Magazine by Mohsina

Samford THE

STORIES

Meet the author

ohsina Yusuf is the name, and these are my stories.‘Mohsina’ is of Arabic origin and means benevolent. I learned to live up to its meaning early on as my parents instilled our cultural values from a young age. Our traditions are centered on giving, sharing and having a big heart.

I consider those principles my three cardinal rules of life, and they molded me into a people person. I’m an extrovert to the fullest: I’m most energized when I’m around others. I’m a relatively quiet and reserved person, but once I’m out of my shell, I fully bask in the glory of making people laugh.

Table of contents If I knew then what I know now...............3 Three best things about moving from a big city to a small one......5 Reading Between the Wines and New York Times best seller to raise literacy awareness........7 Old is gold for the East Alabama Old Car Club..........9 Auburn Area Community Theater makes May all about red velvet...........11 The four best things about graduating from college............13

If I knew then what I know now A GRADUATING SENIOR’S REFLECTION ON COLLEGE

s my time at Auburn comes to an end, I find myself reflecting over the past four years more often than not. I think back to everything I was scared about that ended up working itself out. I knew once I got to college, everything was going to be a pathway to my career. Except there was one tiny problem—I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. As a kid, you get asked a million times, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” You say a bunch of random answers like doctor, lawyer or teacher. No one really bats an eyelash, because you don’t have to cross that bridge for a while.

By Mohsina Yusuf

something I’ve always loved, and it was something I could see myself doing. But the challenge was finding the right career path that allowed me to do that. That was when I thought about pursuing a journalism degree.

thoughts and concerns I had. What’s funny is that everything I was worried about as a senior in high school is so trivial compared to what I’m worried about now as a senior in college. My first fear was whether or not I chose the right major. Everyone kept telling me that every college student changes his or her major at least once. I was naïve and thought I’d be the one student who doesn’t. Well…halfway through my freshman year of college, I learned I did choose the wrong major. Fortunately, I hadn’t even begun taking courses that pertained to my major, so none of the courses I had taken at that point were a waste. I came to Auburn as a journalism major but am now going to graduate with a public relations degree.

Then life sneaks up on you, and before you know it, you’re 18 years old and at that bridge. Now Newton and Yusuf both attended the Bo you have to start thinking CamBikes I always had a knack for Bama charity auction last May. about what career path is business and marketing, best for you. It’s easy to go the There were different kinds of but writing was my passion. “money making” route and journalism I could study, and I Public relations allowed me major in accounting, finance, would get to write. It seemed to combine my passion with engineering, pharmacy, etc. like a win-win. my strengths. When I learned more about the degree, I knew The challenge comes when I had my major picked out it was a better fit for me. I never you’re someone like me. Math before I left high school, and all questioned majoring in it, isn’t my forte, and science I had to do was attend college. and I haven’t had any second doesn’t interest me. I can’t Like any recent high school thoughts. Whenever I tell stand the sight of blood, and graduate about to move away, anyone that’s my major, the first I’m very squeamish. Writing is there were a million different thing they say is, “I can see you 3

in that field! It’s perfect for you!” And that’s one of the greatest compliments to me. Public relations is a similar major to journalism, but there are big differences. In public relations, students have to take various business classes as part of the curriculum. They also have to work with actual clients in almost all the PR courses. From creating surveys to building websites to launching campaigns, there are a number of different projects that set us apart from the rest of the School of Communication and Journalism. I am more than satisfied with my change of majors and can honestly say I 100% love what I’m studying. My second fear was that I wouldn’t make any friends. I was lucky enough to have made lifelong friends at Auburn who made my time here the most memorable years. I made two best friends I can’t imagine my life without. Every friend I’ve made at Auburn— regardless of how casual or short—made my experience here unforgettable.

PR world. From the get go, I was meeting with clients, producing content and handling big accounts. Because of this internship, I feel ready for my career and became certain I chose the right major. My third and current internship is with Auburn Athletics. My absolute dream job is to be the publicist for a high-profile athlete, so this is right up my alley. I have gotten to participate in National Signing Day and had the opportunity to work at Auburn Athletics events. I’m currently nearing the halfway point of my internship here, but there’s still a lot more left that I’ll be doing.

