Hi there everyone! My name is Savannah, I'm 21 years old and I am currently in my Senior year at OU. I'll start you off with a little background about me: I was born in Macon, Georgia, but I'm also an Army brat so I moved all over the place while I grew up. I moved 11 times until I was in 6th grade, but most of my childhood years were spent on the East Coast: South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. That's also where all of my extended family live as well, so I'm extremely southern at heart. In middle school my dad was stationed in Edmond, OK from South Carolina, and retired when I was a freshman in high school. I graduated from Edmond North, came to OU, and am now a Political Science major with a minor in French.
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Standing in front of the Capitol,
this is my first day living in DC starting my 3 month internship.
Source: Personal Photo May 2014 |
I fell in love with politics in high school, volunteering much of my free time with organizations like Americans for Prosperity, and paging at the State Capitol. I continued my political involvement in college by interning on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC for a summer, in addition to other local Congressional and Senate offices here in Oklahoma. I did, however, begin another adventure by joining the Air Force ROTC and pursuing a career as an Air Force Officer. Being a Senior, I've completed the majority of my training, and now I just have to finish up my degree and I'll be on my way to becoming a 2nd Lieutenant. In addition to that, I recently got into campaigning over the summer, and am currently working full time on staff for a Congressional campaign. Yes, that means full time school and full time work. It's a blast though and I really couldn't ask for anything more.
For fun, well... I'm a country girl. I love hunting, fishing, shooting; anything along those lines. My family lives out by a lake so I fish all the time when I go home, mainly just bass and catfish, and every year I look forward to deer hunting season. My little brother is 14 years old, and is my partner in crime for all of these activities. I also have an 18 year old little sister, but she's never been too keen on touching a fish or holding a gun, so her and I love to hit up the mall and have some coffee at Starbucks.
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My prize out of our neighborhood lake:
An 8 lb Largemouth bass
Source: Personal Photo May 2012 |
More fun facts about me: I adore children and babysit as often as possible, I love the beach more than anything in the world (Charleston, SC to be exact), I'm saving up to hopefully take the backpacking trip of a lifetime to Europe next summer, I'm a born and raised Baptist with a heart for serving the Lord, and last but not least, I am a die hard, no kidding, born and raised Dallas Cowboys football fan for life.
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My little brother and I after a few hours of paint-balling.
Source: Personal Photo March 2015 |
So I'm curious, what was it that made you grow to like politics in high school? My personal experience has been that my interest in it has grown over the course of my time spent in college, but in high school, I was woefully apathetic concerning the subject, I think partially because it's not a commonly well taught subject in many schools at that level.
ReplyDeleteWow, you moved 11 times growing up?! I moved once in third grade, and I thought it was the biggest pain in the world. How does Oklahoma compare to growing up on the east coast? It seems like Norman might be kind of boring after Charleston. Anyways, I think it is really cool that you've found what you are passionate about and are pursuing it. Good luck in your future in the Air Force!
ReplyDeleteHey Savannah! It’s so interesting that you were an Army brat. I can’t imagine moving that many times! I’ve only ever moved once…and it was literally ten minutes away from my old house. Also, it’s awesome that you love politics. What intrigued you about the subject in the first place? Speaking of things you say you love, you have such an interesting range of hobbies! I’ve never gone shooting, but I think it’d be fun. By the way, it’s really cool that you’re big on traveling. What’s your favorite part of it?
ReplyDeleteKyle, when my dad retired from the Army he got into politics and basically dragged me to every political event he attended/hosted. I met a ton of people, helped run events and fell in love with it!
ReplyDeleteGreg, honestly... Oklahoma is super boring compared to the East Coast, haha. The bipolar weather, the flat land, and the long distances from a beach drive me insane. The people are great though, and it's much more safe than pretty much anywhere on the East Coast. There are alot of issues on the East Coast that don't exist here. I do love the beach though and can't wait to go back.
Shmi, my favorite part of traveling would probably be completely immersing myself in a new culture. I feel like exposing yourself to different views, ways of living, and just overall places makes you a much much more well rounded and knowledgeable person and I love that about traveling. Just trying new things, meeting knew people, learning cool stuff... It's all awesome.
