Greetings, readers!
I am beyond ecstatic to announce that the Odyssey is branching out to MVNU. As a platform that focuses on amplifying millennial voices, I feel that as a Christian college it is our duty to make our voices heard. I felt beyond blessed to be given the opportunity to become your editor-in-chief. I would like to take a moment to highlight who I am, our writers, a note from the 2016-2017 student body president, and tell you about how you can get involved with the Odyssey, too.
First off, my name is Makayla Speelman. I have a heart after writing, which is why I will begin studying Journalism & Media this fall when I begin my education at MVNU. I love pop culture and politics, which is one of the main things you’ll probably find me writing about here on the Odyssey. Beyond those things, I love painting, photography, gaming, and just talking with people. I am sure through my writing you will discover more about me, and I am hoping that I will discover more about myself as well.
I would like to give a round of applause to the writers who are starting this off. One extremely unique thing about these particular writers is that they are all incoming freshmen as well. Some of them took a gap year, and some of them are still finishing off their senior year of high school. They have already been amazing to work with, and they all have unique, cherishable ideas and stories to share through this platform. Thank you to Chelse Butcher, Matt Harden, Kelsey Milinkovich, Lauren Sanders, Joseph Viera, Olivia Vollmar, Sarah Wingert, Allison Lankford, and Amber Mullins. You are all so fantastic, and I truly cannot wait to start college in the autumn with all of you wonderful souls.
I would also like to give a huge shoutout to Amanda Ross for reaching out to me to start this. I have already learned and grown from it. I have met and talked with others that I have never before. Thank you for dealing with my million questions and for being so patient and understanding.
While I was writing this, I asked the student body president for the 2016-2017 year to give us a few words of encouragement. Nate Henderson writes:
“Life can be hard, but make it a goal to surround yourself with life-giving people. These people will be the ones to pick you up when you have fallen down, they will be the ones who keep pushing you to be a better you. This will consequently make you care about the people around you and the life you lead in greater ways than you could ever imagine.”
Please take these wonderful words and apply them to yourself. Again, thank you Nate for writing this for us. I truly, completely appreciate it and hope that students, incoming and current, will take this to heart.
If you are interested in having your voice heard to over 70 million active readers, then the Odyssey is for you. Topics can range from literally anything. If you feel that there is something that needs to be amplified write about it. We are actively recruiting writers, and you can apply at http://www.theodysseyonline.com/apply -- please make sure to select your community as “MVNU” in your application. I truly cannot wait to hear from you all! This is a fantastic opportunity, and I can already tell you I do not regret stepping onboard.
I hope to hear from all of you soon,
Makayla Speelman, Editor in Chief
