Chris+C

My Years at Green Hope [|Click here for my video]

I came to Green Hope in 2005 oblivious as to how my life would unfold. My first memories stem from my time spent over the summer before freshman year away at band camp, forming new friendships, which would only grow stronger over the next four years. From that first daunting summer until now, the band community has been my home and it is here that I have made some of my best friends. In the beginning, I cherished the times spent with my new friends during my first marching band season as we traveled up and down the east coast performing for a venue of audiences. However, after the season was over, I was forced out on my own to try and create a new place for myself at Green Hope. I joined Rotary Club, experimented with Environmental Club, and by the end of the year I had secured a place as the Sergent at Arms for Beta Club the following year.

My experiences as a sophomore at Green Hope allowed me the chance to continue some of the great activities I had begun my previous year such as marching band, track, and various service clubs. However, now I was able to thrive in the excitement that abounded on main campus. By branching out and pursuing new challenges, such as attending a jazz workshop with Jamey Aebersold or participating in the HOBY leadership seminar, I was able to visualize what I wanted to gain from my high school career. These experiences prepared me for yet another adventure that would make my childhood dream of learning how to fly a plane come to life.

I can still remember running down the children’s runway at the RDU observation deck with my arms outstretched as though I was on some magnificent flying adventure. It was here that I had first discovered my true love for flight. The summer before my junior year my love for flying materialized into something much larger when I spent three weeks at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida learning how to fly. After just three weeks and many harrowing experiences, I finished the SunFlight Solo program by completing my first solo flight. It was one of the best experiences of my life!

After returning from Florida I had yet another shock to my system as I was quickly immersed in a world of academia. Junior year proved to be very difficult for me due to the tremendous work load I had to bear and I was forced to sacrifice some of my extracurricular activities so I could spend more time studying. Having survived the terrors of SAT’s and AP testing I was given little relaxation before being shipped off to the Naval Academy for a grueling week of physical training. Thankfully, my following six weeks at Governor’s School proved more relaxing and I was able to forge new friendships which will last for years to come.

Having satisfied both my thirst for academic stimulation and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, I was ready to embark on my final year at Green Hope. Between fulfilling my role as president of the National Honor Society, being a section leader in the marching band, and organizing my own musical ensemble, time for relaxation was hard to find. Following the exhausting and meticulous process of filling out applications for college, scholarships, and other forms of financial aid I am pleased to say that all of my hard work has paid off. I will be attending Duke University next year to pursue a career in International Business and have been recognized by various organizations in the community for all of my academic efforts. However, my experience at Green Hope has proved meaningful not because of my personal accomplishments, but because of the way my friends have shaped me to be the person I am today.

Last Thursday night, the curtain closed on my on my four great years in band as Phillip Sparke conducted us in our final performance at Memayndi Concert Hall. While there will undoubtedly be many sad goodbye’s, I look towards the future and all the exciting possibilities that await me. I expect college to be a time of new beginnings and I will continue to “be the change I wish to see in the world.”