So many exciting things going on, Savannah - fabulous! I am really glad to hear about your career plans. My husband is retired from a career in the Air Force as a meteorologist, and during his career he also moved all over the place. Luckily for me, his last posting was at Tinker, and then when he retired he taught at OU's School of Meteorology, which is how we met. From him, I've learned about all the career paths that are available in the Air Force; he completed his PhD in meteorology while he was in the Air Force - he did that at A&M and he remains a die-hard Aggie fan to this day. My dad, meanwhile, lives in Austin... and here I am, teaching for the University of Oklahoma. Football season can get complicated, ha ha. Anyway, I can imagine so many ways in which this class could intersect with your many interests... maybe you can learn about the folklore and mythology of the countries in Europe you want to visit! Or else a project about fishing in folklore! So many possibilities - I am curious to see which way this class will take you!
ReplyDeleteSavannah, I loved reading this post and getting to know a little about you. I really admire all your hard work--being a student in ROTC is hard enough, but to work full-time on top of that...wow! I'm so glad that you have found what you love to do and are pursuing it so wholeheartedly.
ReplyDeleteI have so much respect for people in the military. I have a few friends in Air Force and Army ROTC, and it's amazing and inspiring to see the work they put in and the dedication they have.
Your hobbies are also so varied and interesting! I understand the struggles of not living near a lake in Oklahoma. I'm from Michigan, where there are bodies of water everywhere, and I used to be a lifeguard at a small beach, so I definitely miss having that close by.
Anyway, it was great learning a little about you. Good luck in all of your future endeavors with the Air Force and in the world of politics!
Hey Savannah! Sounds like you are quite the busy girl! I too work pretty much a full-time job as a student athletic trainer for the OU soccer team, and go to school full time. So I understand your "pain"/love for being busy. However, it is nice to get some time to yourself sometime - especially out on the water with a fishing pole! I would consider myself to be an outdoorsy person as well. Sadly enough though, I had never actually caught a fish until last summer!
ReplyDeleteAnyways, it was great to learn a little more about you. Hope you enjoy your senior year!
It seems like you keep super busy with that packed schedule and are loving life. I also stay busy with classes and work but wouldn't have it any other way because I love my job just like you do. I can't believe you have moved 11 times!! I have lived in the same house in a suburb of Dallas since the day I was born, so moving to Oklahoma to go to college was my only move. You must have so many fun memories from all the different places and met so many interesting people along the way. I can relate to your love for the beach though! My favorite beach is Jamaica or the Dominican Republic. I hope you get to go on that backpacking trip through Europe!
ReplyDeleteI have not yet been to Charleston, but I am excited to go after I graduate. Hopefully it will live up to your hype! That is extremely exciting that you have already had the opportunity to do all of the political internships and traveling throughout college. If you have not heard of Earl Dibbles Jr, your fishing comment makes me think you might enjoy the Country Boy video on YouTube. Good luck, as a Senior you are well on your way to a commission. Thank you for your service!
ReplyDeleteWow! You seem to have a very busy and fun life. I find it interesting that you have such diverse interests. What do you plan to do after you graduate then? Since you joined the Air force, do you have to serve a few years with them? I'm wishing you the best of luck and I thought it was great getting to learn a little bit about you. You seem very interesting! Best of luck this semester!
ReplyDeleteYou are quite an interesting and accomplished individual! At 21 you've done so much and i'm sure you've only just begun. I wish I could've gone to half of those places that you have lived in and yet I admire you for being able to move so often. Your introduction is by one of the more interesting one's that I have read. It was nice meeting you.
ReplyDeleteGoodness you're a busy person! And politics no less. More power to ya. How was DC? You planning to live and work there full time or looking at a more local thing? I'm more along the lines of your sister when it comes to animals, but I'd fully considered myself a country girl till I went to NYC. Now I guess I'm a city girl, haha. I personally don't care about football, but I hope you haven't gotten into any trouble for being a Texas fan (some OU fans are crazy). Good luck with your full schedule and graduating! Hopefully I'll see you there.
ReplyDeleteHi savannah, before coming to Oklahoma I hadn’t met many army people. Or should I say “army brat”. I think it is so cool that the army give people the opportunity to move about and travel. Also well done for making it to your senior year at twenty one. Must be awesome. Well you seem like you know what you want out of life. Good luck with this semester and this class of course.
