would you give to students interested in your career path?
  I would encourage those who write to submit their work to any local magazines and publications. Read your work at open mics and local competitions, too. Finding a community of creative, like-minded people is so incredibly important and rewarding. Trust me!
  
  

• Who was your favorite ACM faculty/staff member, and why?
  Dr. Tonya Shepherd is the best mentor one could ask for. She is someone who cares for her students so deeply and someone who continuously inspires me. I still have the one literature analysis book she gave me that I often flip through. The English department as a whole is just a great group of professors that I miss dearly.

• What is your greatest achievement in your career?
  So far, I would say my greatest achievement is having poems of mine published in Bittersweet and Gargoyle as well as ACM’s own literary magazine, Expressions.