'It’s Something Different': Meet The People Of Odessa, Texas

Jenna Amatulli and Damon Dahlen
Updated

Odessa, Texas, was the 23rd stop on our Listen to America road trip. We spoke to residents about why they’re there. Here’s what they had to say:

“I decided to come here so I wouldn’t be that far away from home ... There’s a big difference from El Paso to Odessa, but I really like it. It’s something different.”

― Leslie Robles, 18, shift manager

“Odessa is a great place really. Everyone has their opinions about it. It has its own beauty. It has its own culture. It has its own attraction.”

― Scott Windham, 37, sales

“People are so divided on things and so polarized and that’s what I try to teach is civil discourse. To get along, listen to the other side, and realize that everybody doesn’t believe in the same thing that you do. Whether it’s guns on campus, gun control, religion, politics ...”

― Myra Salcedo, 67, university senior lecturer

“I like it. It was really different from my hometown, but adjusting to it wasn’t really a problem for me.”

― Lauren Marenco, 18, student

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“I really like it here. I think what makes Odessa special is the people here ... I would say Odessa is a lot more than what people might think it is.”

― Vincent Pierce, 31, music teacher

“When I first moved here, it was not my ideal place to live, but after being here, you fall in love with the people. They’re salt of the earth.”

― Debi Hays, 60, self-employed

“I’m a first-generation college student ... I actually love it. It reminds of the small community I grew up in. It feels like home for me, even though I’m six hours away from my family.”

― Jefember Villela, 23, student/media coordinator

“It’s home ... I fell in love with Odessa when I was a kid because I’ve always felt comfortable.”

― Jacyree Webbs, 19, sales/student

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misstated Vincent Pierce’s last name as Pierre.

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Also on HuffPost

The HuffPost tour bus sits in front of Ratliff Stadium during a visit to Odessa, Texas, on Oct. 25, 2017, as part of "Listen To America: A HuffPost Road Trip." HuffPost will visit more than 20 cities on its tour across the country. (Photo by Damon Dahlen/HuffPost) *** Local Caption ***
The HuffPost tour bus sits in front of Ratliff Stadium during a visit to Odessa, Texas, on Oct. 25, 2017, as part of "Listen To America: A HuffPost Road Trip." HuffPost will visit more than 20 cities on its tour across the country. (Photo by Damon Dahlen/HuffPost) *** Local Caption ***
Lars Thorn signs up university students to be interviewed.
Lars Thorn signs up university students to be interviewed.
Marisa Borrego, Shaneka Gillespie and Priyanka Dhakal sign up to be interviewed.
Marisa Borrego, Shaneka Gillespie and Priyanka Dhakal sign up to be interviewed.
Brad Cowgill fills out the slate during HuffPost's visit to Odessa, Texas.
Brad Cowgill fills out the slate during HuffPost's visit to Odessa, Texas.
Lauren Marenco and Shaneka Gillespie talk to reporter Akbar Shahid Ahmed.
Lauren Marenco and Shaneka Gillespie talk to reporter Akbar Shahid Ahmed.
The "Listen To America" bus is set up during HuffPost's visit to Odessa.
The "Listen To America" bus is set up during HuffPost's visit to Odessa.
HuffPost's Jen Kho is interviewed by television station KMID in Odessa.
HuffPost's Jen Kho is interviewed by television station KMID in Odessa.
A sign outside of the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute reads "Welcome HuffPost Listen To America Tour."
A sign outside of the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute reads "Welcome HuffPost Listen To America Tour."
People wait to be interviewed at the "Listen To America" tents.
People wait to be interviewed at the "Listen To America" tents.
Carl Bailey is interviewed by Jen Kho.
Carl Bailey is interviewed by Jen Kho.
Interviewees sit in tents during HuffPost's visit to Odessa.
Interviewees sit in tents during HuffPost's visit to Odessa.
Rachel Elman checks her phone during HuffPost's visit to Odessa.
Rachel Elman checks her phone during HuffPost's visit to Odessa.
Moderator Louise Roug, along with participants Shaneka Gillespie, Arslan Rozyyev, Jefember Villela, Petra Reyes and Bernadette Adkins take part in a talk at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin on Oct. 25, 2017. HuffPost is visiting the city as part of "Listen To America: A HuffPost Road Trip." HuffPost will visit more than 20 cities on its tour across the country.
Petra Reyes takes part in a talk at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
Petra Reyes takes part in a talk at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
Arslan Rozyyev talks to students at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
Arslan Rozyyev talks to students at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
Audience members listen to a talk at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin Student Activity Center.
Audience members listen to a talk at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin Student Activity Center.
Bernadette Adkins takes part in a talk at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
Bernadette Adkins takes part in a talk at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
Shaneka Gillespie answers questions from moderator Louise Roug.
Shaneka Gillespie answers questions from moderator Louise Roug.
Jefember Villela takes part in a talk at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
Jefember Villela takes part in a talk at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
The tour bus makes its way through some rural Texas roads as the sun sets.
The tour bus makes its way through some rural Texas roads as the sun sets.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.