The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has faced unrelenting scrutiny since the release of the Wainstein report. Staff and students alike are aware of the gravity of the situation yet we continue to defend the name of the institution with grace and diplomacy. However, this article isn't about the report. This article is about us. 

Each day I am surrounded by truly remarkable young men and women. Some of us work in small ways and others make larger gestures but the common goal is all the same: to give back and to become better people. 

Last year UNC Dance Marathon raised over half a million dollars which benefitted UNC Children's Hospital. Some students made donations, some helped raise awareness by telling a friend about the cause, some pledged to stand for 24 hours. Some exceeded their goals and some contributed to the goals of others. 

Students across campus advocate and encourage others to join clubs they have started or partake in a project they designed. We draw inspiration from each other and that energy is felt with every step across campus (especially when passing through the pit). 

The energy and passion of students is felt within the classrooms as well. I have found myself overwhelmed with gratitude so many times sitting in my desk. Professors almost always encourage and facilitate discussion, no matter the class size. 

The intelligence of my peers is apparent in every way. They pose questions that require a thoughtful response rather than a specific answer. They have so much insight about the world around them. The effort to enlighten others is effervescent. I never imagined I would be in a place that allows me to learn so much from my peers. Carolina students are passionate about learning. Of course interests are diverse, but that's part of the Carolina experience: you learn about things you never knew were happening from people you don't even know. 

Here in Carolina, it's the little things that keep our hearts full every day. There are so many facets to the charm of Chapel Hill that make it impossible not to smile while walking across the crooked brick paths. Just as peers encourage each other to become more educated and involved, we also encourage each other to simply enjoy today. It's as simple as crossing paths with another smiling individual as the bell tower chimes. Or even stopping in the middle of the quad to take a picture of the leaves changing from bright green to a familiar crimson that make the beauty of Carolina a little more noticeably shared. 

Along with aesthetic charm comes charming mannerisms. People here really do think of Chapel Hill as the southern part of heaven and southern hospitality isn't taken lightly. It's likely that the person walking in front of you will hold the door open or that someone will "bless you" when you sneeze. Someone might offer the seat beside them if they see you searching for a place to sit in a crowded room. On a Saturday night when a gentleman asks you to dance, there's a good chance he'll take your hand and you'll end up shagging to some Carolina beach music until your feet hurt. 

There are so many big and small things that make Carolina so much more than a sports report. This article isn't intended to dissuade your preexisting opinions; rather it is intended to speak to the beauty, ebullience, and charm of our university. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is not defined by a report. It is an institution comprised of diverse individuals who fill my heart with unparalleled gratitude and pride.