Brooke Anderson--I am a sophomore majoring in Anthropology.
I am a pescatarian. I love animals. I play a variety of video games. I like the band Wolf Parade. Bones, South Park, Law and Order: SVU, House and LotR are favorites. My hobbies include crafting works like drawing, painting and writing. I wanted to do a piece for Taproot.
D.J. Ballinger--I am a junior majoring in Psychology.
I plan on attending Medical School for Psychiatry. I feel this piece gives some insight into how crazy brains can be. Favorite bands are Sugarland, Kutless, and The Band Perry. Favorite books are Cirque du Freak and Laurell K. Hamilton's novels. I like photography and reading. I am a cat lover.
Tabatha S. Baughman--I am a sophomore majoring in Mathematics and Physical Science.
I am studying geology. I collect rocks and research my finds. I’m unsure what direction I would like to veer into but I have endless options. I have long term goals of contributing to society by putting my education to use in areas like climate change, population growth, and the water supply.
*Megan Boeshart--I am a senior majoring in English.
I love stories. In books, fan fiction, movies, anime, video games, whatever form. I think Harry Potter and Warcraft are some of my favorite stories...they're just so easy to obsess over.
*Caycee Boyce--I am a junior majoring in English
My favorite book is Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. It’s a children’s feminist novel encouraging young women to take control of their futures, despite any obstacles they might come across—including evil step-mothers and fairies with a sick sense of humor.
Amber Dingess--I am a junior majoring in Business Administration.
Hello everyone. I have participated in the Taproot Project since my freshman year and I always enjoy taking pictures. Recently I started a collection of vintage cameras. Besides photography, I also enjoy taking road trips with my boyfriend and Tasha, his Siberian husky.
*Jackie Duncan--I am a junior majoring in English.
I have ambitions of running foreign regimes using the training I received from the Marines Corps. Until then I enjoy creating worlds within the genres of fiction and granola bars. The loves and muses of my life are those closest to my heart: my husband, two children, and three brothers.
*Misty Farley—I am a junior majoring in English.
Proud to have contributed to this year’s Taproot.
Steven Foley--I am a sophomore majoring in Middle Grade Education--Language Arts & Social Sciences.
I am adopted in a family of 9 kids. In my biological family I am the oldest child of four. I am partially Caucasian and partially Mingo Native American. I love anything horror related, especially vampiric lore. Music and literature are two of my biggest passions.
Jared Frick--I am a freshman majoring in English.
I have been writing and playing music since 7th grade. I have been in 5 bands and recorded 30 songs. I play drums, guitar, bass and sing. I joined the college force to improve my writing style and find more things to write about.
*Bethany Goodwin—I am a junior at OSU Newark majoring in English.
I hope to one day get into the business of publishing. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and working on writing my novel.
Victor Gosnell--I am a senior majoring in History.
I'm contemplating a second major in Japanese because it's important to my heritage and identity. I love live music, and the last four years I've gone to the Bonnaroo Arts and Music Festival. It's become tradition, a second home, and I'm going again this year.
Aaron Hall—I am a senior majoring in English Pre-Education.
*Jason Harris--I am a senior majoring in English.
I’m 22 years old and enjoy hunting, fishing and water sports. I have my pilot’s license and fly to different states for breakfast and lunch. I like dogs, am undecided on what I want to do in the future. That’s about it, if you need more just ask.
*Matthew Hartman--I am a junior majoring in Earth Science.
I'm an Earth Science major. I think Earth Science rocks! My ambitions are to find someone to fund my travels and maybe get paid for it as well.
Meghan Hensley--I am a senior majoring in History and Folklore/Spanish-minors.
I want to change the world in any way that I am able, un poco a poco. I’ve been lucky enough to have experienced Latin America in abundant ways and been honored to have two very strong and amazing women on the Newark campus to guide me along the way.
*Laurinda Johnson--I am a sophomore majoring in English.
I enjoy playing video games on Xbox 360, listening to techno metal, and watching Netflix. Oh yeah, I also like to write. My dream career would be doing creative writing for a major video game company like Blizzard, Bethesda, or Bungie. All in all, I’m pretty awesome.
Alexandria Joris--I am a senior majoring in Psychology.
My favorite past time is playing with my son. I'm a Steelers fan, but don't take football seriously. Favorite movie is Fight Club. The book was better. I'm a Psych major and want to pursue more schooling after my B.A.
Breanna Kelly--I am a sophomore majoring in Food Science.
I would like to become involved in research and development of healthy foods, a need that is growing in America. In my free time I love to play sports, do community service, and write. My favorite actor is Will Smith and my favorite movie is The Pursuit of Happyness.
Shane Lanning--I am a junior majoring in English.
I am looking to get into some sort of education. I’m not sure whether that will be teaching middle school/high school or teaching at the university level. My interests in the English field include: queer theory, juvenile or adult fiction and its effect on our culture, and Irish and German literature.
John Laughlin--I am a freshman, Undecided.
I work two jobs and run every day, have to stay busy somehow. I work at Old Summit Town in Pataskala and Abercrombie at Easton. I like the environment at OSU, it’s very welcoming. I’m a dog lover and have a black Labrador named Oreo and a bulldog named Hope.
Theresa Laughlin--I am a freshman majoring in English.
I am a young, ambitious writer who hopes one day to have published books that people can read and keep on their bookshelves.
*Michael Lee--I am a sophomore majoring in Computer Science.
Loves to learn. Some of my submissions are war-related. Even though I’m a pacifist, I love combat. Keep it fictional.
Carrie Lough-- I am a sophomore majoring in Criminology.
