The Cameron Collegian - November 09, 2020

Collegian T he Cameron University

www.aggiecentral.com

Monday, November 9, 2020

Volume 103 Issue 7 Photo by Lea Killian

MADISON LYDA

A CU SUCCESS STORY Lea Killian

Managing Editor CU Admissions Counselor and alumni Madison Lyda graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Media Production last May. During her time at CU, she wrote as a student journalist for the Cameron “Collegian,” working her way from a staff writer to the managing editor. In addition to her work on the “Collegian” and being involved in other organizations at CU, Lyda had one college experience unlike any other: Being accepted into the Disney College Program. Lyda began dreaming of the Disney College Program when she was in the eighth grade and spent hours of her time researching and watching YouTube videos made by others who had been accepted. Even at a young age, Lyda was determined. “In my eighth grade free period,” Lyda said, “I was so obsessed with the idea of doing the Disney College Program that my teacher helped me draft a list of 300 questions that they could ask me in my interview. We studied every single day for an entire semester because I knew it was something I wanted so badly.” When Lyda first applied alongside 350,000 other applicants in her junior year of college, she believed her chances to be accepted were slim. From her research, she knew about Disney’s rigorous hiring process, but within a week of turning in her

What’s Inside

application, Disney had moved Lyda through all three application phases and accepted her into the program. Upon arriving, Lyda quickly learned that no day was the same as the day before, even arguing that every hour seemed different than the last. Usually finding comfort in well-balanced, familiar patterns, she was surprised at how exciting Disney’s unpredictable and demanding work schedule could be, some days having to wake up at 2:30 a.m. to get ready for work. On those days, she would get off work by 10:30 a.m. and have the rest of the day to herself. Outside of work, Lyda would attend classes taught by Harvard professors and Disney Imagineers. When she wasn’t working or attending class, Lyda began to understand the difference between living in Disney and simply visiting. Living in Florida gave Lyda the opportunity to explore every inch of the parks without the hassle and stress of a vacation time limit. “If you were hungry, you could just go to Magic Kingdom to eat a hot dog,” Lyda said. “If you wanted a beverage, you could go to Epcot and visit every country. There was no pressure to see everything because you were living there for eight months.” Even though the transition from Oklahoma to Florida was difficult at first, Lyda understood just how fortunate she was to have the opportunity. After acclimating to her new life, she never wanted to waste a second.

“It was nice because you knew that you were the lucky ones,” Lyda said. “There are so many people that can’t even afford to visit the park, and here you are, living there. I lived two blocks from Hollywood Studios. If I went to the top of my apartment building, I could see the Tower of Terror. I would always just go, even if I didn’t have a plan. I never stayed home.” After Lyda completed her time with the Disney College Program, she returned to CU to finish her degree. At this time, she also resumed her job as the Managing Editor of the “Collegian.” Print media wasn’t always one of Lyda’s passions, noting that the only reason she first applied for a staff writer position was because she wanted to use the scholarship money to help pay for her tuition. “I had no intentions of staying with it or crafting my writing or learning any new skill, but toward the end of my first semester as a staff writer, I realized that it was something I really enjoyed,” Lyda said. Through middle school and high school, Lyda felt like she was never truly taught how to write correctly. She often felt as though she wasn’t as smart or as gifted as other students, but when she joined the “Collegian,” her self-esteem began to change.

See LYDA page 2

History made with new drug initiative

“Eight Reindeer Monologues”

Interview with Preston Meek

Page 3

Page 4

Page 6