Lia Opperman’s Can-do and her Candor
Ashley Olenkiewicz
September 12, 2023
JRN 449: Student Profile
It’s often thought that you “can’t have it all,” but that’s simply not true for Lia Opperman, a junior at Princeton University studying Public and International Affairs and Journalism. Her can-do attitude is accompanied by extreme candor, a combination that allows her to find success in her academic pursuits while maintaining close relationships with her friends, family, colleagues, and partner.
At around 9 p.m. in Princeton, New Jersey, Lia quickly found Nana’s contact in her phone and pressed “call.” Moments before, she had been editing articles for The Daily Princetonian alongside other editors in the newsroom. Wearing blue jean shorts and a white top decorated with small blue flowers, Lia explained that she had tied a white ribbon around one of the belt loops but wasn’t sure how it looked. After some back and forth discussion, she ended up wrapping it around her low ponytail, seemingly content with the placement.
After only a few rings, Nana (also known as Dorothy Rothery, Lia’s maternal grandmother) picked up. Lia explained she had called only to let her know that a colleague would be reaching out to ask questions for a journalism project. “What should I say?” inquired Nana, “just be honest… but be positive!” replied Lia, followed quickly by a nervous giggle. “Just kidding, say whatever you want! I love you, good night.” Their casual conversation and playful joking perfectly encapsulates their close relationship.
One of Lia’s favorite television shows is “Gilmore Girls,” and for those who aren’t familiar, the premise follows a young single mother, Lorelai, and her academically talented daughter, Rory, from high school through adulthood. The show is marked by playful banter, Rory’s best-friend-like relationship to Lorelai, and Friday dinners at her grandparent’s house. Lia resonates with this show for all those reasons, and more. Lia describes her mother as “her pillar” and admires her for her strength in difficult times.
Lia was raised primarily by both her mother and grandmother after her father passed away when she was five years old. As a child, Lia spent many evenings after school playing baseball and practicing for plays at her grandmother’s house. Nana describes Lia as the “sunshine of [her] life” and explained how they “did anything she wanted.” Lia’s mother and grandmother’s goal was always to make Lia happy.
It’s a common trope that sibling-less children are spoiled to a fault, leading them to grow into entitled adults. Yet, the extra attention devoted to Lia had quite the opposite effect. Lia’s upbringing in a household of strong women is exactly what fostered her driven attitude, empathy for others, and ultimately is what inspired her service-oriented pursuits. In the words of her boyfriend, Maguire Sholette, Lia has a “big personality, big passions, and a really big heart.” All of that “intertwine[ed] is someone who is really an experience.” Indeed, people seem to be drawn to Lia for her personable and open disposition.
A conversation with Lia is certain to be filled with positive affirmations, like “it was worth a try!” or “good job!” and every word is spoken with genuine encouragement. Perhaps Lia’s “all-consuming” (as described by Maguire) personality can be traced back to her origins in theater. Acting requires one to play a role larger than themselves, and her short stint in a college improv group also taught Lia the skill of appealing to the considerations of a larger audience.
Lia is a self-declared “English” kid, and her strong suits always fell within reading, writing, and acting. Although acting was her primary gig before college, a chance opportunity with the Princeton Summer Journalism Program got her hooked on journalism. From there, her passion for journalism only grew until it became her “thing” on campus and subsequently the career she has decided to pursue.
Beginning as a news staff writer for The Daily Princetonian in September 2021, Lia quickly became more involved. From assistant news editor, to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) board member, then associate news editor before becoming the head investigations editor. Much of her work involves careful research into uncovered news on campus, but Lia’s unique drive and her “good eye for uncovering previously unknown things,” as described by her boyfriend, allow her to shed light on marginalized voices with compassion and skill.
Lia pursues her journalism with vigor, not in an attempt to gain fame or garner appreciation, but rather because she is truly “dedicated to service in her own community, others’ communities, and communities of people who haven’t been listened to,” according to Maguire. Lia studies policy to understand the technical aspects of issues like mass incarceration and nonviolent drug offenses (two of her most recent focuses), but ultimately she plans to pursue journalism as an avenue for highlighting the voices of those most greatly afflicted by such policy problems. Modeled after the strong and independent women in her life, Lia navigates balancing her passions with prioritizing her relationships with a dexterity that is rare, but admirable.
