MODG News Reporter Allison Felix interviews MODG graduate, Lonán Mooney – she is now a rising sophomore at Hillsdale College. The two converse over topics such as college, majors, and high school graduation.
When you graduated, did you know what you wanted to pursue? How did you discover this?
Yes! Through your last few years of high school, you get quizzed a lot about what you’re gonna do afterwards, and I wanted to combine as many of my interests and talents God gave me as possible into a viable career. So, I’m currently pursuing political speech writing because it combines my love for the written word and writing, along with my interest in policy and government. My grandmother was one of the first women to work in DC in this career, which is how I heard about it, and it would be such an honor to follow in her footsteps. However, I wish I could major in my hobbies, and I still fully have hope, God willing, that I can be the author of the novel that I’m working on and a homemaker like my own mother.
What skills in high school transferred into your college work, or perhaps better prepared you?
I would say that I learned how to plan and be organized and self-sufficient in high school. Even though my mom oversaw my education, I still relied on my self-motivation and being on top of things. Also, the classical style of education definitely transferred onto my current education.
What do you love the most about your major of choice?
My current major is rhetoric and media. I love this major because it combines my interest in history, the media, and how it has the power to shape us and our own opinion and even form a persona around a historical figure or event that doesn’t correlate to reality. Rhetoric and how people utilize speech to be used persuasively, along with media, has the power to destroy figures. I believe virtuous people must aim to understand the concepts underlying these topics to use them for good. Growing up, I always had such a fascination with old Hollywood stars in particular, and as I learned more and more about prominent figures, I realized how important narratives and the preservation of truth contrasted with unethical journalism and media.
Why did you choose your college of choice?
I remember I had no idea where I was going to go to college, and then one day my dad sent me an article that Hillsdale had themed around a lecture series they held around film noir films (a niche and specific style of film, derived from a French style that was very prominent in the 40s and 50s in Hollywood). It was so niche of a topic that seemed so tailored to me that I knew that it was God’s way of reaching out to me through my interests. I then applied to their Italy trip and loved how it brought me closer to understanding beauty and divinely-focused art. After that experience, I was truly convinced that it was the place for me, but I offered it up to God and prayed that I’d be able to accept whatever the outcome of my application was, and I was so blessed that I got in.
After graduation, what career do you wish to pursue?
Like I mentioned, I’d love to pursue political speech writing, working in DC for a while bringing to fruition speeches that have the power to influence generations and inform and enlighten the current generation (which are my hopes) However, I am in the process of writing a novel and would love to complete and hopefully publish it one day. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve wanted to be a wife and mother, also, so please God, that’s in the books for the future. It’s so important to find a trade or a degree in something that you can pursue or return to at some point in your life, so I’m grateful I’m in a place to do that. It’s also important to me to preserve my native Gaelic language and culture, so I could see myself perhaps teaching it, and definitely to my children, at some point.
Would you encourage others to pursue your major, and why?
I would say that one of the main factors lacking in today’s society is media literacy and so while I wouldn’t necessarily encourage everyone to pursue my major because everyone should utilize their own talents and interest to do good, I think taking an intro class that would help with critical thinking skills and perception of media and the power of speech and the written word would be extremely helpful to yield a more competent and perceptive generation.
What do you enjoy doing outside of your studies? Do you take part in any clubs, groups, etc.?
There are so many things! Especially, I love spending time with my friends and my boyfriend. We do almost absolutely everything together which is a really important skill to learn how to do in college since you don’t really get to have designated moments to spend with people you love, my friends/my boyfriend and I have really worked on finding ways that we can do school and be productive together but also spend quality time together. Whether that means walking to the microwave together to make late-night ramen or doing laundry together in the highly competitive laundry room while one of us recites a speech they have to deliver the next day, it’s truly about living in the moment and making the most of the time that you do have. I also love participating in sorority events and fundraisers. I’m so grateful that Hillsdale has so many clubs and societies and beautiful places so you might find me walking around the Arboretum in the garden or attending the walking rosary, or if you ask first semester me, I’d say swing dance club but all of the good dancers stopped going to that, hopefully more will come back next year. I wouldn’t say I’m a party animal, but my spontaneous friends have really helped me put myself out there, and I enjoy going out every couple of weekends and having a good time.
