Over the years, I've had plenty of opportunities to be a leader, a role model, or an example. However, it wasn't until I became a Peer Mentor that I realized how important leadership roles really are. As Peer Mentors, we are known as being the faces of Longwood University. We are some of the first people that the incoming freshmen meet. I personally love having that responsibility. It gives me the motivation to be the best I can be. It's like we have a standard to do the basics: introduce them to their new home, get them adjusted, and give them advice on how to survive college. But I feel like that's just the top soil of a botanical garden. There's so much more to being a leader than simply being an example. And I absolutely love it.

I was one of the lucky Peer Mentors: I only had six students. All girls, all with attitudes, but they were not all the same. There was plenty of personality to go around. While we were all the same gender, I still felt like I got the same experience as another Peer Mentor with 23 students. I still thought that we were a diverse group with different opinions and different perspectives.

By the end of New Lancer Days, I felt more involved as a leader, as a Lancer. I had the best sleep of my life on that last day. The entire weekend, it was hotter than the surface of the sun, and there were a lot of activities to get done. We all felt so accomplished (or more like relieved) to have made it to the finish line. At the end of the weekend, I had no regrets. I was proud of all of my students for sticking it out New Lancer Days with me and embracing what it means to be a Lancer. For the first time, I was actually just as proud of myself for not losing my mind or my spirit.

Having a leadership role has given me so much joy and confidence. I have met so many amazing people who are just as passionate about Longwood as I am. It's been such a great experience. I wouldn't change it for the world.