By Hannah Lennon
Stonehill gave me a home, and not just in the literal sense of putting a roof over my head for the last four years. As someone with a nasty habit of fading into the background, Stonehill let me step out of the crowd. Despite my introverted tendencies, I’m a dreamer, I always have been. If you know me, you also know that I’ve always done my best to stay busy. Walt Disney said that dreams don’t work unless you do, and I definitely took his words to heart.
I’m an honors student, a student-athlete, and involved in student government and here with The Summit. I have a major in Communications, a double minor in Journalism and Creative Writing, and two part-time jobs. But, I’m also a first-gen student and the proud daughter of a single mom. Since January 2020, I’ve been living with the loss of my older brother. I have anxiety and asthma and need those two part-time jobs to pay for the student loans that are about to be due. Yet, I still dream.
I dream because when I was a kid watching Angelina Ballerina all day, my mom got me a ballet costume because it was the closest to dance lessons that we could afford. I dream because when I was in middle school reading The Hunger Games I decided that one day I would write my own book. I dream because my brother can’t anymore.
I don’t know what brought everyone reading this to Stonehill, but aspirations led me here. I won’t lie, the first time I came to campus, my immediate thought was “pretty, but never in a million years will I come here,” and look at me now, graduating in a few weeks and tearing up almost daily at the thought of it.
Choosing Stonehill came down to a few things. Price tag, of course, but also community and opportunity. From the minute I stepped onto campus for the second time, I knew it was home. The effort and passion of every faculty and staff member show in all that they do. The beauty around us is thanks to an amazing Facilities staff—no one else can mow grass like them. The warm and welcoming community of students here is like nothing I’ve seen on other campuses. It’s a dream to call Stonehill home, to call The Summit office home.
Each person at Stonehill cares beyond limits; they want us to succeed. I know that I would not be here without each of my professors, coach, friends, and teammates. Elizabeth and Justine, my journalism and comm buddies til the end. Haley and Kiley and the rest of SCET, the team that truly gave me family. Syd, my best friend. Professors Maureen Boyle, Wanjiru Mbrue, Jared Green, and more, teaching me excellence and pushing me to succeed. Steve Pagios, supporting all of my SGA antics and helping me grow. Mom, giving me everything and always being the Lorelai to my Rory. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to everyone who has helped me get closer to my dreams. I don’t have enough rhythm to be a dancer, but because of you, I am an author.
Most of you reading this right now don’t know the people I just mentioned, and you’ll probably forget reading this by tomorrow, but that’s okay. Just don’t forget what Stonehill gave and continues to give us. On paper, it’s just an education. Truly, it is a thousand hearts of compassion and courage. So, I’m going to live for the hope of it all. Because Stonehill gave me a beginning; I’m a dreamer and a Skyhawk, and I still have a story to write.
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