My 2 1/2 years at Auburn flew right on by, and I walked across the Neville Arena stage on Dec. 9 with purpose I never would’ve known had I not stepped into The Plainsman’s interest meeting on the first day of the 2021 fall semester.
After I was diagnosed with a progressive, neuromuscular disease called Friedreichs Ataxia (FA) toward the end of my high school days, I went through community college with little excitement, much less a plan, for my future.
But in my time with The Plainsman, I quickly stumbled upon the power of journalism in a way I never imagined. I discovered the platform to help spread empathy and speak up for those who don’t have the platform to do so themselves – even through something as simple as sports.
My entire outlook on life changed for good in the spring of 2022. It began as an e-mail to former Auburn University President Jay Gouge, but it ended up as a column about my experiences with Auburn basketball games as a disabled student. Little did I know it would put accessibility in the spotlight and spark change toward a more inclusive student body.
My dad, who I asked to proofread the “letter,” urged me to get it published in the student newspaper instead, and the rest is history. The column got thousands of likes and shares on social media. I received messages from Auburn alumni and professors. The script flipped, and several media outlets did stories on me and even Paul Finebaum took notice and had me on his show to talk about my story and the power of student journalism.
That sparked my journalism journey, and from there, I got to cover a ton of historic sporting events – everything from Cadillac Williams’ first game as head football coach to Auburn baseball’s 2022 run to the College World Series. Then, I finished my Plainsman tenure by switching things up from sports and instead, helping other minority students find their voices in my student etiquette series.
None of that would've been possible without the people I had the pleasure of working with at The Plainsman, believing in me before I believed in myself.
Without the encouragement from former sports editors Mattison McWhorter, Caleb Jones and Henry Zimmer, I might have quit after a horrendous first story on Auburn’s volleyball game versus UNA. Instead, my name appeared on seven stories during my first semester, and I ended up writing more than 130 stories for the Plainsman.
Without the unrelenting support of Kristen Carr, then podcast editor and now editor-in-chief, helping me find the confidence to speak on a podcast for the first time, I would’ve fainted in my three appearances on the Paul Finebaum Show. I stumbled over my words on more occasions than a few that first time, but she never gave up on me.
Without Evan Mealins and Destini Ambus, former Plainsman editor-in-chiefs, having more confidence in me than I had in myself, I never could’ve imagined rising from nervous writer to sports reporter after one semester, then to assistant sports editor not even a full semester later. They have been incredible examples for me to look up to and have gone on to be remarkable reporters.
Without the ever-helpful and diligent Callie Stanford, who I served under as assistant sports editor, I wouldn’t have such fond memories at the maze that was the 2022 SEC Football Media Day. We went on probably 200 elevators, but we still made it in time to star on the Paul Finebaum Show that afternoon. We ran an incredible sports section, and no one can tell me otherwise.
Without the photography mastermind, Larry Robinson, former Plainsman photo editor, I’m convinced nobody would’ve batted an eye at the 100+ sports stories I wrote. I don’t know that I would have survived Auburn basketball’s first-round exit in the 2022 SEC Tournament after traveling to Tampa over spring break, either.
Without the unwavering friendship and mentorship of Daniel Schmidt, former assistant news editor, I would’ve lost myself in the dark times that life brought my way last year.
Without all those people (and many more I could mention), I wouldn’t be leaving Auburn the confident, passionate and hopeful man I am today. I’m forever grateful to you, The Auburn Plainsman.
To everyone who has read my stories, I deeply appreciate you – you have given me the platform to find my voice.
The Plainsman is old, 130-years-old in fact, but it has so much more breath in its lungs. Keep reading. Thank you and goodbye.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