I am 20 years old. Upon graduating from OSU, I hope to work for Homeland Security. In my personal time, I like to play Zelda games, read fantasy books and spend time with my friends.
Janice Mathews--I am a junior majoring in English.
A hippie child describes me best. I listen to classic rock music, am named after Janis Joplin. I attend any concert that fits my interest and my favorite book would be Helter Skelter. I’m an avid runner, having completed both the Columbus Marathon in 2008 and the Half Marathon in 2009.
Tim Miller—I am a senior majoring in Economics with a minor in English.
My hope for the future, post-graduation, is to continue to climb further in the work field that I am already in, which is business logistics and communication, to one day see myself representing the firm I currently work for (or a different firm) on a global level.
Ummi Mohamed--I am a freshman majoring in Journalism.
Coming from Africa, I have a strong connection with my roots, especially because my mother never let me forget them. On the outside, this poem resembles the journey of simple people, living simple lives in small villages. But if one looks closely, it’s about strong African women, like my mother.
Nick Moore--I am a 2009-2010 alumnus majoring in Animation.
I'm a 20 year old optimist who enjoys playing soccer, watching cartoons, playing video games, chilling with friends, doodling, making random things out of other random things, and drinking Mt. Dew and Kool-Aid.
*William Moran--I am a junior majoring in English.
I have lived in Ohio my entire life and have sought to lose myself in books and writing. I enjoy all sorts of games. Before I die, I hope to hold public office.
#Doug Moser--I am a 2006- 2010 alumnus with a BA in English, but I also have an honorary Doctorate in Awesome.
I am currently starting up an online publishing company based on what I learned from being in the Taproot class in 2010. I also plan on becoming a published fiction author and am co-writing a comedy television show.
Jacklynn Price--I am a senior majoring in Elementary Education.
I love photography! It’s my escape from the real world. Right now it’s just a hobby but maybe one day it will become something more. Also, I love the great outdoors and enjoy doing anything I can outside.
Hope M. Rambo--I am a sophomore majoring in English.
Calculations and Let It Die are among many that have
written themselves because of a fall English class, of Amanda Davis and Tim O’Brien, of grace or heart or failures. I learned from Bradbury that we’re more than smoke, from Handler that we’re less than age-old dust. So where does that leave us?
Darien Scott Rhoton--I am a junior majoring in Middle Childhood Education.
Raised in South Carolina, call Moncks Corner home. Married 12 years to high school sweetheart and have 2 beautiful girls ages 6 and 16 months. I’m a huge fan of Clemson University. I am a manager in the hospitality industry for last 10 years.
*Sarah Rice--I am a senior majoring in English.
Looking for a household pet, I was excited to leash my new crocodile for a neighborhood stroll, but soon found crocodiles dislike dogs, squirrels, neighbors, basketballs, police officers who try to explain a city ordinance, and appendages—or love them, depending on how you look at it. My current hobbies include photography, reading, and continuing to learn life lessons the hard way.
#Kristen Rocca—I am a 2010 alumnus with a BA in English.
Being an English major I love to read. To me there isn’t a better feeling than getting lost in a really good book. I recommend The Road, The Time Traveler’s Wife, and the Harry Potter series. I own eight pairs of Chuck Taylors and love Buckeye football.
#April Sears--I am an alumnus 2006-2010, with a BA in English.
I recently got a job in Miamisburg, OH as a Proofreader/XML coder for the company O'Neil and Associates. They specialize in content development, and my official title is "Text and Graphics Integrator I." I love the change in atmosphere; have my own cubicle, extension number, and key card to boot!
McKenzie Shaw--I am a freshman majoring in Communications.
I am studying communications and fashion merchandising. I took this picture while on a mother/daughter trip to NYC. I enjoy art, reading, theatre, and all things Disney. I am awaiting approval for an internship at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Kevin Straughter--I am a freshman majoring in Psychology.
I was just getting over a break up, looking at all the hair flying around, and it made me think of her—one poem. The other poem was inspired by the Black Box Theater—when told it could spontaneously change, it made me think there were no limits when it comes to art.
#Elyn Tibbs—I am an 2003-09 alumnus with a BA in Psychology, with specialties in Wordplay and procrastination.
I am a grad who had a clue (briefly) and then got sidetracked by the universe. I had a frustrating 2008, but 2011 is becoming great – the years in between do not count. I am of many nationalities; I am me, you are you, and we are beautiful.
Elizabeth Varrasso—I am an alumnus with a BA in History/Geology.
#Leeland Waller--I am an alumnus 2007-2009 with a BA in English.
I enjoy penning poetry and sports writing. The only thing I enjoy more than writing is Buckeye Football! Otherwise, I’m usually found plotting to take over the world with the Brain and Dr. Evil.
Katie Wilson--I am a freshman majoring in Art.
For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to follow a career path involving art. It wasn't until high school, though, that I became interested in photography. Along with photography, I really enjoy drawing, painting, and sewing.
Bryan Wolfe--I am a 21-year old junior majoring in psychology.
I wrote this poem for extra credit in Biology. I rarely write poems but my Biology teacher, Karen Goodell, inspired me to do so in order to see if I could meet the challenge of making art and science combine in a way that is creative.
Jazemon Woodfolk--I am a sophomore majoring in Psychology.
I want to have an impact one community at a time by providing opportunities and second chances for upcoming generations. Too Late refers to my career goal of providing opportunities to excel and is influence by the poem “A Dream Deferred.”
* indicates a member of the 2011 Taproot editorial board. Other members included Curtis Eby, Dennis Wheeler, and Jacob Woodring.
# indicates a Taproot “alumnus”—a staffer from past years