Learning is for More Than Just the Public

For Ohio University freshman Jaelynn Grisso, deciding upon a college major was no challenge.  She has known since the sixth grade that journalism would be her career of choice. Over the past two years, that decision was reaffirmed by time spent working at her local newspaper.  Through this experience, Grisso not only learned more about her chosen profession, but also about her small Montana hometown. 

When asked about the most memorable story for her local paper, Grisso stated that she could just not pick one; rather two stand out to her.  The stories, one was about new therapy used to stimulate children in classrooms and the other was about ways to combat homelessness, were influential to Grisso because of the cultural knowledge that was gained from them. 

On these stories Grisso states:

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“It gave a really good insight into my community and how caring the members of it could be.”

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Her early experiences in the journalism community have placed her in situations she describes as something she is

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“not usually exposed to.” 

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But with her curious personality and strong desire to learn, these unusual opportunities only further fuel her journalistic aspirations.  For Grisso journalism is about more than just telling stories, it is also about the process of learning.   

UPDATED :: KYLE WIGGERS: College Freshmen: Away from Home, Coping (ft. Meg Omecene)

This time of year, many freshmen are still adjusting to university life, getting used to new schedules, less structure, and more freedom. Most find the hardest aspect of their higher education is familial separation, away from their parents and siblings for months on end, some by hundreds of miles, students have difficulty coping.

Meg Omecene, a freshman at Ohio University, says it's difficult not being able to visit family and friends as often as she used to.

"I miss my best friend a lot. [And] I want to see my sister soon."

Omecene hails from Pittsburgh, Ohio, where her mother, father, and sister still reside.

"It's hard. There've been tears, I'll admit."

Many students cope with the homesickeness by focusing on hobbies or extracurriculars. Omecene, an avid reader, is eagerly awaiting a copy of author J.K. Rolling's latest novel.

"I grew up on classics, so I still like classics a lot. [But] I love Harry Potter. Gotta love me some Harry Potter."

"I usually purchase e-books, but, because it's J.K. Rolling, I paid for the hard copy."

By pursuing group activites and individual interests, most college freshmen are able to acclimate to campus life. Meg will read and study, but still looks forward to vacations with family.

"I can't wait for Thanksgiving break."

Something You Didn't Know About Shantel Wolfe

Bicycling. For most, it’s a leisurely way to work out. For Shantel Wolfe, a freshman at Ohio University, it’s more.

Growing up in the small town of Milan, Ohio, Wolfe has always been anxious to start her life, and bicycling was always there to clear her mind to think about road ahead.

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“It makes the world seem smaller, and more in focus. I wish I would have brought my bike here.”

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The exercise also holds sentiment. Wolfe’s grandparents started taking her for bike rides when she was 3.  When she was 14, Wolfe’s grandmother gave her a 30-year-old Schwinn bicycle.

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“I miss them a lot.”

(End Quote) Before she left for college, the freshman’s grandparents, Bernard and Lila Wolfe took her to Bob Evan’s, then for putt putt and ice cream.

But a strong bond between grandparent and grandchild is natural, so why is this relationship so important to Wolfe?

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“I’m not that close with my family, I’m a very independent person. But my grandparents, I’ve always been able to talk to them.”

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Bernard Wolfe met Lila Hoyt in high school, where he was the all-American football star and she was the far-from-average cheerleader.

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“They are such a cute couple. When I say I am excited to start my life, I guess I mean to emulate them, settle down and have kids.”

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Wolfe looks forward to the opportunity to start a family and start her career. She aspires to work for O&P EDGE magazine based out of Denver, Colorado. She says she plans to continue to bicycle and continue to keep her grandparents in her heart.

While some might argue that bicycling is a pastime, for Shantel Wolfe it represents the past, the present and the future. 

Erin Davran: Enhancing Her Social Perspective

The Now

Air-In Dav-Ran is a freshman who is experiencing culture shock at Ohio University.   Through communication with classmate’s and new friends she has started to understand the unique social journey she is embarking on.  Dav-Ran’s perceptions are changing, and she knows this is a good thing for her.  Currently she is enrolled in a Women’s Gender Studies class where she is learning to open herself up to new ideas about human interaction.  Dav-Ran is also learning new cultural differences through interaction with her Washington dorm neighbors. Even though she holds concrete a “pro-life” stance, she admits she is open to learning new perspectives about subjects, like Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender right’s.  She’s come to OU to get a formal education in Journalism, and yet she’s glad to see that she will get a good social education through interaction with her peers, as well.  

The Background

Dav-Ran has lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, her entire life.  She went to an all girls Catholic high school called Seton High, with a total of about 560 girls, where everyone’s social perceptions were just about the same.  

