Final Journal

Wow, what a year… all that's going through my mind now is what will you be doing without me RU? Just kidding but that was one hell of a senior year. Throughout this year, with pep rallies and spirit weeks, I finally felt belonging to our beloved Randolph, I started to feel welcomed and included. Especially after struggling with trying to fit in because I originally moved from Georgia. I learned that no matter what you do not everyone will have the same ideas or opinions. I made a group composed of normal people with hobbies, hearts, and brains. Through this group and those experiences, I finally have concluded that to feel a sense of belonging is to see through one's self and to make yourself feel that belonging. I might not be a “native Vermonter” or originally from Randolph, but I have learned through this senior project that I have done so much for our school community, and I do belong here. I read that close to my heart.

  I have learned about working around and with people you like, dislike, and don't get along with. I'm a very big people pleaser and a micro-manager, if I put my head to something it has to go my way and I will do anything for it to be that way. But I've learned through this project that most things not always going to be the perfect vision you have. On top of that you always are gonna have one person who doesn't like it and one event that goes wrong, and keeping your head up through these things is something I have had to come to terms with. I was a perfectionist before this project with things I wanted to do and now I've learned to ride the wave and see where I land because no matter what my hard work won't go to waste and Randolph will remember me and this club as well as the events we hold.

Our first spirit weeks were amazing. I felt as if everyone was on the same page and I was excited that there are still student leaders out there. Seeing some of the kids in my club blossom was one of the most amazing things to see because I was a pubescent ninth and tenth grader once too but seeing my kids and all the kids in Randolph come together in one room, especially at pep rallies was amazing and it always made my day and kept me going.

I mean there were bumps in the road as well, not everything was roses and flowers like I would want it to be. There were times I felt discharged by peers and community members, I felt stepped on because I was so passionate. They knew I would do more and more because I love Randolph. That's the sad part because through this I overworked myself and by winter holiday spirit week I had over thirty hours which is crazy. I loved every second of it and this has brought many life lessons for me but I do believe there were points in the process I had to learn with and that's what hurt. That's something I would change, but we all have things that make us stronger and that was mine.

This project has brought me out of my shell as well, I mean the first pep rally was when I first spoke in a crowd that big, especially in front of peers and people I know around the school. There were word slips ups and stutters but I feel like all these events made me more and more comfortable. Now I can speak in front of crowds twice as big! 

I feel like a situation I didn't speak up about and hold my ground through was Sea of Pink. I volunteered and talked to my club and we helped the Captains' Council since we have a new sports director and they didn't know the Sea of Pink week was there to plan. I feel like the club was so burnt out and not expecting another spirit week and I rushed us into it, just for people to not participate as much because there were so many spirit weeks. 

But there are a few staff members who have helped me through this journey, I want to thank them. Firstly Kara not only for being a mentor and administrator for Campus Life but being a friend and peacekeeper. Kara constantly has reminded me I should be myself in a world full of people who don't like it. Her energy is what has pushed me to stay positive through this whole journey. 

I want to thank Mrs.Tucker for the brains of this whole senior project, any bump in the road Mrs.Tucker was on it. She stood up for what was right while also giving me the advice and life lessons I needed.

I want to thank our athletic director, Mr.Bent, he has always been someone to laugh with but has put up with us destroying his gym during pep rallies. Mr.Bent thank you for being so kind even when pep rally games got messy.

There are so many more people id like to thank who gave me strength through this whole process but mostly to all thank you, Randolph. This was one amazing and long journey but you all not only dress up for spirit weeks but partied hard at dances. I couldn't have asked for better peers and students. 

lastly thank you to my club, I've connected with each and everyone one of your amazing and thoughtful personalities. You've held this club together when my arms were tired and I was burnt out. You've constantly shown that this will push on even after my time and you guys will continue to be strong leaders.

I also have learned alot from you all through my podcasts as well, I want to thank every interviewee and editor of my paper *cough cough* Ms.Holder. I have learned so much about how I and everyone can make relationships through one topic. Through this, I have learned that not only I practically bribed everyone into my club with candy. but they all stayed and loved it after that. I've learned I've made so many new memories for people. Spirit is way better in the troubling times we've been through this year.

If I could go back to the beginning… I wouldn't change a thing. Through this project, I needed all the lessons and failures put against me. It made me and my club members stronger and wiser people. If I had more time though I would've probably done more Senior class events. It was our last year and we needed some recognition, I mean it's not easy being the coolest kids at Randolph. Not only that but our senior always pulls through. Speaking of seniors and coming to my conclusion, this is your favorite Senior Layla Grimaldi campus life president dropping the mike.