WOW!!!  I can’t believe it’s the end of the semester and that this is my last blog.  It’s hard to believe how fast my four years of college went.  Now that I am getting ready to graduate, I think of the day I started college and how I have grown as a whole person since then.  Freshman year was about adjusting to college and becoming familiar with campus resources.  It was about exploring my interest, skills and values by trying my interest, joining a club and / or organization, and meeting new friends.  This is the year I found myself taking on more of my own responsibility.  Sophomore year was about building my career foundation and junior year was about gaining experiences related to my major.  These were the years I found myself maturing into a young adult.  Senior year was about attending career fairs and looking for a job for after I graduate.  This past year, I have found myself to be continually working hard in school.

          If I can leave you with any advice about college or the Mount, I would suggest in making the most of your college experience.  You can do this by spending time with your friends and staying involved with campus clubs / organizations / activities and / or events.  Overall, I am very pleased with my college experience at the Mount and I will miss it.  I feel the College has prepared me well for my career and the real world.  I have no regrets as to how I spent my time in college; it has been educational and fun!  After I graduate, I would like to be active with the Mount Alumni Association.  It has been a pleasure and a privilege to be a student blogger and I have enjoyed sharing my experiences with you.  Have a terrific summer!!!         

On Wednesday, April 16^th, I attended the Celebration of Teaching & Learning.  This Symposium and Honors Convocation is held annually.  The morning began with the “Environmental Response-Ability:  A Conversation Between the Generations” in the College Theatre.  There were six conversationalists who shared their knowledge, feelings, thoughts and perspectives on environmentalism.  They talked about the challenges we are facing and important issues concerning the environment.  By going to this presentation, I am now more aware about the importance of changing our behavior, so we can live in a cleaner, healthier, and safer environment as well as our future generations to come.  After the presentation, I went to the “Environmental Fair.”  The fair featured exhibits on alternative energy, sustainable living and practical environmentalism.  I stopped by many of the exhibits to collect handouts/brochures, talk to representatives and learn something more about the environment.  This environmental fair was educational and fun because I have always been interested in nature and taking care of our planet.  After the fair, I went to the “Student and Faculty Poster Presentations.”  This was held in the Harrington Center and students and professors talked about the projects that they have been working on within their field of study for the past few months.  I was fascinated by many of them.  I am glad I went to this because it helped broaden my knowledge in other disciplines.  I did not go to the Honors Convocation and Reception, but this is where they acknowledge student and faculty achievement.  Overall, the Celebration of Teaching & Learning is a really nice event to attend because you can see what the Mount has to offer.  You can teach others something new or learn something new yourself.

Hooray for Spring Break!!!    I can’t believe it’s here with only six more weeks of classes left in the semester.  Plus, graduation is quickly approaching for us seniors.  This week has been fun and relaxing thus far, and there has been a lot to celebrate.  St. Patrick’s Day was on March 17^th, but many people began partying over the weekend.  Whether you are Irish or not, many people celebrate this holiday by wearing green, and drinking “green beer.” 

On Thursday, the sun was out for the First Day of Spring (I love spring because it is one more season closer to summer which is my favorite season of the year) and the official start of “March Madness” begun.  My friend had me fill out a bracket just for fun to predict which college basketball teams would win in the tournament.  As of now, I am doing really well and I don’t even follow college basketball that much.  Last night, some of my friends from high school and I went out to the bars’ to celebrate our friend’s birthday which was actually on St. Patrick’s Day.  We had a great time!!!  It was nice to spend time with them and catch up on each others lives. 

Side Note:  Although you will develop new friendships in college and throughout life, it is important to stay in touch with your friends from high school as well.  As you get older and you may not see some of your friends as much because they have parted their separate ways, know that true friends will always find a way to keep in touch and be there for you.  I have many wonderful friends and people in my life, and I am thankful for them. 

Also, Easter is during Spring Break this year, so I will be celebrating this holiday with family and friends.  The best part of the day for me is going to church and thanking Jesus for saving us by giving up his life on the cross.  Happy Easter!!!

Although I have found each of my classes to be beneficial to me in some way, there are several courses in which I have enjoyed the most.  In COM 100 Spoken Word, I was able to enhance my understanding of interpersonal and public communication processes and practices.  I was also able to develop effective listening and speaking strategies which are needed in personal, academic, and professional life.  Overall, I found the course to be educational as well as fun because I had the opportunity to create my own speeches and present them to the class.  The course is listed as one of the core requirements, so all students will take this class.

On Saturday, February 23^rd, “SENIOR Day” was celebrated at the Men’s Basketball game in the Harrington Center.  The Franklin College Grizzlies played against the College of Mount St. Joseph Lions, and the season ended with an 89-71 home loss.  Senior basketball players, Michael and Josh, finished their Lions career as well as senior dance team members, Vanessa and Jodi (me).  The day was full of excitement, but a little sad in knowing that this was my last time getting to dance with the team and perform at a Mount basketball game.  Honestly, I do not know what I will do without dance in my life; I’m not ready to give it up lol.  I have been dancing for twelve years and so, I am really going to miss being on the team next year.  Even after I start my career, I would like to make time in my schedule to still be involved with my passion whether it’s coaching, taking adult classes, or dancing/cheering for a pro-football team. 

The sports teams at the Mount celebrate “Senior Day” at the last home game of the season to recognize the seniors who are getting ready to graduate and thank them for their hard work, contribution, and dedication to the team.  The student athlete’s family is invited to attend and participate in this event.  Prior to the game, several of my teammates helped decorate and hang up posters in the gym for the seniors.  At game time, the announcer called each senior and their family out onto the gym floor to acknowledge them, and their academic and athletic achievements throughout their years at the Mount.  As my parents and I walked out, my coaches gave me a card, flowers, and a gift bag to show their appreciation to my commitment of four years on the dance team.  During half time, our team performed two hip-hop routines and one jazz routine.  At the end of game, we did the “Fight Song” to the music the band was playing and this is when I realized that my MSJ Dance Team career was officially over.  I have so many wonderful memories from dancing at the Mount and it has been great!  If you plan to come to the Mount in the fall and are interested in dancing, I would suggest trying out (see website for details or contact one of the coaches).  I enjoyed dancing at the Mount because dancing is something I love to do, it is a good way to get involved, and stay in shape.  Plus, you can earn college credit and you can put it on your resume.

In the future, I would like to see the college set aside or build an area where dancers and cheerleaders could practice.  Both sports require little equipment except for a dance floor, mirrors, high ceilings, and mats.  Currently, we practice in the gymnasium which is great, but we have to make sure that our scheduled practice times do not conflict with basketball, baseball, volleyball, softball or some other event.  To build an area would cost money, but I feel it would be a good investment; it would be a place we could call our own.  Even though we are a division three school and are not dancing on scholarships, I believe it would be a benefit to the students; I feel it would increase interest and be a good recruiting tool. : )