Mixed Feelings

As Winter Term begins a lot of things have not changed at all. Classes are still the same and you see the same people everyday, but what has changed is the Mercyhurst atmosphere. I came back to school with mixed feelings about how I was feeling. As most of you viewers might have heard, one of our own students, Jenni-Lyn Watson, unfortunately did not come back to school with us as planned. After she was missing for a week, her body was found in a marsh. It was a complete shock to everyone that someone would do such a thing to a girl that didn't deserve that at all. Jenni-Lyn was the first person that I met when I came to Mercyhurst at our Laker Live-In that we do every year for accepted students that have decided to come to Mercyhurst. She was really really nice and I remember her telling me that she was a dancer and she was definitely excited about her future here. Even though we did not remain close friends I always did see her around campus and in the dance space and I always thought that she was amazing at what she did. A vigil was held for her last night and it was truly outstanding to see the crowd that came to pay their respects. We really are a family here at Mercyhurst and it really goes to show how far students can go to support their fellow students. Jenni-Lyn will surely not ever be forgotten and will remain in the hearts of many.

On a brighter note, classes had gone quite well today and I'm excited about Behavior Modification! I love behavior and I'm really looking forward to learning more about it and being more hands on. There are so many things going on in the next few weeks. A couple of them are Christmas On Campus and Winter Fest. Every year we hold a Christmas event for the clubs and organizations that children are involved in all over Erie, such as the YMCA, and students volunteer as buddies to these children and walk around the Union playing games and making crafts that they can bring home. We also give them a gift and Santa and Mrs. Clause comes to read the Night Before Christmas to them. Everything is run by the students and is sponsored by the Leadership Development and Engagement Office. It's a great opportunity and so much fun! This year I'm Gifts Co-Chair and I'm in charge of wrapping all the gifts and giving them to the kids. It's also a lot of hard work, but it pays off definitely in the end.
Winterfest also is an event that goes on for students as well. SAC and MSG combine to give students a great winter experience with things like horse drawn carriage rides, snowmen building contests and lots and lots of free food!

I'm looking forward to a great term, but definitely not the snow. It actually snowed last Friday night and I woke up Saturday appalled. It's not that I hate snow, but I've been around it my entire life and it's nothing too exciting to me anymore. But I love Christmas!! And I love the holiday season!