The Victory Lap Has Come To An End

I made it!! I'm officially a college graduate and JMU alumni! The victory lap has finally come to an end.

Last Friday was the university commencement in the stadium where Lindsay Czarniak spoke. Funny thing is she actually spoke at my high school as well because she graduated from both my high school and now college! She told some amazing stories and said some very sweet words. I think I had a smile from ear to ear because I just couldn't believe it. The energy in the stadium was electric... everyone getting ready to throw our purple and gold streamers once President Alger conferred our degrees.

The next day, Saturday May 9th I put on my cap and gown and took that walk across the stage that made me an alumni (without all by chords and fancy things because I forgot those at my apartment!).  It still hasn't hit me yet. I have no more homework, no more quizzes or tests, and no more art critiques. I was able to sit with my friend and celebrate together. Its a moment I will never forget. Luckily our ceremony was at 9 am so it wasn't as hot as the day before. After the ceremony I went home to wait for my family to pick me up because we were going to Bold Rock cidery to celebrate. I got to my hotel to see that my best friend from freshman year of college had showed up to surprise me! That wasn't the only surprise of the day, when my parents arrived to pick me up it was in a giant white stretched hummer limo! Out pops out my mom and dad and my uncle and his wife showed up to surprise me! Overall it was an amazing day, the cidery was beautiful and I got to spend it with my amazing friends and family.

It took me 5 years and 3 different colleges, but I definitely found my home at JMU. I always new I wanted to be a duke and I did anything and everything it took for me to get into JMU. Once I accepted for my junior year I thought I was going to have a hard time making new friends, I thought everyone had their "friend groups" set and as a newbie it was going to be hard to have those same bonds. It was completely the opposite. I made some amazing friends thanks to kappa pi. I had friends from classes who had joined so I figured why not join. It was the best decision I had ever made. I met some amazing artists and best friends I will never get rid of. I'm so proud of everything I have accomplished and I'm ready for the next chapter in my life... whatever that may be.