By Steve Holt, Opinion Editor
Stories have an amazing way of shaping lives.
As I prepare to graduate with a master’s degree, I cannot help but reflect on the story of my past six years as an Optimist staffer and the stories in which I’ve been immersed.
I am completing my 12th semester on staff; I’ve had five editing or writing positions since 2000. I’ve worked under three extremely competent editors. I have helped cover two presidential elections, as well as the Sept. 11 attacks, an “anthrax scare” in the Administration Building, and the U.S. strikes on Afghanistan and Baghdad.
Stories I have written have ranged from a history of pranks at ACU to the story of a young Indonesian piano virtuoso. I have given my spin on stories of politics, faith and sports, among others.
But in the past six years with the Optimist, I have been most influenced by stories that have emerged from my coverage of ACU’s storied track and field and cross country teams. When I volunteered to cover the sports as a freshman, I did not know this decision would be one of the most important of the next six years.
Beyond weekly stories on the outcomes of meets, I was exposed to the heartbreaking and motivational stories of many athletes who overcame much on their path to ACU.
My first feature story profiled Alfred Rugema, a scrawny sophomore, who escaped his war-torn nation of Burundi after seeing his family slaughtered. Rugema went on to become ACU’s first individual cross country national champion, also earning one individual title, eight runner-up finishes and seven all-America recognitions on the track.
Without a doubt, Alfred’s story has shaped mine.
Marvin Bien-Aime is a Wildcat sprinter whose story has influenced me greatly. Born to poor Haitian immigrants in Florida, Bien-Aime began running track and field as a high school junior, but failed to qualify for his state meet. After walking on to the ACU team without a scholarship, Bien-Aime has worked his way to becoming the fastest man in Division II track and field (as well as earning a scholarship). This summer, he will represent Haiti in the Caribbean Games.
Marvin’s determination and love for Haiti puts a smile on my face.
Gilbert Tuhabonye’s story was the most inspirational story I have ever told. Gilbert earned numerous all-America designations for a Wildcat track and field team that won seven national championships during his career. The Burundian’s running exploits were made all the more extraordinary when one considers that he shouldn’t be alive today. Amid a civil war that pitted the Hutu tribe against the Tutsis, a young Gilbert and hundreds of his Tutsi classmates and teachers were locked inside their school building and burned. After eight hours of torture, the badly burned Gilbert used a human bone to break a window and escape.
Gilbert’s story has changed many lives, including mine.
All of these stories have written me much more than I wrote them. This never would have been possible were it not for this learning lab we call the Optimist. Over the last 12 semesters, my work with the Optimist has been often challenging but never dissatisfying.
Thank you, Alfred, Marvin, Gilbert and others. Thank you, Optimist. Thank you, Lord.