“I was lucky enough to have made lifelong friends at Auburn.”

My third fear was gaining work experience. I knew that with my major, experience and a stacked resume is key. Not only did I land one internship, I landed three. My first internship was more of an outside experience not related to my major. However, it helped me grow as a person and professional. It was with Breakthrough Collaborative at their Birmingham site. Even though it was a teaching internship, it taught me valuable skills that can be applied to any field.

The second internship was more related to my major. It was with Verge Pipe Media, an inbound marketing and public relations agency right here in Auburn. This was my first taste of the

If 18-year-old me knew that 22-year-old me would have three internships on my resume, including one with Auburn Athletics, I would have never wasted my energy being worried about it. If I knew that I would make new friends who made me wish I knew them when I was 18, I would have never been worried about it.

Instead, I should have worried more about the right clubs and organizations to join. I should have gotten more involved with different networking opportunities. Maybe I wouldn’t be so worried about finding a job in a matter of months during my last semester of college. I wish I would have figured out what I wanted to minor in sooner so that I wasn’t taking 18 hours my first semester of senior year just trying to play catch up on all the courses for that minor. Everything worked out the way it was supposed to, and I’m certain everything will continue to work out. I wish I could go back and tell 18-year-old me, “Don’t stress about it. These next four years are about to be the best four of your life.”

Three best things about moving from a big city to a small one

MAKING THE MOVE FROM ATLANTA TO AUBURN

uburn might not seem like a small city. It has a population of more than 58,000 people and is home to one of the largest universities in the country. But when you’re from Atlanta—a city with a population close to 500,000 people—Auburn is pretty small. When I first came here, I experienced a little bit of a culture shock. It wasn’t anything dramatic, but it was eye opening.

By Mohsina Yusuf

of the great things about Auburn is that because it’s a smaller population, you have an easier time meeting people.

Getting involved on campus was how I made many of my close friends. Here, I can meet people more directly. In Atlanta, you meet people through other people. There isn’t a complicated chain of people involved here.

There are restaurants here you can’t For starters, find anywhere else. there aren’t Auburn is home to as many many major chain places restaurants, but it’s to hang also home to Photo credit: www.dentons.com out. Don’t restaurants only get me wrong—Auburn has some great available here or in a select few other cities. entertainment options, but it’s not as diverse From upscale southern cooking to burger as Atlanta’s options. Secondly, you really joints to sushi to barbecue, there are a miss some of your favorite restaurants and number of restaurants I’m going to miss cafés. However, I grew to really love Auburn. when I leave Auburn. After a while, I stopped missing the special perks of a big city and started appreciating Yeah, there are restaurants in Atlanta that the perks of a smaller one. are similar to (and better than) the ones I love here. But sometimes you just want a You get to meet more people. cheese biscuit when you’re home, and the I went to a high school that had more nearest place to get the exact one you’re than 1,000 students and graduated craving is a 40-minute drive from your with a class of 420 seniors. I have friends house. Then you start thinking about how if who went to high schools with populations you were in Auburn, you’d have to drive less smaller than my graduating class. One than five minutes to get it.

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The Auburn Tigers getting ready to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs in 2013.

Everyone supports the same team. I can’t tell you how many times people said that one phrase from THAT school to me, because I was wearing an Auburn t-shirt. First of all, it’s rude. Second, it’s not funny. And third, it’s not original!

Something college towns and big cities have in common, though, is supporting a plethora of professional teams. In Atlanta, everyone is supporting the Hawks and the Falcons. But everyone is also supporting other teams they like or enjoy watching. The same happens at Auburn. Since there are so many students from other states, you see a mixture of different sport regalia here. Then you have the support for different nearby teams. It’s just a wide mix in both small cities and bigger ones.

“You don’t forget for a second you’re in SEC country.”

Here, everyone is supporting the same team: The Auburn Tigers. In a big city, people are supporting college teams from various local and nearby colleges. Then you have the fans supporting schools from different states. It’s all a diverse mix, and people get competitive. And if there’s one thing I learned about collegiate sports: People are sore losers (I would know—I instantly go into a bad mood when Auburn loses).

