When I first arrived at my first full staff meeting for The Appalachian, I felt very out of place. It was in this tiny room in the student union (we have since upgraded), and the Editorial Board at the time started the meeting by running down each desk and what they did. My first News Desk meeting ran until 9:30 p.m. I remember walking home more excited than I had been since coming to App State. 

I had never written a news story before. I transferred to App State at 22 years old as a creative writing major. I felt awkward, one may say “chopped” and “unc”, considering I was much older than my peers. I had written before, sure, if you count a 200,000-word fanfiction and a few short stories here and there, but AP Style was a foreign language to me. I thought, “How on earth did I end up in this position?” 

My first heartbreak came in the form of omitting an Oxford comma. This new type of writing was a challenge to say the least. But having been a student at App State for a year and yet to find my group of people, I was determined to figure it out. 

The Appalachian newsroom is where I found my family. 

Quickly, I found my footing. Guidance came in the form of friendship. I wrote a wide range of different news articles, dipping my toe into the happenings of App State and Boone. This town soon made its place in my heart. Journalism made me feel more a part of a community than I ever had before. 

The experiences I’ve had here at App State have been unforgettable. I’ve tried new things and met new people. Never did I think I’d have a position such as News Editor for an award- winning student newspaper, but I couldn’t be more honored to have held this position. 

Taking a chance on yourself is the first step. If you find the courage to take that step, odds are that others will take a chance on you too. The Appalachian took a chance on me, and I found a home inside that newsroom because I took that first chance on myself. 

Find your people, find your home. There is always time.