The Beginning of the End

It is so hard to think how fast this summer has gone. 2 months ago I had just gotten back from Nepal. I had my first Cedar City summer, adventures and fun times. As I sit here on my bed thinking about this next semester that starts tomorrow, I can't help but think of the biggest life decisions I have made to this point, aside from my mission. The big decision that changed everything was my choosing what school to go to. When I got back from my LDS mission, my sister had flown home and she spent a week after most of my family had left so we had a good opportunities to catch up. It was fun. Here is a picture from before I left.

Our convo (from what I can remember) basically went like this "So Shaun have you thought of where you are going to go to college?" 

"Probably UVU so I can get a job, rent a place, and work my way through college" 

"You should go to Snow. That way you don't have to worry about Dad giving you a hard time about renting something in Orem."

Needless to say, she had a very strong point and I had no plans. So mom and I took a trip to little ole Ephraim and I loved it. I finished my two years there, and was looking at my options available to me. The two schools I was looking at were USU and SUU. SUU wanted me more from a very persistant Amie Anderson telling me everytime I saw her to come down to their leadership weekend. I went, was accepted as an Ambassador, and my life has gone up and up from then. From having amazing experiences giving tours, rubbing shoulders with Administration, making awesome friends that motivate me and encourage me when I just feel super low, my sister's family visiting me when they came down to the Shakespeare Festival, to being able to serve on the Executive Council of Ambassadors and operating behind the scenes, being on search committee's, and having yet another mom, (I swear I am at least 6 different moms children by now), going to Nepal I mean honestly how often does that happen, and getting a awesome job that is going to make me marketable for grad school. What?

As I look back I see my parents always supporting me, while at the same time I know they want to retire. I am pretty sure that many times they think "Can't Shaun just graduate already so we can do our thing and no longer worry if he is going to make his rent payment this month?" The answer to that mom and dad is YES, I will make the payment this month, but maybe not next? Jokes I will.

As I look back on these decisions and opportunities I am humbled by the people I have met. I am starting my final fall semester as an undergraduate thunderbird. So SUU, this year is for you. Am I ready to enter the big world and get a job? No. Not a chance. But I am going to enjoy this year. Time to create my senior year bucket list!

My Recent Experience

This week has been a very intense, crazy and long. It is hard to believe that this Monday really was a Monday. Lets back up a little bit first. About 3 weeks ago we had "How Ya Doin" interviews in ambassadors. I had given the thought of becoming the president of ambassadors previously to that. Quite a few other Ambassadors also told me that they thought I would be a good PA president. So I said in the interview that I would be willing to be put on the ballot to lead this great organization. I was not selected, but I knew that my friend Bailey who was selected would be a great leader as well, and I am almost positive that she could do a better job then me too. She asked me to be on the executive counsel with her. I am so excited that I am going to have the opportunity to give back to this wonderful organization that has really changed my life.

This is from our homecoming parade float. This was about
of the PA's this year

Going along with that, this week we had people from COPLAC (Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges) come to campus. SUU is working on becoming a member of this organization. It started out in the morning with a tour by a great ambassador, Megan. The lady that was here really enjoyed the campus and what was explained to her. There was a panel of different students that came to talk with the lady from COPLAC. Now I always knew I liked SUU and what is going on here. It wasn't until I was being asked about the programs here that I truly understood that I LOVE SOUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITY!!! I did not realize all of the many different things that are offered.
Example: My technical writing professor realized that SUU does not have a new student manual. So for our final project she wanted us to create a new student manual. She has talked with many people here, and during our final we are having many different leaders here at the school judge it. The winning teams manual is going to be selected to be sent to new students. Students are being able to create a project with complete sponsorship of the school. Can you get that experience at BYU, UofU, Utah State, UNLV, UCLA? I highly doubt it.

My time here at SUU is getting me excited for what is to come in my future. SUU truly is preparing me for my future. I am so happy to be able to be apart of the Thunderbird Nation.