I grew up an NC State fan. I was born knowing that I bleed red and hate Carolina blue. I wanted to get a degree from NC State University.

When the time came to start applying to colleges, I wanted to major in something that NC State didn’t offer, and I didn’t know what to do. I applied to what was at the time First Year College (now Exploratory Studies) because I knew I wanted to go to NC State but I didn’t know what I would major in since what I wanted to major in wasn’t possible.

My senior year of high school I was the Editor-in-Chief of my high school’s newspaper. I got switched from newspaper to the broadcast team nine weeks into the school year and I was not happy. I didn’t like the change, but I trusted my teacher, Mrs. Neyman, when she switched me over to broadcast.

A few weeks in I had started learning everything I needed to know, including how to work with the camera, how to be an anchor and how to edit. I started living and breathing the processes. This is what I wanted to do.

A few months later, my acceptance to NC State was posted. I cried, my mama cried and my dad got teary-eyed. I was a legacy, and I was attending my dream school. I wish I could relive that feeling and that moment. It was one of the best moments of my life.

Now, I had a plan. I wanted to do communication and I wanted to work in broadcasting.

I made it through school working multiple jobs at a time, gaining life experiences and learning my passions and what I want to do for the rest of my life.

I learned so much from the classes I took and pushed myself beyond the boundaries I had set for myself.

I found a career I want to pursue and love every step I take toward reaching my goal.

Standing in the student section was something as a kid I wanted to do so badly. I loved the sports teams and I wanted to cheer for them alongside other students who loved it just as much as I did.

Those tailgates, wins and the devastating losses were all part of the best experiences of my life and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

As I graduate, I have no regrets and, in fact, I wish I could spend more time here. I fell more in love with this university and Raleigh as a city than I thought was possible. I have never been more sure of my choice of going to NC State. Go Pack.