As a student on NSU’s campus, it is hard to say that there are not opportunities to get involved, and from day one, I knew that I was going to do just that. The summer before my freshman year, I visited the campus to audition for the Performing and Visual Arts department as an incoming musical theatre major. This was a new major for the school at that time, and of course, as someone who had just graduated high school, I was beyond nervous to step foot on campus.
Once I had finally auditioned and been welcomed into the program, the next step was freshman orientation. I felt extremely nervous. Every action that I took was perfectly calculated to show that I was an eager and determined student, who wanted to make the most out of my career at NSU.
When the day finally came, in true Davie fashion, it rained harder than I had ever seen. My hair quickly became a mess, and my very cute outfit became cold and uncomfortable. It seemed like I was in for a rude awakening before orientation had even started.
However, once it got going, my worries disappeared. That day, I sat through a number of presentations about academics, the college transition, and financial aid. But not for a moment did I doubt the fact that orientation is exactly what I wanted to do.
On my way home from orientation, I could not stop talking to my mom about the experience and how much fun I had. I wanted to find out immediately how to become a part of the team, and I did! Within a few weeks, I had all of the information I needed, and I started the application process. After every step, I remember cringing at the small mistakes I had made, or things that may have come out wrong.
But as it turns out, I fared pretty well; I made the team. Now, as a sophomore, I cannot help but look at all of the amazing opportunities that I have been given since my first key moments on campus.
It has now been a little over a year since I became an NSU Shark, and I can say that I am a proud member of the President’s 64, the president of the Commuter Student Organization, a new orientation team leader, and a member of the NSU Vocal Ensemble.
To my surprise, all of these wonderful honors came together when I was asked to sing the National Anthem at the opening of the new Oceanographic Center. Never in my lifetime did I think that I would receive such an honor, and as if that weren’t enough, I was asked to do the same for the recent senatorial debate hosted by the university.
Of course, I cannot say that these privileges have just been handed to me, but I can say that the work has paid off immensely for both my performing arts career and my academic and social involvement on campus. I could not imagine having it any other way.
