Challenger

Among the Challenger staff talent is abundant. Everyone has something to offer to the paper and everyone has their own unique style of writing. One of these unique writers on staff is Salena Evans, the Challenger’s associate features editor.

“When I was really little I realized that writing was a passion of mine that I wanted to pursue. I was about five years old when I wrote my very first poem and I was so captivated by the fact that I could place such emotion in words. I enjoyed the emotion that writing gave me.”

The poem was about a bonfire and Salena’s friends knew that she had an obvious and impressive knack for expressing her vivid and powerful emotions through the use of words.

Salena says that writing is her way of venting and purifying herself while enjoying what she is doing all at the same time.

“It’s not just about venting, either; it’s about the good things in life like powerful realizations that change your life for the better.”

Salena has high hopes and great aspirations for her future.

“ I want to be everything. I don’t want to settle on one thing while the options are still open to me. I want all of my artistic talents to find a way to the surface. I want my writing to benefit others like it has for me. Writing and reading is a balm for the soul to those who open up to it.”

When Salena isn’t writing, she is working or enjoying the short time on Earth that she has. Salena belives that you have to live life to the fullest.

“ I like to go to concerts, watch Comedy Central, Adult Swim, read comics, and play video games. I’m actually a really big dork, but that’s okay because dorks rule! Dork power!”

Salena also enjoys philosophy. She’s not the type of person who accepts what others have pushed upon her to be the truth.

“You have to learn what motivates you to live the best life possible.”

Aside from philosophic ideas, music is a major part of Salena’s life.

“ Philosophy, writing, and music are the three central parts of my life. Asking me why music is important to me is like asking me why air is important to a drowning woman.”
Salena also finds it beneficial and fun to make her own clothes, jewelry, and knick-knacks.

“Not only do I get to use my creative input for fun, but it’s also a lot cheaper. If I had a choice in making a memory book or buying one in a store for like twenty five-dollars I would definitely make it.”

With all of her promising aspirations and impressive, award-winning talents, one can easliy see that Salena is on her way to a happy, fulfilling life.

Emily Hatcher is a cynical realist who enjoys living for the moment. In fact, Emily is usually the one who schemes in the name of fun among the Challenger members.

Some of Emily’s greatest passions include reading, writing, amusing her journalism or having serious and thought-provoking conversations with her closest friends.

“When I’m not reading, writing, or taling with my friends I’m working at the library in the children’s room.”

When work and school aren’t consuming her time, Emily enjoys hanging out.

“My favorite place is Books-A-Million. I like to shop around and read just about anything. I really don’t have a preference as long as the plot is tantalizing enough.”

After high school, Emily wants to be a writer and plans on getting a job at Messenger so that she can be closer to her profession. She is currently considering many colleges including USI.

“I have toured the campus several times. The people are pretty decent, and the campus is beautiful.” She continues. “I really enjoyed talking with the professors and other students. It’s not far, but it is out of state. It’s also cheap. I’m cheap, so it suits me.”
When asked about what she’s going to miss most about Apollo, Emily stated that she won’t miss anything. She chooses not to dwell on the past or cry for yesterday.

“Life is too short to take seriously. Besides, school is boring and I’ve always learned better in a real life setting. Too many people live life thinking that everything is going to come to them on a sliver platter and they need to get over their immaturuty. Getting out into the real world is the best thing for growing up.”

When it comes to music Emily loves Green Day, HIM, andThe Rasmus. “That’s what’s in my cd player right now, I switch it out every now and then.”

With each group alone the music appeals to Emily and she feels that the lyrics combined make it that much better. She listens to music for the sheer joy of the sound and doesn’t listen to reflect or feel emotional. She takes the music at face value.

With movies, Emily likes thrillers and horror movies even though they don’t scare her. Emily oscillates between enjoying mentally stimulating movies and the movies that are in the same category as The Full Monty.

The future isn’t something that worries Emily too much. In fact, she dosen’t focus on thinking about how well she will do in the future because she doesn’t want to be trapped in what she wishes instead of working for what she can accomplish in order to make her life enjoyable.