Each week, the Record (using a script in R) randomly selects a student at the College for our One in Two Thousand feature, excluding current Record board members. This week, Katherine Kang ’27 discussed her hometown of Amherst, Mass., love of crossword puzzles, and advice for first-years. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Tess Halpern (TH): You’re on the ice hockey team. When did you start playing?
Katherine Kang (KK): I started playing when I was maybe four or five. My dad and brother both played, so it just naturally happened. I played all through elementary school, middle school, and high school. I live in Amherst, which is kind of far from anything super competitive, so I was driving out to Eastern Mass a lot. Then I got recruited to play here.
TH: How do you stay connected with your team during the off-season?
KK: I would say they’re definitely my best friends, and I spend the most time with them. It is weird, since you just naturally see people less out of season, but we still have lifts and workouts, and weekends are very team-based.
TH: You mentioned you’re from Amherst. How do people there feel about you going to the College?
KK: It’s funny. I should’ve anticipated more that people would find it so shocking that I’m from Amherst. Like, last year, during First Days, when I was meeting everyone, I think I probably said it 700 times. Then, I got the “Oh my god, Amherst!” Or, you know, “Why Williams?” So I definitely had to develop a “bit” for that, like a little line. But, my entire neighborhood at home is Amherst professors, or people who work at Amherst, so they’re always making fun of me when I’m wearing Williams merch.
TH: What’s an obscure hobby you have?
KK: One thing about me is that I love a good crossword puzzle like the New York Times mini. I do that every morning when I wake up and try to finish it quicker than the day before. I have books of crossword puzzles that I can just spend hours on. Oh my gosh, it’s such a procrastination thing.
TH: Do you play the Record crossword?
KK: I do, yes. I like that it’s tailored to Williams in some ways, and includes little niche things that people wouldn’t know about, like Late Night. No one knows what Snar is outside of Williams.
TH: I’m so notoriously bad at crosswords.
KK: They’re pretty hard. I’m always impressed by people who can make crosswords.
TH: What are you majoring in?
KK: Literally just this morning, I finished declaring my major, so officially I can say I’m gonna be an environmental studies and French double major with a concentration in public health.
TH: Congratulations! What’s your favorite French class you’ve taken at the College?
KK: Probably anything with Brian Martin. He is just a joy of a human being and so encouraging. I love French, and he just makes you feel so confident and happy to be there.
TH: Since I’m a first-year, I’m wondering if you have any advice as someone who is nearing the end of your sophomore year.
KK: When I first got here, I had literally no idea what I wanted to study or do on campus. I think I spent a lot of my first year really worried about that, having this existential dread of “Who am I here?” But I would say, just keep taking classes that you genuinely find interesting, and you will find something that you’re really passionate about. Having just declared my major, I never thought that, by the end of my sophomore year, I would actually have found something I’m really interested in. But genuinely, even though everyone says it, you will figure it out. I was so sick of hearing that, but I really found it to be true.
TH: That’s great advice. Did you go to Spring Fling? What did you think?
KK: So, I hadn’t heard of Del Water Gap, but he was much better than I was expecting. And the rain was timed perfectly. I watched the student performances from inside, and then the rain stopped just as Del Water Gap was coming on stage. As soon as his performance ended, it started raining again. I was like, “Wow. Couldn’t have planned it any better.”
TH: Speaking of weather, Williamstown fall or spring?
KK: I would have to say spring. The fall weather is elite, but spring — coming out of season, no more preseason — is a time where you can really just have fun and enjoy it.
TH: What’s your favorite spot on Spring Street?
KK: Probably Spring Street Market for the vibes, but Papa C’s for some nice, affordable food. I’m notorious for going into Spring Street Market and not even buying anything and just doing work there. Vibes are good there, I’d say.
TH: What’s your favorite order from ’82 Grill or Fresh-n-Go?
KK: Well, fun fact: I have never been through the Whitmans’ line for lunch. Every single day that I’ve been here, I have ordered from Fresh-n-Go for lunch, and it’s been consistently the same thing. It’s a little weird: a grain bowl with turkey, egg salad, and all the toppings. It’s just one thing I know is consistent, and I can count on. [Laughs.] I’m a person of habit.
TH: That’s a great answer. What’s one thing you wish more people knew about you?
KK: I think, a lot of times, it’s hard with teams because it can get very insular. I love my team more than anything, and I would still love to meet other people and be close with them. My roommate is on the women’s soccer team, and we’ve just gotten so close — that’s been amazing to have. I wish more people knew that I’m not just on a hockey team. I really do like having a wide variety of friends.
