Bonding over sushi, TV, and creativity

"She likes to order sushi and watch movies, but sometimes I have to say no, because I have work to do," says Roslyn Wertheimer '16 of her roommate, Emma Giles '16. "But I can't really say no to sushi," admits the psychology major from Ossining, N.Y.

In fact, there are other things Wertheimer just can't say: "It's annoying when she mispronounces words like Oregon, gyro, and Aeropostale," quips Giles, an art major and softball recruit from Seattle.

Roommates in one of the sought-after two-person Sussman Village apartments, Wertheimer and Giles order sushi often, usually from downtown Saratoga's Phila Fusion restaurant, which they say has awesome sushi pad sewee (a noodle dish).

They really got to know each other back in 2014, in the Sophomore January Program, for clarifying personal and career directions and strengthening connections with classmates and others in the college community. "My mom wanted me to do it," recalls Giles with a knowing grin. "She told me to at least think about it, and I said, 'OK, mom. I'll do it.'"

"That's exactly what happened to me," laughs Wertheimer. She had applied to Skidmore through early decision after attending a summer New York State School of Orchestral Studies hosted at Skidmore. As a high school student, she says, "For four weeks I got to live in the dorms, eat in the d-hall, rehearse in the Zankel Music Center, and go to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. That really made me want to apply ED."

Wertheimer is a ridiculously involved student. She helped run last year's Beatlemore Skidmania concert (2014 video), she's president of Hip Hop Alliance, she plays the trombone in four ensembles, and she's a social media intern for Skidmore's Office of Communications and Marketing, a great fit with her goal of a career in social media marketing.

But she says her roommate's no slouch either: "The coolest thing about Emma is that she is crazy talented—she does graphic design, needlepoint, weaving, and ceramics. She even made our dishes and cups! Being that I am someone who struggles to draw a circle, Emma's artistic skills continue to amaze me every day."

After graduation, Giles plans to pursue graphic design, perhaps in Boston, before returning to the West Coast. She says the best part of her Skidmore experience has been the art department: "I love the classes and the staff. I pretty much live in Saisselin Art Building." She also spends a few weekends visiting friends in New York City.

When the roomies do get any downtime, they bond over mutually-admitted bad television such as Twisted, The 100, Pretty Little Liars, Top Model, and How to Get Away with Murder. Giles says neither is the type to say, "Wow, it's been a long day. I need a drink." Instead, "We're like, 'I need to watch my shows and eat sushi ASAP.'"

You go, girls!