Interview of Tonya Anderson

Dylan Barton

11/11/14

What seemingly was going to be a stale interview with a member of Pennsylvania’s state government turned into a rather inspirational experience. The event took place during a Media Writing course at Lycoming College, as a way for the students to gain experience conducting interviews as if they were journalists. The setting was usual, but the subject was more entertaining and motivating than anyone would have guessed.

Through asking questions of Tonya Anderson, the students were able to gather information about her, such as her role in State Representative Rick Mirabito’s office as his chief of staff. On a daily basis, her duties revolve around directing staff members toward the goal of passing appropriate legislation for the district. She admitted that she is good at her job and enjoys being on the more functional side of politics. While it isn't odd these days for a woman to have a position with this level of power and influence, it is a bit less likely for that woman to not be Caucasian, Anderson being of mixed race.

Having overcome the male-dominated world of politics and also the racial barrier along the way, those aren't the only things that Anderson had to contend with. If Anderson was to be compared to any athlete, she would certainly be a hurdler, and a good one at that. This comparison becomes more clear given other information obtained through questioning her. She was brought into the world by teenage parents, then had the stress of being a child of the military, which entailed moving frequently from base to base. This familiarity with the military led her to want to be in the Navy. She managed to get accepted to the Naval Academy, an institution that has a reputation for being both hard to access and very strict on student performance and  behavior. As things were looking hopeful for Anderson, the course of her life changed that resulted in Tonya leaving the college after only two years.

Tonya met and married to her husband, a member of the Marine Corps, whom she met while at the Academy. Together they had a son, but are now divorced. She also finished her degree at the University of Hawaii in political science. During this period Tonya also began working as a flight attendant, which made parenting tricky. Also at this time, Anderson experienced sexual assault.

While working flights going coast to coast, Anderson was certain to take advantage of every chance to spend time with her son. One of the turning points in her life happened surrounding 9/11/01, particularly because she was in control of flight crews that had to continue operating flights while carrying an immense amount of fear and anxiety following that day’s events. It is at this time that she decided that she wanted to make a shift from risking crisis each day to having a job on the ground, one that was closer to where her son’s father lived, as well.

Williamsport was the town she chose, and due to the experience she endured at the Naval Academy and other incidents, she began working as a domestic violence and sexual assault counselor. In this role, she could help victims of abuse get their lives back on track. It is admirable that Anderson could use that very negative aspect of her life to improve those of others.

An aspect of Anderson’s life that has helped her to overcome struggles and allowed her to be the passionate and caring person she is today is her spirituality. She said she has meditated at a variety of temples and uses this practice to help her through rough times at the office. This, however, doesn't mean she lets her beliefs cloud her judgement professionally. When asked about her stance on gay marriage, she focused on the beauty of love instead of worrying about sanctity of marriage as a ritual, unlike many other politicians of certain faiths.

In her spare time Anderson is a writer. She told the class that she writes spiritual non-fiction, covering divine sexuality, the sacredness of sex, creating babies, and the beauty of the whole process. While other writers tend to focus on the ugly side of sexual conduct, it is nice to see someone who would rather be in awe of the activity.

In conclusion, everyone present in the media writing class were surprised at the genuine wisdom and grace of Tonya Anderson and her life.

Coincidental Prompt

11/20/2014

Think of a wild coincidence that has occurred in your life. Now write three-four paragraphs and develop the incident, giving us the necessary background information and specific details.

I was travelling to New York City with my mother to see a soccer match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint Germain at Yankee Stadium a few years ago. The match was in the early evening but we wanted to get into the city early so we could find an interesting place to have lunch. We also had the agenda of visiting the Little Lebowski Store in the Village. We got off of the subway a few blocks away from the small store, which is completely devoted to selling merchandise related to my favorite film, the Big Lebowski.

We had heard about the store when we were watching a PBS documentary about Jeff Bridges. In the documentary he visited the store while they were covering the large cult following the film has, and especially his character becoming iconic. Since we knew of the location of the store, we fit it into our plans.

When we were approaching the store and about to enter it, two men pulled up on bikes and one of them instantly looked familiar to me. I quickly conferred with my mother that we were both pretty sure it was Woody Harrelson. I approached him and his equally sweaty friend and confirmed that he was who we'd expected and asked if I could get a picture with him. I was surprised that in his disheveled state he was still willing to be in a photo. He was really cool about it and we four then spent about twenty minutes together discussing the film in the shop and the film's relation to Woody, him being in another comedy surrounding bowling, King Pin. We also talked to the owner of the store about the struggles of owning such a niche shop and about how cool it was that Jeff Bridges visited it.

The day was already going to be a great one with the soccer match, but the coincidence of meeting Woody at the Little Lebowski made it one of the better vacations of my life so far.

Recurring Dream Prompt

11/18/2014

Write about a dream you’ve had again and again. When did you first have the dream? When does it recur? What do you think it signifies?

