Graduation. Class of :((:2015:)):

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." -Elenor Roosevelt 

((It's hard to believe that 5 years ago I graduated from Salisbury U. and almost 10 years ago I graduated from high school. So much has changed since those last 10 years and I am so grateful. I have endured a great deal of pain but I have gained so much more. I am stronger, wiser and much more confident. I know who I am and I know why I am here. I don't have to time to let others bring me down and I don't want to be someone who complains and brings others down. Knowledge is gained through experience and I am looking forward to learning, experiencing and loving through the next chapters of my life. I'm so lucky to have my husband, my family, friends and most importantly my faith to guide me through any trial and any storm. I can and I will. 

Here is the speech I was honored to give to the graduating class of 2015 at EUMC. While I have never been asked to share any wisdom based on my young life I can honestly say I am so glad I was able to. We all have a story and we all need to share it. We need to realize life isn't easy but we don't have to do it alone. I hope everyone can reflect on where they are and realize it's not where you've been and it's not yet where you can go.))

Keep on, keeping on.


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Good evening,

         When I was first approached to speak to you tonight I have to admit I was a little confused. I often forget that I am 26 and have been a graduate of Salisbury University for 5 years and a teacher for CCPS for 3 years. My journey thus far has been extremely rewarding despite many setbacks and trials I have had to face. I hope that throughout the upcoming years of your life that you remember to keep your faith and enjoy the j o u r n e y!

         When I graduated from high school I remember feeling so excited to start this new chapter, but  I was also so apprehensive. I was looking forward to being on my own and becoming a teacher, something I’ve dreamed of doing since I was a little girl with my stuffed animals. However, the day I was dropped off at Salisbury I was overwhelmed. I had never met my roommate, I wasn’t sure what to expect for my classes and to be honest I could not imagine leaving my family and not seeing them every night. During this time my family was experiencing a great difficulty that affected me directly. I remember experiencing a great deal of stress that affected my mood daily. I was impatient, insecure and quite honestly a little angry. My relationship with my boyfriend was negatively affected, as was my relationship with God. Luckily, my roommate was an honest and caring person and became a wonderful friend to me. My boyfriend was encouraging and ever so patient. But most importantly, one of the RA’s in my building changed my life by a simple invitation. Megan was always so positive and so encouraging and one Thursday night at Cru (Campus Crusades for Christ) I found out why. She was in love with Jesus and lived to worship him and show his love to others.

         On this particular Thursday night I was not sure what I was about to enter into but I knew I desired a spirit much like hers. What I experienced was truly life changing. These people were so free and so giving in their worship that I truly felt moved. I remember crying in my seat and feeling overwhelmed, but in a new way. I was overwhelmed with peace and love. I made Jesus a renewed priority in my life that night and I decided from that moment on to continue my journey with my faith instead of my head. Cru became a safe haven for me and encouraged me weekly to grow in my relationship with God, which enabled me to grow in my relationship with others.   Throughout my college years I did face temptation but I learned from my mistakes and I kept my goals in mind.

After my freshman year, my family officially became a family of 3 and I learned to start being honest with myself and with others. I learned that it is okay to take time for yourself and to eliminate people from your life that “suck” the life out of you. After the Fall semester of my sophomore year, my boyfriend, Andrew left to study at a different college and I was left to transition myself again. Instead of worrying, I learned to become more independent and more driven. I joined a club field hockey team and began working as a child sitter at a nearby church. My grades became better and I was exercising daily which improved my overall attitude. Cru continued to be an amazing source of love and peace for me at my time in Salisbury and it led me to a core group of friends that forever changed my life. I joined a bible study circle with 5 girls and throughout the years we met, talked, cried and laughed together. We would go to the movies together, beach trips, more beach trips and I eventually lived with 7 of them the last 2 years of my college career. Brooke Pinder and I had known each other since high school but we developed a new relationship that I still treasure today. The last semester of my college career brought new excitements and new fears as I quickly realized I was nearing graduation again and wasn’t quite sure if I was ready to be on my own. During my last 3 months of school I was lucky enough to be accepted to a study abroad program for part of my teaching internship. I completed 6 weeks of teaching at a school in Delmar, MD and I completed 8 weeks of teaching in New Zealand.