There are great pros and cons to both kinds of cities, but in the end, each one has something unique. It’s the little things you take for granted and will end up missing. 6

Reading Between the Wines and New York Times best seller to raise literacy awareness JOSHILYN JACKSON PARTNERS UP WITH LEE COUNTY LITERACY COALITION By Mohsina Yusuf

Jackson. Jackson has had six bestselling novels and her next one, “The Opposite of Everyone,” will be out on Feb. 16.

This year’s guest speaker is New York Times best seller, Joshilyn

Last year’s event hosted more than 100 guests, and the LCLC is hoping for a bigger crowd this year. Jackson, whose family is from Alabama, could not be more excited for the event. She spoke to the Friends of the Auburn Public Library in the past and was excited for the opportunity to visit the Auburn/Opelika area once more.

n Feb. 25, the Lee County Literacy Coalition (LCLC) will host its fourth annual Reading Between the Wines event at 6 p.m. at the Saugahatchee Country Club. Tickets to the event are $50 per person, and guests will celebrate literacy with a wine tasting sponsored by International Wine and Craft Beer, a buffet dinner, live music by John Norton and a guest speaker.

“It is a literacy fundraiser that was in Alabama; of course I agreed to it!” said Jackson. As the special guest speaker for Reading Between the Wines, she hopes to share her passion and interests with those attending. She has won SIBA’s novel of the year, “Georgia 7

Photo credit: www.photopin.com

Author of the Year” twice and been shortlisted for the Townsend prize three times. As an accomplished author, she understands the importance of the LCLC.

preparation. The goal is to help build a community proficient in reading, writing and math skills.

“Justice issues pertaining to women and literacy are two things I am consistently interested in.”

Jackson hopes the program will help start a cycle of success for families, who shares “As a writer you that being literate only have so much brings opportunities time,” shares not just limited to Jackson. “Justice oneself. “It makes a issues pertaining to difference for families. women and literacy Being a literate adult are two things I allows your kids am consistently opportunities. They interested in. Literacy opens up a will value learning, reading and being whole different life of opportunity, and successful. Everyone involved with it’s something I always support.” this program are changing their lives for the better.” Jackson and the LCLC are hoping the night will raise awareness and money Guests attending the event will have for an important cause. The LCLC is the opportunity to purchase her a volunteer, non-profit, United Way new novel and have them signed by agency. It provides free tutoring to Jackson herself. For more information Lee County residents and offer help about the event, visit: www. with reading, writing, math and GED leecountyliteracy.org.

People in Iceland read more books per capita than any other country. Photo credit: www.flickr.com

Old is gold for the East Alabama Old Car Club

42nd ANNUAL OLD CAR SHOW IN OPELIKA

By Mohsina Yusuf

he East Alabama Old Car Club (EAOCC) is hosting its 42nd Annual Old Car Show in Opelika on Saturday, May 21. The event will run from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Entries are $15 for the first entry and $3 for each additional entry.

participants and their families until 10 a.m. Judging begins at 10 a.m., and trophies will be awarded by 2:30 p.m. Dash plaques will be award to the first 100 registrants. Trophies are divided into 20 classes based upon the style and time period of the car.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. and concludes at 11 a.m., with refreshments available for

Judging requires hoods and trunks to be open, doors unlocked and convertible tops up. All vehices

Spectators can expect cars like the one above. Photo from www.pixabay.com.

All vehicles must have a rated fire extinguisher—a lack of which will result in a three-point reduction. All owners must have their own insurance. Any class with fewer than three entries may be merged into neighboring classes, and the judges will decide final classification of entries. The entire process can take up to two hours.

at 1220 Fox Run Avenue. There is no admission fee for the general public.

“Every year there’s a different car that stands out to me.”

The event is hosted by U.S.A. Town Center and will take place

“People can expect anything between 50 to 100 cars of all varieties,” shares EAOCC treasure, Larry Rodgers. “The best part of the show is seeing the variety. Every year there’s a different car that stands out to me.”

For more information, please visit: www. aotourism.com

Auburn Area Community Theater makes May all about red velvet “THE RED VELVET CAKE WAR” WILL BE ON PRODUCTION AT THE BEGINNING OF MAY

he Auburn Area Community Theater (AACT) will be concluding its 20152016 season in May with “The Red Velvet Cake War.” It is a family comedy suitable for all ages that revolves around three cousins who picked the worst, inconvenient time to host a family reunion. Opening night is Friday, May 6, at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center on 222 East Drake Avenue. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors.

