Last year, when I was just a writer for Odyssey, I submitted an article called “Indiana’s Most Controversial Backpack.” It was about my black, spiky backpack, which I wore as a social statement. By wearing something that people either loved or detested, I encouraged others to forget the haters and to never let anyone’s judgment stop them from doing their thing. It also encouraged them to make fun of my backpack and to probably take Snapchats of the girl who looks like Bowser. Although I had planned on getting a new backpack at the end of my article (plot twist), I secretly kept it because I felt it was too integral to my identity to throw away.
The backpack helped me become more comfortable in my own skin, and the more confident I felt, the more my writing improved. As my skills developed, I was given more responsibility with the paper, and was promoted from writer to Contributing Editor, and then to Editor in Chief. I am excited to be leading one of the fastest growing media publications written by millennials, for millennials. Odyssey isn’t just a place to read listicles about how important your sorority big is to you anymore. It’s become a media company that provides a platform dedicated to entertaining and informing students on current events, local and worldwide.
Just like when Odyssey first started at IU, when I first got my backpack, it was unique. I admit, I almost returned it because I felt too out of my box. I’m glad I didn’t, though, because besides pushing me to be an individual, it’s become an extremely popular backpack; albeit popular among elementary school kids. In any event, I take complete credit for making it trendy. In the way that my backpack was a voice for the people who were scared to be judged, I will use the Odyssey as the voice for all Indiana University college students.
When Odyssey was brought to Indiana University in 2009, it was a newspaper exclusive to Greek Life. Since then, it has expanded to 280+ other universities and communities, giving writers the platform to share what's actually going on in their areas. Odyssey isn't just a media company to educate campuses on current events, but rather a social content platform that crowdsources the ideas of millennial leaders in local communities, surfacing an otherwise untapped diversity of perspectives. Through web-shows and podcasts, from hard reporting to listicles and opinion pieces, Odyssey's goal is to capture the voice of the millennial generation and change the way the news is read. With 25 million+ readers a month and growing quickly, there are no limits for what Odyssey can do.
I have great expectations for this upcoming semester, and can’t wait to change the way IU students read the news. I hope that if I channel my inner Amy Schumer hard enough, I can interview Bill Hader and make him fall in love with me, although that's more a fantasy than an expectation. Being a writer, I am always observing my surroundings as inspiration for my next piece. So, be warned that if you don’t say “off the record” to me, then I’ll probably quote you in something I write. If you pass me in the Wells Library or by Ernie Pyle Hall, say hi! I’ll be the one wearing the black, spiky backpack.
