School. Most people my age want it over and done with. I, however, have always enjoyed school. Not necessarily the tests and associated stresses, but the learning and evolving that accompanies school has always been an enjoyment of mine. Though I was taken by surprise by how much of a time commitment the classes required outside of the meeting hours, I found throughout this first year that I appreciate learning about how the world around me works, a trait which reinforces my decision to choose my major of mechanical engineering, a major with a wide range of applications of physics. I finished the year with incredible new friendships and strengthened old ones.

Service. I am no stranger to service. In high school, I had to meet a minimum service requirement each year, and I always completed more hours than were strictly required. However, no matter how many times I have attended a service event or given my time, I am always surprised at the impact the experience has on myself. Service itself is fulfilling. It’s being part of a community, meeting people of all backgrounds, and proving to yourself and others that we are all united in simply being human. I completed over 30 hours of service in addition to the volunteer work I do for the events run by the Cincinnati Donauschwaben (see About Me page, “Dancer”), and it is impossible to fully express how much I appreciate every hour of experience. In addition to my other service, volunteering at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Cycle for Life and 65 Roses Gala, working with children at an iSpace event focusing on STEM activities, and returning to the TechOlympics "Level Up" technology conference as a volunteer instead of an attendee have made this year more rewarding than I had ever anticipated.

Work. Somehow, I managed to complete this semester while working an average of 13 hours a week as a cashier. I work for a small convenience store with less than 20 employees, and after almost two and a half years of working there, my coworkers have become my friends and I have outgrown the shell that kept me from initiating conversations. Even after just my first year of college, I can tell that I am much more outgoing than I used to be. On campus, starting a conversation with someone is easy and can happen anywhere: in line at the bookstore, waiting for your caffeine fix at Starbucks, or even before a lecture begins. It says a lot about the community at UC that everyone is so willing to have a polite conversation with someone they have never met before.

Dance. I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t a dancer for the Cincinnati Donauschwaben. If my coworkers have become my friends, these people are my family. In the past year, I have taken upon myself more responsibilities as a member of the Donauschwaben, including leading some of the cooking for events and demonstrating dances for new members of the dance group. This leadership experience is invaluable to me as it gives me the opportunity to share what I have gained from the Donauschwaben to the next generation of members.