By Mohsina Yusuf

Show times are 7 p.m. on May 6-7 and May 12-14 and 2 p.m. on May 8 and May 15.

The Red Velvet Cake War is about the three Verdeen cousins and their dysfunctional family members, nosy neighbors and family drama. The cousins are hosting a family reunion on the hottest day of July while

the family is going through heartbreaks, scandals and a tornado. On top of all this, there’s a bet within the family on who bakes the best red velvet cake.

Those interested in attending the Red Velvet Cake Baking Battle can expect cakes like these. Photo credit: ZoomYummy

Auditions for the play were held in contest was actually taken from a line of February for the cast of eight women and the play. four men. The play went into production at the beginning of March. Entries will be judged in four categories: “Best in Show,” “Best Decorating,” “Most “The play is hysterically funny,” said Unique Recipe” and “Director’s Cut.” director Ashley Hansana. “There’s a The “Best in Show” award will be given joke a minute. to the best Everyone who overall cake in sees it will terms of flavor, enjoy it and can decoration and expect a night uniqueness. of laughter.” The “Director’s Cut” award However, is the cake Hansana shares Hansana picks. that the play is All entries are more than just due at 2 p.m., the humor on and judging the surface. begins at 3 p.m. Cash awards, “On the AACT tickets surface, the and other play is about rewards are everything amongst the that can go prizes. wrong in Photo credit: The New York Times disastrous ways,” she said. “Underneath all that, it’s about strength, perseverance and trusting family and friends to find Those interested in spectating can pay strength through difficult times.” $5 to taste three samples and receive a raffle ticket. In honor of The Red Velvet Cake War, the AACT is hosting a Red Velvet Cake For more information, reservations or Baking Battle on Saturday, May 7 from ticket purchases, please visit www. 2-4 p.m. at Jan Dempsey. The name of this auburnact.org.

“It’s about strength, perseverance and trusting family and friends.”

The four best things about graduating from college NOT EVERYTHING HAS TO BE SAD

ollege seniors are plagued with a plethora of feelings like fear, stress, happiness, nostalgia and nervousness. We spend more time worrying about the future instead of enjoying the moment. I would know—I’m guilty of it! We tend to focus on the worst parts about graduating college more. We won’t see our friends all the time anymore. We won’t live a mile away from each other anymore. Photo from www.wbko.com

We don’t have jobs yet. We’re about to be thrown into the real world, and we don’t know how to handle that. But there are perks to graduating college, too!

No more exams I never have to worry about tests and final exams ever again. I don’t have to stay up all night studying anymore. I don’t have to deal with the nerves before and after tests. I don’t have to deal with the roller coaster of

By Mohsina Yusuf

emotions if I don’t do well on an exam. Not having to take tests anymore sounds so heavenly! Granted this won’t be the case when I go to graduate school in the future (whenever that may be).

Seeing your friends succeed It sounds cheesy, I know. But it’s true. Everyone’s on the job hunt, giving interviews, applying and receiving job offers. It makes me so happy when my friends receive good news. And the same goes with seeing all of us getting ready to graduate. We all just worked so hard for four years for our diplomas, and getting to walk across that stage is a success in and of itself.

New beginnings When one door closes, another one opens. This is the case for all graduating seniors.

We’re all sad to be leaving college and moving away. But this is only the beginning of the journey. Our college chapter has ended, but it’s time to start writing the chapters about the real world. It’s going to be scary and stressful at times, but we wouldn’t have made it this far if we couldn’t handle that. We completed a major milestone, and now it’s time to use it as a stepping-stone. It’s time to put our degrees to use, but don’t

worry if you don’t have a job yet. Most of us don’t!

Being an Auburn graduate I know we’re all sad to be leaving the nation’s best campus, but we’re graduating from Auburn University! We’re about to become alumni. It’s kind of hard to be sad when you think about how you went to the best, most beautiful college in the country.

“We completed a major milestone, and now it’s time to use it as a stepping-stone.”

Pictured is Samford Hall at Auburn University. Photo from www.auburn.edu