Hooray and Woohoo! I am done! I just returned from Virginia Beach, VA, and the Regent University 2018 Commissioning Ceremony & Graduation. I have officially achieved my goal and am now a Master’s of Arts Journalism recipient!!

Academically, this achievement was my sweetest. Yes, I was honored to be my high school class valedictorian; yes, I was proud to earn my Bachelor’s of Fine Arts English with a Technical Writing Emphasis; but nothing compared to the victory of this weekend. I would say this achievement, although two years in duration, was really actually eight years in the making. In 2010, when my life was forever changed by a brain aneurysm, I had to relearn how to walk, bend over, swallow, and navigate my way through an unbalanced, wonky world. Although my cognitive abilities were never affected, the physical challenges managed to strip me of my confidence and self assurance. If it hadn’t been for the guidance and nudges of a heavenly Father, a family who cheered me on and loved me through, I don’t know that I would have ever taken this leap of faith. But, looking back now, maybe I am short-changing myself.  Perhaps, deep down inside I did believe I could do it. It was just easier to listen to that safe and persuasive self talk telling me that I’d never be able to tackle it.

So, here I am. Four days post graduation. A 3.96 GPA. Done.

Now on to NEW heights. I can’t wait to see where my new skillset takes me!