I have always admired leadership roles, and I feel blessed to have this opportunity with Odyssey. I remember deciding that it was time for something new, I've had multiple blogs and diaries in my life time. However, as a Senior Creative Writing student, I wanted to put myself in a position where I could make a difference. So after much research and reaching out to professors I found Odyssey. With a quick prayer I applied, and before I knew it I was the Editor-In Chief. I called my Mom, who called my Dad, who texted my sister, which turned into a very celebrated event. Now to some this may seem a little bit extreme, but in my family nothing goes unnoticed or without praise. The next couple of days can only be described as a hustle. If you're reading this and are involved with Odyssey, then you probably already know that it takes twelve writers to launch.

Now the word "launch" has been on repeat in my mind since my managing editor first said it. So after many numerous pep talks in the mirror, tons of scrap paper on the desk, comments on Instagram, and inboxes with so many emails it should be illegal I finally started to see some results. One by one people started to apply, and before I knew it articles started to come in. Now all good journeys have to have bumps in the road, because that just makes meeting your goal that much more special because of everything you went through to get. So obviously some people decided that this just wasn't the right time for them. To those I thank, because they taught me patience and how to maneuver unforeseen situations. All is well, we made due. Back to the drawing board, my hands wrote "strategy." I had phone calls on how to have phone calls, took screenshots on how to properly approach someone on social media, edited my messages, and had email threads beyond necessity. I convinced millennials to join which is awesome, but more importantly I convinced myself that I could do it.

Now none of this would be possible if my managing editor Brandon didn't have faith in me. He spent hours talking to me, and preparing me to lead a team of writers. He was always there to motivate me when we lost one. He said "no use crying over spilled milk," and that lead to a smile which kick started a determination to get this done.

So I'm here, and we made it! Now my illustrious North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, home of the Aggies "born and breed till' I'm dead," is now a part of Odyssey.

CAN I GET AN AGGIE PRIDE!