Why I'm taking this path

      It has finally started to hit home just how much everything will change. Beginning in just 32 days, we will walk across that stage, out of this chapter of our lives, and into the next. As my friends make difficult decisions regarding their next 4 years, I have been busy preparing to leave home and spend 5 months in Africa. I'm riddled with emotions. Anticipation. Anxiety. Nostalgia. Senioritis. And love. Love for Central; my home for the last 7 years. For the friends I've made while there. For the teachers who have shaped the person I am today. For the person I have seen myself become. And excitement for the journey I am about to embark upon.
     Many people have asked me why I chose to do a gap year; why I am not simply beginning my college career in the fall. So here it is: at some point in the last year I realized something. I had an opportunity that would never show its face again. Not to say that college is not important, but college will wait for me. The chance to live in Tanzania for 5 months, spending a large part of that time doing what I can to help others, came about through a series of random events. I'm never one to question good fortune, and I plan to grab that opportunity.

“Life is an exciting business, and most exciting when it is lived for others.”

      Another factor in my decision was simply that I need a break. I have been at the same school for 7 years, and while I can't imagine a better middle/high school experience for myself,  I need time away from school. Choosing a college is a huge, life shaping decision. One that I do not feel capable of making right now. I believe that to make the correct decision I need to be less influenced by the person I have been, and focus on who I want to become. During this next year I will spend large amounts of time doing two of the things I love most. Experiencing Africa and scuba diving. I am hoping that these experiences will help me realize what path I want my college experience to take: be it related to marine biology, marine archeology or to African studies and some form of Non-governmental organization. 

     So now I find myself, 50 days from departing Springfield, on the verge of this quest to find myself and hopefully impact the world on whatever size scale I can.