I want to be able to give that to others

I grew up in the small town of Big Sky, Montana, a community where everyone knows everything about everybody. Making the decision to leave this close-knit, safe community to come to SPU was one of the most defining moments in my life. I found the courage to go out of state for college when my cousin Erin graduated from SPU and told me how much she loved it. Once I toured here, I fell in love with it. I was so passionate about my decision that my parents basically made me apply to other schools. Leaving Big Sky to come to a big city was bittersweet and a major change in my life.

One of my happiest moments in Big Sky was during my last theater production senior year when the director and producer brought the senior members of my cast back on stage to honor us. This meant a lot to me because I had been in theater since seventh grade, and many of these cast members and audience members, as well as the director and the producer had watched me grow up over the years. The separate standing ovation that we got as seniors really showed how meaningful we were to this community.

Because I grew up in such a loving community, I want to be able to give that to others. Helping others and making them feel loved is one of my greatest passions in life. There was a time in my life where people treated me poorly, and I began to believe that this was how I deserved to be treated. Because of this, I feel that many times people label me as “insecure” or “timid.” If I could go back in time, I would stand up for myself and tell myself that I am strong and have a voice that matters. I want to show others that they deserve to be cared for, loved, and helped.