Graduation was over a year ago, but I want to take the time to reflect on it before I get further away. I remember feeling overwhelming gratitude and love towards my friends, family, and teachers who shaped my experience over the four years. The couple of weeks leading up to graduation were wonderful - I spent really good time with friends, made the senior banner for Hanszen, went camping in Big Bend, finished off the last production for Model Object ...
I feel so grateful to have been a part of the School of Architecture. The school's environment is unparalleled - it is a supportive community of 200 driven and talented individuals who build each other up. When you struggle with people by your side, a bond like no other forms. I will feel forever connected to my classmates in the school, and am excited to rejoin them in a couple of months to finish the last stretch with them. I'm also extremely grateful to the faculty and staff, who privilege students with their complete attention for class and reviews. They've taught me how to focus and dissect a project or an issue from the inside out.
I feel grateful to have been a part of Design for America, because I think this is where I found my people. We share the same goal in life to make the world a better place through our creative input. I feel lucky to have friends with different types of interest. I've been inspired by their energy and have used the DFA process to help me build projects in studio and for team projects outside of studio like The Hangout.
Most of all I'm lucky to have met so many interesting and lovely people at Rice - they is what has made all of the time worthwhile. The people expounded my thinking of the world. Graduating feels bittersweet only because I know that this group of people will never be fully re-united again. I feel sad when things come to an end, but when they do they become a beautiful memory. Graduating means acknowledging the worthiness of the last four years and declaring you're ready for the next step.
Update: I am now back at Rice after a year of being away on preceptorship. Graduating from Rice had always been the furthest I had really looked and I've learned that I have to dream beyond the four (slash six) years of school. It is a little strange being back at Rice - like we've been given a second chance. I'm not sure how this year could be better than the four years before, but I am going to work hard and enjoy myself because this time is a gift.
