Hey guys! I'm a new writer here for Odyssey, participating as part of the University of Wisconsin branch schools community. This is my first semester attending UW-Milwaukee, but it isn't my first year of college. The term "Super-Senior" doesn't even begin to describe my higher education path. First, I started off at a junior college in Central Illinois. Illinois Central College was where everyone in the area went for junior college, it was honestly an extension of high school. I hated it.

Then I took a year of a light load of work at another community college in Illinois, Heartland Community College. I liked Heartland a lot more than ICC but I was still missing something. Finally, I was able to choose a four year school of my choice and ended up at The Oklahoma State University. It was the best year of my life. I made some friends, memories, and moments that I'm sure I'll expound more on in a different article in the future.

For many reasons, it was best for me to be closer to home after that year in Stillwater, Oklahoma. I ended up at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana. I was only at the Indiana State for a semester, because the fit wasn't there and it was a situation that I rushed into. I used the second semester to finally complete my Associate's Degree at ICC. Five years later, my friends are graduated and getting into their careers, but I was back at square one. I had an Associate's Degree and had to find a four year school with the right fit that was close enough to home for me to come home when I needed to.

Home is Bloomington-Normal Illinois. While living at home, I couldn't wait to get out of there, but once I left, I realized home wasn't that bad after all. I struggle with clinically diagnosed depression and anxiety. Having your family and close friends to lean on when the monsters of that sickness rear its ugly head is a must, and something I took for granted.

My search led me here to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Four hours from home and an easy trip south on I-39. I have found my role here, and I fit in better than I did at any of my junior college visits or ISU. I still miss Stillwater, but Milwaukee isn't too bad itself. I have enjoyed being in a big city at this time period of my life. I am young, I am single, and I am very driven to experience the world and being in the big city makes me feel like I the freedom and ability to accomplish whatever I choose to do.

I titled this article "Faith, Family, and Freedom" because those three things are my core values. The three things that mean the most to me as a person, they give me a purpose. I am a child of God and I'm proud to say that. He loves me through my ups and downs and forgives me for my shortcomings. I try to shine his light, but he loves me still when I fail at doing so. The picture that I posted with the article is my family in Colorado. That was taken during our ATV tour of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. That was one of the coolest experiences I have been blessed to ever experience.

There's 6 of us in that photo but it's only one side of my family. My parents have been divorced since the fifth grade, and I am blessed that both parents have remarried and found love and made my family larger. I wouldn't trade my family for anything. The last part of the title is Freedom. The main reason I chose to write for this site was the freedom they allow. I can write about sports (which I will a lot), but it also gives me the platform to just write what is going on in my head. Freedom of the United States is a blessing. I have the freedom to love who I love, root for the teams I choose to root for, say the things I feel compelled to say and to achieve whatever I put my mind to.

I hope this little get to know you article makes you interested in me, and excited to read more of my work. I'm excited to have an opportunity and the ability to reach an audience. Buckle up, because this is going to be a fun ride. I can promise you that.