Calyssa Zellars Calyssa Zellars

Old Versus New: Change in East Saint Louis, Hilton Head & Detroit

By the time my father ended his 26-year military career, I had lived in eight United States cities and Heidelberg, Germany. Despite the various relocations, two places in my life were consistent: East Saint Louis, Illinois and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina- my parent’s hometowns.

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Calyssa Zellars Calyssa Zellars

UNC-Chapel Hill 2019 Commencement Address

On May 11, 2019, I had the pleasure of serving as the Commencement Speaker at my alma mater, the Department of Public Policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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Calyssa Zellars Calyssa Zellars

In My Father’s Shoes

My father’s track shoes. I don’t remember how they came to be in my possession, only that they did. My dad was an All-American track and field athlete who specialized in the 100 meter dash. He qualified for the 1980 Olympics, but his shining moment never transpired. America boycotted that summer’s Moscow games in protest of the Soviet Union.

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