We asked our interns, two solid citizens of a younger generation, to reflect on the current state of Memphis after working with River City Lifestyle this summer.
Nell Rainer attends University of Alabama and is majoring in English and Communications. She also applied her creative talents in a part-time job at Garden District during her summer break. Virginia Tabor returns to University of Georgia this fall following a study-abroad experience at the University of New Orleans in Innsbruck, Austria. At Georgia, she studies marketing, design, and media. Both young ladies have been wonderful ambassadors for Memphis and River City Lifestyle.
Q: Name a favorite childhood memory of growing up in Memphis?
Nell: Visiting the Memphis Zoo. When I was younger we had a membership and on Saturday mornings my parents packed up my siblings and me for a fun day with the animals.
Virginia: When all my cousins would come in town for a week every summer. Thirteen kids squeezed into two bedrooms. We would go to the Red Birds games with our handmade posters, Billy Hardwicks, and Mud Island.
Q: Now that you have been away from Memphis in college, how did it feel to come home with a fresh, broader perspective?
Nell: Coming back home has made me more appreciative of the creativity and culture that exist in Memphis. The diversity of people and ideas in this city is incredibly unique.
Virginia: I think leaving has opened my eyes to the reasons why I love coming home. It’s not so much about the city; instead, it’s more about the people. There are no other people quite like Memphis people. I love the pride we all have. Even though Memphis gets a bad rap in the media, Memphians are always proud to tell people where we’re from.
Q: What do your new college friends who are from other places say about Memphis when they visit you at home?
Nell: They always mention how cute the neighborhoods are and they all think that Memphis would be a good place to settle down and raise a family. Also, everyone who visits will usually comment on how narrow the roads are on Poplar Avenue!
Virginia: Most of my friends live too far away to visit, but they definitely want to come! I think they’re curious why I love it so much because people who’ve never been to Memphis often don’t understand it.
Q: What would you like to see change locally in Memphis, and do you see a pathway for that change?
Nell: I would like to see the quality of life for many Memphians improve. I believe that our city has so much to offer. Memphis has such a rich history that needs to be honored by how we maintain our city today. I want to see this city flourish to its full potential.
Virginia: I’d like to see a change in the portrayal of Memphis as such a dangerous place. I am not sure how, but I believe it is possible. I also want to see Memphis continue to grow. I wish we had more direct flights, too!
Q: What are Memphis’ best qualities?
Nell: Its grit. It's often difficult to articulate, but I love that Memphis is made up of equal parts beauty and resilience.
Virginia: I love Memphis’ unity and soul. Everything in Memphis has character and I think all of Memphis comes together around this quality. Memphians are proud and we stick together. We are caring, helpful, fun people. The city itself is just a really cool place with staying power. Our city is a hidden gem.