A Graduation Thank You!

If there is anything I learned in my college career, it is that being a reflective decision maker is a vital key to my success as a teacher. However, with lots of practice (thanks to my professors) I have become excellent at reflecting on lots of things. I am preparing to walk across the stage at Peru State College on Saturday, and recently I have taken the time to reflect on my journey that has gotten me to this point. My journey is unlike most of my peers that I will sit among on Commencement day, and as look back many thoughts and emotions run thought me: Joy, Pride, Excitement, Relief, Fear, but mostly Thankfulness. I promise you that I would not be wearing a cap and gown without the help and guidance of my amazing support group.

My journey, like most 18 year olds, started off with me as a freshman in college. I was bright eyed and ready to take on the world; well, a very small portion of the world located in southeast Nebraska. I went about my freshman year of college as planned. I got involved in campus activities, I got good grades, and I made an abundance of new friends.

My sophomore year of college started off just as I had hoped. I was a resident assistant on campus, I was reuniting with my college friends that I hadn’t seen all summer, and classes were off to a good start. Then, at the age of 19, just barely into my sophomore year I stood alone in my dorm room bathroom looking at something that would forever change my life: a positive pregnancy test. I didn’t want to believe what I saw, but in a moment like that you realize that it doesn’t matter what you want believe. For Dan and me, telling our parents seemed like the scary part of the whole ordeal. We had no idea what was in store for us. Luckily, Dan and I have the best families that two people in that situation could ask for. No, they weren’t pleased!! However, that didn’t stop them from loving us though it all.

At the age of 20, I began my junior year of college. This was by far the hardest year of my life. Farris was only 5 weeks old when I started back to school in August. Sleepless nights, working part-time at Cotty’s, and going to school full-time nearly killed my spirit and goals to ever finishing school. Daniel worked 2nd shift so his absence in the evenings only made things harder for both of us. There were many nights that I drove the 30ish miles to my parent’s house just so I could finish up a project for school while they entertained Farris. I also wrote countless papers and lesson plans Indian style at my computer while Farris slept in my lap. I would have tears streaming down my face with an “I want to quit” attitude, but somehow when I looked at that little girls face I knew that quitting wasn’t an option. I also had the unconditionally support of both mine and Dan’s family.

At the start of my senior year, things were definitely looking up. I was comfortable in my mother role, and Farris was sleeping thought the night!! Daniel was still working 2nd shift, but Farris and I loved all the Mommy/Daughter time we got together….Pus-I still had all the support in the world! Oh, and I almost forget to mention….In September, Dan asked me to marry him!! Needless to say, I enjoyed my senior year =)

I should be done talking about my journey though college, but unfortunately I had one more semester of student teaching before I could officially be finished. This semester flew by, and was a fantastic end to an absolute unexpected by wonderful college career.

Words can not explain how appreciative I am that I have had the opportunity to finish school. So many young mothers never pursue their career goals because they lack the support they need. I am more than fortunate to have so many amazing people in my life that made graduating from college a reality for me. Thank you to everyone who supported and encouraged me…Love you all!!