Index welcomes new staff member ©2003 Homer Index by Mike Warner

Index Publisher Mike Warner has announced the hiring of Darby Cornelius as the paper's news editor. Cornelius will be in charge of the day-to-day operation of the editorial portion of the Index, including writing stories and laying out pages.

Cornelius, 22, is a native of Alpena. She graduated in May from Spring Arbor University, with a bachelor of arts degree in communication. While at Spring Arbor, Cornelius participated in cross country and track, and was a senior cross country captain of the women's team that placed 16th at the NAIA National meet.

Before attending Spring Arbor, she attended Alma College for two years, where she also ran cross country and track. Cornelius maintained a 4.0 GPA her senior year, while working three jobs and participating in two sports.

She loves being busy, and keeps herself and others laughing with her ever-present sense of humor. Besides running, in her spare time Cornelius likes to read books by Dave Barry or Nicholas Sparks, as well as go rollerblading, knit scarves, and bake rhubarb pies.

Oh, and of course, she writes. She wrote for The Crusader, Spring Arbor University's student-run newspaper, and The Almanian, Alma College's student newspaper. She also had a summer internship at The Alpena News. She currently writes freelance sports pieces for The Jackson Citizen Patriot. " I have a hilariously charming family up in Alpena, consisting of a fun-loving father and his petite wife, a brother, a sister, two stepbrothers, and a stepsister," she said. "And I can't forget my own mom, the woman I most admire."

Cornelius said she's happy to find a job in Michigan close enough to her family that she could visit, but far enough so she'd be missed while away.
" I'm excited about working in the warm and friendly village of Homer," Cornelius said. "I think it might become like a second family to me."

Warner said he is excited to add Cornelius to the staff.

" We are very fortunate to be able to hire someone of Darby's calibre," Warner remarked. "She has already proven herself as a quality writer and I look forward to her contributions to the paper."