submitted by Dr. Michael Wesch

Last year, the community of Meadowlark Hills offered a warm and vibrant welcome to the students of the Kansas State University Digital Ethnography class. I still remember how excited Chloe and Steph were when they were snowed in and found themselves playing pool with the Pool Sharks, and how deeply moved so many of my students were when you opened up to them, and allowed them to open up to you. The video my students produced last year, “Smile Because it Happened,” is now available online at http://vimeo.com/68388753 and will soon be shown at a conference in Denver, Colorado. Almost all of the students will be reuniting to drive out to Denver together.

This year my students hope to be even more involved in the community. Seven students will be moving in full time and four more will be visiting frequently.  

They are a wonderful group that I think you will be delighted to meet. Many of them will have some fascinating stories to share. Belema, for example, came to Kansas State from Nigeria when she was 16 years old. Vasilios recently attempted to hitchhike from here to the Bayou of Louisiana. Jordan lived on a self-sustaining farm in Costa Rica this past summer. Carol joins us from Alaska, and Kenzie from California. If you see Madeline around, ask her to sing you a song on her ukulele. She is an amazing poet and has a beautiful voice. Or ask Alex to play you a song. He is a wonderful musician. Ask Kayla to tell you about her many adventures, including a recent stint as a Roller Derby skater. Or see if you can get Danny to do one of his stand up routines. Nick is an avid improvisational actor and is currently the managing director of Playback Theatre, a group that has performed at Meadowlark Hills in the past. Aaron brings some real professionalism to our team. He films athletic events for K-State HD and has been involved in many creative projects.

They all have so many wonderful stories to share, and they can't wait to share them and hear your stories as well.