and the THANK YOU goes to...

It’s been awhile since I have gotten the distinct pleasure to say thank you to anyone for truly changing my life.

While the final days are dwindling down, and as we are finishing up some of the last finals we will ever have to take as a college student, I start to feel like I am a freshman all over again. Freshman year was tough, but then again it’s supposed to be that’s what defines one as a college student.

Some of my very first classes here at Franklin Pierce were ones I can honestly say that I don’t remember for various reasons. However, once sophomore year rolled around I can honestly say that this was the year when I opened my eyes to the endless possibilities that were right in front of me. I have had a few people that I can rattle off with on hand that have helped me through many different things in the past but the few that I am about to mention truly changed me more than I could ever imagine.

Professors are meant to be hard, that’s their job, but Professor Bush was more than that. I was terrified the first time I walked in his class for good reason at that. I remember like it was just yesterday when I got my very first article back from him with the comments “gag” and “barf” written all over it. I held in those tears for the remainder of class and practically ran back to my dorm so I could let them all out. I hated him for that, but it wasn’t until only a few weeks later that I realized why he wrote what he did. It was only to push me and help me because at that moment he knew that I could produce better work, it was just the fact that I had yet to do so. I have had him almost every semester since, and I couldn’t ask for a better Professor. He’s gotten me out of jams when I least expected it, and been understanding when I was going through many ups and downs. So Professor Bush because I know that you will be reading this anytime now, I want to say thank you. Thank you for pushing me to be the strong journalism student I have become. It’s been my honor as having you for a teacher, and I hope that you enjoyed it just as much as I have. I also hope that next semester a Patricia, Cristal, and a Molly take up the seating in the back! Oh and don’t get all soft on your students yet to come.

Robert Weiner “Bob”, where would I be without you? I ask my self this a lot. HAHA! I feel bad that you have had to endure so many of my sob stories and pretty much all my ups and downs in a lonely semester. I hope that you get the chance to read this even though you aren’t at Franklin Pierce anymore. I remember the first class that I had with you, when I was probably at my worst. But you never let a smile fall off my face, but I’m sure you had no idea at the time. I remember to this day coming to you pleading that there was no way in hell that I could ever write 30 pages on anything let a lone a script. You just shook your head with a sly smile and said of course you can. So from that day on I complained everyday in class (not that I ever complain ;)) but afterwards I would go home and work on that horrible script much as I could until I finally finished it. The day I finally printed out the very last pages I felt so proud of my self, and I hope you enjoyed reading those 30 plus pages. (Which you better have read every single one)! Without your encouragement and your much needed positive feedback I would never have been able to push myself. To this day I try to keep the “cant’s,” out of my vocabulary even though they sneak up from time to time. I hope that you had as much fun as I and I thank you very much.

Jay Hill, I remember the first time I met you. You came up to me in Graphics I. Now the question is, do you remember?!? Ha-ha well I bet that you never thought that I would be later on begging you to let me into your class. I can say that I have never had a teacher that has cared so much with everything that has been going on lately. Thank you for lending your ear as well as your artistic advice, because without that, I’m not too sure I’d be making it out of this semester. You are great professor and I hope that your students to come will enjoy your classes as much as I have. Thank you for everything, and don't think for one minute just because I’m graduating you've gotten rid of me. That’s what Facebook’s for!

Thank you and good luck with the years to come.

Over the past 8 semesters I have to say that I have met so many amazing people. I wish that I had enough space to thank everyone but I think I’ve done a good job of that over the past semester.

I wish everyone the best of luck, I hope that you follow your heart and keep your head up high. Remember the good times...and hope for many more to come.



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and the countdown has begun...

The countdown is on for finals, the last day of classes and most importantly graduation. Many of you will be studying for exams for the last time, selling back expensive text books that you probably only opened once or twice and packing up the room that you have occupied for the past two semesters. The place where you have called home for the past four years will be taken over by a new freshman class and your roommates as well as your own name will eventually be scrubbed off the door that you so proudly signed when moving in for the very last time.

The past four years have dragged on for many. Since freshman year some have stayed, some have gone and yet come back, some have transferred to bigger and better, and then there are those that couldn't handle being away and moved back home. We are the ones however that have stayed, we have endured fights, laughter, good times, and especially the bad times. We have come together as a community over the past four years to help each other deal with the pain of losing loved ones as well as everything else that has gone on either on or around campus that effects us as a community and standing up for what we believe in. We have aced exams together and failed them as well. We have sat with each other endlessly at the cafe usually in the same place everyday, with the same people to the right and left of us. Now as we study together for the last time, as we complain about all the work that our professors have piled on us with just a few weeks left of school remaining, we all have sat down in the last couple of weeks whether we want to admit it or not to think about how our lives are changing, and how being grown up doesn't have that same ring to it like it once did.

The stress of graduating is sitting on our shoulders, and yet no one will admit that they are sad to leave this place, they just simply throw up their shoulders and say good ridden. In all reality, the thought of not packing up at the end of summer to come back to school for the following semester has hit everyone. We have all thought about it, stressed about it, cried about, and laughed about the fact that we actually made it through these four years in one piece. It's an accomplishment that so many wish they could say that they have completed. Yet there are so many that haven't been so lucky to complete their four years or even worse get the chance to go to college to further their education.

So as your name is called during commencement and you walk up on stage to receive that piece of paper look you've worked so diligently for, look out to the crowd at all the familiar faces. Remember these faces because whether we want to believe it or not we might not ever see them again. Most importantly these are the ones that got us through these four years, they pulled the all nighter's, they bailed us out from difficult times, and gave us a shoulder whenever needed. Also smile for knowing that you had the chance to meet so many great people over the last four years here.

Once you walk off the stage and shake hands with all those that are congratulating you on your great accomplishment take a second to congratulate your self on a job well done.

Congratulations to the graduating class of 2008, it's been a long road but we made it. Follow your heart, and keep your dreams in tow.

God Bless

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and the times keep slippin away...

I swear i remember the first time i stepped foot on campus, during freshman move in day. I don't think that i have ever been more nervous than i was that day. I also don't think i could have ever pictured myself where i am now. With a little less than 40 days and 40 nights left here at Franklin Pierce, its hard to believe that we made it this far.

Take a look at the people you know now, coming in as a freshman because in four years your apt to see them walking across the manor and won't even be able to call their name to say hi. These four years at Franklin Pierce, are some to be remembered and more important than that cherished. You have so much to gain and nothing to lose, the things that you will learn over time here are some of the very same things that you will take with you for years to come. The journey that you have just started will flash before your eyes faster than you could ever imagine. Take a deep breath and make sure to take it all in...

The road that your on now, is just the beginning but your destiny lies in your own hands don't ever forget that. Make sure to try everything, join anything even if its only to say that you did it. Keep in mind that after college its nothing but the real world, and unfortunately the real world is nothing like the reality TV show. Keep your eyes opened to everything around you, eventually you'll see the wrong from the right and you'll realize that the mistakes you made the night before, will be a lesson that you will never forget.

Always remember to forgive, but never forget. Keep in mind, just why you are here and what you really want to accomplish. There is so much knowledge that is sitting in front of us when we walk out the door in the morning its just up to you to make sure that you go and get it...

So keep your head up and stay focused on whats most important.

live the life you l . o . v . e .

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