Cape Canaveral Pier – Summer of 2018
Welcome to my About Me page! My name is Justin Holderby and I am a first-year student here at The Ohio State University. I grew up in Hilliard, Ohio, which is a growing suburb of Columbus about twenty minutes northeast of campus. I am currently enrolled in the Engineering Undeclared program because, though I am leaning toward a major in Computer Science and Engineering, I am still weighing my options and want to keep an open mind. I have an identical twin brother named Jared, who also happens to go to OSU.
I am also a part of the STEM Scholars group, a scholars program that is geared toward the STEM initiatives: S (Science), T (Technology), E (Engineering), M (Mathematics). It is designed to help motivated students find a way to express themselves at OSU, particularly through organized events, volunteering opportunities, and simply by developing a community. I look forward to meeting many new people and I am excited to participate in these events throughout the year.
As I said earlier, I am leaning toward the Computer Science and Engineering major. I have always been quite interested in topics such as web development, game design, artificial intelligence, software engineering, etc. I’ve been really lucky to have computers and technology at my fingertips throughout my life, and I would be lying if I said video games hadn’t contributed to my interest in the Computer Science area. I’ve always been fascinated by the idea that with this technology, particularly with programming, a person can make a machine do something, sometimes even human- like actions. Thinking, problem solving, and adapting, are all proven possibilities for computers; that, to me, is truly exciting.
Another piece of my life too significant to leave out is music. Music has been inspiring me and moving me for as long as I can remember. Despite the fact that I cannot choose a favorite song, band, or genre, I can genuinely say that it is because I thoroughly appreciate any type of music. Some, I enjoy more than others, understandably, but I will listen to pretty much everything. Not only, however, do I listen to music, but I love creating music. I started taking piano lessons when I was about five years old, and continued the lessons for eight years after that. The lessons may have stopped, but I still try to find time to walk the keys. I’ve discovered a spot at Hughes Hall for my playing sessions, and I have found it almost therapeutic, stress-relieving. Starting in fifth grade, I played the alto saxophone for concert band. I was a saxophonist throughout my high school years as well, participating in concert band, marching band, and jazz band. I can confidently say that, even though college takes a lot of time and commitment, playing and listening to music will forever be large part of my time here. Who knows: maybe I will join the travel band for basketball games, or just a music club!