Getting to know Mark Kotich..

The page is blank. The cursor is blinking. I don't know if I should be sharing some sort of ideology or personal affirmation. Or perhaps I'll tell you my life long goals even though I have not yet accomplished them. Some people have it all figured out. They look back and see their footsteps in the proverbial sand. They can stand confidently in a neutral position, knowing where they've been and where they want to go. I admire those that have found such a path. For me, life has always felt more like a three-legged race. It's me with my leg tied to my partner, destiny, fate, honestly, whatever helps you understand what I'm telling you. Sometimes along the way you fall down, and you get back up. You do your best to the finish the race. You think about quitting. Think about what shame it would carry if you did, or what admiration, and courage others might see in you if you didn't. What I'm telling you is that my clumsy partner, destiny, fate, whatever, even though they make me fall down time after time, I've come to realize that direction is great, but without motivation, and work ethic, you can't go anywhere. So you pick that clumsy tag-a-long of a partner up, dust yourself off and proceed in the race of life.
It's the first day of class and I'm already e-mailing Regina to tell her that I won't be able to make it. Instead I'm at my job. I work at a distribution center for a major retailer. I won't tell you which one, but I think you'll figure it out. I've been working for "big red" (hint hint) for the past 10 years. You might ask what exactly it is that I do, or what department I work in? Honestly, it doesn't matter. Department to department the goal is to pick up a box, move a box, and hopefully after it arrives at the store, it ends up in your shopping cart. I get paid well enough. The job is tiring, physically demanding, but it also allows me the time necessary to finish my schooling at Washburn, which I am extremely grateful for.
That's where I'm mentally at the time of this writing, which might possibly be the most worthwhile example of myself. However, to simplify things I am a born and raised Topekan. I've lived here all my life. That's truly astonishing, right? I'm not sure I should write any further because how can it get any better than that? I'm a non-traditional student which means I travel by 47 large helium balloons strung together. Of course I'm lying to you, about the balloons not the non-traditional student part.  I graduated from Washburn Tech in 2012.   I hung back for awhile and worked, but wanted more out of life so I returned to school. As far as extracurricular activities go, well I have never been much for hobbies. I read, workout when I can find the time and feed my three cat's incessant cries for MORE food.
Basically, if you want to know who I am, here it is. I'm a bit of a nerd. I can be creative at times, but also stubborn. I can be motivated and lazy in the same day, same hour, sam... I didn't feel like finishing that sentence. I love going to Washburn and hope it becomes a large piece of my life's puzzling future. I'm a kind person most of the time, but NO I will not loan you money. That's the line.
I hope that this has given you some insight as to who I am. Perhaps it has steered you away from ever wanting to know me, or maybe, just maybe you have just opened Pandora's box. A very much less complex, closer to a rubik's cube Pandora's box...

Never Quit, Keep Rolling

Things never comes to anyone, unless you go get it. You are not anywhere does not means you will not. Quintin Todd, is a very motivated person I met. Talking to him find out he struggle through his way but he did not stop, and planning not to until he gets where he wants to be. 

Todd was born in EL Dorado, KS and grew up there most of his life. He like reading and following news, Mostly related with electronics and companies belong to same field. He also likes researching the one interest him the most and get into more detail off of it. Todd likes to create business plans when he comes up with new idea. I will say a potential Entrepreneur. 

He started his college career at University of Kansas in 2009. He had a very rough start, did not do very well at the first time. After 2010 he took off for three years of school and later in 2014 he decided to go back in KU. However it did work out very well either. Finally he Transferred  at Washburn University and feeling he made the right choice. 

He is ready to get his degree in business management and start working as a manager of any corporation who deals with Electronics. We all wish a very good luck to you man, Just keep Rolling. 

Lisa's Story

Don't let vibrant and colorful hair fool you, They might surprise you


Lisa is girl of many passions and talents. Her vibrant and colorful hair wouldn't lead you to believe she loves the things she does. But caring, shy, and outspoken she is full of surprises. A senior at Washburn University. She is a double majoring in Mass Media and English.

