The Fresher Rep Experience
By Carleton Blackwell
Current committee members and previous fresher reps, Carleton Blackwell, Sophia Wasserman, and Lauren DeMello (2nd, 3rd, & 7th from right respectively), with friends enjoying an FS Vic Night!
As the FS2023 committee is hard at work preparing for the upcoming year of fun events, we are also looking to expand. The search for the invaluable addition to our committee of Fresher Reps is underway.
Being an FS Fresher Rep allows first-years to get involved with more than just one of the largest student-run charity fashion shows in the UK. FS is a highlight of the social calendar year-round at St Andrews, with the music festival, Starfields, capping off Freshers Week every September, the collection of Vic nights hosted throughout the year, our annual F4TE Week focusing on sustainable fashion, and, of course, the fashion show in February.
There are two sides to being a fresher rep for FS: the work and the benefits. As FS2021 Internal Consultant, Ibby Maruca, explains “through marketing, meeting the committee members, and hands-on helping with set-up, being a freshers rep definitely gives a behind-the-scenes look at FS that very few people get.” As a graphic designer, I had the opportunity to create videos that got posted on FS’s social media and take BTS footage of set-up when I was a fresher. Many of my friends were dressers, working backstage to organize models during the show. Current FS2023 Head of Choreography, Sophia Wasserman, who was an FS2020 Fresher Rep remembers her time as a dresser being rewarding, saying “whether it was the run-throughs or the real deal, nothing beat being backstage with all the music, designs, committee members, models, and of course amazing friends!”
The benefits, however, go far beyond the job description. The 2020 Fresher Reps were an automatic connection, many of them still being my close friends, and a doorway to making friends with upperclassmen, who provided me with invaluable advice and made St Andrews feel like a home. FS2022 Head of Front of House, Serena Home, says being a fresher rep is “a great way to get to know the committee and also meet other freshers with similar interests.” FS2020 Corporate Director, Indigo Jones, started her career with FS as a fresher rep. As Head of Press in her third year, Indigo was in charge of recruiting Fresher Reps (one of them being our very own FS2021 Creative Director and FS2022 Corporate Director Sophia Do). Having her academic kids in mind, she adopted almost all her kids at the first fresher rep social. So, for any incoming fresher worried about finding an academic family, FS is a great place to start. Indigo also sums up being a Fresher Rep perfectly by saying, “It’s a great way to a) get your foot in the door and meet people on the committee and b) see the different role because it’s really up to [fresher reps] how they want to be involved.” In addition to the connections made, a lot of the satisfaction of being a Fresher Rep is about being part of something bigger than yourself. FS is a long-standing St Andrews tradition that’s raised over half a million pounds for charity, and Fresher Reps play a significant role in it. It also opens the door to more opportunities as Maruca says, “I’ve loved seeing reps get even more involved in following years, as a bunch have gone on to join the committee.” For any incoming first-year with a passion for art, fashion, photography, music, event planning, and so many other passions, FS Fresher Reps is a fantastic opportunity in taking the first step to figuring out who you want to be at St Andrews.
Having written this article originally in my second year, I can now add that anyone who knows me knows that FS is a crucial part of my St Andrews experience, and it all started by being a Fresher Rep! It truly opens up an entire world to gain incredible experience in a variety of fields, make amazing professional and personal connections, and make an impact on the St Andrews community.
Be the face and voice of FS2023 for the class of 2026—applications are open now!