NEWS WRITING

OH SNAP!

By Kirsten DeZeeuw

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It is the first day of school: Bag- check, pencils- check, mom… check? 

Deborah Porter, 52, and Jessica Seeders, 28, are both members of the housekeeping staff at JMU. The mother-daughter duo decided to go back to school and enroll in Intro to Photography together this semester as a means of mother-daughter bonding. 

 “I was super excited when I saw them in class,” said Danielle Gish, one of Porter and Seeders’ classmates. “I always enjoy seeing people of an older generation continuing to learn, and it’s nice getting to interact with some non college-age students.”

Porter said she encouraged her daughter to take photography with her after recently taking another art class, Drawing I, by herself. While she claims it was an overall “good experience”, enrolling in a class as an individual who is older than the typical college age reportedly came with its own anxieties. 

“I was worried about being older, but everybody was really nice,” Porter said, smiling, recounting her experience in Drawing I. “But it is more relaxing to have somebody that you know [in class with you].”

Historically, the two have had what they describe as a close relationship, and this class was another opportunity for them to spend even more time together while learning more about photography; a topic both Porter and Seeders claim to be passionate about. 

“I talk to her every morning- every morning,” Seeders said, regarding her relationship with Porter. “We can talk to each other about [photography] outside of class.”

During this semester, another generation of the family got involved in the experience when Seeders brought her toddler age daughter, Aurora, to class- extending the family bonding experience even further. 

“I loved having them in class, and even having Aurora there a couple of times,” said Professor Rebecca Silberman, the professor of the Intro to Photography class. “I felt the most connected I have ever felt since being at JMU by having them be a part of our adventure this semester.” 

Some members of the class were moved by Porter and Seeder’s example, and found inspiration from what has been described by some as their willingness to learn and determination. 

“They are fantastic role models for all of us,” said Silberman. “This is what a university should be about: all of us learning, growing, and being open and inclusive.”

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