Hey Odyssey readers! My name is Summer Ney, I am new to the KU Odyssey crew and couldn't be more excited. I figured for my first article I would tell everyone a bit about myself.

I'm currently a sophomore at the University of Kansas and I absolutely love it here! I grew up cheering on the Jayhawks during basketball season and wearing all the Jayhawk gear, but my love for KU really took off when my older sister began attending in 2010.

After six years of moving her in, attending football games, and eventually watching her walk down the hill on graduation day, I knew Lawrence, Kansas was the place for me.

I grew up in the relatively small town of Bonner Springs, Kansas, which is only thirty minutes from KU. I love my hometown and the awesome, supportive people in the community.

This great energy from the town also transferred to my time in school. Most people you encounter in college roll their eyes and perhaps let out a sigh when you talk about high school, but not me. I had an excellent high school experience and loved every minute of it.

I was involved in a little of everything: tennis, student council, peer helpers, band, mock trial, prom committee, and yearbook. I was probably at the school more hours a week than I was at home.

My senior year I was editor-in-chief of my high school's yearbook, and that position led me to so many new passions. My high school's journalism department is so well-respected and our adviser was such a joy to work with. I became very competitive in photography and ended up placing in the state competition. Our team also accumulated enough individual points to win the 4A state championship.

I loved everything about that journalism program and the work I did day-in and day-out there. This eventually led me to choose secondary education as my major. I eventually want to run a successful high school journalism program of my own.

I'm so looking forward to writing weekly for the Odyssey and can't wait to see where it takes me. It's so great to have a journalistic outlet again. Keep your eyes peeled for my future pieces and remember that it's always summertime when you're reading my articles!