by Abby Andresen
As college students, we always go through the “Where are you from?” conversation. My response has and always will be, “My home is Steubenville, Ohio.” Some know of Steubenville Big Red, my high school. Some know of Franciscan University of Steubenville. Some people think I say “Stupidville.” And, most of the time, people have never heard of it. Today, my response no longer requires a pronunciation clarification or the mundane “40 miles west of Pittsburgh” description.
I am a proud product of Steubenville; the Steubenville City Schools system, the local churches, the grocery stores, the football games, my neighbors, peers, and family. All have influenced who I have become as a person.
In the past several months, this small city of about 18,000 people has been placed in a direct spotlight on CNN, The Today Show, the New York Times, Nancy Grace, Anderson Cooper, popular blogs, the hacker group Anonymous, and several stories and viral videos across the social media spectrum. This attention has created an opportunity for opinionated people to paint a very stained image of my home with which I rightfully and respectfully disagree.
The chaos of rumors, protests, opinionated Facebook posts, and even threats to schools peaked while I was home for Christmas break. The palpable tension, pain, and anxiety were inescapable in every corner of the city. After shooting threats were made to the middle school, all schools in the district were placed on lockdown. Anywhere you shop, eat, get gas, or worship, you will undoubtedly hear loud or hushed conversation about the high school, the involved people, the football program, etc.
As a citizen of Steubenville and an alumna of Steubenville High School, I feel the pain, worry, and true sadness of the attack on my home. I do not condone rape. I do not condone treating it lightly. No person deserves the physical, emotional, and mental torture of the heinous crime. Every aspect of my home has instilled in me a strong moral fiber, a pride in a rich history, academic excellence, spiritual strength, and a deep and true sense of community.
I truly hope that the national and even global community can try to imagine experiencing these events from the inside. Is Steubenville in the Top Ten US Cities? No. Most people didn’t even know it existed before August. But their opinion colored by these events is skewed, loud, and influential. Steubenville is not a city filled with corrupt minds and morals. In fact, the people I know are beautiful souls that are kind, considerate, and passionate. We are contributors to the world, the universe, just as you are.
Perhaps you have shared a viral video or a blog/newspaper article. Maybe you’ve publicly or privately shared your opinion. In doing so, keep in mind that our home is not defined by the wrongdoings of a few. Steubenville High School is the educational hub of a variety of students. It is a center of art and music for people who may otherwise never get the opportunity for such exposure. It provides ample opportunities for the academic success of its students. Athletics are not only popular entertainment within the city, but also an opportunity to develop discipline, passion, and unite a community.
When shining a light on the positive aspects, it is easy to see the role the school system plays and why people feel so strongly about it. Situations such as this are invariably much deeper than they appear. Steubenville is not the straw city you have seen in the news and other media. It has an often shielded or hidden brilliant resilience. We are a community. And I, like others, am so proud to call Steubenville my home.