The dream I have that has been a recurring event has happened probably over a hundred times. It takes place in a convenience store. I don't know the name of the store and don't think it is one I've actually been in either. Anyway, the store is not the important thing, it is what happens while I'm there that is the point. In the dream the store is robbed while I'm shopping. I also don't know what I'm looking for. So the thing about the dream is that the setting and the robbing stay the same while the way the robbery plays out and my fate at the end is always slightly different. Some times the guy takes the money and everything is alright. Other times he kills the cashier. Sometimes he kills everyone inside including me. Other times I try to stop him. This plays out in different ways. Sometimes I am successful, sometimes I get to him and I'm shot but live, other times I'm killed, and other times I kill him.

I'm not sure exactly what it means. Maybe it is about me wanting to be a hero. Maybe it is about how we are powerless in controlling our fate without action. It could also be about how we can try to do something to help our situations but don't have control over the outcome overall. It could also be completely random and pointless. Who knows.

The dream doesn't happen every night and it often takes breaks between times it occurs. I'm not sure what causes me to have it or if it is tied to anything about how my day goes.

Favorite Book Prompt

11/11/2014

Write about your favorite movie or book and explain why you enjoyed it. Talk about the technical aspects and the creative: for example, the film’s pacing and lighting, as well as the dialogue and the plot.

My favorite book is 1984 by George Orwell. I enjoy the general genre that this book falls into, distopian futures. The plot of the story centers around Winston, a man living in London, under a totalitarian regime that takes extensive efforts to keep up surveillance on citizens. This is achieved through the use of cameras, hidden microphones, tele-screens that watch and listen in every room, brainwashed child spies, and the tattle-tailing of other citizens. The society is perpetually at war with either Eastasia or Eurasia.

As the story progresses, Winston finds a love interest, but is constantly aware that love is outlawed unless the relationship is sanctioned by the government. Winston and Julia are forced to meet up in secretive locations. This arrangement eventually leads to their capture and forced confession of thought crimes.

The story of their love and struggle mixed with the negative outlook on governmental influence are what make me like this book as much as I do. The book has also influenced a few different bands I enjoy as well.

Disagreeing Character Prompt

11/13/2014

Have a character espouse a viewpoint on life with which you very much disagree, but have the character argue it well, citing examples from her life to buttress her stance. Resist the temptation to make her sound foolish or harsh. Write this in the third or first person, from the narrative.

My name is John Stevenson and I believe that white guilt isn't a factor in race relations in America. I have a nice family, with a son and daughter who go to private school. I have a job in one of the non-vacant buildings in Detroit. I have a lot of friends, some of them being "of color." I treat everyone the same and feel that during my day nobody reacts differently to me because I am a successful white male. Some people say that our leaders are overly giving and understanding toward minorities and women who run afoul of the law or taxes. I don't agree because when I'm watching MSNBC there aren't any stories that show undo favoritism toward non-whites. I am not surrounded by peers that are more charitable toward minority organizations. Overall I'm not convinced of the existence of the supposed "white guilt" that critics blame for the reactions to cases like Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin. I think the aggressors that ruthlessly slayed these fine upstanding young gentlemen did it out of hatred and ignorance, because their minds' vision was obstructed by prejudice. There are individuals out living their lives in this country that would wish to live in grand estates maintained and supported by bands of slaves. I am not among these barbarians.

Funeral Prompt

11/6/2014

Recall a funeral you've attended and write about it. Did anything unusual happen at the event? How did you feel? Describe the situation -- who, what, when, where, why and how.

The unusual thing for me is that I have never been to a funeral of anyone I've ever known, but I've still been forced to attend three of them. The weirdest one of the group was because it was actually an open casket viewing. Having to approach the remains of a man who I don't know in front family that are all weeping. Should I fake sadness, should I not approach and make a scene that way? I don't know, but I hate the whole thing.

The other ones I attended were mandated by my catholic school because I was the president of the senior class. Thankfully they weren't viewing the bodies. Oddly I was more emotional at these events, especially while family members were crying while talking about how amazing and important this now deceased person was to them.

When I die, I want my organs donated, then have my body cremated. The ceremony should be devoid of any black attire, one because I rarely wear black, and two, because I think the event should be about the joy I brought everyone, not the somber fact that you'll all be missing me.

Wedding Prompt

11/4/2014

Recall a wedding you've attended and write about it. Did anything unusual happen at the event? How did you feel? Describe the situation -- who, what, when, where, why and how.

I can remember being very young and having to be the ring barer for a wedding. I had a fancy paisley vest and obviously had to walk down the aisle with the silly pillow during the wedding. That was probably the most unusual wedding experience I can remember. I think that was the same wedding that had blow up guitars at the reception. All things considered that made the day alright, because you can't be bored or upset if you have a brightly colored fake guitar.

The only other wedding experiences I can remember are less interesting.One reception I attended allowed me to participate in some under age drinking. Another reception I went to was otherwise uneventful besides getting to meet a rather large praying mantis outside in the parking lot.

I generally don't enjoy weddings and really can't see paying a lot of my money to have one in the future.