Elena Stidham

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Elena Stidham poses in the studio March 10, 2020. Stidham's mother was born in Iraq and her father was born in Michigan. Jacob Musselman, DN Illustration

Loud and Clear: The in-betweener

When I studied abroad last summer, I took a class on Japanese animation. In this class, we learned about the different roles animators play, and one key role stood out to me: the in-betweeners. 

The Forever 21 store is seen on opening day at the Carousel Center, now known as Destiny USA. (TNS, Photo Courtesy)

Loud and Clear: Temporarily 21

When Forever 21 announced it was filing for bankruptcy, my immediate thought was, “Well, I guess they were only Temporarily 21.” After I laughed at my own joke, however, I realized just how hard it was going to be for me to buy clothes from here on out. 

Elena’s mother is from Iraq and during 9/11 she reflects on how her family is affected by it even years later. Jacob Musselman, DN; Elliot DeRose DN Illustration

Loud and Clear: Never forget my Iraqi family

9/11 was a day everyone remembers in detail; where they were, who they were with and what they were doing.  Nobody ever asks me where I was the first time someone called me a terrorist. 

Elena and her fellow study abroad students visited Harajuku, Tokyo while on her study abroad. Harajuku is also known as the fashion district. Elena Stidham, photo provided.

Loud and Clear: 6 things I learned from studying abroad

This June I was given the wonderful opportunity to study abroad in Japan. I have always wanted to go, and after I took my first Japanese language class, I thought it would be even more rewarding to be able to experience the culture and practice my new skills. 

The view of the fire that engulfed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The fire burned for 12 hours and destroyed the spire and rose windows on the cathedral. (TNS)

Loud and Clear: Hellfire

“Like fire. Hellfire.”  These lyrics from the song “Hellfire,” from the movie “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” scorched into my brain the moment I found out the Notre Dame in Paris, France was burning.