As junior year is coming to an end, I find myself trying to stay focused on finals through the bright anticipation of summer. Semesters at Linfield usually go by pretty fast and this year was no exception. I think part of the reason this year went by even faster for me is I was in England for half of it. Now I am just a few short months away from my senior year. Looking back, I know I was gifted with so many incredible experiences this year through studying abroad, a growing family, hosting a regional M.E.Ch.A conference and mentoring another great group of students. I also had the opportunity of attending two conferences that increased my understanding of issues both on a national and local level. The fist conference brought together cooperating ministries and organizations to spread awareness about the issues of immigration. The second conference was a presentation by a faith based speaker and author who happens to be one of my favorite writers. Through each experience I was challenged to reflect and evaluate my goals, actions and leadership.
There have been so many great opportunities this year and I know senior year will hold the same. Next year, I look forward to studying abroad in the beautiful country of Costa Rica, growing through my internship and of course graduating. Currently being a junior I can admire the grandeur of being a senior without the anxiety that comes with it, when I’m actually living it next year things may be a little different. Before the excitement of senior year, however, there is summer and this summer I will again be working with Upward Bound. This will be my third summer as a tutor-counselor for the program which is odd for me because students who began their first summers with me are now graduating. I can’t believe that much time has passed. Seeing my students grow over the various summers and remembering how different they were when we started, makes me reflect on my own growth. The amount of time I have left as a Wildcat is rapidly changing but I find myself reliving joy in the memories that have made my time great while creating memories that will make next year unforgettable!