Northwest Nazarene University is celebrating a meaningful accomplishment by one of its students. First-year English and Creative Writing student Sadie Myers recently had an op-ed published in the Idaho Statesman, highlighting the kind of thoughtful, real-world writing NNU students are already producing early in their college careers.
Myers’ piece, “Californians come to Idaho for many reasons. Don’t judge too quickly,” was published in the Idaho Statesman on February 20, 2026. The article grew out of a paper she wrote in her first-year English class and was developed with the support of Dr. Julie Straight.
In the op-ed, Myers reflects on her family’s experience leaving northern California after devastating wildfires and challenges readers to look beyond assumptions and take time to understand the personal stories that often shape major life decisions. Drawing from both personal experience and broader context, her writing offers a thoughtful perspective on a topic that continues to affect communities across the West.
For NNU, Myers’ publication is more than an individual achievement. It is a strong example of what can happen when students are encouraged to engage deeply with their coursework, develop their voices and contribute meaningfully to public conversation. It also reflects the value of faculty mentorship and the ways professors help students grow as writers, thinkers and communicators.
Having a first-year student published in a major regional news outlet is a significant accomplishment. It speaks not only to Myers’ talent and insight but also to the opportunities students at NNU have to turn classroom work into writing that reaches a wider audience.
You can read Sadie Myers’ full op-ed in the Idaho Statesman here.
