GRADUATION!!!!!

This is it. Graduation. So much running through my mind, so much to do, so little time, so many people I don't want to say good-bye to. However, it is also one of the most exciting times of my life.

I have worked for this moment for the last four years, and I am proud to say that I am finishing strong. I have secured a job for next year, been recognized for the hard work I am putting in, and have been able to plan some really fun trips for this summer, and beyond.
First, the trips. I went to a Cardinals-Cubs game last week in St. Louis, and it was the most fun I have had in a while. On top of that, I am going to Ireland in July, and, in a somewhat related event, I am going to see U2 in Chicago on September 12th. All in all, a really good set of trips.
Now, the job (i.e. how I am paying for all of these trips). I was lucky enough to get a teaching job at Rockhurst High School, and I am much more than excited about it. I did my student teaching there, and loved every minute of it, so I am really happy I get to go back (but this time I get paid, SWEET).
Finally, the recognition. This is the part that I love the most. I was given an award for being an "Ignatian Outstanding Student Teacher". What this basically means is that I am an example of everything that Rockhurst University stands for, and that is something I really enjoy. The only downside to this is that I do not know why I got it. Don't get me wrong, I worked my tail off and did some good things, but so did everyone else that was student teaching this semester. Not only that, everyone that is graduating had to work their tail off this semester.

That being said, this is my thanks to the class of '09 at Rockhurst University. You all deserve all the recognition in the world for coming to this school and working through it. It was not easy, but it was fun. Graduation will be bittersweet, because we have to go our separate ways, but I hope we always remember the four years we had here.

RU class of '09 has to be the best one Rockhurst has seen yet.