Alexandra Woolbright
Editor
This is the dreaded article I’ve put off for some time now. Though I told myself I would finish writing all my pieces for the Homecoming print edition before Spring Break, I couldn’t find the heart to write this one. Writing this means that I will never again have an issue of The Spectator with my words and title in it. Writing this means life at MUW really is coming to an end.
I’m a crier, so I will certainly admit, I’m completely crying while writing this. How could I possibly begin to describe all my experiences at MUW and The Spectator? There’s simply not enough space on this tiny page to say everything in my heart and to thank all of the wonderful people who have given me so much over the past four years.
Four years ago I came to MUW a completely different person. I often wonder if I had a time machine to travel back and meet the Alex of 2010 would we even have anything to talk about. That much skinnier, longer-haired dreamer grew up so much and became such a better, happier person by 2014.
The day I received my scholarship letter at MUW I was ecstatic. For one, my parents were off the hook for having to pay for my education, but more importantly, I was already guaranteed new adventures and opportunities I’d never experienced before. I was guaranteed a trip abroad, a new place to live and, since no one else from my high school class was becoming a member of the Ina E. Gordy Residential Honors College, a new friend group. I couldn't wait to see what life had in store for me.
The day I moved on campus, as usual, I cried. Of course, my mother did, too. As the oldest child, I was her first baby to leave the nest. After my parents left, I went to the Welcome Week Block Party with the girl who would end up becoming my future best friend and roommate. The rest is history.
While here I’ve cried, thrown fits, cursed my teachers, bitten my fingernails, pulled out my hair and absolutely despised my own procrastination. However, I’ve also laughed loudly, travelled to Belgium, London, and Amsterdam, gained that stupid Freshmen 15 and made my best friends. I’ve learned how rewarding doing well in school can be and how disappointing doing poorly feels. I’ve experienced the joy of becoming a “Big” to a fantastic person and having one of my own to enjoy late night milkshakes with while complaining about classes. I’ve tasted the most mouth-watering chicken ever. I’ve choreographed and taught a Songfest routine in only three weeks and won second place. I’ve taken “paparazzi” photos with the president of the university, and he knows me by name.
Now, I only wish I had taken the time to cherish those moments as they were happening. I never realized that one day my time at MUW would be ending and how much I would long to sing one more song in the cafeteria, play another season of flag football or have underclassmen hail me.
My journey at MUW has been a beautiful, exciting one that flew by too quickly, but it is one that will never be forgotten. It has shaped me into a better, happier, more determined person.
In May of 2010 I graduated from New Hope High School. I will never forget that as I stood in line, my name the next to be called, one of the teachers looked at me and said, “Alex, you are going to go out in the world and shine. Make a bang.”
I don’t know what the future holds for me five years from now. Perhaps the girl of 2019 won’t recognize who I am today. I only know that MUW has blessed me tremendously. Hopefully, I will go out into the world and make that bang as a member of The Long Blue Line.