To anyone who cares to hear about Alter 211,
I would like to start by saying thank you Alter 211. Now it might seem crazy that I’m thanking a random classroom, but this room holds far more significance to it than its 4 walls let on to. On August 18th, I was dropped off at Xavier’s campus, ready for orientation, but also quite scared. I had moved across the country, and the only places I knew on campus were the caf and my residence hall. That’s when I was introduced to Alter 211. As any Xavier student would know, during Manresa you have time with your small group, where you go off and talk or learn something. All these small groups are held in various places across campus, and mine was Alter 211. That classroom became the 3rd thing I knew on campus and a room where so many memories would stem from in a matter of 4 days. In my time in Alter 211 during Manresa, I met the greatest friends I could ask for. If it weren’t for the strange desk/chairs it had, our group would have never been able to form a circle. This circle lead to some of my best friends sitting next to me. As the four days of Manresa went by, I said my goodbyes to the classroom, and knew I would always have fond memories of the room tucked back where many don’t see it. This then took me to my first day of classes as a college student. I was going through my schedule when I stumbled across the fact that I had communications 101 in none other than Alter 211. Walking into that room without it being filled with my newfound friends of Manresa was strange. For quite some time I didn’t think I could see it as anything but my Manresa room, but soon that began to change. My comm class is for public speaking, and again because of the weird chair/desks that Alter 211 has, our desks were arranged into a large circle. I remember giving my first speech in that class; it was weird, but there was still a sense of comfort from the room. Through having my comm class, I got a lot better at public speaking and felt my confidence grow a lot in that class. Now, the first semester in my college career is about to end. When thinking about this, I realized I would no longer be going to Alter 211 every week. Surprisingly, I felt a small ping of sadness at this thought. When reflecting on why, it makes perfect sense. The glass walls of that class are very vulnerable. While the room may be tucked away and hard to see, from the outside or the lobby you can see right in. Just like this room, I had to learn how to be vulnerable throughout my first semester. A lot of this vulnerability came out in the time I spent in Alter 211. Alter 211 is so much more than a classroom to me. It’s a place where I made new friends, got better at public speaking, and opened up about who I really am. So, if you’re ever wandering around Alter, or you see that you have a classs there next semester, appreciate Alter 211. I know most people will just see it as the new room they have to go to multiple times a week, but know how much it means to me. Add to Alter 211’s story and add to your own memories.
Sincerely, Mallory WIlliams