What do you love about Indiana? / What makes you proud to be a Hoosier?

I love the hospitality and kindness for strangers exemplified by the Hoosier state’s mentality. Recently, I was in Tennessee with my family wearing a polo shirt from my internship with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I had multiple people approach me asking where I was from because they were Hoosiers too or sharing their stories about the Indy 500. Even in a different region of the US, I felt the warmth and love of the people of Indiana. 

What’s a change you’d like to see in your community/our state?

I would love to see change throughout the state including sensory spaces and quiet nooks for folks needing a break from loud or overstimulating experiences especially at sporting and recreation events. This isn’t the norm yet and I think it would be such an amazing move toward universal design and accessibility throughout all of Indiana. 

What’s something you’ve created recently?

I’m working on a paint by number that has been reminding me that sometimes my mistakes are only as devastating as I let myself think. It’s an abstract print of a garden, so nobody really knows if I messed up unless I let it consume the full section of the canvas. It’s a real world application to remind me that very few things are ever damaged beyond repair or unmendable. 

What’s the last novel you read?

I finished Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett and thought it was a great choice to ease back into reading for enjoyment. Gaiman is one of my favorite authors and I found the mix of supernatural science fiction and retelling of the book of Revelation was a really unique stylistic blend that kept me interested through every chapter. 

What has been your favorite LSN experience?

My favorite LSN experience has been meeting one of my closest friends in my collegiate chapter and continuing to cheer on and support scholars – whether alumni or current recipients – throughout the nation and even internationally!