Column: reminiscing on One Direction memories after passing of member

By Makenzy Veldboom | Editor in Chief

The shocking news from earlier today, Liam Payne dead at 31, has left the world in a state of shock and for many utter sorrow. The band One Direction, took the world by storm since their forming in 2010 and has been a huge part of many people’s adolescent years.

I reminisce on those days as I sit in my car listening to One Direction songs. They were the beginning of many friendships and happy moments with people I still am close to this day. I’m sure many can also say the same.

I personally found the group in 2012 when my cousin showed me a song of theirs and I was a fan from the start. They were a big part of my formative years finishing elementary school and leading into middle school. For many like me, middle school were not easy years and music was the escape from that and it helped me immensely just getting through the day.

I remember the release of their last album as a whole group “FOUR.” I tried to stay awake until midnight for its release but alas I didn’t make it so I listened the next morning. I still vividly remember listening in the car on the way to school with my cheap headphones and it was freezing outside!

In addition I remember learning how to use editing software and getting into video production because of One Direction. I saw a video of someone cleverly putting clips of them to a song and thought, “I’d love to do this!” (This passion of video production has stuck with me til this day so thank you 1D!)

I vividly remember the day that Zayn left the band, I was in chorus class in seventh grade and was absolutely distraught, as many of my friends were as well. We all came together and comforted each other that day.

I hope that fans will do the same in this day, although the situation is very different. I pray for his family and fellow band members in this hard time. I’m thankful for the memories through the band.

Contact Makenzy Veldboom at kveldboom@augusta.edu

One of my best friends Makenzie and I at a Harry Styles, one member of the band, concert back in 2018.

Top photo: Some of my One Direction CD’s.