What a blessing it is for me to be a student during Lane Community College's 50th year.

I started my time here in the Spring of 2012 as a student that was rather unsure of myself. I knew I wanted to obtain a degree that related to the environmental sciences, but I wasn't sure what specific field I wanted to major in. I chose to attend LCC solely on its commitment to sustainability. Once I enrolled, I decided that the Sustainability Coordinator degree sounded like something I would be interested in pursuing.

Towards the end of my first year at Lane, I found my self in the work study program in the Learning Garden on campus. I came across this marvelous resource while attending Susie Cousar's class, Global Health and Sustainability. Each student had to perform 10 hours of service learning at an instructor approved venue. I loved my involvement with the Learning Garden so much, that I stayed on when Julie Sheen offered me the job.

It was there in the Learning Garden that the ASLCC Student Government's Treasurer, Matthew Yook, was able to lure me into attending a newly created committee that was being formed to explore the idea of opening a food pantry on the LCC campus. The Sustainable Food Committee (SFC) quickly captivated my attention. Within a few meetings I was elected the committee chair and began building coalition partners on campus. With the help of ASLCC Student Government, OSPIRG, students at large, Food for Lane County, and employees, such as Mike O'Neal, the SFC demonstrated there was a need for a pantry for students. It was this win that gave me the courage to apply to become the very first Sustainability Coordinator for ASLCC's Student Government.

After I was hired on, I made it my primary goal to make sure that a food pantry was up and running before the end of my term of office. Working collectively with the SFC's coalition members, I was able to see that goal come to fruition before Thanksgiving 2013. This victory brought tears to my eyes as I saw the looks upon each student that came into use our newly opened, Rainy Day Pantry.

As I continued thinking towards what I could do next to improve the lives of my fellow students at LCC, I jokingly mentioned that maybe I should run for Student Body President in the next election. To my surprise, several people seriously encouraged me to do so. The current Student Body President, Paul Zito, really gave me the courage to go through with it. I chose my dear friend Malisa Ratthasing as my Vice Presidential running mate and the rest is history.

Looking back over my time at Lane Community College, it seems so surreal. I feel as though at each pivotal moment, a faculty member, staff person, administrator or student was there to encourage me to become more involved. Today I feel that becoming involved on campus was crucial to changing my goals for the future. It has given me the courage to switch my degree to an Associates of Science and prepare myself to transfer to OSU when I graduate and obtain a Bachelor's of Science.

Thank-You to everyone that has been there to help me realize that success really does start at Lane Community College.