As many of you already know, I will be transferring to Roger Williams University for the start of my Fall 2016 semester. This means I will be leaving Rollins.

Heartbreaking, I know.

But before I left, I wanted to make sure that the people who impacted me most during my time here were properly thanked. My time at Rollins was not always the easiest or most enjoyable experience; however, there were a few key groups/individuals who, without their support, I wouldn’t be leaving as the person I am today.

First, I’d like to thank ELI. Without the opportunity you provided me with, I don’t know that I would have found the will to even finish my first semester at Rollins. You provided me with a safe and comfortable environment in which I was allowed to share everything I had tried so hard to hide. You allowed me to be undoubtedly me, and for that I thank you.

Next, I’d like to thank those who participated in my Alternative Spring Break Immersion with me. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to begin my traveling, thank you for allowing me to feel connected to a community who so willingly loved to serve as much as I do and most importantly, thank you for giving me a home over spring break when I could not go back to my own.

I also wanted to specially thank my Bahamian roommates. Thanks for all the laughs, memories and bunnies. You are three of the most kind, giving and truly humble people I know. I will always be thankful for your friendship.

Thirdly, I’d like to thank my sisters. I just want you all to know, that you are the true reason I stayed at Rollins as long as I did. You gave me a family, you gave me a home and you gave me sisters.

I understand I wasn’t the loudest, or the most outgoing of us, but I want you all to know that despite my awkwardness and incapability to interact with others, I am truly grateful for you all. The kindness you showed each other and the bonds you all have, it makes me happy to know that there are people out there who are still willing to give someone else their everything - shared DNA or not.

And to my “squad,” thank you for still hanging out with me, and for still treating me like your sister even after I told you I was leaving. Thank you for dealing with my weirdness, and my crazy obsession with photography. Thank you for always being willing to get ice cream with me, and for always making sure I was okay.

So Roses to you all - ALAM.

And finally, I want to thank my Odyssey family. Words will never be able to describe how thankful I am for all of you. You helped me rediscover who I am, you helped me have the courage to write the words that I felt I could never say and you helped me find my true passion. I am forever amazed by the love of writing you all have, and your fearlessness to share the truth (even if it’s an unpopular one).

You are truly some of the greatest people I know, and I know that despite the fact I will no longer be your "fetus," that you will still continue to support me and be the incredibly family to me that you are now.

Keep being weird and crazy, because you are the true lights of Rollins College.

So thank you to you all, and to everyone I didn’t get to mention. You made this year an unforgettable one, and I will forever cherish my time here.

Till next time, Rollins.