As I sit in my favorite little coffee shop {Three Tree Coffee} here in the best college town today, the only words that come to mind are bittersweet and thank you. As I reminisce on the past 4 years, it is bittersweet to think about leaving Statesboro, a town that has taken such great care of me over the years. Statesboro, you gave me a home away from home and for that, I am forever grateful to you. As I embark on the next chapter in life, I am excited yet nervous as I navigate a new career in a new city with new people. But I couldn't leave without saying thank you.

Thank you to Georgia Southern for giving me boundless opportunities. You gave me the opportunity to live my dream of being a collegiate athlete cheering for the best university in the prettiest little stadium in America. You gave me the opportunity to compete on the bandshell in Daytona with teammates who quickly became family. You gave me the opportunity to travel the world abroad and experience culture in a new way, learning all about different foods, customs, and traditions. Georgia Southern, you gave me the opportunity to grow and develop my leadership skills by serving as a face for my university in various roles. You gave me the opportunity to expand my passion for the pediatric world and caring for those who cannot care for themselves.

Thank you Georgia Southern for giving me community. Entering college as an 18-year-old freshman, I was terrified to leave the community I had at home fearful that I wouldn't find one here, but BOY WAS I WRONG! Thank you for giving me my community in my cheer family. From the countless hours spent on the mat at practice doing pyramids and stunts over and over until they were perfect, to performing on the sidelines, these people quickly became a crucial part of my college career. Thank you for giving me a community within my nursing cohort. The people who I spent hours studying in the library or study rooms with to dinner and coffee dates. These are the ones who helped mold and shape me into the nurse I will become. No one understands the struggle of nursing school like a nursing student. Many days were filled with joy and laughter as we learned new skills and knowledge to help broaden the care, we would come to give our patients. There were days we would hold each other and cry over exams we studied so hard for to only get a 73 on [which in nursing world is considered failing], and I wouldn't have wanted to endure this all with anyone else by my side. But most of all, thank you for giving me a community at the BCM. When I tell you the Lord shows up and shows out, He really does. The community He provided within the BCM is truly unlike any other. These people have seen me at my darkest and worst state, and loved me through every bit of it. They were there for all the bad days when I didn't think I would make it, as well as the good making them even better. Thank you for allowing me to grow in my faith and the opportunity to witness what it means to truly live for Christ and be on fire for God. If I wouldn't have attended Georgia Southern, there is no telling where I would be in my walk with God. Thank you for teaching me to cherish the times at home, because it wasn't until I was three hours away that I realized the importance of home cooked meals around the table, the nightly conversations over a cup of coffee, or

But most of all, thank you Georgia Southern for giving me lifelong best friends. Not only have you allowed me to strengthen my friendship with my childhood best friend (I love you long time Hannah Brooke Hendley), but you gave me two more. Mama always told me to cherish a friend like Hannah because people who love you unconditionally like her come once in a lifetime. However, thanks to Georgia Southern, I have been lucky enough to find two more people like that. Mallory and Ty, thank you for the Prescence you both have in my life.

Hannah, you have been with me through it all. From middle school to college, you've had my back and defended me every time, even when I was in the wrong. You have met every obstacle in life with grace and determination, each time overcoming what everyone says is impossible. You amaze me day in and day out with the confidence you have in yourself and the strength you find in the Lord. You make me want to be a better person. I started this year praying the Lord would give the strength and prepare my heart for our paths to lead different ways because I never thought I would see the day I would have to make major life decisions without you being a 5-minute drive away. I can never thank you enough for everything you do for me daily and being able to pick up where we left off, even if it has been 2 months. I love you more than words can ever express.

Mallory, little did I know two years ago you would impact me in such a huge way. You always support me even when you may not understand. We have our moments, but we always love each other at the end of them and I truly wouldn't have made it through nursing school without you. You give 100% of yourself to everyone you come in contact with, and you always push the ones you care about to be their best. I love you so much and can't wait to watch you soar in the next season of life.

Ty, you keep me going. From helping me on the daily with the small tasks of living to taking care of Sailor while I sleep because it's my 3^rd 12-hour shift in a row, you have been by my side. You have a heart of gold and the way you serve others without expecting anything in return is so inspiring to see. This past year was wild for me between cheer, school, clinicals, and work. However, you never ceased to check in on me and make sure I was doing okay so thank you.

So, Georgia Southern, while you gave me a degree, you also gave me so much more and I will forever be in debt to you. An 18-year-old freshman who never wanted to even attend Georgia Southern now has so much appreciation for greatest university in America. While I couldn't see God's plan in the beginning, He definitely outdid Himself with it. I will forever bleed true blue no matter where I go, and this isn't a goodbye but rather a see ya later Georgia Southern.

HAIL SOUTHERN AND NO PLACE ELSE