Acceptances!

Today, SIX of my students were accepted into college!

So far, we have Saint Cloud, Winona, Bemidji, St. Ben's and Mankato!

55 apps and counting!

Make a Difference Day

Here's a pic of me and a few of my students from a community service day. They went around NE Mpls and collected canned goods for the emergency food shelf network. So proud of them!

First Day of School, Again!

Today was an amazing realization that, yes, I am REALLY in my 2nd (and final) term of service. This was our first official day in our schools, with sessions starting next week. Myself and a few other CP coaches met up at The Coffee Shop to set a great tone for the day and got this pic taken.

I am serving at Edison High School and will be working with 33 amazing seniors to help them gain admission to college. While I know that the next few months will be crazy-busy, I also know that every application, late night meeting, and proof-read is worth it.

Week 2 of Training = Complete

Whew, after an intense couple of weeks of training, I will finally meet my students on Wed/Thu of this week. It's been great to reconnect with all of the returners at training but to also meet all the newbies to CP. It's very obvious that we have super committed corps members, so I'm looking forward to all of our increased test scores and college acceptances.

Yesterday was a little slice of reality when we moved Brooke into her dorm at UWRF for her freshmen year of college. I can't imagine how monumental that will be for all of my students next year!

Anticipation & Values

Tomorrow, August 20th, marks my first day of my last term of service. It's a bittersweet moment to realize how much I am looking forward to working with a new group of students but that this will be my last term with AmeriCorps. I already miss my Omaha students and am wishing them a great start to their senior year! I know that their new coach will take care of them and make sure that each and every single one of them is on the path to attending college in the Fall of 2013.

This year will be so different from last year: new location, bigger team, SENIORS, and being in an environment where my family and friends are close. While I am so grateful for the growing up that Omaha required me to do, I am thankful that I can be surrounded by my support network this year. My biggest concern is the commute (Hudson to Mpls) but I know that I can do it. I've already been invited to stay at multiple friend's places if I ever need to stay overnight, so I know that I will be fine. I am excited to get past my fears and anxiety and jump into this year!

As someone who strives reflect and better myself, I've taken to reading a book recommended by a friend who is my accountability check on my self-development. I'm reading Life After College by Jenny Blake and have been completely taken aback with how much I didn't know about myself. In Blake's book, she made me sit back and really narrow down what my core values are in order to see how the decisions I make affect my future and my everyday life. It makes complete sense, because how do we know what we want if we're unsure of our being? It may sound slightly over the top for some, but I had a chance this summer to reflect on the things I value and investigate how I incorporate my values into my life goals.

These are my Top 5 Values (in no particular order):

Faith
Service
Trust
Compassion
Personal Growth

In the next few weeks, as I begin my term of service, I will be focusing on each of these values and how they affect and contribute to my work with my students. I encourage you to invest in the time to reflect on who you are by narrowing down your Top 5 Values. Feel free to share them in the comments below!

My Gap

I finished my first term of service with AmeriCorps in Omaha at the end of June and will be starting up my next term in the end of August.  That means I have TWO MONTHS without significant plans. For those who know me well, this is a prime moment for me to freak out. I’ve taken this time to really think about what I want to do and where I see myself in the future. I met with one of my most energetic and motivating friends today and have been re-invigorated in my destiny. I know that I am only in the first leg of my life journey, but I want to make every moment worth it.

Stay posted as I explore my life options and share my new knowledge!