         Somehow I had gone from a shy, worrisome girl to an adventurous (sort of…. my husband would disagree) and confident 21 year old. I remember the flight being so very long and I experienced homesickness on a whole new level. I remember calling home one day after school (4pm on a Wednesday and it was about 11pm on Tuesday at home) and asked my mom to please let me come home early. She and the rest of my family prayed for me and asked me to stay patient and soak in all I could. I decided to focus on what I had and decided to truly experience this culture I was blessed to be a part of. This became yet another life changing and inspirational experience for me spiritually, physically and emotionally. I became very attached to my home-stay family and still

speak with them today! I learned a great deal about the world and how amazing it is. I learned the beauty of being a teacher that inspires her students and teaches them valuable life lessons that they can only learn outside the classroom windows. (There the schools had a lot of windows and no walls!) I traveled all over the North Island and met some amazing people. Every person I met was so welcoming and embodied the “Kiwi way.” They were in love with their country and they placed values on their faith and family. The schools taught about Christianity and they had time to worship together. Stores closed before dinnertime so everyone could eat with their families, and on Saturdays there were market days, craft fairs and parades. On Sundays stores were closed and people enjoyed time with their families. I gained so many new values during my time in New Zealand that I continue to implement as a teacher, a citizen of a country I love, and as a follower of Christ.

         I graduated a week after returning to the states and I’m pretty sure I was still jet lagged during the ceremony. My graduation meant so much more to me than I even think I realized at the time. My diploma represented hope for my future and looking back now, I feel it was a reflection of my determination and the support of my family and friends who helped make it possible. I was the first in my family to graduate from college and I became the first teacher in my family. I was a graduate who was raised by a single mom that worked numerous jobs and sacrificed her time and money for my sister and I. My sister helped me to always remain true to myself and to never give up on my dreams. She was an example of that as a teenager because she started playing field hockey as a freshman in high school and despite many people telling her she would never make it, she became a Division III all-star athlete and a national championship contender. Salisbury was so good to me and I feel that when I left there I was prepared for so much more than a job interview.

         My life continued to take me on a path of happiness and love after I graduated. After 2 long-term substitute positions, I was hired as a Second Grade teacher and just completed my third official year in our county. I truly love what I do and thank God for the gift of working with such amazing children. I was engaged during my first year of teaching (guess Andrew wasn’t tired of me after all) and we were married here on June 22, 2013. My college roommate from my freshman year was my photographer and I get to celebrate her wedding very soon as one of her best friends! 

         I’m not here to tell you that the next 4 years of your life are going to be easy but I can honestly tell you that they will be worth it. Enjoy the little things. Enjoy the walks (despite how cold and rainy they may be) to the food hall, enjoy the late night talks with your roommate, enjoy the football games and most importantly keep God with you. Find God in the quiet moments outside, in a close-knit group of friends and during worship at a nearby church or group. When you feel alone or out of hope, reach out to friends and family. My family supported me at all times of my life and I still call them for anything today! Sandy was a great resource for me as she was always willing to listen and always reminded me of the love of God. Please believe in yourselves and enjoy this opportunity that you have been given and that you have worked so hard to achieve.  If you are seeking employment or starting a career after graduating from college I pray that you remain patient and allow God’s timing to guide your decisions. It seems like you are constantly forced to make decisions but I believe that when looking for a career or even a job to help pay for bills and loans, God will always provide. We just have to trust in his timing.

         Congratulations to all of you! I am praying for you and wish you all of the strength and happiness that you deserve! I’d like to leave you with these words before we depart:

Proverbs 19:21

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose, that prevails.

Jeremiah 29:11

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you                                                                  hope and a future.