I’m not used to being the older person who knows how things work. However, sophomore year has started and I’ve been paired with a (lovely) freshman as the older writing buddy. Now I know my way around. I am able to feel more comfortable and confident with my classes, friends, and writing. I feel that I have been finding my voice and improving my writing and self. 

A couple weeks ago, we were given an assignment to collaborate with our writing buddies to create a project partially based in writing. My writing buddy and I worked together over the course of the week to write and film a mockumentary about an interview with the CEO of Eli Lilly, David A. Ricks. We wanted to write about something that we were passionate about, so we chose insulin prices and accessibility because we both fall under the label of “disabled.” The choice to write a satirical screenplay was based around firstly wanting to write a play, and secondly, wanting the topic and information to be presented in a manner that wouldn’t leave the reader/watcher feeling downhearted or hopeless. Our process began with brainstorming and “first draft vomiting” an interview script, which we then formatted and edited to its best incomprehensibility. Then, we casted and filmed each part (Ricks, interviewer, hungover college student). I voiced the interviewer, Sophie, a junior, played the college student, and Heather, the Creative Writing department head, played Ricks (and did a spectacular job). Finally, we edited it all together and created, in my opinion, the masterpiece that is CEO Gets Emotional As He Contemplates The Possibility That He Is An Asshole: “Diabetics And Other Disabled People Protest In Front Of Eli Lilly Headquarters.”

From working and talking to the freshmen, I’ve been prompted to think about my own freshman year. It has been, honestly, a joy to reflect on my experiences as I watch the new freshmen discover them for themselves. This new school year has had its challenges and obstacles just as any other year, but I feel that I can say that I am undoubtedly looking forward to facing it.