More than 5,500 UGA freshmen descended on Athens in the week leading up to classes starting, and we Flagpole interns decided to infiltrate an orientation session to find out what, exactly, they know about their adopted hometown.
As it turns out, the answer is… not much. Although many of the students polled knew Athens was in Clarke County, none of them knew the name of our incoming mayor (answer: Kelly Girtz), or a whole lot else about their new city. But don’t fret, Athenians. These freshman will become quickly acquainted with the Loop and all that lies within. And, who knows: After a semester, they may even be able to name a few local bands.
Welcome to Athens! Check out a video of these interviews on Culture Briefs.
Caitlin Santos, Duluth
Flagpole: What county is Athens in?
Caitlin Santos: I think it’s Oconee.
FP: Do you know any Athens bands?
CS: I know R.E.M., and I know Mister Tie Dye, but they changed their name.
FP: Do you know what the Loop is?
CS: Is it a roundabout, or something like that?
FP: How many Athens neighborhoods can you name?
CS: I can’t name any. I can name the hotels, though [does finger guns].
Jaylen Green, Atlanta
Flagpole: What county is Athens in?
Jaylen Green: Clarkston?
FP: What do you think Flagpole is?
JG: Like, the thing where you put a flag and you wave it?
FP: Do you know R.E.M.?
JG: EDM? No. Never heard of her. Him. Them.
FP: Do you know what the Loop is?
JG: Like, a hoop? Like, a rope? Nope.
FP: How many Athens neighborhoods can you name?
JG: East Village—that’s it.
AnaLily Wong, Dalton
Flagpole: What do you think Flagpole is?
AnaLily Wong: I’m sure it’s a flagpole. Outside, maybe, with a flag on it.
FP: How many bands do you think there are in Athens? Like, active bands.
AW: Maybe like 26?
FP: Do you know any of them?
AW: What’s that one band name? It’s, like, really popular. I listened to them the other day. I’m thinking, like, The Ungrateful Dead.
Cameron Shook, Carlton
Flagpole: What do you think Flagpole is?
Cameron Shook: I believe it is the newspaper in Athens.
FP: How many Athens neighborhoods can you name?
CS: I know Eastside and westside and Normaltown.
FP: Do you know any local bands?
CS: I know R.E.M. I’m not sure of any of the ones that play the Georgia Theatre, but I know that there are a lot.
FP: Do you know what the Loop is?
CS: I do not. Oh! The Loop? Like the highway? Oh, yes, OK. I thought it was another band.
Joseph Lee, Suwanee
Flagpole: Do you know R.E.M.?
Joseph Lee: R.E.M.—rapid eye movement?
FP: Do you know any local Athens bands?
JL: Local bands? Rubber bands? I don’t know.
FP: How many Athens neighborhoods can you name?
JL: Zero.
Grant O’Neal, Douglas
Flagpole: Do you know any Athens bands?
Grant O’Neal: Um, no. I don’t.
FP: What do you think Flagpole is?
GO: It sounds like a place where people would just hang out.
FP: What about the Loop?
GO: Same thing. Just, like, a place where people hang out.
Madison Shelnutt, McDonough
Flagpole: Do you know R.E.M.?
Madison Shelnutt: R.E.M.—is it like dubstep or something?
FP: How many Athens neighborhoods can you name?
MS: None of them.
FP: How many do you think there are?
MS: Ten?
FP: Do you know what the Loop is?
MS: Like, maybe people hang out there?
Anna Vo, Lawrenceville
Flagpole: Do you know who Athens’ incoming mayor is?
Anna Vo: No. I should learn.
FP: Do you know what the Loop is?
AV: Is that, like, a dessert place?
FP: How many Athens neighborhoods can you name?
AV: There’s neighborhoods? Do apartment complexes count?
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