One of our most important responsibilities as human beings on this earth is taking care of each other. That means offering a helping hand to people in need. Alice has done this for me on numerous occasions.

I first met Alice when I was 15 years old. I have had a friendship with Orchard Hill Church since I was in middle school. I participated in many of the programs that they held for young girls. One of the programs I was participating in is responsible for me meeting Alice. She’s five foot four with dark hair and a contagious laugh. We hit it off immediately. We spent the majority of the time trading jokes — jokes that still get brought up time to time. But, our relationship went further than two people who shared the same sense of humor.

Alice is the perfect person for any sort of research. At Least, that is what I was told when I started expressing concerns about college. Being a first generation student, there were many things that I needed help with. There were many things that I didn’t understand. How did I apply to college? How did I pay for it? Was it even something that I could realistically expect in my future? Alice sat me down and made me realize that no matter my situation, I had a right to attend college, and that no one but myself could allow that to not happen. With her help I was able to understand the process of making it to college.

Alice went beyond a mentor role. She not only took me to many college visit and overnight stays, but willingly offered her home as a safe haven in times of stress. She became a friend along the way, ensuring that I went to the college of my dreams. It’s the simple things that matter. For example, every time I came to her house she had a big cup of orange juice for me. It started as a joke when we were participating in a conference — I was extremely thirsty, so I asked for two cups, so to this day she never fails to remember my favorite drink. It never fails. I even got a jug on my 19th birthday! She’s one of my greatest friends. Whenever I have any concern, she’s there to help me find my way. Whether it’s through a few encouraging words or a whole life plan, I know I can depend on her.

Thank you, Alice, for being such a great person, friend, and mentor. Thanks for your constant help and reassurance. Thanks for your social media obsession. (Honestly, she rivals me on how much she's on Facebook!) Thanks for all the jokes that will forever make me laugh. I don’t know how many times I can say that you literally changed the course of my life. I will forever be grateful.

I love you, A!