I can honestly say it has been an interesting few years here in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls is honestly one of those places that is easy for everyone to complain about, but after much thought and consideration, it was one of the best things that has happened to me. Even though I will be moving the day after graduation, these past years have made me the person I was needing to become.

Without the niceness of the faculty and staff, I may not have made it through. Inside every golf cart that passes around campus I always get a friendly wave, and on cold and rainy days the “crew” asks me if I need a ride to class. Do you really think other colleges would do that? Nope.

Also, teachers here make a point to get to know you and make you feel appreciated. This helped me understand my strengths and weaknesses. They were also understanding of when I missed classes because I was sick or just needed a “mental health” day. That is the sort of “family” values that MSU is always promoting.

The first time I visited MSU was the spring of 2008, and it was to audition for the band. I came here originally for music education. I had already tried out at seven other schools and had scholarships to most of them. MSU was the last and final stop I had before I would make the decision of a lifetime.

It was freezing outside, of course, and raining, but when I pulled up to the band hall, I saw three happy directors coming outside to greet me. I felt very welcomed. After my audition, one of the directors, Alan Black, took my mom and I on a tour of the whole school, personally. I don’t think he even knows how much that meant to me. I quickly signed over to come to MSU and I haven’t regretted it for second.

Sure, MSU may not have it all, but they give it their all and honestly that is all that matters.

When I told the music department two years later that I would be changing my major they supported me in my decision. Not only were they supportive but they helped me follow my dreams of getting a quick degree so I could start a career in the entertainment business as soon as possible.

Once I was a humanities major (with a concentration in music), my teachers were just as helpful placing me in the right classes to achieve the knowledge I have today.

At the end of May I am moving to Hollywood. I started tracking my trip out on MapQuest, and I noticed that to get to where I was going, I needed to go through Wichita Falls, literally. I thought this was really symbolic of my journey.

Okay so maybe I had a few sad days, some long nights, some bad dates, some crazy roommates and made some poor choices, but I can’t think of safer place than Wichita Falls to create some (now funny) memories.

So just remember, to get to where you are going, you got to go through Wichita Falls.