The Future

Dav-Ran looks to learning these new human lifestyle perceptions as a way of opening  her eyes to the world.  She’s connecting to people in ways she never knew existed and looks brightly towards continuing this new path.    As a future news writing journalist, Dav-Ran knows these new perceptions of others will help her to be a better overall journalist by giving her a better understanding of what the world, and even more specifically humans, have to offer.  She knows that it’s important to understand many different viewpoints in order to present all the facts in the least biased way possible.  

Kaitlyn Marshall: World Traveller at Two

Dashing away from her parents, 2 year old Kaitlyn Marshall ran toward the Red Sea as the sun set over Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

That same adventurous attitude and diverse travel experience led Marshall to study journalism at Ohio University’s Scripps School of Journalism.

Marshall attributes her desire to travel to her parents, who wanted her and her sister to fully experience the world around them.

Marshall spent the first 6 years of her life in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, before moving to Cincinnati, Ohio.  Although she has not moved since she came to America, she has seen more of the world than many college freshmen can claim.

Besides visiting most of the United States, Marshall has explored great international cities, such as London, Moscow, Quebec, and Dubai.

Marshall says, “because my parents were so travel oriented and knowing so much about the world, they stressed that to us.”

Marshall began her obsession with the news as a child.  Her parents constantly had C-N-N playing, to keep themselves informed on the current events of the world.

Her exposure to the world, through news and travel, has propelled Marshall to prepare for a career as a foreign correspondent.

Marshall decided that Ohio University is the perfect place for her because of the accomplished journalism program and abundant opportunities for education abroad.

Marshall says, “I have all these experiences, so I want to share them with everyone else and bring that to the rest of the world.”

Introducing Maren Machles

Maren Machles doesn’t believe in marriage but still believes in love.

Growing up in a conservative, upper class neighborhood in southern Ohio, divorce was rare. When Maren was only four, her parents decided to split.

She describes her mother by saying,

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“I guess my mom was like this typical stay at home mom, going shopping with her friends, spending my dad’s money. She wanted to be accepted by people.”

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Divorce was tough on Maren and her two brothers aged twenty-three and twenty-seven. A big issue in her family was weight and as a result, her brothers were teased mercilessly throughout middle school. This led to her older brother’s eventual battle with bulimia.

Her brothers were not the only ones that were moved by the separation as Maren states,

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“It’s definitely affected me as well. I really don’t believe in marriage. I don’t believe it lasts. For me its impossible that people can stay together. If I feel like I’m going to get married, it’s going to be either for forever or for shits and giggles. I don’t want to put my kids through the same pain.”

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But there was a bright side to her experience.

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“Because of my parents divorce, I was always really good at seeing each side of the situation. My parents often used me as the messenger. I’m really good at shuffling through the bullshit and I try to find the bright side in people and in every argument. I’m really open-minded,”

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Machles attributes these personality traits to the divorce.

A big believer in astrology, Maren tends to be drawn to people who have really solid opinions. Among other things, she likes to learn about people and is interested in why things happen or why things work the way they do.

These features of Maren are what led her to study journalism at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University today.

Kate Hiller interview

     Freshman journalism major Kate Hiller got involved in the Symphony Orchestra after coming to Ohio University. But she did not only play in high school--she has played the violin for the past nine years.

     Hiller decided to try playing in fourth grade. A friend who had played since he was three years old inspired her. As it turns out, his mother would be one of her music teachers later in life.

     Hiller stuck with the violin throughout high school; however, she did not play for her own school's orchestra because she and her director did not get along. Instead, Hiller played for the Suzuki Music Columbus Touring Group, a group giving young students "great opportunities," according to Hiller, to learn music. Students from eleven (11) to eighteen (18) years old practice for a few hours per week, and some of them even learned music by ear.

     But one of the biggest opportunities Hiller had from her experience with the group was a trip to Peru this past March. She recalls exploring, shopping, trying new food and even bargaining in spanish with them. She also says that the trip taught her a lot about culture and independence, because she went without her family.

     As Hiller moved on to Ohio University, she looks back on her years with the Suzuki Music Columbus Touring Group.

     She says, "It taught me the power of repetition. We play music over and over to memorize it, and now I translate that to my studies."

     Hiller currently plays for the OU Symphony Orchestra, which she auditioned for at the beginning of the semester. But while she enjoys playing, the orchestra has been very time-consuming for a non-major. Hiller is unsure whether or not she can continue.

     She says, "I don't know what the future looks like. I don't want to stop because it's such a big part of my life that I can't drop it. But it's not the biggest part of my life."