ALUMNI ANGLES
JORDYN ZIMMERMAN: On Communication, Adaptation, and Inclusion compiled by Annie Reisener
Jordyn Zimmerman is
Affairs on Student Senate,
atmosphere. Our team is
of the faculty members
currently a junior at
where we focus on tackling
modeled after The Sparkle
stood up and asked me
Ohio University where
student concerns involving
Effect and is the seventh
if I would join the team.
she studies Education
accessibility, religious
inclusive collegiate cheer
Although I thought she
Policy and leads campus
observations, societal
team in the nation! As
was joking at the time,
organizations. Throughout
understanding, and more.
an innovative program
the superintendent
the year, Jordyn travels
Through this position, I
bringing together
convinced me otherwise.
to conferences to speak
also have the opportunity
students with and without
On the first day of
to educators about
to sit on University
disabilities, we are working
school, I was unofficially
holding high expectations,
committees, representing
to raise the public symbol
a member of Mentor’s
presuming competence,
the greater student body.
of acceptance across
speech and debate team,
and creating a culture of
campus. We cheer at
and by October, I was
acceptance. She graduated
with Hillel on campus and
various events (hockey
ready to compete with
from Mentor High School
at the international level.
games, the homecoming
an informative speech.
in Ohio in 2016. Jordyn was
As a co-chair of the Hillel
parade, wrestling meets,
a finalist for the William
International Student
volleyball games, etc.)
Woods Tate, Jr., National
Cabinet, I have the distinct
and volunteer throughout
Student of the Year award
honor of empowering
the local community.
and was one of the first
student leaders around
students to compete at
the world. I credit
the National Tournament
speech and debate for
using assistive technology.
inspiring me to question
I am extremely involved
and amplify others.
What campus activities are you involved in?
42
I also started Ohio
Why did you join your high school speech and debate team?
Tell us about your successes and failures as a competitor. What did you learn from them? As a non-speaking student with autism, speech and debate required me to
University Sparkles, an inclusive spirit squad,
I never had any intention
fight with everything I had.
during my freshman
of joining speech and
Initially, I would violently
year. When I arrived on
debate; I was probably
rock back and forth
Bobcats are inspiring and
campus, it was seemingly
the least likely student
during the rounds, unable
I gain so much joy by
diverse, although,
to be in a competition.
to make eye contact or
being around my fellow
everyone remained in
However, after addressing
simultaneously gesture
students. I am currently the
their respective groups—
the Mentor High School
while holding my iPad.
Commissioner of Minority
creating a less inclusive
staff on opening day, one
Through continued practice,
ROSTRUM | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018