One of the
many passions she has is poetry. Dating back to her high school days where she would have group of friends who would get together in the auditorium and read poetry, sometimes even perform it. She loves animals, but has currently narrowed her selection down to 2 dogs Theta and Taiga, and a red tail boa snake who's name is Wolfgang.

Even tho she is shy she still enjoys making everyone around her feel comfortable and laugh. One of her favorites memories was in high school at Shawnee Mission West she was on stage getting ready to give her poetry piece in a competition she fainted and fell on her pregnant teacher. She likes to joke with people that no matter how nervous you get public speaking just know, you didn't faint and fall on your favorite pregnant teacher.

A fan of all music she does not discriminate about any artist. ranging from Hip Hop to alternative, she loves it all. After college, even though she would love to to continue reading poetry and performing it for the rest of her life. She has aspirations of being a lead publicist when she is older.

From the heartland, MaKenzi Holt

MaKenzi Holt is a native Kansan who is very compassionate and caring about everyone in her life. She loves her family and the children of the day care center she works for.

Holt loves traveling and the outdoors. When she was a little, she went to the Grand Canyon. Recently, she came back from Disney world in Orlando, Florida with her mom.

Holt loves reading and listening to country music. She is currently reading "the girl on train" by Paula Hawkins. She also loves listening to a local radio station called country legends 94.5 FM.

Holt used to study education to be a teacher but she changed her mind after planning her sister's wedding. Her love of planning and coordinating sparked her interest in public relations. She is now a senior pursuing a degree in mass media with emphasis in public relations and looking forward for a career in event planning when she graduates.

Fahad Alfaryyan Story

The simplicity of the Midwest leads a young man to Topeka, Kansas. Fahad came to Washburn University 3 years ago to study abroad. He is from Saudi Arabia. He really loves Topeka and enjoys studying here at Washburn. He is a senior pursuing his degree in mass media with an emphasis in public relations.

Fahad joined the Washburn Review once he came to Washburn. This lead him to become a photographer, who enjoys taking pictures. An interesting thing about Fahad is that his name means cheetah. He loves to ride his bike.

Fahad loves to play video games. He really likes to play all kinds of games. He plays these games online on his Xbox One and playstation 4.

After college Fahad plans to work in a public relations firm here in Topeka. 

Cameron Wiggins showcases his talent for inducing laughter

Cameron Wiggins has a passion for many things in life, including shoes, social media and making people laugh.

On June 9, 2012 Cameron and his brother waited into the night for a link that would be posted to Twitter. Nike had announced a link coming out around midnight to purchase a new pair of shoes featured by Kanye West. Thus began the fascination of the way that social media could influence and effect its users.

In the future, Wiggins could see himself working for Nike or Adidas as a social media director. Working at different headquarters, including in Oregon, and possibly in Germany.

He expressed his passion in many areas of his life, but most tend to correlate with affecting the people he reaches out to - especially with his humor.

Wiggins recalled a teacher he had in fourth grade, Miss Moorehead, who he would come in each morning to with a joke. His teacher was pregnant at the time, and Cameron would come in asking "when baby Cameron was due."

Wiggins said he loves to make people laugh, and that it is such an important part of his life.

"Every morning I would make [Miss Moorehead] laugh," Wiggins said, "I wanted to make her mornings start off well."

Sights Set On A Better Life! The Story of Isran Rahman.

Born in Bangladesh, Isran Rahman moved to Topeka Kansas 5 years ago with his family.

When Rahman moved to Kansas he felt "like a newborn baby".  

He was culture shocked! He remember the time he had to shovel snow off his car and driving wasn't so easy either.

Rahman is currently finishing his Mass Media major with a minor in Business. His plans is to start his career working in an advertising firm. Right now his focus on the task at hand and that is finishing the summer with a bang!