Olivia DeWan

Articles

A selection of articles featured across various publications, covering numerous topics and perspectives

The News-Gazette •

Two Wheels, One Dream

Jackson Hotchkiss Cycles 550 Miles In Spain’s Gravel Earth SeriesOver the course of three days earlier this year, Lexington native Jackson Hotchkiss pedaled more than 550 miles through Spain’s mountainous terrain as part of the Gravel Earth Series, an international cycling tour.Competing with Ink Properties Racing, a team based in Greenville, S.C., Hotchkiss flew to Barcelona to race alongside renowned cyclists. His love for the sport, which eventually led him to compete in such an intense race,...
The Harrisonburg Citizen •

Aristocat Cafe has been serving not only cats, but tea as well

By Olivia DeWan, contributor


For the past two years, Aristocat Cafe has served as a haven for tea and cat lovers alike. Founded by Amanda Atwell in 2023, the cozy Harrisonburg establishment blends her love for loose-leaf teas and feline companionship into a one-of-a-kind experience. 


“I’ve fostered cats since I was 16,” Atwell said. “I love all animals, but cats have a special spot for me. I always thought, ‘man, wouldn’t it be cool to put cats and tea together?’”


When Atwell visited Qu...

Students Present Research at ASPIRE | Bridgewater College

Three students presented their research on reproductive rights, feminist art and Chicana activism as part of Bridgewater College’s tenth annual ASPIRE: A Celebration of the Arts, Scholarship, Performance, Innovation and Research Excellence, held April 9-16, 2025.


Seniors Briana Carlsen, Juliann Jacobs and Perla Santana discussed the work they did for Dr. Maria Paz Esguerra’s History 423: Women and Gender in U.S. History course this semester.


“We were assigned a research paper about any top...
The Harrisonburg Citizen •

Brewing faith and freedom: New Creation expands to help trafficking survivors

By Olivia DeWan, contributor


New Creation, a woman-owned, faith-based nonprofit in Harrisonburg, is expanding its mission to support human trafficking survivors by adding a coffee shop to its boutique, with construction set to begin in the coming weeks.


Founded by Steve Andrew and Sabrina Dorman-Andrew, the couple was inspired by The Zion Project, a ministry in Uganda that worked with women coming out of trafficking. The couple felt called to help, saying their two young daughters were a m...
The Harrisonburg Citizen •

The Harrisonburg Innovation Hub provides a new space for workspace productivity | The Harrisonburg Citizen

Tucked away in private enclaves, desks invite focus. Lounge chairs foster collaboration among colleagues, while conference rooms buzz with fresh ideas. The Harrisonburg Innovation Hub isn’t just a workspace, it’s a dynamic environment designed for creativity and connection.


“The Innovation Hub was built for people who get things done,” said Peter Denbigh, founder of the Harrisonburg Innovation Hub. “Entrepreneurs, creatives and professionals need more than just a desk; they need an environmen...
The Harrisonburg Citizen •

Harrisonburg’s first Stone Soup event highlights the importance of community

On March 29 at 11:00 a.m., the Harrisonburg Farmers Market will usher in the spring season with a new tradition: Stone Soup. The event draws inspiration from the traditional folktale “Stone Soup”, retold by Heather Forest, which highlights the power of community and collective effort.


“This will be our very first year having the Stone Soup event,” Sarah Gorman, the Marketing Manager at the Harrisonburg Farmers Market and a contributor to The Citizen, said. “It’s a folktale about hungry travel...
The Harrisonburg Citizen •

Changing it up has helped put this food truck on the map

By Olivia DeWan, contributor


Two years ago, John and Leigh Anne McMurray chased their passion for the culinary arts and opened Ott Street Eats, a food truck with an ever-changing menu. 


After spending years as an executive chef in Tampa, McMurray was ready for a change. Returning to his hometown of Harrisonburg, he and Leigh Anne, decided to turn their passion for global flavors into a business. Named after the residential road in downtown Harrisonburg, Ott Street Eats started as a caterin...

Preparing Student-Athletes for Success: Coach Logan Papen | Bridgewater College

As the new Director of Strength and Conditioning at Bridgewater College, Coach Logan Papen is bringing new ideas to strengthen the College’s athletes both on and off the playing fields.


Student-athletes participate in strength and conditioning via an individualized training program designed to enhance their physical performance, prevent injuries and support overall athletic development. It is crucial to any collegiate athletic program. Papen works with all athletic teams associated with the N...
The Harrisonburg Citizen •

This regional music scene is really underground

By Olivia DeWan, contributor


When you think of a stage, you probably picture a raised platform, flashing strobe lights and a black backdrop. But last month, Dogwood Tales — a local, four-piece Harrisonburg band — was the latest group to perform in a far more unconventional setting: a cave.


“There is nothing more Shenandoah Valley-core than playing in a cave,” said Ben Ryan, a founding member of Dogwood Tales. “We were invited to play at Subterranean Sound and instantly accepted. This is a...
The Harrisonburg Citizen •

How a Hburg restaurant went beyond two pieces of bread and cheese

Correction: This article was updated to correct Kathleen Mania-Casey’s last name and clarify that its location is South Main Street.


By Olivia DeWan, contributor


Grilled cheese has long earned a place amid the pantheon of comfort foods—a warm, melty bite of nostalgia. But for Kathleen Mania-Casey, it became something more. 


