It's been a long and stressful year. I learned more and I achieved more this year than I ever thought I could. I worked as an RA, I was involved in my sorority, I was elected the sweetheart of a fraternity, and so much more. Keep reading for a picture recap!
I moved back to Muncie the first week of August to train to become an RA. It was an intense two week training, but I learned so much from it. I was trained on difficult topics including how to handle sexual assault cases, how to talk to suicidal residents, and more. I learned how to fix conflicts amongst roommates and how to make pretty bulletin boards. My residents moved in a few weeks later and it was a busy year full of me planning and executing programs and social events. It was a very rewarding experience and looking back on the year, I think they taught me more than I taught them. Although I won't be returning next year, I wouldn't trade the RA experience for anything. It made me a more selfless, caring, and professional college student.
I also helped my chapter, Alpha Omicron Pi, have another successful recruitment. I was on the ERC board and planned our first recruitment round. It was overwhelming making all of the decorations and preparing the room, but it turned out great. The best part of this year's recruitment? I found my perfect little, Kylie! We're called the AOPuerta's Fam because of our obsession with Mexican food (especially tacos).
There was one person who really made this year special for me. My boyfriend, Jake Presley, is simply amazing and has done so much for me this year. I don't think I could have survived all of the stress this year brought without him! He also ran for my sorority's sweetheart, known as Panda Man, and won! He's done a great job at making both myself and my sisters feel special. I'm very blessed to have him in my life. There's nobody else I'd rather go on dinner dates with two times each week with.
Ringing in the New Year was fun because I got to spend it with Jake and his Sigma Chi brothers. My biggest resolution for 2017 was to travel more, and that's exactly what I did. In January, I went to Indianapolis for a Pacers basketball game with my sorority sisters. I was also sent to Dallas, Texas in February for a University Tees' Sales Conference! I've been very successful in my position as a Campus Manager for University Tees this year. I've sold over $78,000 on Ball State's campus plus over $37,000 nationwide, for a total of over $115,000 in sales... with two more months of potential sales left!
I also traveled to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Gatlinburg, Tennessee in March.
I also traveled to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Gatlinburg, Tennessee in March.
One of my favorite memories from this school year was being elected as Sigma Chi's Sweetheart. I ran for this position in February and once the voting ended, the guys surprised me outside of my residence hall with a Sigma Chi Sweetheart serenade! It was the best surprise ever and it's already brought so many more opportunities.
One week into my Sweetheart term, I attended Sigma Chi State Day in Indianapolis with some members of the chapter. While I was here, I met Dick Hester, a former Grand Consul of Sigma Chi. He encouraged me to apply for the Sigma Chi International Sweetheart position. At the time, I had no idea what he was talking about so I did some research, and the Epsilon Omega chapter submitted my nomination! Little did I know that I would get pulled to do an interview with Sigma Chi's International Headquarters. I was very nervous but the next day, they called me and informed me that I was a finalist for the position! I'm one of three finalists to be the next Sigma Chi International Sweetheart and I will attend their Grand Chapter in Providence, Rhode Island in June. I'm so excited to travel and meet more Sigma Chi brothers this Summer!
The first weekend in March began Spring Break! I had never gone anywhere for Spring Break before so I was very excited to travel to Fort Lauderdale, Florida with thirty of my best friends and spend the week on the beach. It was a much needed vacation and I couldn't have possibly had more fun!
Towards the end of March, I attended Sigma Chi's Spring Formal in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I had never been to Tennessee before and had no idea what to expect. Seeing the Smokey Mountains was breathtaking and it was one of the most fun weekends I've ever had! Staying in three massive cabins with my best friends and their dates? 10/10 would recommend.
April was a fun month because it meant DERBY DAYS!! I never had the chance to participate in Derby Days until this year so I was very excited. I loved supporting the Epsilon Omega chapter all week long while raising money for the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Learning about their philanthropy sparked my passion and it's now one of my platform points as an International Sweetheart finalist. Although my team didn't place (we weren't able to attend one of the events due to our Dodgeball philanthropy being at the same time), we still had a blast and we can't wait to do it again next year.
Sexual Assault Awareness Week was in April as well. This is something that I'm very passionate about and was ecstatic that Ball State brought the Clothesline Project to campus. If you didn't know, this project consists of t-shirts strung up on a clothesline. Throughout the week, Ball State students had the chance to decorate a t-shirt. Some of these students were survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence, which made the project even more personal. Spending my week volunteering for such a great cause was an eye-opening experience.
The end of April brought a lot of celebrations. Many of my friends are graduating this year and the rest of us celebrated finishing another semester. Alpha Omicron Pi's Spring Formal was a blast with these people. It's always a bittersweet feeling at the end of the year. It's sad because it means I have to leave Indiana for three months during Summer, which means I also leave behind my friends. But it's also happy because I get to celebrate the entire year. It's crazy to think that I'll be a senior in college in August. I feel like I blinked and college is almost over!
Ball State's Housing and Residence Life had their annual end-of-the-year banquet. I enjoyed eating dinner and spending time with my staff and other RA's on campus. It was a great feeling knowing that I successfully finished my year as a Resident Assistant.
This year was full of many accomplishments. I received a 3.8 GPA during the Fall semester and a 4.0 during the Spring semester. This put me on the Dean's list for the 4th and 5th time! I was also a recipient of the Johnston Family Scholarship from Ball State University's FCS Department. I'm very blessed that the department has acknowledged my academics, leadership, and campus involvement.
I grew a lot this year as an individual. Being an RA made me a much more independent person and I've found that I'm okay with being alone and making my own decisions, instead of just following the crowd. Some of my friendships have been affected by this change, but my true friends understand that I'm an independent person and I enjoy doing my own thing. I've also grown professionally. I applied to over 100 internships throughout the year and interviewed with many different companies. Getting offered unpaid internships, getting rejected, and hearing nothing back has given me a thick skin. I learned how to handle rejection and I now consider it to be a humbling experience. It reminds me that I can always work to improve my resume, my network, and myself.
In a few weeks, I will begin my (paid!) Summer merchandising internship at Follett Corporation. I'm very excited to get hands-on experience with my major and learn from such an established company. I also look forward to attending Sigma Chi's Grand Chapter in June. Lastly, I look forward to turning 21 in July... finally!
When I return in the Fall, I'll live off campus in my first house! I look forward to making new memories with the girls that I'll be living with. I'll take 13 credit hours in the Fall and 12 credit hours in the Spring. It's crazy to think that I'm considered a senior in college, but I plan to live up every single moment.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way!!
I grew a lot this year as an individual. Being an RA made me a much more independent person and I've found that I'm okay with being alone and making my own decisions, instead of just following the crowd. Some of my friendships have been affected by this change, but my true friends understand that I'm an independent person and I enjoy doing my own thing. I've also grown professionally. I applied to over 100 internships throughout the year and interviewed with many different companies. Getting offered unpaid internships, getting rejected, and hearing nothing back has given me a thick skin. I learned how to handle rejection and I now consider it to be a humbling experience. It reminds me that I can always work to improve my resume, my network, and myself.
In a few weeks, I will begin my (paid!) Summer merchandising internship at Follett Corporation. I'm very excited to get hands-on experience with my major and learn from such an established company. I also look forward to attending Sigma Chi's Grand Chapter in June. Lastly, I look forward to turning 21 in July... finally!
When I return in the Fall, I'll live off campus in my first house! I look forward to making new memories with the girls that I'll be living with. I'll take 13 credit hours in the Fall and 12 credit hours in the Spring. It's crazy to think that I'm considered a senior in college, but I plan to live up every single moment.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way!!