…and when I say wear my green and gold…I have William and Mary apparel in basically every form! I have socks, sweatpants, t-shirts, shorts, sweatshirts, headbands, afghan blankets, and pillows. I have an alumni license plate cover, my graduation tassel hanging from my rearview mirror, and two bumper stickers on my car. I admit that it is a bit crazy and maybe a little excessive to own all of this gear. I just can’t help but display my affection and intense love for my alma mater that has helped form me into the person I am today.
This love started when I was in fourth grade and visited my oldest sister, Sarah, (another reason why I have so much W&M spirit is because I have had a long time to collect it all) for the Lil’ Siblings Weekend. Maybe fourth grade is too young for some to decide on a college, but not for me. My younger sister Beth and I loved every minute of the weekend. We painted shirts, ate house dressing and bread ends from The Cheese Shop, saw a magic show at the magnificent Kimball Theater, and most importantly participated in a soccer game on the Sunken Gardens. Although at the time, I had no idea the kind of education that people receive from the college, I felt the “One Tribe, One Family” mentality. As I kicked my first ever field goal into the net, I not only was proud of myself, but the high fives and excitement I received from the other college students and lil sibs encompassed a beautiful moment that has stayed with me since. W&M proved even 14 years ago that it is more than brick buildings and history. W&M fosters a type of community that enhances one’s overall experience.
My father also went to William and Mary for his Masters in Business. Starting in middle school, during our spring breaks, he would take Beth and I to Williamsburg for day trips. I have so many old photos of Beth and I in the stockades; and memories of walking up and down Dog Street with my Dad as we talked about his times at college.
When deciding on going to William and Mary…I never even gave another school a chance. I scheduled an interview at the Admissions Office during August of 2007 and applied early decision. When I received my letter of acceptance that December…my cheesy and emotional side came through as I tearfully read the words to my mom. I had achieved one of the biggest goals I had set forth for myself eight years prior.
After graduating and being in the “real world” for about two and half years now, I can definitely say that my time at the college has shaped who I am today in so many ways. During Orientation, I met three of my best friends. My room mate Kacie Burke, and hall mates Rachel Cohen and Meredith Luze really improved my confidence and how I saw myself. We encouraged each other through our studies, extracurriculars, and personal lives. We were there for each other during the starts of new relationships and the ends of others. We took part in research studies for each other’s classes or sat and listened to the presentation of a senior thesis. Although we are all over the United States now, I love them all so much and cherish the times we find to chat with each other.
College is an awesome cluster of people with unique ideas that have the potential for inspiring collaborations. One aspect of myself that improved drastically is that I became much more open minded. From politics, religion, and all topics in between, I became less black and white in my stance about many big issues. I do my best to remain much more accepting of all kinds of people and circumstances now than how I was freshman year. It was also the first time when I worked with others to make films. I was lucky that my teams knew how to use each of our ideas to make a product that made us proud. I am not sure I have experienced that same kind of flow of cooperation since.
At William and Mary, I was taught how to learn quickly and maintain a good work ethic that has helped me out in all my jobs. From the tight deadlines in editing at WAVY-TV 10, working fast to get drinks out to customers at Starbucks, or organizing files and getting supplies at my PA job, I can feel the influence of my teachers and mentors at William and Mary. I understand the importance of efficiency and only having to be told or corrected once on how to do something. I know how to talk with others in a way that is respectful. I try to always take the time to truly listen to those who give me their time to talk with me. Through my time on the W&M’s activity board, AMP, or in planning the Global Film Festival, I learned how to organize my time as well as the hundreds of details that go into making an event or project successful.
I now have a stronger drive and motivation to succeed in life and conquer my fears. Starting from my senior year when I took a Beginning Acting class and an Adventure Games course (a class that involved high ropes courses and rappelling down parking garages), I made sure to feel the nervousness, accept those feelings, and keep pushing towards achieving the goals in front of me. Since finishing up at W&M, I successfully raised $3200 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and ran a marathon with Team in Training, moved across the country and back, auditioned for plays, and finally applied and received an internship back in early August of this year (2014) that has already led to some great career opportunities.
I always look forward to visiting William and Mary. Luckily, this weekend (October 17-19, 2014) is Homecoming and I will get to see the campus and visit several of my friends from college. All those who are unable to come will be in my thoughts and I know we will catch up as soon as we can!
There are so many amazing memories that I could describe in this post, but I will just leave one of my favorite pictures from our senior year Last Day of Classes when my friends and I got to ring the bell in the Wren Building:
TRIBE PRIDE!
❤
Alanna
ALSO, all those W&M ALUMS…tell me about your experience! OR all those who have had similar experiences but maybe at a different school OR had a different process of personal growth…share your stories if you want! 🙂
every so often... 
Leave a comment