I was never much of a runner growing up (can’t say I am now either), so when my parents brought up the idea of me getting a running start at something, it didn’t sit well at first. The running start they were referring to is a program rightly named, Running Start, which is run through Washington State’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. It allows students in grades 11 and 12 to attend colleges where they earn both college and high school credit, with little to no tuition cost to the families. Pretty sweet deal when you think about it, right? But like most things brought up by my parents that I originally opposed, it ended up being one of the best experiences I had at the time.

I remember walking up to Skagit Valley College’s registration building, that was only a trailer at the time, with my dad as a wide-eyed and scared 16-year-old. Along with the two trees worth of paperwork, valid photo ID was required for enrollment. As a 16-year-old who hadn’t experienced the thrill of DOL testing, all I had was a state-issued ID card left over from a trip to Canada when I was 12. I can't recall the remark the person helping me made when the adolescent-looking kid handed over the ID with a preteen photo on it, but it must have been good as the rest of those behind the desk had a jolly giggle about it. It still worked though, because when I left that building, I was enrolled as a student at Skagit. Something I’m still proud to say to this day.

I guess my parents were proud of my accomplishment, too, as my mom accompanied me on the next part of the adventure: the new student orientation. One thing I had worried about was the lack of friends who would be there. Who would be in my classes? Who would I talk with during breaks? I mean, here I was sitting in the auditorium with the all the other new students, some of whom could have been my parents (and one or two who could have been their parents). How would I fit in? Then I heard it from somewhere in the sea of heads behind me: “Keegan! I’m here, too.” Looking around and seeing two other younglings I knew was one of the biggest reliefs. This is really where it hit me how exciting this would be. Actually opening my eyes allowed me to see just how many faces I knew -- it was more than a welcomed sight and sound -- and at that moment, I knew how exciting this was going to be.

Immediately after attending the large new student presentation came the personal registration meeting with an academic advisor. Leslie was who helped my mom and me that day as we picked out what classes I would take to climb the ladder to graduation, and to success. Not only that, but Leslie continued to be there throughout my college career at Skagit, always there and willing to help when question arose or when I was rushed for an overlooked advisor signature on some registration form. Those classes we picked out for the first quarter were some of the best I had ever done, and to this day is the quarter I always try to match grade-wise, finishing with three As and a B+.

Without the Running Start program, without Skagit Valley College, without the advisors, without my parents pushing me to do things, I’d be in a very different place now. Some place I don’t want to imagine, but it would most likely contain a lot student debt for starters. So thank you to all those who provided me with the means of being a successful Running Start student. Lastly, a thank you to the instructors, Gage, Mahoney, Graham, Tutt, Sanchez, Friedlander and everyone else who I had the pleasure of calling an instructor. You all have had an impact on so many lives -- I’m just a drop in the hat, but one that couldn’t be happier.