Writing has always been a hidden passion of mine, something I once believed would stay locked away in my Google Drive, never seeing the light of day. When I applied to Elizabethtown College, I planned to pursue biotechnology and focus only on science. Along the way, I switched to biology after realizing my dream was bigger than working in a lab.
After living in four different countries, I came to understand how often science feels distant because of complex terminology and barriers in communication. I wanted to become a writer who could communicate biology in a way that is accessible to the general public.
By the end of my first year, after taking several English courses, I was invited to write a book review as a guest writer for Campus Life. I felt both excited and terrified. I had never written for a newspaper before, but I did not want fear to stand in the way of a dream I had carried quietly for years. After finishing my first article, I immediately applied for the open assistant Campus Life position. Instead, based on my skills at the time, I was offered the Features assistant role at the start of my sophomore year.
That opportunity changed everything. I added a creative writing minor and took journalism and communication courses to better understand the field. From there, my journey with The Etownian truly began.
Interviewing people, attending events and writing stories not only strengthened my understanding of journalism, but also helped me step outside of my shy shell. Over time, I grew more confident in my voice and abilities. When I was appointed Features editor during my junior year, I realized how much I had grown, not only as a writer, but as a person.
The Etownian gave me the chance to share my work with others and develop skills that have helped me in classes, projects and everyday life. As a biology major, I often felt out of place in a space surrounded by English majors. But the newsroom never focused on that difference. It focused on work ethic, growth and the willingness to learn.
Now, as I reach the end of my time with The Etownian and my college experience as a whole, I often wonder what would have happened if I had never stepped onto a path that once scared me. What if I had never applied? What if I had never met people who valued what made me different?
This experience gave me the opportunity to combine both my writing and biology backgrounds in ways I never expected. It became a time of growth, self-confidence and adventure, one that will continue shaping me long after graduation. I hope to use these skills to advocate, educate and help others better understand the world around them. Along the way, I hope to continue my studies by pursuing a master’s degree.
I am deeply thankful for every person I met along the way, and I know the work happening in the newsroom will continue to flourish in the hands of the talented people still there.
