“Fwd: Big Brother Casting Call at Kent!” The subject line of the e-mail grabbed my attention. My jaw dropped and it was only 9 a.m.

I get it. I’m easily amused by a few reality TV shows, “Big Brother” being one of them. I’ve been watching the show since the first season, and how ironic that I had the perfect opportunity to be a part of it.

I had a week to prepare, and it all came down to yesterday at noon. Besides going over what I was going to say with a few friends, I knew I wanted to try something I normally wouldn’t do. I guess I’m not the type of person to jump in front of a camera and grab the mic. I needed to just do it.

I planned to wake up early, have a cup of coffee and make my debut at the Kiva. Somehow, my alarm didn’t go off and I found myself second-guessing my all-or-nothing audition. An hour later, I was there – 12 pages of paperwork in hand and ready to go.

The scene was one to expect, but I felt like I wasn’t the only one slightly unprepared. A single microphone, lights and banners completed the stage as a small crowd sat scattered in the Kiva. Number after number was called. Each person eagerly approached the stage a little more nervous than normal. Granted, a few stood out, and I tried to put myself on their level thinking, “Don’t forget to say this, and definitely don’t say that.”

Before I knew, it I was up there. As I walked on stage the camerawoman said, “Just have fun up there. Be memorable!” I thought to myself, “How am I supposed to be memorable?” It’s a lot harder than it sounds.

True to my Columbus roots, I showed my Buckeye pride with an “O-H” and was surprised when I received a collective “I-O” from the crowd. I just went with it from there. Besides talking about my friends and family, I left the stage with what I hoped would be my “stand-out” line: “I’ve got nothing to lose but my pride.”

I completely believe it was a sign the show came to Kent State of all places to hold a casting call. I had to try out, even if it was to just be able to say I did it. I know it’s not the most famous reality show out there, and most of my friends hadn’t even heard of it. But coming from a small town and growing up without cable (oh wait, my parents still don’t have it), “Big Brother” has sort of been “The Hills” for me. Now that I can say I had the opportunity to audition, I can rest easy knowing I’m one step closer to being the Head of Household.

Alisha Williams is a junior information design major and the design director for the Daily Kent Stater. Contact her at [email protected] (or in the “Big Brother”season 10 house).