Onyx Spring-Summer 2017

Cecilia Gray ’15

Another SMWC graduate who writes for Odyssey Online is Cecilia Gray ’15 , who is currently attending graduate school at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Ill. She hopes to begin a career in higher education and student affairs soon. For now, Gray, who writes under the name Cecilia Learose, writes for fun. “What I enjoy most about writing is being able to reach another person,” Gray said. “I wrote an article entitled, ‘It’s Time,’ which was very emotional to write, but that piece had a purpose to help bring our community together again. That is what I truly enjoy about writing – being able to make an impact.” Her article shared her disappointment of SMWC’s decision to become co-educational and encouraged forgiveness. She wrote, “It is time to bandage the cracks, piece back together the broken hearts, and stand proudly behind Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and the current student body.”

Gray finds purpose in making an impression on her community through her writing – something SMWC instilled in her. She said The Woods provided her with countless opportunities such as being involved in theatre productions and the Madrigals, serving as class officer and even being a resident assistant. “Without The Woods, I don’t know where I would be,” she said. “The Woods made me feel like my voice was important and empowered. Without all of these leadership opportunities, I probably would not have been brave enough to attend graduate school or to publish articles for the Odyssey.” Gray, who has a bachelor’s degree in women in theatre, heard about the website through a Woods student. Her most successful articles have been ‘It’s Time’ and one called, ‘An Open Letter to the Girl I Said Goodbye to After Losing 100 Pounds.’

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