Gustavus Adolphus College

I graduated from a small 8th-12th grade high school in the mountains of Southwestern Virginia. I only needed to take two classes my senior year of high school, so I took some fun classes like Architectural Drawing and Painting. I also supplemented my education by taking courses from a local private college and a community college. I had probably the best high school job in the area at a local restaurant. I was very active in high school: Students for Students, the English MACC (Mountain Academic Competition Conference) team, choir, Madrigal Singers, various musicals, track, soccer, cross country, Senior Science, Forensics, etc. Pretty much you name it, I did it. I traveled to Honduras to be a volunteer three times for a total of about six weeks and my experiences there really impacted me. One summer, I attended Governor’s school for the Humanities at the University of Richmond where I studied bioethics. I love new experiences and learning new skills because it gives me a chance to grow as a person. I have two brothers and two sisters and because of adoption our ages now go: 22, 20, 20, 20, and 17. Our house was always exciting growing up with four other teenagers.

I love adventures and challenges. I thought that Minnesota and Gustavus would be an adventurous challenge, and I was right! I also liked the size. I knew I wanted to take Russian and Gustavus offers Russian.

I thrive on being busy. I currently am co-president of Russian Club, Co-Program Coordinator of Crossroads (the organization that lives in the International Center), a member of the Servant-Leadership Program, and a proud member of Zeta Chi Phi Multicultural Sorority Incorporated. I’ve been involved in other activities, like SOFA (Student Outreach for Foster Care and Adoption) and choir and would love to be involved in those as well as many other wonderful organizations on campus, but I have to sleep and do homework sometimes. I also work at the Culpepper Language Lab and an academic office.

I love my Russian classes because the professors are amazing and the classes are small enough to get to know each other well. I also love J-term because I have taken really interesting classes and it is a much slower pace where you are able to breathe more.

I love the squash, making my own grilled cheese sandwiches and macaroni and cheese, California veggie mix, yogurt, cowboy caviar on top of a bed of spinach, and chocolate-covered apple fritters.

I think it is very important to go to visit your professor at least once in their office. This is the point of their office hours and professors are a great resource to excel in your classes as well as life. That’s is my advice.

I want to be a librarian of a small to medium sized public library. Not only do I love books, I truly believe that libraries are a great tool in equalizing our society. They give EVERYONE access to resources such as computers, medical information, leisure time activities, career enhancement information, and ways to further knowledge and education to which, without libraries, only the upper tiers of our society have easy access. Libraries are great community builders in many capacities such as meeting places where people interact, a way for people to be more connected with the world through knowledge and the internet, and with programs for both adults and children. As you might tell, I get pretty excited about them.

You should make the proper preparations (such as applying) and have a back-up plan (or several) but then don’t worry about it. What is meant to happen, will happen. Live in the moment and enjoy life. As for the decision, go with your gut instinct. Remember that this is YOUR decision, not your parents. Unless they are paying.

I love going to Lund on Saturday afternoons and going hot-tubbing and to the sauna! I also love walking and laying out in the arb.