Lindsay Whelchel

Lindsay Whelchel graduated High School from Mustang High in 2004 and is finishing her Associates degree from OCCC this spring. She will be attending University of Oklahoma beginning summer 2010 as a Journalism Major at the Gaylord School of Journalism at OU. In regards to writing, she says:

“I have always loved to write. I discovered I had a passion for it in the fourth grade when my family lived briefly in Wyoming. If my memory serves me right, during recess we were required to play outside in the cold unless it was below zero degrees outside. I sought refuge in the creative writing portable that was mercifully heated. I continued to write growing up and always knew I wanted to use my writing to help people, but didn't know the exact direction I would take, until I learned about a photojournalist named Dan Eldon. Eldon was killed in Somalia when he was 22. He used his creative talents to affect positive change in the world and was one of the first to document the famine going on in Somalia in the early 90s. I knew then that I wanted to enter the world of journalism. Dan's life helped to inspire the creation of a non-profit called Invisible Children in 2003. Invisible Children has education programs in war torn Northern Uganda. After learning of their work, I went out and joined their team in San Diego from Fall 2007 to May 2008; first as an intern, then as a staff member, to help spread awareness about the important issues they are dealing with; such as child soldiers. It was an incredible experience and I learned so much. Right now, I have come back to Oklahoma to finish up my degree in Journalism. I hope to use my writing to be a voice to the voiceless.”