720 Days :: Salutatorian Speech

Class of 2009, family, and friends—We each have our own story why graduation tonight is special. I don’t know everyone’s story and I don’t have the time to tell you everyone’s story. But I do however have the time to tell you mine.

Four years ago I had never heard of Peach County High School. In fact, I had no idea that Peach County was a place that grew peaches or that PCHS was the best high school in the county. Washington State had been the only home that I had ever known and I wanted to keep it that way. I loved my friends and my school where I felt secure and content. My older brothers had attended the local high school that I would have attended and had left a good name for me. I thoroughly expected and desired to participate in all of the activities that I had looked forward to. You can imagine the heart break and fear that slapped me in the face when reality finally hit that my family was moving. And not just moving to a different part of the city, but clear across the country- to a different climate and culture! I was terrified-- imagining my high school years to be pure torture.

Keri Russell said, “Sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever.” Moving made my life turn upside down and around. But my small decision to make the best of it changed my high school years.

And now after four years, 720 days, thirty-two classes and 5,040 hours; after sport and band after-school and summer practices, code blue’s; after tennis, basketball, soccer, football, cross country, and baseball state play offs; after teacher’s who have left before us and those who are leaving with us, after senior vs. faculty basketball games and powder-puff games, after the filming of the movie The Crazies; after two back-to-back football state championships and at least for me, even after--oh wait, sorry dad, I didn’t tell you, but when gas prices were the highest at $4.00 a gallon, I accidentally left the car running in the student parking lot for most of the school day, even after all of this--the good, the bad, and the embarrassing--and because of these 2009 high school graduates who sit behind me, I can honestly say with all of my heart that there is absolutely no place that I would rather be then standing right here tonight-- with this cap and this gown on Anderson Field of Peach County High School in Fort Valley, Georgia. It is because of you, 2009 graduates. You see, my high school years have become much more than I could have ever imagined. Peach County has changed me for the better. I have loved these last four years.

To my fellow graduates:

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Thank you class of 2009! May God bless each and every one of you as you finish your own story

blossoms amidst the snow

9:43am--I opened my eyes and FREAKED out. I had a one-on-one conference with my English teacher that I really needed to be at in two minutes. I was delusional. Throwing on pants and putting my contacts in I ran to Emily's and knocked on here apartment, hoping Alex would be able to drop me off because I had absolutely no time. Running or riding my bike was out of the question. I knocked and knocked. It was really cold. Finally, Emily opened the door and ran straight back to bed. Alex was in the shower. I had to coax Emily out of bed begging with a voice that I thought could start crying with stress. My bed hair wasn't too bad, but my face was so bland with no makeup on whatsoever. Emily took Alex's keys and we headed to the JKB building.

I thought I knew where my teachers office was but I found out I didn't after I kept running around the fourth floor. My conference was suppose to end at 10 and I had five minutes to find my teacher. Finally, I found her. Breathing heavily and with as much forgiveness I could muster I explained everything and let her take over. We rescheduled, and I got my paper. As I walked downstairs and past my locker I heard a teacher mention that it was SNOWING!! He made some comment about how people from Nevada and California better watch out. I realized that I didn't have a coat and I was wearing flip flops. It was going to be a long cold walk home in the first snowfall of the semester. That's when I began crying.

I really haven't cried in at least several months, maybe a year. I mean a real cry. You know, the ones that girls have to release all their emotions when life may become difficult. I was just so disappointed in myself--about sleeping in. I never ever have slept through a class and of all days to be a class where it was just ME and the TEACHER! I really hope Christie doesn't dock my grade. I was also really disappointed because I didn't think I stayed up to late last night. I even read my scriptures and wrote in my journal for the first time in ages! What a blessing--I knew i needed to pray but I couldn't muster any thanks. I was mad. Finally, I said that I was grateful for the clothes that I did have on even if they were thin. Oh, and my fingers were turning a stiff red.

I suddenly got really homesick for my dad. I love him. He has this surprisingly amazing way about him when I am stressed. His, "Everything's going to be alright, puddinghead. You just stop crying now" with his strong southern drawl makes me feel immediate comfort. When I can't keep control of my emotions I want to hear him. He alway's says the wrong things and with that, it makes me happy. He would have told me about the doe he killed last night and how he skinned it. It would have calmed me down. So I left a message on his cell with tears in my voice (i didn't mean for that to happen either).

