By Sarah Hughes
News Editor
It’s graduation season again. Many enjoy the cycle of beginnings and endings that school brings.
While we are excited to celebrate members of the Cougar Chronicle staff moving on, we will miss them. Here we take a moment to honor their accomplishments and consider where they are going.
Amanda Lenox
Graduating with a B.A. in Literature and Writing Studies with a Concentration in Writing, Amanda Lenox has been writing for the Cougar Chronicle for the last year. She has been the Features Editor for the last semester. Before that she was the Assistant to the Editor.
For the last year she has worked in retail at LOFT. Amanda started attending CSUSM in August 2008 and playfully calls herself “a sixth-year senior”. It has been an excellent adventure to gather her insight on what being a non-transfer student is like, at what is often referred to as a “commuter college.” Amanda offers a unique perspective that helps to foster ideas about the San Marcos community as well as beyond.
“One memorable aspect of my college experience was getting to present at the American Folklore Society 2013 Annual Meeting on an article I co-authored.” Amanda says.
This semester, under Professor Linda Pershing’s leadership, and with the help of Amanda Lenox and Lauren Hammond, “Head Girls” and friends, a Harry Potter course was offered called Harry Potter Folklore and Culture (ID 370). Both Amanda and and Lauren participated in researching the series, analyzing the books and creating personality quizzes for the houses of the J.K. Rowling world in preparation for the class. They presented their findings with four other students at the American Folklore Society 2013 Annual Meeting.
An avid supporter of the Cougar Chronicle staff, Amanda regularly wrote articles and conducted interviews, last semester, first assisting Hammond and then quickly becoming assistant to the editor for her profound dedication and step-up attitude.
Along with calmly maintaining a demanding school load and other extracurricular contributions, Amanda has been furiously applying to masters programs and considering colleges for after her undergraduate work.
“I have applied and been accepted to Emerson College’s Publishing and Writing Master’s Program, so my hope is to move to Boston and have a career in publishing.” states Amanda of her future plans.
Amanda’s parents and friends have stood behind her as strong supporters of her college education, offering financial and mental support.
“I’d like to thank my parents for providing me the means to receive a college education and my best friend, Ashlee, for the pep talks and support when I needed it the most” said Amanda.
Amanda names her favorite teachers as Dr. Martha Stoddard-Holmes, professor of Literature and Writing and Dr. Linda Pershing, professor of Women’s Studies, and of Folklore and Cultural Studies Interdisciplinary and Emerging Programs. Stoddard-Holmes was named the winner of the Harry E. Brakebill Distinguished Professor Award of 2012-2013 and is a published author. Pershing
Amanda’s favorite class was LTWR 325 (Creative Writing). It is scheduled to be taught by Dr. Mark Wallace in the fall.
Amanda, we wish you great success in the future and appreciate your work on the Cougar Chronicle.