My brother and I recently had a conversation talking about our high school experience. We asked each other if there was anything at all that we would change if we had the chance to do so. Expectedly, we both mentioned a few things — staying involved in sports, branching out into different clubs, and a handful of others. But we both expressed that we wouldn’t trade it for anything else. Not a lot of other people can say the same; high school may not have been the best time for someone to grow in their confidence. However, I can definitely say that I broke out of my shell in high school, especially growing in my faith.

My grade school experience was not the best; the only way for me to get through the day was to throw myself into my books and study. I was the definition of a nerd — I participated in spelling bees, academic quiz bowls, geography competitions and oratorical contests. Finding the answers to questions always managed to keep me busy, allowing me to focus that energy into being correct and achieving something. I had a few friends, but I stayed relatively quiet around others. Although I thoroughly enjoyed studying and playing sports, I still didn’t feel like myself. I wanted high school to be much better than grade school, and I prayed that it would exceed my expectations.

Once I started high school, I tried new clubs and sports. Although my career of being a four-sport athlete for the St. John Bosco Spartans may have been worthy in middle school, I didn’t make any of the teams in high school, forcing me to retire at the ripe age of 15. That may have been one of the best decisions my high school made for their teams, considering I did trip on the agility ladder and fell flat on my face. However, I did manage to make some new friends and put my guard down a little bit. Slowly but surely, I was starting to gain some confidence.

Fast forward to the end of junior year. My high school offered a Kairos retreat three times a year, allowing the junior class to attend the last one of the year. I went with about 40 other girls from the junior and senior classes, knowing maybe a handful of them quite well. We were going to spend four days together without phones, living in close quarters with one another, and experiencing Kairos. During those four days, we talked, opened up to one another, and deepened our faith. I never experienced anything like that before — it’s an understatement to say that I felt better, but that is honestly the only way that I can describe it. Going on that retreat restored my faith in God, which is something that I didn’t expect to happen. I eventually became a Kairos leader and remained active in campus ministry. My junior and senior years of high school were some of the best. I knew and talked to the majority of my class, challenged myself academically with four AP classes, acted as the school mascot, and took chances that I never would have previously. I gained new ground in my self-confidence, and I took it with me to Saint Mary’s.

Even though I may not have realized it at the time of my decision, my faith brought me to Saint Mary’s. Saint Mary’s was not my first choice, but I put a little bit of faith in God that I would end up liking it. My time at Saint Mary’s exceeded my hopes and expectations by a long shot and then some. I met some of the best people I could ever have the pleasure of establishing strong friendships with. I earned a world-class education, achieved a degree through the quirkiest but most supportive department. I experienced four nerve-wracking seasons of Notre Dame football and hockey. My faith brought me to Saint Mary’s campus ministry to become active with them. I attended masses in Le Mans and at the Basilica at Notre Dame; I went to the Grotto whenever I needed to say a quick prayer and light a candle for a loved one. The relationships I’ve made with my friends became stronger through my faith. I hope and pray to continue that now that “adulthood” is settling in for the time being.

My parents sent my brother and me to private schools our entire academic careers because they wanted to instill the Catholic teachings in us. As a child, I didn’t fully understand why they did that. It took about 10 years in the making, but now I understand why they did that for us. Keeping my faith strong acted like a security blanket, comforting me in times of stress and uncertainty. It also acted as a magnet, attracting me to friends and opportunities that would challenge me, support me, and suit my best interests. Looking back through my photos on Facebook, I can’t help but smile and be grateful of everything that I experienced. There were plenty of challenges I had to face that tested my faith, but I overcame the struggles using it to my advantage. God was always there, sending signs through messages and people. Without my faith, I wholeheartedly believe I would not have encountered so many beautiful experiences. I’ve learned to appreciate the silver linings, to look forward to the next day, to be grateful of what I already have, and to continue moving forward when times are tough. The little blue cross I wear every day reminds me of what got me where I am today, thanks to a little bit of faith.