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Summer 2009 Back to Spotlight home page
Letter from Taylor Relph, 2009 Newberg Outstanding Senior
A graduate. What does it mean to be a graduate? At Emporia State University, it is more than just a diploma to hang on the wall or becoming an expert in a field of study. Emporia State expects more from their graduates. ESU expects you to be more, to become more and to do more. Each one of us from the graduating class of 2009 has the potential to empower others, to become involved and to change our world. It is not just an option we all have, it is now our responsibility.
As a freshman, I started my journey. I did everything the right way. I woke up and made sure I was doing exactly what everyone else was doing. I always chose the comfortable, easy road and I never understood the value of the journey. Over the last four years, ESU helped me learn the value of my journey: each day we choose which path to take, and each path helps us to understand and grow along way. Our journey is our contribution to making a difference in our world. Each of us has the opportunity to make choices; our fate is not a coincidence, but a reality. Every choice I make today affects the future I live tomorrow. My choices affect my journey and my journey determines my future.
Emporia State University alumni and professors provide opportunities for students to reach their optimal potential. I had to decide to conquer fear and jump on opportunities when they presented themselves. Without professors, alumni, advisors and scholarships I would not be the graduate I am today. Without the love, support and devotion of my parents I would not be the woman I am today. Without my brothers and other family members, I would have stood alone during this journey. The Emporia State community believed in me, which made me believe in myself. Emporia State not only helped me dream, but prepared me to live my dreams. Because of Emporia State, I will never stand alone.
Emporia State helped me build a foundation, a foundation that I will stand on as I start graduate school here in the fall and eventually when I pursue my career in higher education. Each one of you reading this has the opportunity to make a difference, to give a student his or her dream. Students before me paved the way for my dreams. It is time for the class of 2009 to provide dreams to the future graduates of Emporia State University.
Forever a Hornet,
Taylor was named the 2009 Dwight and Ida Curry Newberg Outstanding Senior. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communication and public relations in May, and this fall she begins her master’s degree in instructional design and technology at ESU.
Last Updated July 29, 2009