I write today from the confines of my room, as a snowstorm closed base! Thankfully this means that there were no classes today, not even the virtual kind. Today has been a well-needed reprieve from the hustle and bustle of a typical spring semester. The major difference this spring semester is (and you probably guessed it) billet night! The long-awaited night is less than a week away, and the excitement, anxiety, and energy is tangible within Chase Hall. We are also steadily working through midterms, in the form of tests, papers, presentations, and speeches. I can certainly feel the stress and pressure amounting, as the finish line is just within sight.
Even though it feels like a sprint towards the finish line, my personal running career has come to an end. I made the decision to not compete for Outdoor Track and Field, and really focus on my last few months with friends and academics. The decision was not an easy one to make, as this sport has carried me through the past four years at the Academy. My Mom and Dad both ran for the Coast Guard Academy Cross Country and Track and Field teams, so the conclusion of my career felt more meaningful than I had anticipated. I have truly dreamt of running for CGA since I was about eight years old, when I first visited the Academy with my parents for their class reunion, and ran a lap around the lower field track. My final race was a 5k at the Springfield Indoor Track Invite, and I burst into tears as soon as I crossed the finish line, simply overcome with emotion.
I have a feeling that many more emotional events are about to take place, not only for me, but for my friends and family as graduation steadily approaches. This journey has been challenging, and yet the most rewarding experience of my entire life. And this is just the beginning of it! Next Thursday I will know my new home, and start my own moving process, of which I am all too familiar. My childhood consisted of six moves, and seven houses, so this will be a walk in the park! I won’t get into the specifics of my billet list, as just the thought of it gets my heart racing. I simply know that wherever I go, I will be ecstatic, jumping for joy on that stage.
I plan on concluding my Blog Club journey with this post, and as I sign off for the last time, I hope that everyone who has followed my journey got a little something out of it. If I can be of any help in the future, please do not hesitate to reach out. As much as the Academy has challenged me, I love it for the people and experiences it has brought into my life. Good luck to the Class of 2026 and all those interested in joining the Corps!