What is the best experience you have had upon high school graduation?
Although my actual graduation was truly a core memory for me (I got to graduate with my mom and sister watching me give a speech, alongside my friends), college truly is such a blessing. My most treasured moments aren’t found in grand, extravagant events but in those quiet, mundane moments, when you’re surrounded by people you love and love you in God’s creation, and you feel overwhelmed by emotion and gratitude. If you keep waiting for the “right” “perfect” moment to be happy– you find yourself disregarding the quiet beauty of life itself, free from shallow accomplishments and toxic presuppositions of perfection. I think immersing myself in life without comparison and the internet is one of the most valuable things you can do for yourself. I think about sometimes having a childlike faith is returning to elements of being childlike in life itself- so I often reconnect with how I am the person and in the place little me always dreamed of, and that I should come at life with the same excitement, wonder, and whimsy of a child. Little things like making snow cones on a frozen lake with my best friend, or dancing in a garden with my boyfriend, are core memories for me.
Do you work at all outside of your studies? Do you encourage students to work? If so, why?
I work two jobs on campus. I work at the local coffee shop and café, and as an art model for the art department. I will say I wouldn’t recommend for everyone to work unless they have to, just because it does cut in a lot to your time and as I go to a very rigourous school in particular I have to balance my time very efficiently however besides the obvious reason of making financial compensation, I think everyone should work a base level job at some point in their life even if it is just to gain a deeper awareness and appreciation of the concept of work, as well as a means to to acquiring skills. If everyone had to work retail or food service, we’d have a much polite society towards minimum-wage employees.
What advice would you like to give to current high school seniors?
There is a lot of pressure on you right now to have everything figured out. I don’t know if this was just my experience, but there were gonna be some people who seemed to have a direct line to God’s plan and could do everything without a hint of anxiety or uncertainty. I can assure you this was NOT my experience. Even though I was extremely intentional and prayerful, I was extremely nervous and anxious about my future. Some dark moments ultimately led me to such a place that I had to rely on God as a last resort, forcing me to take pressure off myself and allow for God’s plan to take its course, even if I wasn’t sure what that was. I highly recommend praying for the virtues of hope and faith, since these are virtues they are gifts that are granted they are not things that come naturally to most people I would also say that you are not a machine you’re not someone that was built for productivity and so be kind to yourself and give yourself the forgiveness and mercy that our Lord treats us with.
If you only have 20% to give on a given day, and you give that 20%, that’s you giving all you can add 100% of what you can give on that day, and that’s okay! Even though it might be the case that you think high school was your peak, I promise you there are so many amazing things to come, and don’t be afraid to distance yourself or create boundaries to grant you peace. Lastly, comparison truly is the thief of joy. Why do you not see people comparing da Vinci with Michelangelo because they’re both geniuses and talented in their own right, and to compare them is to cheapen their talent and gifts? In college, there are going to be people who do better than you. And please, ladies, don’t ever let a man come between your female friendships. Your true female friends are one of the most important connections you’ll ever make- and some immature teenage guy who has something to gain from you won’t be the one that you go crying to when he breaks your heart, running meals to you after your first baby. Focus on forging these strong friendships and then, I trust if it’s God’s plan, you WILL find your godly relationship! Modern society wants women to compete with one another, so it’s important to uplift one another and defend our sisters. Take time to know yourself and be comfortable in yourself, and eat regular meals that nourish you and bring you joy. You can’t love other people if you don’t love yourself as a beautiful person made in His Image and Likeness. It’s not “love your neighbor like you wished you loved yourself” it’s “love your neighbor AS you love yourself.”
