Stepping onto Floor 12 was one of the scariest moments of my life, but seeing you standing there with a huge smile on your face and a cute puzzle-piece banner in the background made me feel so much better.
As I found my room, hauled up all my belongings, and got acquainted with my roommate, your sweet nature made me feel at ease. You made conversation with our parents, talked to us, and asked us if we needed help. That first day, you made me feel like someone truly cared about me – something I didn’t know I’d have in college.
When my parents left, I felt a hole in my stomach. That first week was one the toughest times of my life. I was scared and uncomfortable. But knowing you were there if I needed you gave me a sense of peace. Having little exchanges with you in the hallway, attending our floor tradition activities, and eating meals as a floor helped me feel a sense of belonging. Although I didn’t realize it at first, your involvement in our lives that first week is what got me through it.
Your energy and positivity shone through that first day, those first weeks, and ever since.
You have brought all of us together, making our floor a place where we all feel welcome and accepted. You’ve given me the opportunity to bond with some of the people I now call close friends, and some of the people I now call best friends. Without you to bring us together, many of us probably would’ve been too shy to reach out ourselves. We wouldn’t be as connected as we are without your initiative.
Your thoughtful ideas – like creative floor themes, first-day-of-school encouragement notes, valentines, midterm week stress balls – make me feel like part of a community. They give me a little bit of happiness during times of stress. The fact that you take time out of your busy life to do things for us makes me that much more thankful for you. I know you’re incredibly busy, even though I’ve never heard you complain and I’ve never seen you exude anything but optimism. That’s something I admire and try to emulate. Even though you have no one to leave you cute gifts or motivational words, you still do it for us. You sacrifice your time and your energy every day. You put our floor before yourself all the time, and that selflessness is something I look up to.
Your weekly emails are a small excitement in my week. I love seeing your adorable message at the top, who got a shout-out, whose birthday is coming up, what events are happening on campus, and what our next weekly tradition will be. Your emails give me a sense of organization in my life and I greatly appreciate them.
You’ve served as an amazing role model for every girl on our floor. You’re always willing to help anyone with anything, you dedicate yourself to your studies, you give helpful advice, you’re so kind-hearted, and you’re super thoughtful. Your smiles are infectious and your happiness spreads. Even on the rainiest of days, you’re a ray of sunshine on our floor. When I question my capabilities, I just think of how much you do and how positive you’ve remained, and I suddenly feel like I can do it.
You don’t get all the recognition you deserve, but you would never say that. You don’t do it for the recognition. You do it because you love it and care about us – and that really shows. I will forever be grateful for having you there my freshman year. You are one of the biggest reasons this year has been amazing for me, and you have made Marquette a place I want to stay.
I hope every freshman has an RA as great as you to start off their college experience, although I'm pretty sure no one compares. An RA has the ability to make or break someone’s transition into college, and you haven’t taken that responsibility lightly. You’ve become a friend I’m lucky to have.
Mallory, thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do. You’re officially the best RA ever. I will always remember your impact on my life and I will always smile at the thought of Floor 12.
