Today was a great day!
I was very honored and humbled to be named one of Albion College's Top 10 in 10 Young Alumni Award recipients. My alma mater is a small school in Albion, MI (pretty much centered in Southern Michigan). At the ceremony, many of my old professors asked how Albion had contributed to World Clothes Line. My answer? Albion set the stage for me to discover my passions. It all started in 2004.
FALL 2004 - CURIOSITY SPARKED. I was a Freshmen at Albion taking a class on the Grimm Brothers and old German folklore. As part of the course, our class took a week long trip to Germany to visit some of the sites of the original fairy tales. A TRIP TO GERMANY?? AMAZING! This was my first time outside North America...and I loved it.
FALL 2006 - DISCOVERED THE ADVENTURE. As a foreign language major, Albion required me to study abroad for one semester. 4 MONTHS IN PARIS? I'll take it. I explored the city, inside and out...falling in love with a different culture and trying to immerse myself in the "Parisian" way of life. Of course, I traveled around Europe. I took a few typical trips, to London and Spain, but I also tried to take the path less traveled. I bought a Eurorail pass and headed East from Paris. I ended up in the amazing city of Budapest, Hungary. I learned that adventure is about the experience, and I loved adventure.
SPRING 2007 - MAKE THE PLAN. Upon my return from Paris, I couldn't wait to set off again. Albion's class schedule is pretty flexible, so I planned my next year to allow me to graduate early. I would finish all my courses in December of my senior year...and then
SPRING 2008 - EMBRACE THE PASSION. Newly graduated, I spent what would have been my second-semester-senior-year traveling. One month in SouthEast Asia. One month roadtripping around the U.S. I found my life's mission, and I set off to chase my dream.
Flashforward 3 years, and you arrive at today. I'm so honored to be recognized as an accomplished graduate and a leader in my community.
Thank you Albion for the amazing award and for giving me the opportunity to discover my future.
IO TRIUMPHE!
CONGRATUALTIONS TO THE TOP 10 IN 10 YOUNG ALBION ALUMNI!