ReplyDeleteHoly cow, Savannah! You are so accomplished in your life! It’s awesome that you have had an internship at D.C.! I really admire for being a full time worker and a full time student! Not to mention, being in ROTC! Wow, I thought I was busy, but you seemed to have proven me wrong. I am really impressed at how involved you are with politics and how passionate you are about your major. You seem like you have your future all planned out! How lucky!
ReplyDeleteHi Savannah! My father was also in the military when I was growing up, but we never got to move anywhere. We got stuck at Barksdale AFB for 22 years, which is pretty unheard of for a military family. I'm not sure if you lived moving around a lot, but I wish we could have. That is awesome you were able to do an internship in Washington, D.C. I bet that was an incredible experience. Congrats on making it to your senior year, and I hope the rest of your semester goes well!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to meet you Savannah! My roommate has a lot of people close to her that were involved in the air force and the army. Being from Texas, I never had experience or knowledge about the military lifestyle. However, I am slowly learning more and more each day! Wow, full time job and school! How do you manage to have a social life?! That's awesome! I love shooting as well, but mainly clay and skeet shooting. I have not actually gone hunting, but I'm hoping to go bird hunting soon! Good luck with all your future endeavors and graduating!
ReplyDeleteHi Savannah! My dad was in the Army too but luckily he retired when I was pretty young and didn't have to move around a lot. I took a Political Science class with David Boren a few semesters ago and was pretty confused the whole time haha so I think that's pretty cool you're into politics. What got you interested in politics?
ReplyDeleteI hope your semester goes well!
Hi Savannah! It must have been difficult moving around so much growing up, but you seem to have handled it well! I think it's so cool that you interned in D.C.! I took a trip there once and loved it. There is so much happening, there are so many things to see, and I found the city itself to be really pretty! Good luck on the rest of this semester and your upcoming graduation!
ReplyDeleteHi Savannah! As someone who also moved around a lot as a child, I know how hard it can be, although my family didn't move as much as yours. I think we moved 7 times before I started 5th grade and I never wanted to see another moving truck again! It's really cool that you got an internship at Capitol Hill. I've spent a little time in D.C. and really enjoy the city. Also, congrats with your ROTC. I'm sure it's exciting to be looking towards graduation and your Air Force career. Have a good rest of your semester!
ReplyDeleteYou'd probably enjoy meeting my mentor in my college. He graduated from OU in 1956 and is a retired U.S. Army Major General. He also grew up as a military brat, although he happens to be from Madill Oklahoma. I'm glad to see that you love children. People are typically surprised when I tell them one of my main goals is to become a father.
ReplyDeleteHi Savannah!
ReplyDeleteWow. You have a full plate! So much is going on for you! It sounds like you're pretty good at time management with it all though, so congrats on that! I was a poli sci major for a while, too! Then International Studies stole my heart :) I'm a French minor though, I'm surprised we haven't had any classes together! I hope you really enjoy your last year at OU and good luck commissioning into the Air Force!
Hi Savannah! I'm trying to pick introductions I haven't read yet and I'm really glad I read this one! I'm in the Navy ROTC program and commission in just over a month here, so congrats to you as well as you finish up. I'll be moving to Charleston, SC after winter. I have never been there but have heard amazing things about it and it sounds like you would second that. I did get to go to D.C. for a few days this summer and loved it. Good luck with your career!
ReplyDeleteOh wow I can’t believe I haven’t read your introduction yet! I bet it was crazy moving so much in your life, but at least you hot to visit so many places! You seem like a very kind and levelheaded person. Hopefully even while keeping busy, you’re able to enjoy your free time! I’m a country girl myself. Good luck with all your future endeavors and here’s to that travelling! You will love it!
ReplyDeleteHi Savannah!
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised I've made it this far into the semester without commenting on your intro yet. You seem like you would be an awesome sister to have, I have always loved going fishing but my sister never isn't much for the outdoors so its always me by my lonesome. Also its neat that you're interested in politics, it seems that most people our age is apathetic towards that subject which is sad. Anyway best of luck with your further ventures and have a great Thanksgiving break!