By: Christopher Vreugdenhil
Staff-Writer
Every one of us has thousands of stories and life experiences. Whether small or large in influence, every moment has an influence on someone’s life. Here is a bit of mine.
In second grade, I moved to another state. Now, this is very typical for lots of people, but it was one of the defining moments in my life, and I remember that day clearer than most. I got a Webkinz from my best friend, a white dog that smelled like the candle shop that it was bought from.
In fifth grade, I discovered fantasy books. The amount of hours poured into Brian Jacques’s “Redwall” series are uncountable. I spent hours playing Mario Kart DS on the bus that took three hours to bring me home because of a god-awful bus route.
In eighth grade, I decided that I would be more outgoing in high school, that I would have everyone like me, and I would read fewer books and play video games because, in my mind, I could make friends that way.
In my freshman year of high school, I went to the marching band state competition, freezing my butt off with a bunch of people I thought would be friends with forever. We never made it again after my freshman year, but I did solidify a friendship that has lasted 10 years (fifth grade – current).
After I graduated from high school, I took a solo journey to the United Kingdom. My internet friend of four years was getting married, and I was the best man at his wedding while simultaneously meeting him within the same week! I made some good friends while I was over there and still talk to them to this day.
I tried college for a year and found out biology was not cut out for me. I left and traveled the country for a year, working as a glass wall specialist. I ate lots of food and had a lot of fun, but decided I did not want to travel forever and live out of a suitcase.
Now I am here with all the friends I made along the way, appreciating the people that have gone their own way and starting a new adventure very soon. College was not an easy ride, but it was a worthwhile one. I am graduating with a Bachelor of Science in anthropology and a minor in history. I am also getting a certificate in social and cultural diversity. I now leave you all with how I survived college. Never give up, even when you think it’s too far gone. It’s never too far gone.