Graduation!

Yes it's true, I finally graduated! I can't believe I'm actually done. I have been going to college since I graduated from high school in 1996. I know that seems like an eternity but I took a year off to work and save money for a mission and then two years off to serve a mission. After I came home the Lord decided that I need to go down a different path than the one I was currently on and that's when I became a music major. Crazy I know but I will be forever grateful for that change in course even thought I basically had to start over. These last seven years have been some of the most difficult and rewarding of my life. More importantly it was a journey to self-discovery which helped me to gain confidence in myself and in my testimony of the atonement. For that I will be forever grateful. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of my family, friends and teachers who have believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself. Thank you for your support and encouragement and for sitting through all those long operas where you where wondering what the heck was going on. ;) Thank you for letting me follow my heart and my dreams. I have performed and traveled and met so many amazing people on this journey and I hope to continue to sing and perform in some capacity the rest of my life. I don't know what the next chapter of my life will hold for me but the one thing that I do know is that music will always be a part of my life. I want nothing more than to bring joy to others and to uplift through the gift of song. I feel so blessed to have been given this talent and I know that I never could have accomplished all that I have without the help of my loving Heavenly Father. He is trully generous and kind. My motto has been and will continue to be: "Dream big and sing loud!". Life sure is more fun that way. ;)


P.S. As a side note...I have made a tough decision and have decided not to go to Germany this summer. The tuition for the program was a lot more than I had anticipated and as I was looking for a summer job I realized that even though it would have been an incredible opportunity there was no way I was going to be able to cover the cost of the program even with help from family. I unfortunately lost my deposit because it was non-refundable but I feel really at peace with the decision that I made and know that it was right. Just thought I'd let you guys know the update.

Jamilyn and I before the ceremony

Now without the sunglasses

My dear friend Kaitlynn who graduated with her Bachelors in Music Theater. Look out Broadway this girl is AMAZING!

My friend Meredith who got her Masters in Music Theater

Processing into the Audotorium

Handing the reader my name card

Hugging my professors after the hooding ceremony

Walking off after receiving the diploma cover

My aunt Ginnie, my mom, me, Bud and my uncle Kevin after the ceremony (thanks for the beautiful lei mom!)

Me and Buddy

The happy graduate!

Dale (stage director and professor), me and Dr. Reber (Opera director)

Dr. Schildkret (my choir director) and I

Carole (my amazing and wonderful voice teacher) and I

Graduation Dinner

Mom threw me a graduation dinner at Olive Garden the evening of graduation. We didn't get many pictures but thank you so much to all who came. The food was yummy and the company even better!

Ok these two pictures are funny. In the first I have a weird look on my face and in the other one I'm not sure what Bud is looking at. :)

My sweet cousin Elisia and I (Thanks for the beautiful necklace Elisia!)