Annebel Trumm

Helped create the #DiversityIsOurStrength project, working on the Project Management, Social Media, and Event Planning teams.

My Family History

My great-great-great grandparents on my mom’s side came from Switzerland and Czechoslovakia. Some moved to Germany and France, but I don’t know why. On my dad’s side, my ancestors originated in the Germany/Luxembourg area. My parents were both born and raised in Iowa. My mom grew up in Washington, IA and my dad grew up in Cascade, IA.

Living in Iowa

I grew up in Cascade, Iowa. Many people consider Midwestern or Iowan people to be well-mannered (like me). Iowans are able to endure the fickle weather (snowy and 15 degrees one day; sunny and 40 degrees the next). Additionally, I grew up in an area where hard work is prevalent and am thankful to have a family that encourages me to be the best I can. I have always strived to learn as much as I can and believe that has helped me become the successful person I am today.

My Dreams

I am good at helping others when they are struggling with what is on their plate. I am also a perfectionist with small details, and good at making sure something is done correctly and looks good when it’s finished. I want to be a designer of some sort: a graphic designer but perhaps a magazine designer who coordinates layout spreads. I am good with colors and I think editorially.

A Teacher Who Changed My Life

Ms. CeAnn Palmer, Computer Applications teacher, Cascade Junior High School. Ms. Palmer first sparked my interest in graphics: during a website layout assignment she complimented my color choice and overall appearance. I realized I had a passion for organizing and making things look pretty.

My Favorite Thing

Canvas wrap of the campanile

This canvas wrap features the landmark on the University of Northern Iowa’s campus (the Campanile) and signifies my love for sunsets. This is the first project I did in my Graphic Technology courses and made me excited for what else my major had to bring.

What #DIVERSITYISOURSTRENGTH means to me

It means connection, in the sense that by being connected--across the Cedar Valley, across racial groups, across class lines, across gender and transgender roles--we are stronger. Our perceptions of each other, through connections, lead us to build community.

Alex Knospe Amanda Jensen Annebel Trumm Ben VanHorn Brett Foreman Colin Hughes Connor Gibson Dakota Davis Elexia San Nicolas Hannah Stater Kalei Owens Leslie Owusu Madison Watland Preston Larson Reagan Saul Sami Enos

#DiversityIsOurStrength is a public web and mural project developed by Interactive Digital Studies (IDS) majors at the University of Northern Iowa. IDS is an interdisciplinary program focusing on creating digital experiences. We are using what we’ve learned in our culminating IDS Practicum course to create a highly visible public project that both addresses the challenges and embraces the future of educational diversity in the Cedar Valley.

One inspiration for this project came from the 24/7 Wall Street article that identified Waterloo and Cedar Falls as the #1 worst metro area for Black Americans in 2018. Having this distinction continues to be disturbing for all of us. Our second inspiration comes from 1619 Project, a New York Times initiative led by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Waterloo native Nikole Hannah-Jones. The project reframes the country’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the very center of our national narrative.

Thank you to literacy educator Dr. Shuaib Meacham, Associate Professor at the University of Iowa, who has guided this project.

Also thank you to Anthony Woodley and Mack Vos for helping in the final stages of the project. Due to COVID-19, the project became delayed and was unable to be completed by the end of the spring semester, and without their help, the project could not have been finished.

PROJECT DOCUMENTATION

Contact Us

Email: diversitystrength@uni.edu