Goodbye, Boone.

It’s time to move onto a new chapter. I know, I’m only a freshman! I should be making a home for myself at my university, hunkering down for the new four years. Well, that kind of path just wasn’t in my cards. And to students who may be dealing with the same kind of situation, I believe its okay to stray a little from the common course.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my university. Appalachian State will always have a special place in my heart, and the town of Boone will always bring me good memories. However, I think I needed to leave home for a year in order to truly appreciate everything I have. Graduating from high school, I couldn’t stop thinking about how amazing it would be to finally get out of the house, meet new people, and start creating a life away from everything I was accustomed to. Although coming to Boone, NC for a year made me grow in multiple ways, strengthened many relationships, and gave me new perspectives, I now understand that I require more to truly “find myself.”

One of the first things that truly attracted me to this university was its beauty. It’s at the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and so many other places where people can truly be immersed in nature. Coming from East Cobb, Georgia, I always felt a little cheated out of the true “nature experience.” Boone, known as “the heart of the high country,” certainly has given me all I dreamed of and more. I embarked on my first backpacking trip in Pisgah National Forest, experienced the joy of being surrounded by wild ponies in Grayson Highlands State Park, and took some of the most beautiful and rigorous hikes of my life up to this point. Truly, I’ll miss being surrounded by mountains every day. And besides just offering beauty, the environment I have been surrounded by everyday, as well as the people I’ve met who dedicate much of their lives to protecting it, has really impacted the direction I feel I want my life to take. While at App State, I decided I want to minor in ecology, allowing me to learn more about our relationship with nature and why it is so important in nearly every aspect of our life.

As I get ready to depart this town, I often think about how my next chapter will compare to this one. The small town of Boone has given me a new sense of what a true community is like, and I know this is something that becomes more and more rare each day. Although a small population and quaint feel is common of many southern college towns, Boone is unlike any place I’ve been. While many original residents still exist, offering traditional practices and values common of Appalachian culture, the large student population brings in a whole new culture of its own. The mix of perspectives, interests, and even political views create a sort of melting pot. Although the university is still working very hard to increase diversity on campus and in the community, something lacking in the overall area, I can definitely appreciate the diversity of ideas and personalities that already exists among the native "Boonies."

Of course, I have to acknowledge the people who have made me feel more at home during my year at App State. Through the hospitality of my RAs at the beginning of the year, I began my time here with feelings of positivity. I have met people who inspired me, brightened my day, and some who I truly hope to continue friendships with. Also, a dedication to APPS is certainly in order. Appalachian Popular Programing Society, a club I would not have originally imagined myself joining, brought me a group of people who I couldn't imagine my year here without. This club has made me feel connected with my campus and community, and gave me something to look forward to every week. To any prospective or current App State students out there, I recommend this amazing club above many. Another thanks to the professors I've had. I know it may sound nerdy, but something that I was really looking forward to as I entered university was meeting professors who truly feel passionate about their work and topic of study. While some professors helped me realize I didn't want to pursue a certain subject, others encouraged conversations that made me think beyond the classroom, and led me to questions things I would not have thought of on my own.

Overall, I my freshman year has surprised me and given me memories that will certainly stick. However, it’s time for me to move on to a new part of my life. For the sake of my future endeavors as well as personal reasons that I have taken great time considering, I will be headed to a new university in the spring. Boone, I love you! And I’ll definitely be back in the future.