KYOO-rah PUR-sahn-AL-is

I have never considered myself talented or gifted. In fact, I would look around and see some people who are artists or child prodigies or musical geniuses or athletic gods and wonder what my God given talent was. I would say I am decent at many activities, but not any single one. However, if I were to dig deeper, I would try to find what sets me apart from other people. Whenever I am forced into new surroundings, I can easily strike up a conversation with my neighbor. I firmly believe that every person is connected, even in the smallest way, so there is always room to make connections and conversation. On the first day of classes first semester, I knew no one. I sat next to random people and tried to lighten the mood. In my math class, I sat next to this timid girl, Julia. She seemed extremely nervous about the whole situation, but as we talked her anxiety seemed to diminish and she seemed genuinely happier. Our hall has brown paper bags hanging from our doors to write notes of kindness to friends, and on the last day of first semester, I find a letter from Julia explaining how she was so glad I talked to her in math and that the transition into college had been easier with a friend. While it wasn’t any act of heroism, my heart felt instantly warmed because I knew I had made a difference. Secondly, I would consider myself extremely inclusive. When I was younger, I had been a victim of exclusion. Knowing that you are accidently or purposefully left out of a group because of a certain difference you possess hurts extremely. Throughout my life, I have made inclusion and anti-bullying priorities in my life. By starting the Anti-Bullying and Tolerance Club at my high school, I practiced what I preached. Whenever I see students eating by themselves, I always invite them to sit with my group of friends. If there is a big group of people going to the movies, I make sure to invite almost everyone I know because that could make their day. I do small things like write personalized notes for my peers on our floor because that could make the biggest difference to them. Lastly, I can wiggle my eyebrows and contort and fold my tongue into a clover. I can fall on a patch of ice and laugh about it. I can make fun of myself at the expense of a laugh, because I know it’s all in the sake of fun. I never take myself too seriously and I can always smile about my quirkiness and each individual’s uniqueness. As a peer advisor, I would make first year students feel comfortable around Loyola’s campus. I would let them know they are always a part of my extended Loyola family. I would make sure each student realized they should work hard, but laugh much more because they will never get their first year back at college back; however they will never want to because I will encourage their amazingly beautiful mistakes and their diverse and special characters.