Dear kiddies,
You made it!! I am so proud of each and every one of you for getting through this program. I hope you realize how much you have grown in the past few weeks. Believe me when I tell you that just how these five weeks went by, the rest of your time in college will follow suit. Cherish every moment that you have and don't take anything for granted. Remember that you were chosen from a group of hundreds of applicants because the EOF staff believed in what you had to offer to this school, and to the world.. and we want you to keep in that in mind.
I don't think I could have asked for a better class to break in my first summer at this college. You have made me laugh, cry, and silently wish I was sitting back in the 5 week program with my own classmates. The relationships you have built here will hopefully continue past your college graduation, and wherever life may lead you. You will always want to look back and have your EOF family to remember these special days that you all shared together. I look forward to seeing you all come by the office to pay me a visit, e-mail, or call me and keep me updated on how everything is going with you.
Know that you have formed an unbreakable bond with everyone here that you can always depend on. Your college years fly and you will only have the memories that you are creating. You can have fun and still get good grades, just be responsible and know that school does come first. I know some of you have been in situations where you have been discouraged and told you cannot or will not succeed.. you have already proved those people wrong. Continue in the direction you are headed and send any negativity in the opposite direction. You are in control.
You are a very special group and extremely amazing individuals. EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU has something powerful to bring to the table and I can only hope that you see what I see in you. I've gotten to know you and respect you all... especially for sharing such personal and heartfelt tributes when you didn't even know us well enough to do so. That in itself says a lot about you as individuals. This is one of the reasons I love my job.
Stay active on campus. Join organizations. Be happy. Enjoy the ride.
Enjoy the rest of your summer and I look forward to seeing you back in a few weeks...
*cue the dramatics a la Khaleif & Shabika*
