I attended the Washington Journalism & Media Conference (WJMC) program hosted at George Mason University in 2021. I worked alongside other students such as myself riveted by the media and communications. Beyond the written word, I have always desired the ability to inspire change through communication. An engaging conversation with Brian Lamb, the creator of C-SPAN, helped me feel inspired to focus on finding a future career path that suited my love of communication and language. Upon returning home, I created my personal blog to act as my own personal soap box. Its name “Elsey’s Word Salad” was drawn up to make a lighthearted jest at my proclivity to talk/write about anything and everything.

Whether I'm crafting research papers or poetry, my passion lies farther than just reading or writing. I love reveling in the creation process, and moreso, I am eager to understand the mechanics of language and all the vessels in which humans communicate with one another. Whether through music, books, television, or spoken language, I am interested in seeking artistic merit in every piece I enjoy, understanding the ways that language affects us in ways we cannot imagine, and dissecting whatever meaning lies far deeper than the eye can see.

Through school and the opportunities to take an assortment of classes geared towards professional writing, I discovered a love for linguistics. Following my graduation, I now plan to pursue a Master's in linguistics, focusing my studies on forensic linguistics (linguistics in legal contexts and settings). I wish to work in a legal setting to aid others with a futhered knowledge of language as a science.