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| Backstage at graduation... just a few mins before go time! |
What really happened is that God answered my prayer.
Because, in all honesty, I prayed to become Valedictorian so that I could give a speech that would reverberate around the whole world. I wanted to give a speech that would reach my family--my whole family, everyone from Grandpa Lee in Mendon, to my Uncle Jim in Heber, to my brother in Pennsylvania... but more importantly to my father in Abu Dhabi. When I left Abu Dhabi, I made a promise to my Dad that I was going to work as hard as I could to succeed in school and graduate, no matter what. But I also had made a promise to my Heavenly Father that I would do my best to get married too. The Lord told me that I had been too stubborn and that was why many of my relationships had failed, but he promised me that as I went to school in Utah, I would be married, because that was what my heart desired.
When I left Abu Dhabi, I felt so terrified to be out on my own away from the protection of my family again. But I also felt exhilarated to have another chance to graduate and to repent for taking my first chance too lightly (I played too hard at Westmini, like every Freshman and Sophomore does.) When I went to UVU, I thought of myself as a Senior, because in a lot of ways I already was everyone's senior (cuz I was older!) So naturally, I felt comfortable being a leader in my classes, taking every assignment seriously, and building a good relationship with my professors. I did my best to be the best student in every single class I attended. Many of my classmates would be happy to attest that I did not turn anything in unless it was perfect. I would rather re-write an entire group paper than turn-in something poorly written and not as well crafted as my best--yes, I made some enemies doing that, but in the end they always thanked me for the big, fat A they got. (I always said, "Don't worry, we'll get an A," whenever someone freaked out that I was being too honest, or too bold or too dull... but I learned a long time ago that everyone hates their job--even teachers--and the reward for being a teacher is to be surprised by their students.) Don't get me wrong, I did plenty of procrastinating too (still haven't broken that old habit!) But I also did a lot more thinking about my assignments before I tackled them.
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| My friend, Jace, and I at the Commencement Ceremony |
In all reality, I was surprised by the quality of students I found at UVU. As I talked to my peers and really opened up to them about my life, they became willing to share some details of their lives too. I can honestly say that some of my life-long friends were made on that campus because I know that UVU breeds students who are trustworthy, hard working, and honest. I once left my cellphone in a bathroom stall and it found its way back to my desk! I talked to many students who worked full time, were married with children, had a large church calling, and were enrolled in 15 credit hours! Who at BYU, or the U, or even Utah State does that?? Who has the ability to get good grades in that kind of a situation? The more I learned about the sacrifices our students were making to come there, the more I respected the students and the more I loved my school. I am now a Wolverine for LIFE and I bleed GREEN (in a school that has no Football program---yet!)
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| My cousin, Darci, and me with Willy the Wolverine! |
One of the experiences at UVU that made me feel very successful was when I went to Nationals with Collegiate DECA. I had never been in DECA before. In fact, I had never wanted to be in DECA in high school. A friend tried to recruit me, but it didn't sound as fun as choir, theater or art class, so I didn't check into. This time, my professor insisted that I get involved--for the sake of my future career. So I thought, "But I don't have any time for it!! I'm already doing too much!" I even asked my professor Colleen Vawdrey if it would be worth it for me to go to the club meeting. She promised me that it would, so I went, begrudgingly. Needless to say, I had so much fun getting involved and making new friends that year. I met so many awesome people and took home some major awards!
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| DECA Friends before the Jazz game! (from left: Michael, ??, me, ?? Dan, Grace, ??) |
Another very special experience for me was the day I finally got to eat lunch with President Matthew Holland. It was rumored that he would often sit with students whenever he ate in the cafeteria, so I had hoped this day would come in the beginning. Instead, I'm happy that it happened at the very beginning of my last semester on campus. I was so happy to finally tell him all the important, fun and exciting things that had been happening as a student, and as a staff member at UVU. It was so nice to be seen differently from the other students and to be heard by the most important decision maker for the school. I told President Holland that he had done an excellent job in improving the seriousness of the academics at UVU and that he would be continually surprised by the ambition of the student body. (I also hinted that we should get a football team, but I'm sure he already knew that! Then, I practically begged him to ask his Dad come and speak to the Institute on campus.)
I was also blessed to tell President Holland about the time that I met his father, Elder Jeffery R. Holland, in Abu Dhabi. When I first told him that my Dad knew his Dad, he looked at me like, "Really, you're going to try that too? Everyone tells me that line." But when I mentioned my Dad's name and where he lived, his eyebrow narrowed and I could tell that he was truly curious. I really love curious people; they are so much more interesting to talk to. I mentioned that my parents most likely would not be able to attend my graduation ceremony and that I was having a hard time feeling celebratory when I was so desperately homesick. I even confided in him that I had set a goal to become Valedictorian and wasn't sure if that would even happen now. I think at this point he asked about my grades. I told him they weren't "perfect, but pretty darn close." He said "How close?" and I said, "3.95." He looked at me as if to say, "That's good enough." I told him that I was having a hard time choosing which college to put on my graduation form (I was technically part of three different schools: Woodbury Business, College of Technology and School of Education.) He said to put down the one where my heart was, and I thought of all my friends in the BMED program. At that point, I knew I would want to be with my small little group of friends, who had worked so hard and gotten so little recognition.
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| The BMED Gals (from left: Chelsea, Melissa, Kate & Me) |
One more thought about my college experience at UVU: It wouldn't have been the same without all the friends I made in the singles wards. I can't name them all because there are too many, but they're all on my facebook, so I don't think I'll ever loose them. Cheers to success with friends! :)
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| Lovely lady friends from Ward 202 Party Crew at the Ward's 1st Film Festival (From left: Bredee, Me, Teddy & Alena) |
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