Every person has their own reasons for going to whichever school they attend. Some may be personal, some may be small, and some may not have had much of a choice. College is a large decision and is one that helps shape many more future decisions. Where I go to school changes the people I am going to meet and the friends I am going to make. This is one reason why it is so important to find the right place. I feel that I at least have ended up where I am meant to be. JSU is certainly my home.

I had never heard of Jacksonville State University until I joined band. I started playing flute in 6th grade, marched with the high school in 7th grade, and joined my dance line in the 8th grade.

This was when I first saw the Marching Ballerinas perform. The first time I saw them perform I knew that I had to work hard and push myself so hopefully I could be one someday. Needless to say, that is one reason that I am here at JSU. My high school band was surrounded by Southerner's alum who believed in me and who helped me to be where I am today. Without them who knows where I would be.

I go to a school full of JSU alum because my business teacher also had attended JSU. I had this teacher for 2 years and she believed in me and gave me opportunities to succeed. Being a business major and knowing about the school of business at JSU was yet again another reason for my choice. In high school, I was in two separate business classes. I also attended a business program the summer before senior year. These show me that JSU is where I need to be, and business is what I need to do. I am not quite yet certain if I will stick with my current major in management because I have learned I LOVE accounting, but I do plan on staying in business.

Growing up I was homeschooled until the spring semester of my 5th-grade year, and when I did attend a public school it was one where all three schools are on the same block. I kept to myself and had a small town life, but I wanted to be somewhere else. I wanted to go away, but as the time for college got closer I realized that I didn’t have to go quite as far away as I thought.

JSU gives me the opportunity to be away from home and on my own, but still close enough. This truly is the friendliest campus in the south. As soon as I stepped foot on campus I felt like I belonged, and there is no better comfort to scared freshman than that. Honestly moving away from home has been kind of difficult, but moving to JSU makes it worth it, being a Ballerina makes it worth it, and being a Gamecock makes it worth it.