Year in Review

[ “Year in Review”  is where you should reflect on the past year and show how you have evolved as a person and as a student.  You may want to focus on your growth in a particular area (as a leader, scholar, researcher, etc.) or you may want to talk about your overall experience over the past year.  For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

G.O.A.L.S.

Global Awareness: As of right now, one of my majors is International Studies because I love to learn about the world and its many cultures. In my first semester of college, I am taking Introduction to Development and Introduction to Globalization. Both of these classes are giving   I would like to study abroad during either my junior or senior year at OSU. Though I do not know where I would like to travel yet, I know that I want to learn, and possibly help others, while I am there. I would also like to be a part of a service trip within our country or other countries. My future plans after college include joining the Peace Corps to get my Master’s degree.

Original Inquiry: At the moment, I do not really know what I want to do with research, but I would like to get as much experience as possible. As a part of my WGSST major, I have to do a senior thesis about my focus within the major, which is Race, Sexualities, and Social Justice.

Academic Enrichment: During the course of my educational career, I have always been ahead of my peers. In high school, I have always tried to take the harder classes that will not only interest me, but challenge me as well. Upper-level courses help give me the intellectual stimulation to get me beyond the standard parameters. Being able to personalize my course of education at OSU allows me to focus on subjects that are important for my career path. I love all the classes that I am taking and will take for my majors!

Leadership Development: I think the best way to be a leader is to listen to others and try to find a way to compromise between different opinions. I like to consider myself both a leader who can take charge, but also one who knows when to step back and listen to those who want to use their voice. As a part of the Mount Leadership Society Scholars program, I am very excited to showcase what I am passionate about and lead service projects that cater to that.

Service Engagement: Service is an imperative part of communities in which all individuals should participate. I have always thought service is one of the most important things that I can contribute. Through Mount and other different organizations I am a part of, I have done quite a lot of service in the few months that I have been on campus. I have picked up trash and litter multiple times, participated in a food drive and pantry organization, volunteered at a local Halloween party, and a couple other service projects. I plan to keep involved in service for the remainder of my time here, and for the rest of my life.

Career

[“Career” is where you can collect information about your experiences and skills that will apply to your future career.  Like your resume, this is information that will evolve over time and should be continually updated.   For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

Artifacts

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The first artifact is not only very important to me, but also represents what I am most passionate about in my life. That is my rainbow flag (noted left). To me, the rainbow flag symbolizes a lot of progress within our society in the past hundred years, but also how much more we still have to fight for, including employment nondiscrimination, safe and accessible public accommodations, fair housing, safe schools without bullying, and so much more. I bought my rainbow flag around my junior year in high school because I was finally comfortable enough with who I was and what I wanted to fight for. I have been an activist for several years, but majorly my senior year. That year, I founded the Gay-Straight Alliance at my school, I worked with the Middle Tennessee Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) as a Jump-Start Leader, I interned for the Tennessee Equality Project, as well as other smaller projects. One of the best experiences that I have ever had during my high school career occurred in March 2015, when I was asked to speak at a Marriage PLUS rally about LGBTQ bullying in high schools.

The rainbow symbolizes me, not only as a person, but also as my future. My future is not completely set in stone and there will be a lot of battles to be fought, but as long as I am passionate and steadfast with my beliefs, I will accomplish whatever I have before me.

 

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(March 2015 at Marriage PLUS Rally)                                                                                                                   (Article written about the rally, mentioning my speech)

On Ohio State’s campus, I have already been fighting for not only my rights, but the rest of my community’s rights. The picture of me below left was taken on October 11, 2015 during the speakOUT rally, which was both celebrating National Coming Out Day, but also condemning OSU’s violations of LGBTQ rights. We had demands for better healthcare, more diversity training, and a safer campus for all of us. I plan to keep fighting until the day I graduate. (Demands are below right)

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About Me

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Hello! My name is Alexandra Ryan, but I go by Alex! I was born and raised around Nashville, Tennessee. Moving to Ohio for university is my first move away from home. The entire transition has been relatively painless because of the amazing experiences I have already had at the Ohio State University, including being a part of the Mount Leadership Society Scholars program. Currently, I am double majoring in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and International Studies. I am not sure what exactly I want to do with my future career, I am just certain that I want to change the world. However, in the next five years, I hope to have graduated and begun my Master’s degree with the Peace Corps Master’s International. The ultimate goal in my future is working with non-profits and LGBTQ youth. I am very excited to see what the future holds.

But to shine light on my past, I went to Independence High School and graduated eighth in my class of around 260. I was actively involved in almost every academic club as well, which was an interesting experience of time management. The two places where I put the most effort were Habitat for Humanity and Equality Club. I had been involved with Habitat for Humanity since my freshman year and I slowly moved up the ranks to President. I loved all the fundraising we got to accomplish so we could build a house in the spring. As of right now, I have helped build seven houses in Middle Tennessee. The Equality club was my school’s Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) that I helped start. I am very passionate about LGBTQ rights because I am pansexual and believe that equality should be the standard for everybody, not just those who have privilege and are in places of power. During my senior year, I worked in a bookstore (Books-A-Million) as both a sales associate and barista, which was probably one of the best jobs for me!

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