Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (July 25, 2018)
16 Wednesday, July 25, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Sisters writer off to teach id Japad By Ceili Cornelius Correspondent Sisters local Zachary Lusby, a recent graduate of the University of Oregon, is off to teach English in Japan. Lusby grew up in Sisters and attended Redmond Proficiency Academy and then the University of Oregon. Lusby received his first pay- check from The Nugget in 2008. Lusby was a corre- spondent for a time, writing stories about events at Sisters Movie House, including the “Twilight” series screen- ings. He also wrote pieces on youths’ reception of certain films that would come through the movie house. “The Nugget gave me a place to hone my writing and figure out what I wanted to be writing about,” Lusby said. His pursuit of being a writer didn’t stop after The Nugget; he went on to create the RPA Gazette which later became known as SPEC mag- azine at Redmond Proficiency Academy, and was the copy editor for The Siren feminist magazine at the University of Oregon. Lusby attended U of O with a writing career as the goal, and so he realized major- ing in English was the better route for him than a journal- ism degree. “I knew I wanted my writing to be more creative and to draw on my own life experiences, so I decided on the English program and graduated with a minor in creative writing,” said Lusby. The program at the University of Oregon assured him he was in the right place career-wise. “The program taught me to critically read and gave me a whole breadth of knowledge about writing and reading. Every aspect of my writing has improved because of it,” said Lusby. Lusby always knew he wanted to get life experience and travel under his belt. He had heard of the teaching pro- gram in Japan from a friend, so the idea was always float- ing around throughout his college career. He applied for the position in September and received the job in May of his graduating year. Lusby will be working with the Japan Exchange Teaching Program in Western Japan in a rural region known as Korsi. “A lot of people are hesi- tant towards the program because of its rural location, but I am actually excited for that aspect to see a different part of the country and be immersed in that culture, and then of course be able to travel to other parts and countries in Asia,” said Lusby. Lusby will be an English teacher working with four different elementary schools teaching basic English to stu- dents. He will also be work- ing as a cultural ambassador teaching Japanese students about Western culture. “I am excited to meet a whole group of people I wouldn’t have otherwise, and excited to be fully immersed in a culture I am interested in,” he said. Without the small-town community around me, I wouldn’t have had my writing recognized in the way it was; it really gave me a chance to hone my skills and focus the direction I wanted to go. — Zachary Lusby Lusby has already attended orientations and trainings in the U.S., and there are a few more hands-on trainings when he arrives in Japan in two weeks. The program allows for him to re-contract for as long as he would like, but he is planning on a two-year con- tract with the program. PHOTO PROVIDED Zachary Lusby of Sisters recently graduated from the University of Oregon and will soon head off to Japan on a two-year teaching contract. “I am excited to see how I like teaching and being immersed in the school set- ting,” he said. “I plan on see- ing how it goes teaching and then possibly return to school myself and possibly pursuing a master’s degree and moving towards the publishing route.” Lusby credits the commu- nity of Sisters and his experi- ences with The Nugget with inspiring him to pursue this program and continue to work on his writing. “Without the small-town community around me, I wouldn’t have had my writing recognized in the way it was; it really gave me a chance to hone my skills and focus the direction I wanted to go,” said Lusby. “Being in Sisters also made me want to see what else is out there, and motivated me to pursue finding things involving different cultures and communities.” THANK YOU to all our readers who have let us know how much they enjoy reading The Nugget. We are honored by your appreciation and support! The Nugget You, too, can help The Nugget continue its journalistic mission... Readers like you can join our loyal advertisers in bringing The Nugget to Sisters — for free — every week! Thank you for supporting us! Make a fi nancial contribution to keep professional community journalism thriving in Sisters... ܂ $50/year Supporting Subscription ܂ $100/year Sustaining Subscription ܂ $________ Other Contribution Three easy ways to support community journalism: • Complete the form below and mail today • Call 541-549-9941 and pay by credit card • Go to NuggetNews.com to contribute online Name __________________________________________________________________ Address _________________ City ______________ State ____ Zip _________ Visit NuggetNews.com, stop by the offi ce at 442 E. Main Ave. (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri), call us at 541-549-9941, or drop a check in the mail. Phone ______________ Email ___________________________________________ ܂ Check enclosed ܂ Please charge my credit card Visa/MasterCard __________________________ Exp. __ /__ Security Code ___ Mail to: The Nugget, PO Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759 PHOTO BY GARY MILLER
