Hi, my name is Jennifer (she/her/hers) and I’m from Oklahoma. I received my AS in Accounting
last spring from SNHU. In my bachelor’s program I am working on my Business Administration
degree, with a concentration in Human Resources Management. I’m down to my final 3 classes!
I am the Mom of the Year to two kids, ages 28 (son) and 15 (daughter), and a Lolli to two grand-
girls, ages 9 & 7. I’m a Dog Mom to a spoiled Pit Bull, Bella. I work as the office administrator
for a helicopter and jet management company. I am very passionate about reading and education
at all levels. In my spare time you can find me keeping score at my daughter’s softball games
or cheering on my beloved Sooners and Celtics.
I am a Gen-X’er and I feel like my entire childhood was filled with the greatest pop culture.
The 80s are iconic – the music, fashion, and movies are still talked about and emulated
constantly. Pop culture is everywhere we look. It is in the movies/shows we watch, books and
articles we read, and our favorite music. Recently added to that list is the growing popularity of
our favorite podcasts. Social media has brought pop culture into our lives at a closer range and
with greater impact. We are connected to others in ways we haven’t been before. It doesn’t
matter if you are on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, etc., you are able to experience
different forms of pop culture 24/7. Pop culture brings us together with those who are into the
same kinds of things. Fandoms and events such as Comic-Con are a way for those with different
backgrounds to interact with others. One example of how pop culture shows up in my life would
be through a few accounts I follow on TikTok. They are more affectionately known as
“BookTok”. I have received several book recommendations and even made “friends” with
others in that community. I am then able to pass those recommendations on to my friends and
family, as well as through my Goodreads app.
Pop culture impacts us even when we aren’t seeking it out. To me, Star Wars is one of the most
prolific pieces of popular culture from my childhood. The first move, Star Wars: A New Hope,
hit the big screen on May 25, 1977. Forty-five years later and that franchise and fandom
continues to grow. There have been new movies, characters, and television shows. If you are
someone who has never seen any of the movies, odds are great that you know the iconic
characters. Everyone knows Darth Vader, Princess Leia, R2D2, or C3PO. I believe the same
could be written about Stranger Things. It has continued to grow in popularity and there are
many fandoms connected to the show. If someone has never watched an episode, they do know
the premise and main characters.
Pop culture has the ability to bind us to a stranger simply based on our mutual love of Eddie
Munson.
Good luck to each of you over the next 8 weeks!
