A glimpse into Wilam Hall: Reflections from student leadership
Wilam Hall's President, Jhet King-Smith, and Vice-President, Iris Bian, offer a vibrant glimpse into life at the college. Their joint statement paints a picture of a thriving community, balancing academic pursuits with social activities and personal growth:
"Apart from the endless clattering of the pool table from the early hours of the morning to the cusp of curfew, it's been a fairly quiet year so far at Wilam Hall; yet that hasn't made college life any less rewarding for us residents. Though the year began with many friends happily reuniting and sharing stories from over the summer, 2025's cohort is mainly comprised of students that are brand new to both college and university. So, from the committee's perspective, it's been absolutely wonderful to watch life-long friendships blossom before our eyes, as well as see first-year students make the same mistakes and discoveries we made when starting out.
Amidst study, movie nights, and many conversations that lasted until 3am, our biggest event thus far has been our return to the intercollegiate dance competition Step-Up. After two years without participating, we came back with an undeniably loud and proud performance that celebrated the college's queer history. For student President and (more importantly) drag queen of the night, Jhet King-Smith, it brought him great joy to hear that the performance not only made his fellow queer Wilam students feel seen, but that it brought happiness to the wider queer college community as well.
As residents are beginning to return and prepare themselves for university, us committee members are busy preparing events for the college other than the odd game of hide-and-seek in Carlton Gardens. Right around the corner is our Semester 2 O Week with events such as a gardening workshop, trivia night, a yarning circle, and of course, a long-awaited pool tournament. We will also be hosting our college ball towards the end of the year, as well as a number of soirees throughout the semester to feature our residents' talents. Alumni are welcome to attend these events; more information about them, the dates, and tickets will be made available at the start of the semester.
We can't wait to see all of our returning community, whether they are one of our many fresh faces, or if it's their first time stepping foot in Wilam Hall in over 10 years."
This heartfelt message from Vice-President Iris Bian and President Jhet King-Smith captures the essence of Wilam Hall's vibrant community spirit and the exciting events on the horizon.
