Ritchey with Lira, her off-campus horse.
Courtesy | Miriam Ritchey

Miriam Ritchey is a senior from Eubank, Kentucky, majoring in mathematics. She is assistant editor of The Magazine, a worship team lead at Soma, and the vice president of the Kappa Mu Epsilon mathematics honorary. She is also captain of Women’s Club Soccer, president of the Memorization Club, a member of the Collegiate Scholars Program, and served as a co-emcee of Mock Rock this year. 

If you had to live in the country or the city, which would you choose and why?

Country for sure. The city is horrible. No one knows how to actually live.

What did you do in the community growing up?

4-H was a big part of my life. Speeches, horse showing, and other fair entries.

What is your family like? 

Three sisters! (and a brother-in-law). We like to say that our family hobbies are eating and talking, but we find plenty of time for sports in there, too.

What is one favorite pastime you consistently enjoy?

I have too many to list, and most people don’t know all of them. Riding horses is one that I miss while at college. Others include slacklining, unicycling, baking, crocheting, and writing.

Why are you majoring in math? 

I’ve always loved math, and the thought of not doing it made me sad, so I decided to just keep doing it.

What hobbies do you keep doing at college? 

Three of the things that always bring me joy are soccer, quick-recall trivia, and dancing. I try to make time for all of them. I also enjoy memorizing scripture and poetry, and I started the Memorization Club here.

Do you have any favorite instruments or any you would like to learn?

I wish I was better at guitar, but it’s my own fault that I don’t take the time to practice. And I wish I played piano.

If you had to pick an American car maker, would you choose Ford, Chevy, or Dodge?

Ford is just better. Our F250 has 330,000 miles, and it’s still going strong.

If you were to give your younger (pre-college) self a piece of advice, what would it be?

A lot of people don’t know how to have fun, or they think that being boring is “cool.” Own the things you love. “Fitting in” doesn’t make you the person you want to be. You don’t have to, can’t, and won’t be everyone’s friend. That’s OK. But, for the ones who are your friends, you have a serious duty to love them well.

If you had to live 100 years ago in a country other than America, which would you pick?

Well, if it wasn’t for the potato famine, I’d choose Ireland. But really, I just love America.

What’s your favorite redhead stereotype?

That they have strong opinions.

What’s something you do that most people don’t know about?

I compete in adventure racing, which is competitive orienteering with a compass and a map. It can be on bike, boat, on foot, or a combination of all three. I’ve competed in 6-hour and 12-hour races, some alone and some with my family. If I had more time, I would compete in more.

What did you do during your gap year?

I traveled domestically, tutored for middle school math and the ACT, played club soccer, ran farm business with my sister, learned how to make wedding cakes, and completed an adventure race.

What animals are on your family farm?

Goats, cows, chickens, pigs, horses, a dog, a cat, and we tried unsuccessfully to have sheep and rabbits.

What is a dream you have that you don’t talk about?

I want to write a book, novel-esque, about my life or the life of my family in some way.