TO BE CONTINUED!

The other day I was cleaning my room out, preparing to go on summer break and I found some mail. At first I was just going to trash all of it, but I stopped and looked at some of it and one letter was from 2007 before even coming to SMC. The first thing it said was, “What can a two year college do for you?” So I stopped and I just thought about what SMC it has done for me. SMC has changed my life completely! SMC has given me hope, faith, love, and much more.

I remember August 2008 when I first moved in, seems like yesterday, I look at it as a day that started something great! I would have to say that my two years at SMC have been amazing, I have gotten to know all of my teachers on a personal level, it shows that they care and are here to help! That played a big part in the hope that SMC has given! To know that I can master classes that I don't even understand, because the teacher took 10 minutes after class to help me understand a particular problem.

While here at SMC I was able to get to know one of SMC’s finest, Kim Day. She was more than a boss or advisor for SGA, Ambassadors, P.O.P.S and other things. She has been a mentor to me. Someone I have looked up to since my first leadership class here at SMC. She has been there for me no matter what and has challenged me many different times even when I wanted to give up and just go on with life. She has made me stop and just focus on the important things. One major thing that she has taught me is to keep my faith in God no matter what, because he has a plan for me. I can say that my faith has grown so much in God because of Kim Day. She has reminded me from time to time, “Remember no matter how overwhelming and confusing life (or school) may be, God's love is steadfast, faithful, and ALWAYS enough! Remember that it is in our weakness that He is made strong.” Those are the words of Kim Day! Most of all those are the words that I will hold dear to my heart as I go on to study education, life, and my walk with God. I am not sure what I am going to do next year without Kim Day right there with me! I know that it will be hard but I know that I can do and I will always remember everything that she has taught me!

SMC has also given me love, a love for the school, and the students! I can say that I have made lifelong friends at SMC. The students at SMC are like no other! I know that I will keep in-touch with everyone no matter what! I have gotten to make new friends that I will never forget and best friends who I will talk to everyday of my life. I remember my first year and making friends with the sophomores, it was a great year I can say because they were able to show me the ropes and what college would be like. Then I remember May 6, 2009, I cried because my sophomore friends were leaving. It was a hard few days after that but in the end it was ok, because to this day we all still talk and we are still building relationships, and growing as friends. In those few days I was mad at the world because some of my good friends were not coming back. I remember one thing Kim Day said, “Now that they are gone how about you be there for someone next year and make an impact on them.” I just hope that I was able to do that, and made an impact on someone’s life but I just don't want them to feel how I felt, sad and mad. I want them to understand that saying goodbye it is a part of life, people move on and that it is all part of a greater plan that only God knows.

Now that I am leaving SMC I am sad! I cannot believe that it is all over! At first I was all manly and saying that I will be ok and I have to leave it is a part of life. Now I am saying that is all over and I do not like that right now. I don't want to leave, I just want to stay and not go on. I just hope that I made an impact on someone’s life that shows how great my God is and how loving He is. Being student body president was more than great, words cannot say how great it was, to next year’s president; I just challenge you to get out there in know everyone on campus as it was one of the things that I really strived to do this year. Not only get to know them figure out what they want, and help better their two years at SMC. To the rising sophomores I would have to say if you have not gotten involved do so, do something that you like to do. I know that there are a lot of clubs and organizations on the SMC campus that apply to all of you. If there isn't one get all of your friends together and do some work and start something that you like to do, you never know there could be a lot of other people who have the same hobbies as you! To the new students, don't think of yourselves as the new kids on the block. I want you to know that you will given many chances to get involved take them, you never know you could be an officer of a club and organization. One thing you cannot forget about is class, don't forget what you came to SMC for, your education. I know that your teachers and the many different people who work for SMC will not let you forget. I really hope that SMC impacts you and your first year here like it did mine!

Even though this is the end for me I will NEVER forget SMC, who I am today is a result of me coming to SMC. I thank SMC so much for everything! I will always promote SMC no matter where I am even if I am standing in a field in the middle of Africa! I will always tell my story of SMC, we all have a story and my story begins with “My first two years of college was AMAZING...” So I end in saying this, the theme of my freshmen orientation, TO BE CONTINUED!