When I finally got to Wyview, I walked straight to Emily's apartment (the 3rd best person after my dad since john was at work). I walked straight into her room and layed on my stomach and tried to stop crying. But for some reason the heaven's opened and I was a flood of tears. Alex came over and rubbed my back forever and we were all silent until I was ready to start talking. I love Alex and Emily. They knew exactly what to do and were the reason my day turned out great. Emily came on the bed with me after that and said that I got the worst part of the day over with. I was determined to make sure she was right. We ate breakfast and watched an amazing forum from someone who has made a difference in his life. At one point he mentioned stories about kids who have made a difference in their life by saving up money to support other children around the world who need things. They were great stories and touching because he had a picture of them and knew their name and personal story. My dad called and left a message.

Before my BOM class, I got the chance to play the piano in the Wyview building. It was the first time I have been able to let my fingers run across the keys since I have been gone from home. I am so grateful for my musical ability to play the piano. I played hymns and then some of my favorite piano pieces. Although I was rusty, music was still able to change me. Allowing me to focus on making something beautiful (not perfect) does something to me. It's difficult to explain. I said a prayer and felt wonderful. Then I went to my favorite class (BOM) and learned wonderful insightful things. I thought I should write it down in case I need to tell myself this in a few years or my future husband.

My teacher told a story about someone who talked to an apostle about his future career. E. Widstoe told this man that if he didn't know happiness in his career then he wouldn't know happiness at all. That's how important it is to find the right career. He said that you can find the correct career if you meet all of these qualifications:

1)Find something you are GOOD at
2)Find something that you LOVE
3)Find something that the world NEEDS

Band was freezing and my day pretty much was summed up after that. I did some family history indexing and fell asleep watching Anne of Green Gables. I know that although I started out on a rough day in the snow, i still was able to see some spring blossoms. I felt the love of my Savior when I prayed about working harder at becoming closer to Christ. I know that everything I have been given (my home, education, friends, family, testimony, faith, and talents) has been through and because of Jesus Christ. How blessed I am to have the Atonement to have the desires to want to serve my Father in Heaven and become a better daughter. To repent of my imperfect behavior and have chances over again to grow. I am grateful for the love I feel. I'll go where you want me to go dear Lord, because I need thee every hour. Come what may and love it!

Journal Writing

So I am officially at BYU and loving every minute of it. I have so much I need to write, catch up on my life and share. On Sunday during our building meeting my RA Mikayla talked about our habits and goals. Katie and I both decided to make goals for the week, month, and on a daily basis. Guess what our daily basis goal is? WRITING IN OUR JOURNALS!! I was pretty excited.... :)

I feel so blessed to be at BYU. I just can not get over how much I have worked and waited to be here and to enjoy every minute of it. I think a lot of my experiences have been hugely impacted by heavenly design. Let me explain:

1)FAMILY: It has been way to long since i have been around family members. I recently realized that it has officially been 6 years since jim and john and i have lived together for longer than two weeks (a typical trip home for christmas). It's been wonderful to be with them. It really just opens my eyes to how blessed i truly am to have them in my life. I consider my amazing brothers a gift from God and would never take them back. I'll never forget jim taking me out to eat lunch and dinner in nearby parks. Or seeing john's smiling face at ME (of all people, i would never suspect that he would be as happy to see me as i am to see him). He's not embarrassed to be with me and in fact we try to study together as often as we can. My brothers' kindness, thoughtfulness, and integrity astound me. I have always wanted to be like them and see exactly how they act in every situation. This short time with both of them has been cherished. Tomorrow jim leaves for Georgia to start his military training and career. Alex and I rode our bikes over to the boys' place to visit and say bye. I LOVE THEM.

2)FRIENDS: I have a very loving Heavenly Father. I know that He knows how much I need and love great friends. Every time I needed a friend I would pray and always always get one of the most perfect people for me. Emily and Megan are two of my dearest friends that I have ever had. And I prayed to have them so much. But besides them I have truly gotten to know some great people.who have came into my life. I know they are a blessing from God.

3)MARCHING BAND: BYU Cougar Marching Band is AMAZING!! I love to be with them and in them. I love our director and music and the people in the band. I feel like I have been blessed with the ability to love music and to have the talent to be in the band. Because of this, I was accepted into the band. What wonderful experiences have come from it too--I know that I needed to have this experience to get to know the people I do know and to love music at a greater level.