As the owner and creative force behind Harrisonburg restaurant Grilled Cheese Mania, she transformed a simple sandwich into a thriving business, while aiming to se...
The Harrisonburg Citizen •

Founding footsteps: Hburg history comes to the fore during VA250

This story has been updated.


By Olivia DeWan, contributor


What does it take for a small cluster of springs in a rugged valley to become the heart of a thriving city? For Thomas Harrison, the answer was a vision, generosity and a deep connection to the land that would one day bear his name. 


As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution next year, the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) is using the occasion to remind people that history...

Campus Tracks: Exploring the Heart of BC’s Music Production Club | Bridgewater College

Tucked away upstairs in the Carter Center for Worship and Music, behind an unassuming door, lies a hidden hub of creativity. The Bridgewater College Music Production Club’s studio is packed with microphones, amplifiers and cables, all dedicated to one mission: helping students bring music to life.


“The Music Production Club is an outlet for people who want to make music,” said club Vice President Jimmy Rosend ’25, a computer science major. “You don’t have to be a music major. The people who c...
The Harrisonburg Citizen •

Places and names might change, but showhouse culture remains

By Olivia DeWan, contributor


The sharp whine of an electric guitar slices through the crackling feedback of an amp. Then, it hits—a wall of sound: thundering drums, pulsing basslines, and raw vocals. Scuffed Doc Martens pound the floor. Bodies jostle and sway, gripping the low rafters for stability. In the cramped basement, people in the crowd press shoulder to shoulder, chest to back. Strangers, united only by the music, move as one.


Beneath the surface of Harrisonburg lies a vibrant comm...

Press Releases

BC’s Jazz Bands to Perform on March 23 | Bridgewater College

Hits include:
https://www.newsleader.com/story/news/local/2025/03/17/bach-around-the-clock-augusta-health-news-bridgewater-college-jazz-bands-concert-the-digest/82303344007/



https://www.dnronline.com/news/arts_and_entertainment/students-to-conduct-songs-during-bridgewater-college-jazz-concert/article_66223260-0559-5421-aee8-a2b83bccb794.html



https://augustafreepress.com/news/bridgewater-college-jazz-band-ensemble-to-perform-free-concert-march-23/

Travel Writing


A collection of independently written narratives capturing my experiences and observations from various travels

LivLife •

Mountains and Lochs

The two and a half hour trip from the Glasgow city center to the Highlands was worth every second. Our coach driver was incredible as he handled the twisting back roads with ease; there was hardly a foot of space between our coach and the car on the other side of the road. Thankfully, I didn’t have to fight off any motion sickness, as I was too distracted by the vibrant forest of bright greens and towering trees. I pressed my face to the window to get as close to the views as possible. It was a...
LivLife •

Four Bridgewater College Students VS Free Reign in Glasgow

On our third day of the trip, we were allowed to go out and explore on our own. My friends and I took advantage of this immediately, and headed out of our hotel at 9am to see everything we could. We started with a forty minute walk to the University of Glasgow. The unicorn statues guarding the gothic buildings stopped me in my tracks. The golden highlights to their horns and hooves glittered in the sun, and as their eyes of stone bore down upon me, I thought they were more ferocious than the lio...
LivLife •

Hello, Edinburgh

We caught a train from Glasgow’s city center and traveled to Edinburgh the next morning. I adored Glasgow, but I could tell within five minutes of standing in Edinburgh that this was the place I’d fall in love with aside from the Highlands. It’s safe to say I was correct. We had some time to explore the city briefly before returning to our new hotel for dinner. We strolled through Princess Street, the Grassmarket, and Victoria Street briefly (I explored these places in depth two days later). Eve...
LivLife •

I Am Not A Golfer, But The Birthplace of The Sport Makes Me Wish I Was

St. Andrews, a small town through the Kingdom of Fife about two hours away from just outside the center of Edinburgh. I honestly knew nothing about this location, but I was utterly charmed by it. St. Andrews, like everywhere else in Scotland, was stunning. That traditional Scottish architecture encompassed the entire town, eliciting a historical, mysterious feeling as you stroll through the streets.The main attraction of this town is certainly the Old Course, where I was told many golfers spend...
LivLife •

Edinburgh Isn’t Ready For Our American Awesomeness

We had two free days to explore by ourselves in Edinburgh, and we were ready to dive straight into it, starting off strong with a tour of the Edinburgh Castle in the Royal Mile. This attraction is an absolute must for a trip to Scotland, and is located in the heart of the city. You’re greeted into the castle by an iron gate like you’d see in the Princess Bride. My neck began to ache from constantly tilting my head back to stare at the spiraling spires that stretched into the sky, and the billowi...
LivLife •

An End of A Beginning

Feeling rather ambitious, we laced up our tennis shoes, bought a train ticket, and headed straight for Arthur’s Seat. The massive mountain overlooks the entire city of Edinburgh, and hiking to the peak is a staple of Scotland. We were determined to make it to the top, but five steps in, we realized that climbing a mountain was actually going to be pretty difficult. Before we were even halfway up, my calves started to burn. Nevertheless, I persisted. As the incline grew way past the 15% incline o...

Short Stories

A selection of short stories exploring various themes, characters, and narratives