This summer I was a TTM or Tarleton Transition Mentor. I figured if I was lucky I could help one person break out of their shell — I never could have predicted that they would completely transform me.
Campers:
Thank you for not shutting me out the moment you walked into the gym and saw me strutting those awful dance moves. You could have looked at me like a crazy person (some of you did) and left me there to wallow in my own awkwardness but you joined me. Thank you for allowing Duck Camp to do what it can. What you put into it is what you will get out. Each and every one of you let go in due time and I can't explain how much that filled my heart. I smile every time one of you tells me Duck Camp made a difference to you.
Thank you for being such good sports and passing a cow tongue to each other using your toes, I honestly admire you for that. Between "speed dating" on the bus and #teamnosleep, you guys are the real MVPs. You trekked across the camp in the sweltering Texas summer heat and sat in a small gym with hundreds of sweaty other campers and leaders.
TTMs:
Thank you for not letting me make a fool of myself. Thank you for creating an environment that I felt comfortable to be myself in. All of you have made an impact on me that I will never forget. Thank you for backing me up when I started chants, 70 voices have a much larger impact than one. Thank you for teaching me about family. My first year at Tarleton there were multiple times I felt alone in a very scary world, I can honestly say that world isn't so scary anymore and I'm most definitely not alone. You all taught me what it means to make a difference and if any of you feel you have not made a difference in someone, know that you have in me.
Directors and Staff:
Thank you for dedicating your time and heart into this program. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to achieve amazing things. You gave me an opportunity to meet people I will never forget. You believed in me and led by an example that can only be described as impeccable. You taught me what a great leader is and how to be one. You opened my eyes to things that will continue to impact my life and things that will push me to step up in difficult situations. You provided endless resources but also love and kindness. You helped me through my mistakes and shaped me into the person I am.
All of you:
Thank you for showing me who I am and that it doesn't include who I was. For the first time I have truly felt that my past does not define my future. You showed me what i want to do in life and taught me passion and drive to never stop until I accomplish it. Thank you for letting me open up to you and love on you. Thank you for putting up with my major maternal instincts. Mostly thank you for loving me unconditionally and making this summer a lifetime experience. Each of you embody UBUNTU to me. Who i am is because of who you all are.
