Have you ever met someone had large ambitions but you just felt, no matter what, that this person would accomplish them? That may sound presumptuous but listening to Amy Powell speak, you could just sense the confidence. Confidence not only in her abilities but confidence in herself. Amy is 20-year-old junior at Western Michigan University. She would like to become the speechwriter for the president one day. In order to accomplish this she’s majoring in journalism and minoring in political science. She will graduate in the winter of 2003.

Amy’s successes go further than the world of academia. She is involved in extra-curricular activities. She served as a class representative for two years while in high school in Fort Knox, Kentucky and served one year in Fraser, Michigan. She says she did this "because I wanted to be involved in a decision-making group." Also, she is currently the treasurer and the president elect for the Western Michigan University Republicans, her term as president will begin in the fall.

While Amy was in high school, she joined the choir in Ft. Knox. Amy sang in the choir for two years, until moving to Fraser. She didn’t know what to expect of the new school and the new choir. Amy says that when she got to Frasier their choir (called the Frasier Singers) was "a lot better than me."

In light of the events of September 11^th, the nation has become more aware of our military servicemen and their families and how they sacrifice for us everyday. Amy’s family was one of those families. Her father, Larry, served out nation during the Gulf War. She has moved around almost every two years and has had to re-adjust and make new friends every time. "Growing up I resented my parents for making me live a military life and having to move around every few years but now I’m proud of it, ’’added Amy.

Amy was born in Ft. Polk, Louisiana on June 14, 1981. Fort Polk was the home of the 5^th Infantry Division, but is now the home of Joint Readiness Training Center (where they train special and light forces). After living there for two and a half years, her father got transferred and they moved to Fort Belvoir, Virginia, the home of the Army Engineers. During their stay of a year and half Amy’s brother, Daniel, was born. After leaving Virginia, they moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Fort Bragg is home of the 82^nd Airborne Division (they have to be ready to deploy, and be anywhere in 18 hours or less).

After living in Fort Bragg, Amy’s father was again transferred, this time to Fort Clayton, Panama. "Panama was a learning experience, it was just after Noreaga was forced out of office," remarked Amy. Amy remembers "the jungle in my backyard, and how my brother, me and my friend spent our days exploring it." Finally after three years of living in Panama, Amy and her family moved to Fort Knox (home of the United State gold reserve and the headquarters for the recruiting command of the US Army. After serving two years at Fort Knox, Amy’s father retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, after serving a total of 20 years.

Finally, after all the years, Amy’s family has been allowed to return to civilian life. Amy’s mother, Sue, started working as a florist, he brother Daniel was in high school (he’s now a freshman at WMU) and she was now attending WMU. Her father now works as an engineering consultant for S.A.I.C (Science Applications International Corporation), a government-contracted company.

Amy’s writing is another of her great assets. She’s had numerous articles published in the Western Herald, the WMU student newspaper. She lists her biggest role model, as Peggy Noonan, the speechwriter for President Reagan during his administration. Noonan has now published two books concerning Reagans time as president. Amy also reads the New York Times and the Washington Times everyday.

While Amy, was going to junior high in Ft. Belvoir, she had a once in a lifetime experience. "I wanted to do a school-to-work at the White House with the presidents speech writer but I got assigned to one of the secretaries." The secretary was in charge of answering the president’s mail from children. While working there for a day, Amy got to meet Sox (President Clinton’s cat). Also, she got to see President Clinton from a distance greeting a dignitary from Africa.

Amy is currently single and spends her free time watching movies, getting coffee and playing pool. She lives in Davis Hall with her roommate, Liz. Amy’s main hobbies are playing the piano and reading, however, "this summer I plan on learning photography." One of Amy’s largest fears, is the fear of squirrels. She fears them so much because of what she calls a "bad childhood experience." "One day while playing with my brother we chased them and then they started chasing us." "They always seem to come close to me when I walk by them, " said Amy.

In five years, Amy sees herself "hopefully, working as the speechwriter to the president." "Living in Alexandria, Virginia, very independent." Amy is a self-proclaimed "neat freak," she compares herself to Jennifer Lopez in "the Wedding Planner." " Jennifer Lopez was fixing everything, even the place mat and her sheets when she was in bed had to be a certain way. That is me all the way," Amy tells me begrudgingly.

Everybody has dreams, and few get to see them. You see Amy, working hard to accomplish her dreams and you just want everything to work out for her. A person that puts in her work every day in the hopes that one day will accomplish what they have set out to do. Fairy tales do come true don’t they?