April 18, 2016: Ever since I was eight years old, I knew what I wanted to do. I’ve known that I want to be a news broadcaster on Good Morning America for over 10 years now.
When I was touring schools, Suffolk was near the top of my list. But it wasn't until accepted students’ day that I made my decision that Suffolk was the school for me. Ever since that day, I have loved Suffolk. Never have I felt so accepted for being completely myself. Even in my freshman year, Suffolk has already helped me to grow and mature into the person I want to be.
My favorite thing about Suffolk is that they encourage you to try new things, to step out of your comfort zone. I did that multiple times this year. I have always looked back on that experience with a smile, knowing that I am on my way to conquering all of my dreams.
Thank you, Suffolk, for helping me to grow up to be the person I want to be, in the city that I love. Thank you for always accepting me, whether in the classroom, library, or cafeteria. I am so grateful that I chose Suffolk because I wouldn't be the person I am today if my decision had gone any other way.
May 2, 2019: Coming to Suffolk has undoubtedly been the absolute greatest decision I have ever made. Not only have I grown as a student, but I have grown as a person and a contributor to the world.
Freshman year I thought I should immediately love college. I should be this new person because I’m surrounded by these new people and places. But I didn’t immediately love it, and I thought something was wrong with me.
I could have easily made the decision to quit or transfer, but I didn’t. I knew if I just gave it a little more time, I could grow to love it.
Now, I am about to graduate, and I can’t believe how far I have come. Four years of classes and finals and projects and fun. Four years to grow into a person ready to tackle the world.
From three Alternative Spring Break trips and the Journey trip to Florida, to four internships, going live on air with Suffolk in the City, and commuting every day on the commuter rail, to editing and filming numerous projects and spending countless hours in Studio 73, and making lifelong friends, I have grown up here at Suffolk. I even think that I loved it freshman year, because it made me a better person who could take things as they come and grow from them.
I will miss it here. I will miss the laughs and the late-night study sessions and the smoothies from Somerset Cafe. I will miss my friends and knowing where they are at all times. But I am ready, and I am ready because of Suffolk. Suffolk made me me. It made me smarter and funnier and bolder. I’m ready for whatever this world has in store for me. And for that I say thank you, Suffolk. Thank you for not letting me give up.
March 25, 2021: It's crazy to think I graduated from Suffolk two years ago. It feels like yesterday—and also a lifetime ago.
A month after I walked across that stage, I moved 2,546 miles away for a job I know I never would've gotten if it weren’t for my time at Suffolk.
For the past 20 months, I have been doing exactly what I went to college for. I've been a reporter at KMVT News in Twin Falls, Idaho.
While Idaho is a lot different from my home state of Massachusetts, I've found people are mostly the same everywhere.
While not every day has been glamorous, there have been so many days when I have thought back to my time at Suffolk, the advice I received from my professors, and the lessons I learned at my internships.
I miss Suffolk. I miss seeing my friends and teachers and my favorite barista. I miss my afternoon smoothie at Somerset Cafe.
But I know, without a shadow of a doubt, I would never be able to tell the stories of the people of southern Idaho if it weren't for my time at Suffolk. I will be forever thankful.