Class of 2022, where do I begin?
We have been through what feels like the test of time, a global pandemic. Making our social lives nonexistent and our lives of learning a virtual hub where all we knew of our colleagues and professors was through the boxes of a Zoom screen.
We learned to participate in a world of being virtual through events and clubs and tried to make the best of our university experience. We learned to be there for one another through the safety of one another and the boost of a message or zoom call to one another. To not be as close, celebrate, or participate in the normal ways was devastating but as we slowly get back to a place of normalcy, we realize how much we value the little things in life, a smile without a mask, a true hug from a friend, a group activity in-person.
As we get to see each other’s faces and celebrate the right way, thank your friends, your family, your coworkers, and your professors, thank them for being there for you, that support through all trials and tribulations that COVID-19 has brought us, we continue to be a united front for everyone.
I transferred from Wenatchee Valley College in the Fall of 2020. I was twenty-six years old continuing to pursue my dream of Food Science and Nutrition to become a dietitian. I had known only my hometown of Wenatchee Washington, my childhood home and the support of my childhood friends and my mother.
When I moved to Ellensburg, I was scared, nervous and very excited to see what the future would hold for me here. I remember being very closed off for the longest time, scared to participate, try new things, and get out of my comfort zone. I had all online classes, and I had no clue how I was going to meet people and develop those friendships.
I buckled down, dove into my classes, but also explored my options of how I could be involved at CWU, how could I be a part of this family?
I started with Her Campus, I found my voice for writing and a passion I didn’t know even existed. I found SISTERS, a group of ladies that empowered each other through leadership, bonding activities, and creating a space for one another to be themselves.
Through these two groups, I pushed myself to find the extroverted Katelyn again.
She was in there, we just had to peel back a few layers. Though the virtual side of things was hard to participate in and get to know one another, coming back next fall we were able to have most of our participation at school face-to-face.
I felt more excited to get involved, meet with people, make more friends, and have that true connection. I continued with writing for Her Campus, becoming Vice President of SISTERS, Social Media Coordinator of the Nutrition Science Club, and Peer Nutrition Educator for the students of Central. I had started to find a Katelyn that had been gone for quite some time. The extrovert was shining brighter than ever. I finally felt that true aspect of family that Central always strived for with every student.
I’m 28 now, and though I’m older than most of the fellow graduates that treated me like their friend. They didn’t see me as the mom of the group, they saw me as Katelyn, the girl who has too much on her plate but somehow makes it all work.
Central has given me what I thought I never had, confidence. With hard work, dedication and support, I can do it and more. I had help from amazing professors in the Food Science and Nutrition program.
Many of them know my story and have been supportive of me since day one, teachers like that are a dime a dozen and to get an amazing faculty like them is like hitting the lottery. We are lucky as students to have professors like these that want us to succeed and make the most of our future not only for ourselves but the people we help in our fields.
Central has taught me that I have strength. Strength to brave the strongest Ellensburg winds, get through a day filled with exams and strength to mentally get through a pandemic. I think I can speak for many when we were closed in our dorms some of us were feeling sad, scared and alone and didn’t know how to shake the feeling. We felt like the walls were caving in and we wondered when this would stop. We had therapy sessions with our roommates and classmates and FaceTime calls with our parents about how are we going to get through this.
Look at us now! We’re here at this moment, graduating. We are a step closer to our dreams, it’s kind of wild, isn’t it?
We would not be here without the love and support of each other.
From our professors, classmates, friends, and family. You all play a part in the road to our successes and the ones we continue to have even after our journey here at Central. I’m so grateful for the friends I made through my major, Her Campus, Nutrition Science Club and SISTERS. The relationships I developed with my professors helped me every step of the way, you believed in me, and you believed in all of us.
To my friends that have already lived through the college experience and supported me through my journey, thank you for being my support system, thank you for being my sounding board through being frustrated with not having enough hours in the day to be mad at myself for not studying harder, thank you for listening.
Lastly, my mom, thank you for giving me an ounce of your strength to keep going even when all seemed lost for me. You have taught me no matter how big the storm maybe there is a rainbow waiting for you on the other side. Thank you for being proud of me, thank you for being more than just a mom, and thank you for being my best friend and my cheerleader.
Thank you to Central, for making the past two years a learning experience. Not only learning for my future but learning about myself as a person. I’ve proved not only to myself but to others that just because you’re not on the same timeline or the same journey, doesn’t mean that you won’t be just as happy or successful as your peers. You can do this. It’s time for the next adventure.