With her bright red hair blowing in the wind behind her, you might just think Miranda Davis (@MirandaDavisUDK) is Superwoman. One look at her long list of accomplishments and activities will confirm this idea for sure. Born and raised in Lawrence, Miranda learned long ago that KU was the best place for her. As she describes it, “KU felt like the place I could truly be myself.” As a junior double majoring in journalism and political science, Miranda has certainly had her fair share of Jayhawk love. She spends her time outside of classes writing as a Student Senate reporter for the UDK and as a general assignment reporter. If that wasn’t quite enough, Miranda also utilizes her time as president of Miller Scholarship Hall, runs a scholarship hall camping group for basketball, and participates in volunteer activities as often as she can. As president of Miller Hall, she’s responsible for the fifty women inside of the house and the crucial ties between Miller Scholarship Hall and the other eleven scholarship halls. When asked how she manages it all, Miranda can’t help but respond with a laugh,
“I don’t. I let things slip through the cracks. Things don’t get done. But I try, and I laugh, and that’s the most important thing.”
As a Lawrence native, Miranda found herself wondering if KU was the right place for her. However, she couldn’t help but fall in love with the sights and sounds of Lawrence all over again. Miranda declares that she loves everything about KU, from the traditions to the action of Wescoe Beach. But more than anything, Miranda loves the people. She describes Lawrence as the place to be accepted, the place where dreams come true, and the only real place to hone her craft. After all, the School of Journalism feels just right for Miranda. It’s a place where she can follow her dreams, all while inspiring others to do so as well.
Sitting down with Miranda, it’s hard not to be encouraged by her attitude and altogether willingness to change the world to the best of her ability. She’s most passionate about informing the world and its people about the issues and concerns that affect them directly. She encourages every student to stay plugged into what’s happening around them, whether those policies do or do not affect them. For her, college is all about getting involved and challenging to see the world through varying perspectives. When asked what her greatest words of advice to any reader out there, Miranda responded, “Don’t be afraid to try anything and everything. College is one of those places where you’ll be the busiest and freest you’ll ever be, so don’t let the moments pass.
Find your passion and stick with it, through the long run.”
When asked why she does what she does, Miranda can’t help but draw on her love of Lawrence. For her, Lawrence has always been a place with an open-mind. A place where everyone is accepted, no matter who they are or what they decide to do. For Miranda, Lawrence is a place where someone learns to be weird, in the best way possible. She learned quickly that while everyone may be a “little weird in their own way,” at least Lawrence will accept the individual.
In the end, Miranda’s story is all about finding a home in the most unexpected of places. She found her home in the scholarship hall community, a place where people inspire each other to be the very best they can be. She found her place in Miller Scholarship Hall, where the lovely ladies of Lilac Lane dare to live and laugh and love. She found her home in the bustle of Allen Fieldhouse, on the devoted staff of the UDK, and in the ever-accepting streets of Lawrence. Maybe, most importantly, Miranda seems to have found her family, a family unlike any other. For her, family is composed of the people who dare to love her, unconditionally, with no reservations. It’s the people who challenge her to do better, be better. Now that sounds like one heck of a Superwoman.