Castleton Spartan

Issue date: 4/11/07 Section: Opinion

Lluvia Mulvaney Stanak Class of 2002

Over the last few years, I have been really excited to see all the fabulous campus improvements occur. Kudos to everyone involved. As an alumnus, I vividly recall helping to start or joining in on a number of student initiatives such as Safe Ride, SAAB movie nights, and blue safety lights. As a first-year student SA senator, I even dreamed of a campus gathering space in the old Moriarty House. What a difference just a handful of years and the support of the college administration can make in moving dreams into reality!

While I was at Castleton, I was heavily invested in the campus as a student leader. I held a number of positions ranging from resident assistant (now known as a CA), SOS, SAAB officer, and general manager of WIUV (props on turning 30 by the way!). Through all these positions, I learned first-hand that to make something improve or change on campus, you had to make it happen. Despite discovering that some projects would take more time than others, I soon realized that in the end it was about leaving a legacy. I knew that my efforts would help make the campus a better place to learn and live for future students.

I am excited to return to campus to be part of the growing legacy of the TBA concert in mid April. I will be spinning a huge range of elector-pop, indie rock, and even pop and hip hop in a DJ set from 5 -6 p.m. on the main stage.

Since graduating in 2002, I have established myself as one of the only queer female DJs in the Burlington scene. For the past four years, I have hosted a weekly, Sunday night new music program on 99.9 the Buzz, as "DJ Llu." The show features indie rock, electro pop, and the growing fusion between hip-hop and rock. The Buzz has a wide listening range, stretching from Castleton to Montreal. You can also tune in online at www.999thebuzz.com. For a few years, I also had a monthly residency at 135 Pearl, (the now closed LGBTQ bar in Burlington). Since last summer, I have been part of a monthly event at Higher Ground called "First Fridays."

Despite the excitement and flare of being a local DJ, I have spent the vast majority of the past five years working at Outright Vermont. This organization's mission is to build safe, supportive, and healthy environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (or simply queer) youth in Vermont. We provide programs that range from basic support services for young people who are questioning their sexuality to working with schools around the state to address bullying based on actual or perceived sexual orientation.

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