By: Christian Holt
Every now and again I remember why I wanted to write: I love telling stories.
Sometimes there are stories that I don’t care about, the ones written just because it seems like something that should be covered or the ones used to fill space and pick up someone else’s slack. But, sometimes we come across story ideas that actually inspire us, excite us.
That is how I felt when my editor pitched the freshmen five idea to me at the beginning of the semester.
I knew it would kind of hard to find the old ones, but I also know the new ones would make it totally worth the hassle.
Let me, please, introduce to you the new freshmen five (in words I could not use in a news story).
Brittany Murphy (not the celebrity) is from Danville studying electrical engineering, is an exceptionally cool young woman.
That’s not even considering she is taking one of the craziest class loads I’ve ever heard of (like, 18 hours of honors courses).
Murphy also happens to be hearing impaired. I was kind of curious to know if she thought this changed her experiences at school but she insists it does not.
She said it has just become part of her day.
Murphy likes to play volleyball and hang out with her friends when she is not studying for one of her many courses.
Sagnik Dey, from Kuwait studying mechanical engineering, is one of the most outgoing individuals I’ve ever met.
He did tense up a little when the photographer, Julia, tried taking pictures of him on his bike,
Dey said he loves to play soccer with his new friends in his spare time.
I personally don’t know that much about Kuwait, I can’t wait to learn.
Sam Oas, from Villa Park studying aviation, also a cool kid.
He said he came to SIUC because his dad had come here … and he knew the program rocked.
Oas said he wants to be a part of the Aviation Ambassadors, the group of students who recruit high school students to SIUC.
Jessica Tureaud, from Chicago studying journalism, is probably the most outgoing of the group.
She said she likes to go out and have fun with her friends.
Tureaud said she’s learned early (thank goodness) that there has to be a balance between school and fun … not that school’s not fun.
Rob Jesselson, from Glenview studying radio television, said he’s excited about how much there is to do in Carbondale … even though his home town has more people in it.
I think Jesselson will bring a lot to the freshmen five table.
He’s kind of quiet when you first meet him, but then opens up and is quite funny.
Jesselson is a pledge for the fraternity Delta Chi and said he spends a lot of time hanging out with his new brothers.
In case you couldn’t tell, I think all of these kids are awesome. I really hope everyone who reads the stories gets as interested in their lives as I already am.
