November’s featured student, Amanda deJonge, is a well rounded student with big goals for the future. Ohio State Marion recently chose her to represent the campus as our homecoming queen. During our interview she stressed that she would not be where she is today without our campus. Everyone, especially students, can learn a thing or two from Amanda in terms of how to grab on to an opportunity and fly with it at Ohio State!
1.What is your major?
I’m a new media and communication technology major.
2. What are your goals for the future?
After obtaining my bachelor’s degree in new media and communication technology, I plan on pursuing a master’s degree in cinematography and/or film production. Ever since I was a little kid, I‘ve had a wild imagination when it comes to film and music. My dad is an extreme movie buff who was always informative on pop culture. Growing up around instruments, taking dance classes, and forming a love for film and media, these concepts were strong values of mine. Starting from a young age, I used to listen to music and picture in my head what kinds of visuals would match the feelings or lyrics to a song. Thus, it became my dream to be a music video producer, and that’s what I plan to do.
3. What kind of clubs have you been involved at OSUM?
Throughout my journey at Ohio State Marion, I‘ve participated in the Psychology Club, OutLoud, French Club, and Arabic Club. (I hope I‘m not forgetting something)
4. What kind of impact has OSUM had on your success?
Let’s make one thing clear: I would not be where I am today, or even who I am today, without Ohio State. When I came here as a freshman, I was shy and very insecure about who I was and whether I was making the right decisions with my academic future. I was majoring in psychology, and I started my job as a student employee in the office of communications and marketing. Design and multimedia were only hobbies to me at this time in my life, and I was thrilled that I was able to use and fine-tune those skills through my job. As I built and strengthened my relationships with my coworkers, I became more confident in my creative abilities, and I felt less and less like I belonged in the psychology program. During the summer leading into my sophomore year, I began doing freelance graphic design and video work for local businesses and schools in Marion, and this soon became the birth of my business. I then changed my major to new media and communication technology, and I have never been happier. My new-found confidence allowed me to open up and make friends, as well as expand my involvement on campus. None of this would be possible without the opportunities that Ohio State Marion has provided me.
5. What is your biggest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment, in my eyes, is starting my own media business. Not many 20-year-olds can say that they, alone, run a business that connects dozens of people in the Marion community and elsewhere. I love building new relationships with clients and making a difference in their public message and their bond with the community. I get to have new learning experiences with every new project and it helps me to not only understand the future of the creative field, but the future of my career.
6. What is a quote (or your favorite quote) that you live by?
The answer to this question often changes, but they seem to surround one general concept, and that comes from one of my favorite books: Richard Carlson’s Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff (I highly recommend, btw)
“There are two rules for living in harmony. #1) Don’t sweat the small stuff and #2) It’s all small”
This book taught me a lot about being care-free, and about accepting life as it comes. I‘ve read it countless times, and I often come back to it when I feel like I need something to help me analyze a difficult situation. One chapter in particular that I love is called “Ask Yourself the Question, ‘Will this matter a year from now?'” I think most people, especially those my age, often think that a current stressor is the end of the world, when a year from now it will be relatively insignificant. Don’t sweat it. 
7. You’re an entrepreneur! Please tell us about that.
I own a media consulting business called Golden Touch Media. I started it during the summer of 2015, and I‘ve since worked with clients such as Marion City Schools, HPM North America, United Way, Let’s Read 20, and more. Because of Golden Touch, I‘ve been able to make connections with my clients that have made a serious impact on my young adult life. For example, after creating United Way’s 2015 campaign video, they invited me to become a volunteer member of their board of trustees. Marion City Schools has since hired me as part of their 21st Century Support Staff, and I‘ve been able to do video work for their programs like GREAT at Grant, GPS, Harding XL, and GEAR UP. I feel so blessed and excited that I have the opportunity to have not just one, but many jobs in my future field of work. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me and Golden Touch Media.
8. Netflix suggestions?
Fantastic question. Aside from the obvious greats, like Orange is the New Black, Stranger Things, and How to Get Away with Murder, I love shows like Broadchurch, Jessica Jones, Sword Art Online, and Black Mirror (the first episode is insane, but keep watching, it’s brilliant – it’s one of those shows where the episodes aren’t interdependent). Ali Wong’s stand-up comedy special Baby Cobra is fantastic. I also splurge on a docu-series every now and then; Chef’s Table is among my favorites.
9. What was your best memory being on homecoming court?
Homecoming court was such a rewarding experience. I adore each and every student that was by my side on court and I made some of my greatest college memories over the past weekend with them. Although I’ll always hold fond memories of being in the homecoming parade in a pedicab with Zane, being announced at the Skull session, and even meeting Olympic bronze medalist Nichelle Prince, my favorite memories of being on court are the times I spent with my friends: my fellow court members. The memories that make me smile most are the ones where we were all together. Laughing, dancing, taking photos with Buckeye fans, and growing closer as a court.
10. What was it like finding out you were homecoming queen?
I was very nervous awaiting the coronation ceremony. I was so scared I’d fall on my face in front of everyone and make a total fool of myself, so this was the thought that most occupied my mind leading up to crowning. I didn’t expect that I would be crowned – I think so highly of the girls who stood next to me on that stage and I knew I’d be happy for whomever the homecoming committee had decided would represent our campus as queen (after all, the whole court gets to experience the same activities as king and queen, so I was just happy to be there). When Dean Rose said my name and Emily Levings came to present me with my sash, crown, medal, and flowers, I was overwhelmed. All I could think about in that moment is how much I love my university, and how happy I was that someone like Emily, such a dear friend to me, was the person to present me with such an honor. She actually came to me with the sash and the first thing I said to her was, “Can I hug you?” I was so humbled and overjoyed, and it’s a feeling a will never forget.
11. What’s some advice you would like to give to the students at OSUM?
