Celebrating 200 Years
OPINION

Letter From the Editor: The power of speech

Shannon Mahoney sits at her desk in The Miami Student newsroom in Armstrong Student Center. Photo provided by Shannon Mahoney
Shannon Mahoney sits at her desk in The Miami Student newsroom in Armstrong Student Center. Photo provided by Shannon Mahoney

Readers,

Welcome! Some of you are seeing the campus in full for the first time, while others are seeking out their favorite spots to sit and split a meal with friends. Whether this is your first year on campus or your fifth, I hope you have the same unbridled excitement for the new academic year as I do.

During my time at Miami University, the most important thing I’ve learned is the importance of speaking up. The transition to college can feel insurmountable, especially in a sea of thousands of students, but it gets a lot less scary if you remember to extend a simple, “Hi.”

Striking up a conversation with a stranger can lead to some of the best memories you’ll ever make. One conversation about going to a Zumba class at the Recreation Center led me to meet a close friend and now-roommate. Another conversation helped me discover this newspaper.

From discussions with Oxford residents at the farmers market about international travel to arguments over what cereal is the best in the dining hall, the opportunities for connection and learning are endless.

I encourage all of you to create conversation with those around you, both in and outside of academics. Figuring out who you are is not a passive endeavor. It requires curiosity, bravery and most importantly, the help of others.

Reach out to those around you for support. Take comfort in commiserating with your classmates over a hard exam. Ask the barista making your coffee order how their day is going. Ask a neighbor what they’re studying.

We live in an age where social media is constantly vying for our attention, reaching through the screen to pull us away from what really matters. I know how easy it can be to let yourself be consumed by endless scrolling and seclusion, but in this loneliness epidemic, it’s more important than ever to focus on meaningfully connecting with those around us.  

All journalism begins with communal dialogue. The Miami Student is an entirely student-run organization. We’re proud to be a paper created for and by students. We want to engage with you and hear what you have to say. You can reach out to us at eic@miamistudent.net or leave us a tip at www.miamistudent.net/page/story-tip. 

I wish you luck this new semester, no matter where in your Miami journey you are, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Love and Honor,

Shannon Mahoney

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mahones5@miamioh.edu

eic@miamistudent.net 

Shannon Mahoney is a junior studying journalism, strategic communication and creative writing. She is editor-in-chief of The Miami Student and also acts as the writing director of Inklings Arts & Letters. When she’s not busy working, she can usually be found at the pool.

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