The Best Dressed Room contest has been a UNC Greensboro tradition for 15 years. Whether purely for bragging rights or for the grand prizes worth $500, Spartans living on campus pulled out all the stops to come out on top this year.
“We are always amazed at how our students come in and make these spaces their own,” says Mary Steele, Housing and Residence Life assistant director of marketing and communications. “They make the most of the space they are given, add personal touches and decorate beautifully on varied budgets.”
This year, Housing and Residence Life received 290 submissions — 100 more than last year. A panel of judges reviewed all submissions to award a winner for each residence hall, which narrowed the field to 28 finalists who each won a prize valued at $100. From there, a team of judges toured a sampling of these rooms in the traditional and apartment style residence halls to determine the best dressed room in each category.
Following the judging, the grand prize winners in the traditional category and the apartment style category were awarded $500 prizes at a reception hosted by Housing and Residence Life.
Aside from their decorating skills, the winners’ stories illustrate how residence life colors the entire college experience for Spartans and sets a stage for student success.
Suite/Apartment Style Grand Prize Winners:
Kayla & Kianna Satterwhite, Coit Residence Hall
These sophomore roommates from Kernersville are not new to sharing space. As twins, they’ve grown up living together, so decorating a dorm room was easy. Instead of overthinking it, they simply drew inspiration from their interests.
“My sister loves pink, cutesy designs, and Hello Kitty, but I’m more dark and edgy,” says Kayla Satterwhite. “It kind of just happened. When we finished, we looked around and said, ‘Wow, we are really different!’”
Although Kianna is in her second year at UNCG, Kayla transferred from another school to join her sister this year and they couldn’t be happier.
“I was ecstatic when Kayla told me she wanted to transfer to UNCG,” Satterwhite says. “We really missed each other last year. It’s so comforting to have my other half with me again!”
Kayla gets unexpectedly emotional when asked about campus life in Greensboro.
“I just love it here so much,” she beams. “At my old school everyone was reserved, but UNCG is different. It just makes me so happy that people come up to me and talk to me. I’ve met so many great friends already, just by striking up conversations on campus.”
She encourages first year students and transfer students to take every opportunity to go out and meet people.
“You’re going to feel shut-in if you don’t try, but there are so many nice people and clubs you can join,” she says. “You’ll be surprised how quickly your world will open just by getting out and enjoying events on campus.”
Traditional Style Grand Prize Winners:
Amy Veeneman & Diamond Martin, Moore/Strong Residence Hall
This year’s traditional style room winners are roommates who just met this summer but seem like they’ve been friends forever. Amy Veeneman and Diamond Martin are freshmen who found each other online. They laugh when Martin recalls her first impressions of Veeneman.
“I knew from the first meeting that she was a good roommate match,” says Martin. “She was such a weirdo and I thought, ‘we’ll be perfect!’”
They appreciate living on campus when it comes to making friends and getting involved in campus activities. Martin admits that Veeneman helped her get out and meet people during the first week.
“She wasn’t here the first weekend and I stayed in my room most of the time. Don’t be like me,” Martin warns.
Veeneman agrees: “Get out and go to activities even if you don’t want to.”
A month later, they’ve made friends throughout their residence hall just by saying hi to everyone they pass and knocking on doors to introduce themselves. If residence hall neighbors didn’t know them before, they will now with their first-place honors.
“We pre-planned our décor and chose the pink and yellow colors this summer,” Veeneman explains. “It was fun. Decorating our room together helped us get to know each other.”
Kamonee Jackson, Weil/Winfield Residence Hall Winner
Room décor: Coordinated pink and green tones.
Best thing about campus living: My favorite time is at night. The campus is well lit, so you can walk around and see friends and hear music playing. It just feels like a little community and it’s good to live in the middle of all of the resources you need.
Jay Baxley, Cone Residence Hall Winner
Room décor inspiration: My great uncle’s paintings. I’ve been told that it’s like an antique store. I like my little things. I like to nest and create a cozy space.
Advice to new students: There will always be people here to help you – whether it be students, faculty, professors, or staff. Take advantage of the community around you.
Jacey Ward, Hinshaw Residence Hall Winner
Room décor inspiration: 60’s & 70’s culture, especially music from that era. I also included reminders from home and my favorite colors of mustard, teal and pink.
Best thing about campus living: Living in a space where everyone else is a student keeps you motivated and involved on campus.
Fatima Herrera, Grogan Residence Hall Winner
Room décor inspiration: Simple and uncluttered with pink and gold accents.
Best thing about campus living: Being able to walk to everything you need.
STEVIE FOWLER, HIGHLAND RESIDENCE HALL WINNER
Room décor inspiration: Whimsy goth aesthetic and 70’s house decor.
Advice to new students: Be yourself and people will find you!
Kamryn Matthews, Guilford Residence Hall Winner
Room décor: Retro 60’s space theme
Best thing about campus living: Meeting new people just by walking around campus and striking up conversations.
Nia Malachi, Lee Residence Hall WINNER
Room décor inspiration: I love purple. It was so fun to decorate my own little space.
Advice to new students: Just be yourself and have fun. There’s so much to see and so much to do in Greensboro.
Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications.
Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications.
