Jess Boehner, born and raised in California, has lived in Boulder, Colorado, for the past three years. “I’ve grown up in the Sierra Nevadas, surrounded by mountains, beauty, and community,” Boehner stated. “I love Colorado so much because it expands what I know to be home.”

She is a senior at CU Boulder majoring in Journalism and minoring in Creative Writing. With a strong passion for storytelling, her interests in music, the outdoors, and creativity, find their way onto the page. While she doesn’t know where she will be after graduation, she is confident that she will do something she loves. “I know I love to write. Whether it’s about myself, others, or a make-believe character, I know it’s what I’m good at. I also love to talk so whatever I can do to get people to hear what I have to say, I’ll be happy.”

Over the past few years, Boehner has explored many hobbies leading her to discover more about herself. From water coloring to guitar lessons to golf, she has done it all. She explained, “I was shy as a kid so I never really tried anything out of my comfort zone. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve embraced trial and error and have found joy in doing things that challenge me. I am not an expert at any of my passions, but they make me feel proud of myself.”

“In the summers, I work at a golf course in Truckee, California. I am engulfed by the outdoors and am so lucky to spend the warm months on the golf course, hiking with my dog, and relaxing on the dock. Truckee is a part of me and I try to bring the hospitality of that community with me wherever I go,” said Boehner.

Through writing, Boehner hopes to highlight new perspectives. She explains, “I think it’s important to think of things from all points of view. I do my best to value all circumstances and try to convince readers to do the same.”

With that, she also hopes to encourage readers to think a little deeper. She hopes to pique a new interest or thought in everyone that reads her work.

Boehner is a hard worker and highly values learning, so she is ecstatic to work with The Mountain-Ear. “I can’t wait to gain a better understanding of journalism, myself, and my community during my time at The Mountain-Ear,” she concludes.