By Maiya Tomlin
As we close out the first semester with exams, that means the Lovett class of 2025 is wrapping up their first semester of college. I decided to check in with two very special Lovett alums, best friends, and former OnLion reporters, Taylor Johnson and Olivia Janis.
Taylor is currently attending Tulane University in New Orleans, studying psychology and minoring in Spanish, and Olivia is pre-law at the University of Michigan, studying history.
I asked how they felt their college experience differed from their daily lives at Lovett. “For the first time, I feel truly in control of my time,” Olivia told me. “At first, this can seem kind of scary, but once you acclimate, it’s the absolute best part and probably the biggest difference that makes it better than high school.”
Taylor agreed with the freedom aspect, but she added, “It’s a lot different because the amount of people, I didn’t realize how small Lovett actually is.” Even though she pointed out that Tulane is a medium/small school, she described the student body as “explosive” in number, a classic Taylorism. “I am still meeting new people every day, and just so many different vibes and people from all over,” she said. Taylor described this sensation as a “culture shock,” and why we should all be “getting hyped for college.”
They told me, which Mr. Newman will be delighted to hear, that they have implemented some skills they acquired while writing for the OnLion in their college careers. “I have to take this English 1010 writing class, and we’ve had a couple of journals and stuff, so I’ve been bringing in my skills back in,” Taylor told me. “And even my food review skills,” she added.
Olivia said she has definitely utilized her newspaper skills as someone who takes a lot of humanities classes. She noted that she works at the International House of Ann Arbor, and one of her jobs is writing newsletters, “so I definitely use my newspaper skills for that,” she told me. She plans to join the Michigan Every Three Weekly satirical newspaper in the second semester, “if I get in… prayers up,” she added. Everyone, say a quick prayer for Olivia.
I asked them what their favorite articles they wrote in their OnLion careers were, and they both reminisced on pieces that certainly had Lovett students and faculty laughing. “My favorite article I wrote would probably be the joint article on blind dates I wrote with Mackenna and Taylor for Valentine’s Day,” Olivia told me
Taylor told me her favorites were, “the Chopped Chin article when me and McKenna snuck into North Atlanta and met Chopped Chin, and then we interviewed him.” She also added that one of her favorite memories was “setting off the NAHS alarm when we left.”
Through these stories, Taylor and Olivia’s voices and personalities remain a lasting part of the OnLion, and I highly recommend reading them, along with the Cane’s article, which Taylor told me is also worth mentioning.
They also reminisced about their favorite memories from the OnLion. “It’s hard to pick a favorite memory, honestly newspaper genuinely just brought me so much joy during a long and hard day. Mr. Newman was always making me laugh, and the class was always so talkative and fun,” Olivia said.
To which Taylor added, “Just all the debriefs and talks that I would be having with Mr. Newman. I miss Mr. Newman. RIP. Tell him I miss him.” (Mr. Newman wanted me to note that he’s still very much alive.)
I asked them for any last words to close out their catch-up, and Taylor, in true Taylor fashion, replied: “Lovett, I know you miss me. I know you’re sad I’m not there. I know nobody’s laughing in the newspaper anymore. I shouldn’t say that, but yes, mazel tov.”
Safe to say, the Lovett OnLion will never have another Taylor and Olivia, and we wish them both the best as they continue their new adventures in college. And while they’ll be missed here, we’ll keep our “prayers up” that Olivia can continue her journalism career at the Michigan Every Three Weekly. Given that it’s a humor newspaper, she should thrive there if they pick her.
