The Life of an OU Freshman

Kelly posing in her dorm room in James Hall at OU

In the Beginning

 Kelly Doran was born March 20, 1992 to William and Sandra Doran; she is the eldest of two children, a younger sister named Stephanie, a junior in high school.She grew up in Reminderville, Ohio and graduated in 2010. She is nearing the end of her freshman year of college and is double majoring in Journalism and Photojournalism.

Kelly and sister, Stephanie in their home in Reminderville, Ohio.

Neighborhood

Commenting on where she grew up, she said, "It was a pleasant neighborhood where kids would play outside whenever they could." "I had a very pleasant and peaceful childhood."

Family

Kelly's family is very important to her. Her sister Stephanie has come to visit OU on a few occasions and has shown her around campus. When reminiscing about family events, she talked about camping trips at West Branch State Park in Ravenna, Ohio. She says that, "we (as a family) go every fall and it's only a half an hour from my house." 

An inside joke that the family has with each other is one time when her mother called their hamsters "pandas." "We've never let that go." "We joke with her about it all the time," she says.

Kelly Doran amongst students at Catholic Heart Work Camp in Goldenrod, Florida

 Religion

Kelly and sister, Stephanie, posing together at a dance recital

Kelly is really strong in her faith. She is a born and raised Catholic and plans to marry a Catholic man and raise Catholic children. She has even spent summers in Goldenrod, Florida at Catholic Heart Work Camp.

Activities

In high school, Kelly was interested in the "drama club which she participated in for 5 years, the diving team, which she did for a year, and dancing which did for 13 years." As seen in the photo, it was a bonding experience between her and her sister, the two of them dancing together. 

Words of Wisdom and Life Lessons

Even though Kelly is just beginning her life as a college student, she has learned a lot of valuable life lessons along the way. Something that has truly changed her life is that "a few people died in my high school within the last couple of years and I lost a beloved hamster to a tumor on his side. He was so cute." If there were any words of advice that she could give, it would be, "Don't procrastinate, enjoy and appreciate life while you can." If she could say something to a younger generation, it would be, "To be aware that life is short and should be cherished every day." When asking what she is most grateful for in life, it's that, "I'm most grateful for my very supportive and awesome friends and family." 

Post By: Ali Cupelli

Basic	Information
Name	Kelly Doran
Age	19
Major	Journalism and Photo Journalism
Siblings	1 (Stephanie)
Hometown	Aurora, Ohio
Zodiac Sign	Pisces

A regular student with an extraordinary responsibility

By: Dylan Souhrada

  If someone were asked to describe a college student, they might accurately describe Ohio University senior, Aaron Hite, at least in appearance. At first glance Hite seems like your average college student. He wears a ball cap, T-shirt and jeans any time he can and describes himself as a redneck. He works hard during the week and likes to go out on the weekend, but he bears a responsibility most students won’t need to handle for many more years, a child.  

What was childhood like

  Hite spent his entire childhood living in Mount Vernon, Ohio, a small city about an hour north of Columbus. He spent most of his time with his Dad who gained custody after his parents were divorced when he was only one year old. He went to East Elementary School, before attending Mount Vernon Middle School and High School. He would spend every other weekend with his mother, with whom he still has a rocky relationship with.

What’s going on today

  Hite is 22 years old and is in his fourth year studying engineering technology and management at Ohio University. During breaks from school, he returns to Mount Vernon to work for the city, doing odd jobs. “When I graduate, I don’t really know what I want to do as far as a job, Hite said. “But I want to get custody of my son.”

Aaron at the bar with his cousin and aunt during mom's weekend 

  Hite has a one year old son named Jackson who he had with a high school girlfriend. “It’s weird because the same thing happened with my parents. They had me when they were in college at OU,” Hite said.

What to do for fun

Aaron watching the Cleveland Indians

“When I was younger I really liked riding my bike and after I was old enough to drive I got really into cars, though,” Hite said. “My first car was a bright green 1978 Dodge Aspen that I fixed up.”

Hite was also an athlete for most of his life, playing baseball, football, and basketball. “I played a lot of sports when I was younger, but I eventually just stuck to baseball in high school,” Hite said. “I played catcher from the time I was five years old, all the way through high school.”

Aaron hanging out on the couch with his dog

  Hite also enjoys fishing, hunting, working on cars when he’s home and going out and drinking with his friends on the weekends. The highlight of his time now though, is getting to spend time with his son.

   

A day in the life of a “sorority girl” 

Living with 25 of your closest friends, in a 2,700 square foot sorority house, located on one of the busiest streets in Athens, Ohio; sounds rather enjoyable and carefree, huh? This is the life of Stephanie Westfall, a 21-year-old junior member of Delta Gamma sorority at Ohio University. You’d think from the description that being involved in a sorority, as well as living in a sorority house is all fun and games. Who needs school or academia when you can hang out with your best friends all day in a house that provides a cook and a cleaning lady? Perhaps this is why sororities have such a bad rap to people who are not involved in 

Greek life. Stephanie Westfall may have the luxury of living in the beautifully large-sized sorority house with her closest friends, but she will be the first one to tell you she is not the stereotypical “sorority girl”. 

“Work hard, play harder”

“It’s mandatory that we maintain decent grades in this sorority. We also believe that we are wearing our letters at all times, so being the best we can personally be at all times is very important to us.” Not only is Westfall a member of Delta Gamma but she is also vice president of finance. “It’s hard to find a balance between schoolwork, my position and social activities. But in the end it’s all worth it,” Westfall comments. She says basic tasks involved with her finance position include paying bills monthly, keeping track of member’s dues and fees, and making sure every member is paying accurately and promptly. “My position has certainly given me an  exponential amount of experience. I’ve learned how to manage my time and prioritize. And I always remember the golden rule; ‘Play hard, work harder’”

“Sticking together through thick and thin” 

Recently, Delta Gamma has experienced financial problems that have been a major obstacle for the chapter to overcome. Westfall said she has committed herself to overcoming their financial situation and frequently reminds her fellow sisters that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Westfall lightheartedly laughs when asked what would happen if her chapter went bankrupt, “Our chapter has come together, and we would never let that happen. What we need to work on most is paying our dues on time and I know for a fact it will be sooner rather than later that we’ll be on the other side of this issue.”

Westfall sits amongst some of her chapter members 

at Delta Gamma Executive Offices in Columbus, Ohio.

“D-E-L-T-A G-A-M-M-A”

You can tell from the way that Westfall speaks of her experience in Delta Gamma that she would do anything for a fellow sister. “We have a bond that is irreplaceable and although sororities do receive harsh criticism sometimes, I would not trade my sisterhood with Delta Gamma for the world.” She happily performs some of her sorority’s chants, and beams when speaking of the friends that she has made in Delta Gamma. “I’m incredibly lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life and I could not be luckier. Athens, Ohio is a beautiful place and I'm loving every minute!.”