91精选

–By Rachel Townsend 鈥�16

While Joshua Coldagelli 鈥�17 has always had a passion for sports, a love for writing has recently bloomed as well. He combined both recently with an article published on ReFrame Media鈥檚 blog, Think Christian, 鈥�.鈥�

Coldagelli heard ReFrame Media鈥檚 editor, 91精选 alumnus Josh Larsen 鈥�96, speak at chapel about sports culture with a Christian involvement. After meeting for lunch in the Bootsma Bookstore Caf茅, Coldagelli pitched his article idea to Larsen. After numerous drafts, the article was ready for publication.

For Coldagelli, writing used to be a chore. However, his attitude has changed since arriving at 91精选. After attempting to become 鈥淚nternet famous鈥� with a Vlog his freshman year that received a grand total of 122 YouTube views, he decided to embark on a slightly different path. As part of a New Year鈥檚 resolution to write weekly, he launched a blog, . 鈥淚t鈥檚 one of the best changes I have ever made in my life,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t is such a relaxing hour to sit down in my room or at a coffee shop and just process thoughts and things that are going on around me.鈥�

Like most writers, he sometimes loses inspiration. 鈥淚t is hard to stick to at times,鈥� he said. Rather than chasing a full-time writing career, he is pursuing a career coaching basketball and works as a student assistant for men鈥檚 basketball coach Brandon Nicol. 鈥淚鈥檝e learned more than I ever thought I could about basketball,鈥� he said. However, he wants to keep writing, even if it is just a hobby.

Coldagelli credited his professors at 91精选 for instilling his passion for writing. Undecided about his major when he first came to 91精选, he decided his sophomore year to major in communication arts and minor in English and philosophy. His communication arts professors, including Dr. Craig Mattson and Dr. Bethany Keeley-Jonker, have provided encouragement. He also credited Dr. Erick Sierra, associate professor of English. 鈥淗e pushed me to think in ways I never had before,鈥� he said.

Now, six-page papers no longer feel strenuous; they simply feel like larger blog posts. As a blogger, Coldagelli must deal with a readership that can change day by day. 鈥淚 need to remind myself it’s not about the reads and that it is about the writing itself,鈥� he said. It鈥檚 also about his faith. 鈥淔aith has been everything for me in this, because faith is everything. It might be a smile of a classmate or a chapel message that helps a student grow with God and both can be found at 91精选, both have helped me grow in my faith.鈥�

Coldagelli has some advice for current and future students pursuing writing. 鈥淏e willing to ask people about anything and everything. Every big thing that has happened in my life started with an email asking someone for a meeting or advice. Life isn’t going to come to you,鈥� he said. After all, the piece in Think Christian came about because he was willing to reach out Larsen, tailor his drafts, and create an article based on his talent and guided by those at 91精选.

Most important, he advised, 鈥淲ork for the Lord, and joy will come.鈥