In a recent grad school application, Anadee Orrell ’23 told the story of her relationship with a middle school classmate who struggled with agoraphobia and was mute. Nobody at school talked to the young woman. Except Orrell, who reached out every day—until she got a response.
That milestone came in seventh grade, then the two youths became friends. Two years later, Orrell was invited over to the young woman’s home, and the mom thanked Orrell for her compassion in drawing out her daughter and boosting her self-confidence.
In that moment, Orrell realized she wanted to be a psychologist and work with people with severe mental health disorders. “I’d love to work with underserved communities,” she says. “I am drawn to social injustice issues and would love to work on those and work with people from underserved communities, such as Native American and LGBTQ+, and expand that to other marginalized communities.”
Orrell hopes to earn a doctorate in psychology one day and pair it with the bachelor’s degree she will earn next spring in psychology. In the meantime, the Barrington, NH, native is getting a start in social activism on the Plymouth State campus by rejuvenating the Anime and Manga Club with her partner, Sincere Miranda ’23.
“It’s an opportunity to educate about different cultures and combat bias,” she says, noting the club accentuates the importance of diversity.
As a first year, Orrell realized PSU has a great school spirit, and that prompted her to get involved. She was inspired to engage on a deeper level when the Anime and Manga Club she was a member of disbanded several years ago. Orrell and Miranda made a case for reviving the group, and it has been active again since spring 2021.
Members watch and critique anime—a genre of Japanese animated films and artwork—as well as manga—Japanese comic books and art. “We wanted to create a safe space for people to come. Our meetings are laid back. We gather with people who have the same interests as us,” Orrell says. “When you put a bunch of us who do together, the conversations can be really fun.”
Orrell has always loved anime and manga, in part because she and her father have bonded over a shared interest in Japanese history and culture. “Part of my interest in starting this club was to help forward an appreciation for anime and magna and incorporate a learning in Japanese culture,” she adds.
Thirty-five students are involved in the group, which also hosts campus-wide events and activities, such as a paint night in November, when students painted anime characters on glass frames, and a bingo night in early December. At the latter event, prizes all had an anime or manga theme, and a ramen bar and Japanese snack boxes from were offered.
In the spring, the club will host another bingo night, a movie night, and an Asian Heritage event. The group’s relationship with Sakuraco is also expected to deepen, with the online company offering a sponsorship of free snack boxes.
“I like how the club brings everybody together,” Orrell says. “Extracurricular activities in general are good. You’re using your brain in a different way and thinking critically.”
Miranda, the club treasurer and a meteorology major, says he was not engaged on the campus until he and Orrell relaunched the group. “I was pretty shut-in and lacked self-confidence in my leadership abilities,” he says. “I have really sharpened those skills. I really value the community we have grown.”
