Hello ASP community! My name is Emma Hightower. I’m from Murfreesboro, Tennessee (right outside of Nashville) studying Fashion Merchandising and Design at Tennessee Tech University. This summer, I’m a Digital Marketing and Merchandise Intern here at ASP. Honestly, I was completely unfamiliar with ASP before I applied. But when I saw the listing pop up on my feed, I knew it was the perfect match.
To start, I would spend time in the summer with my grandparents in Byrdstown, TN. It’s a quiet place with under 1,000 people near the border with Kentucky on Highway 111. Our family property is built so out of the way that when my cousin broke his arm, we had to run and scream after the ambulance because it didn’t see the house. There’s no Walmart, two funeral homes, and the closest McDonalds is across state lines.
I always preferred being there to in Murfreesboro. I would spend a lot of time there, especially during the summer. It was great being the only granddaughter and having the run of the place. Don’t get me wrong, I love my hometown! After all, we have the World’s Largest Cedar Bucket (please look it up). But there were never sounds of traffic from nearby interstate or light pollution from other houses. I could just sit on the roof of the doghouse and actually see stars.
The rest of the time I was in Murfreesboro. It’s pretty much the exact opposite of Byrdstown. My mom moved there for college in the 90s and raised me there my whole life. As I’ve grown up, it’s become more gentrified. Most people there either go to MTSU or commute to Nashville for work. We’re even getting a Buc-ee’s this summer if that tells you how massive it is.
I think splitting my time between the city and the country has given me a unique perspective, and I feel blessed to claim both as home. I think of myself as a secret third thing, like I’m standing on a bridge, walking side to side. I think it’s all part of God’s plan for me; His way of showing me the world.
I’m especially grateful for the opportunity ASP has given me to see that world this summer. As a Digital Marketing Intern, I’ll be responsible for a lot of the social media content, particularly the new TikTok. As such, I get to travel all over to capture what’s going on. I’ll also be visiting each of the twenty ASP Summer Centers to help them with their merchandise needs. Speaking of, all the new ASP 2026 merch is available now on this very website, and I’m in some of the photos!
Shameless plug aside, Appalachia is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. And the people are truly my kind of people. In every homeowner I’ve met so far, I’ve seen a piece of my family. I see my grandma’s smile on the woman we’re building a ramp for. I feel my Pa’s callouses in the handshake of the man whose bathroom we’re remodeling. The barn cats and the birds are all familiar to me.
All that to say, I’m really excited to be here! If you read this blog and meet me this summer, then please say hi! I will gladly show you pictures of all the cats, dogs, goats, chickens, pigs, etc. I’ve met along the way. And if you feel so inclined, I would love to chat about your day.
Yours very truly,
Emma H.
Digital Marketing and Merchandising Intern
