Dear Freshman Laura,
I am so proud of how far you have come. A lot has changed since your first year at Longwood, but you are better for it. You are stronger, more confident, and happier. You have grown into a scholar, a servant, and a friend.
Remember the list of things from the letter you wrote me? You accomplished every one. You continued to achieve academically, earning a 3.992 GPA. And while that one A- made you frustrated, you learned that grades are do not define who you are. You stepped out of your comfort zone by joining a fraternity and making friends wherever you went. Your ideas were challenged in classes, by peers, and by friends, but you took it in stride and with a willingness to learn. When times were tough, academically or emotionally, you continued to work hard and set high standards for yourself. Finally, you had an amazing study abroad experience in La Rochelle and a hard time in Grenoble. But from both experiences you learned more about yourself and grew. I would not trade either of these experiences.
While there is so much I could say about your time at Longwood, one thing is for sure: I am proud of you. You finished your degree, made lifelong friends, learned the values of hard work and service, and you became a stronger, more independent person.
My academic journey isn’t done quite yet. In August you’ll start your first job as a middle school French teacher with virtual learning as a real possibility. I enrolled and started the Plus One Special Education Master’s through Longwood. In a few years, I want to find a French PhD program.
Congratulations on graduating,
Laura