Lia Opperman\u2019s Can-do and her Candor<\/p>\n
Ashley Olenkiewicz<\/p>\n
September 12, 2023<\/p>\n
JRN 449: Student Profile<\/p>\n
It\u2019s often thought that you \u201ccan\u2019t have it all,\u201d but that\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
At around 9 p.m. in Princeton, New Jersey, Lia quickly found Nana\u2019s contact in her phone and pressed \u201ccall.\u201d 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\u2019t sure how it looked. After some back and forth discussion, she ended up wrapping it around her low ponytail, seemingly content with the placement.<\/p>\n
After only a few rings, Nana (also known as Dorothy Rothery, Lia\u2019s 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. \u201cWhat should I say?\u201d inquired Nana, \u201cjust be honest\u2026 but be positive!\u201d replied Lia, followed quickly by a nervous giggle. \u201cJust kidding, say whatever you want! I love you, good night.\u201d Their casual conversation and playful joking perfectly encapsulates their close relationship.<\/p>\n
One of Lia\u2019s favorite television shows is \u201cGilmore Girls,\u201d and for those who aren\u2019t 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\u2019s best-friend-like relationship to Lorelai, and Friday dinners at her grandparent\u2019s house. Lia resonates with this show for all those reasons, and more. Lia describes her mother as \u201cher pillar\u201d and admires her for her strength in difficult times.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s house. Nana describes Lia as the \u201csunshine of [her] life\u201d and explained how they \u201cdid anything she wanted.\u201d Lia\u2019s mother and grandmother\u2019s goal was always to make Lia happy.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s 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\u2019s 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 \u201cbig personality, big passions, and a really big heart.\u201d All of that \u201cintertwine[ed] is someone who is really an experience.\u201d Indeed, people seem to be drawn to Lia for her personable and open disposition.<\/p>\n
A conversation with Lia is certain to be filled with positive affirmations, like \u201cit was worth a try!\u201d or \u201cgood job!\u201d and every word is spoken with genuine encouragement. Perhaps Lia\u2019s \u201call-consuming\u201d (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.<\/p>\n
Lia is a self-declared \u201cEnglish\u201d 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 \u201cthing\u201d on campus and subsequently the career she has decided to pursue.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s unique drive and her \u201cgood eye for uncovering previously unknown things,\u201d as described by her boyfriend, allow her to shed light on marginalized voices with compassion and skill.<\/p>\n
Lia pursues her journalism with vigor, not in an attempt to gain fame or garner appreciation, but rather because she is truly \u201cdedicated to service in her own community, others\u2019 communities, and communities of people who haven\u2019t been listened to,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Lia Opperman\u2019s Can-do and her Candor Ashley Olenkiewicz September 12, 2023 JRN 449: Student Profile It\u2019s often thought that you \u201ccan\u2019t have it all,\u201d but that\u2019s 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<\/p>\n