once a bearcat...

...always a bearcat!

that saying seemed fitting for my graduation cake.

shout out to my parents who threw me a small party after the ceremony.

I am a college graduate!

 

 On Saturday I graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a degree in public relations, advertising, and interactive digital media.

I am proud to say that I worked hard all four years and graduated Cum Laude.

Before the ceremony took place, we took some photos at Big Blue and had lunch provided by Connie Hesse.

 Proud ma & pa.

 The whole day was bittersweet.

It was hard to say goodbye to friends that became family.

The ceremony was very 'Northwest style'

Laid back, full of chants, cheers and even a few tears.

Governor Nixon, President Jasinksi, and Student Senate President Andrew Maddox addressed the graduates.

 Public Relations graduates.

Can't you tell it is a popular major amongst girls...

 One last lesson from my advisor, Dr. Walker.

 My family.

 Empty case.

Diploma arriving within 5-6 weeks.

 My lovely friends supporting me.

 Chatting with Dr. Baker about the presentation given to the Board of Regents on Friday.

The presentation was the last thing I did as an undergrad.  It was about my experience with Alternative Spring Break.

I bawled talking about how much the organization meant to me and how Northwest has prepared me for success.

How many students can say they have cried in front of their President and Board of Regents, right...?!

One last photo with my beautiful friend, Melanie.

I love my Alma mater.

The past four years of my life have been the best four years.

I am proud to be Northwest Bearcat Alumni.

i don't have time to blog...

the clock is ticking...

only one week left..

i'm trying to savor every moment with friends.

i'm getting emotional and all...

oh we up up up!

actually the line was way too long, so we stayed down down down.

Happy Northwest Week!

Laurie and Curly's Fan Club

A group of us from the Admissions Department got together for dinner Friday night before we cheered on our favorite cast members in Oklahoma!

Bryce and Mallory (center) both work for the Admissions Department at Northwest and had the leads in the musical this year.

To say we were a bit rowdy before the show started would be an understatement.

It was hard to contain our excitement when Bryce sang "The surrey with the fringe on top"

The show was excellent.

I love my job and I love the people I work with.

bowling

We went bowling last night to celebrate Ryan's graduation from college.

Ryan was the the first guy I met at Northwest...

...a true friend throughout all of college.

Love this photo above of Jason and Ryan hugging with Brady smiling.

Bittersweet to see my friends beginning new chapters.

Ambassador Christmas party

After each semester, my supervisor takes all of the student ambassadors out for dinner at The Hanger.

All of the non returning seniors tell their most memorable tour.
I had to say my good-byes even though I will be working up until February.
Joe and myself have been ambassadors since our freshman year.
Here we are posing with our Bearcat license plate frames.

Life goes by so fast.  I can't believe I have been giving campus tours for four years now.

Best Bar Award: Mollys

To wrap up my time at Northwest, I have decided to start a series of "Best Awards"

Awards will be based upon my favorite places in town.

Today's award is best bar in town...

My groups favorite this year: Molly's.

So much fun.

Girls get in free in Friday nights and drinks are a dollar.

Fun Atmosphere.

Dance floor.

Walking distance.

Stay tuned for more awards... 

Kansas, here we come!

 We took a road trip to Pittsburg, Kansas on Saturday to watch the Bearcats play in the third round play-off game.

Unfortunately, they lost.

It rained the whole game.  Not rained, it poured.

BUT It was such an unforgettable day.

3.5 hour road trip each way with some awesome people. 

 Dancing.

Singing.

Laughing.

Sharing our most embarrassing moment stories.

 Tailgating before the game.

Once a Bearcat, Always a Bearcat.

Phi Sig Informal

5/8 Rule for Phi Sig Informal.

Dress up 5/8 and dress down 3/8.

One would think you would enjoy the opportunity to wear tennis shoes with a dress instead of heels...but not me. 

(It just looks awkward)

Still had a great time with my dates: Rob and Colin.

Ice Skating

 

Student Activities Council brought in a portable ice rink, so of course we had to go check it out.

Such a great idea to celebrate the holidays.

We also played inside the giant snow globe (complete with fake snow)

Fun fun times with some of my favorite people.

all in one night

watched the 3rd annual Christmas tree lighting at President Jasinski's house.

watched MTV's The Buried Life speak on campus.

watched the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show decked out in our PINK clothes.

Extraordinary things

11/19/11 in St. Joe after the Bearcats beat Missouri Western

We charged the field after we beat our rivals.

The Griffins beat us once this year, but in playoffs we weren't going to let it happen again.

I think this is one of those photos that I will look back on and say...

"This is one of those moments when you are truly happy."

I won't remember the papers I wrote or the tests I did horrible on...

BUT

I know I will always remember the moments with my friends when we do extraordinary things on ordinary days.

P.S. The Bearcats won again this Saturday! Hopefully I'll be able to make the road trip to Kansas to root them on.

Thanksgiving with my friends

The boys of Big Blue hosted their 2nd Annual Thanksgiving dinner last week before everyone headed home.

They worked extra hard to make their house spotless with plenty of seating for everyone.

We had so much food...

fun..

laughter...

dancing...

and so many people as you can see below.

 

Seriously love my friends.

Break dancing after dinner?

It doesn't get much better than that.

college life...

I spent the last two days living in the library preparing for a big test and paper.

Took the test today...walked out feeling great.

Then I rethought my 25 point essay question and realized I went down the wrong path.

Cried my eyes out yesterday (because I was stressed) and today.

The only thing helping me move on is the big box full of TOMS that came in the mail yesterday and the Bearcat Marching Band show this evening.

Thank goodness its the weekend.

Thank goodness life will go on.