Moving in the right direction
Surprisingly, the moves and my internship with the OFP were defined not by stress, but by an overwhelming amount of kindness from the community.
Before coming to Oxford my first year at Miami University, I had never moved houses before. When I was accepted as a reporting intern for the Oxford Free Press (OFP), I began stitching together a convoluted plan for where I would live during the summer. Over the past four months, I’ve moved five times – a feat that seemed previously unthinkable.
Surprisingly, the moves and my internship with the OFP were defined not by stress, but by an overwhelming amount of kindness from the community.
I met residents who help distribute the newspaper on Fridays. I heard encouragement from people I swam with at the pool every morning. I spoke with farmers and small business owners, librarians and local government officials, and I learned how many people work to serve and support the community.
I learned about court reporting from senior reporter Katelyn Aluise, discussed education reporting with Eliza Sullivan, received writing feedback from Taylor Powers and learned how to be a great leader from Editor-in-Chief Aidan Cornue. Most importantly, I came to understand that a newsroom is more than just a place you work. It’s a place to make friends, learn skills and discover how you want to impact the world.
I grew up in Indianapolis, where it’s easy to feel like a drop in the ocean. Even local organizations and meetings don’t always garner the same feeling of community I found over the summer. As I reported on council and commission meetings, I witnessed time and time again as public servants searched for new ways to help others in Oxford.
When I first chose where I wanted to attend college, I didn’t think much about the city I would live in. I see now that was a mistake; happily, I ended up in a wonderful place. I have greater appreciation than ever for all the ways the city supports its residents and the students of Miami, whether it’s Oxford’s Red Brick Fridays, Shakespeare in the park or the weekly farmers market.
I’m lucky to have two more years before I say goodbye to Miami and to Oxford. I don’t know where my next move will take me, but I know that no matter where I end up, I will take the memories of all the kindness I was shown this summer with me.
