Throughout my time here at Gonzaga, I have truly learned the definition of community, and I have seen how it can lead to becoming a “man for and with others.” Before attending Gonzaga, I thought I knew what my high school experience was going to be like, and in my mind, I had it all planned out. I wanted a school with a great academic reputation, and I also wanted to play sports at an elite competitive school. Prior to even visiting, I knew about the special community within Gonzaga, but I never thought about the important relationships I would build or how Gonzaga would impact my outlook on life.
This appealed to me on my first visit to Gonzaga as a prospective student, and although I was considering many schools in the suburbs, I somehow knew that being in the heart of the city would be life-changing. For example, commuting downtown every day has been extremely eye-opening, and has led me to truly see a different version of the world than I had previously been exposed to.
I have many friends who have gone to Gonzaga and served as role models for me, but the one thing they all said was “Don’t let it fly by.” The four years that a young man spends at Gonzaga are truly life-changing, and now approaching graduation I now realize how this time has flown by. It feels like yesterday that I was starting my freshman year, knowing only a few friends. As I think back to that time, I compare myself now to who I was, and I still see that same person who came into Gonzaga just with a refined set of skills and a developed outlook on life. I remember back to freshman year when I was still learning how to use Zoom, but now I am comfortable creating my own website in my journalism class.
Throughout my time at Gonzaga, I have learned how to build important connections with those around me. Whether this be through academics, sports, or service, Gonzaga has taught me to build relationships that will last a lifetime.
When I came to Gonzaga I knew that I would play sports here, but I never realized how important the relationships with my teammates and coaches would become. Being a part of both the Hockey and Golf programs at Gonzaga led me to build relationships with friends that I never would have imagined. At first, it was older students being role models for myself, and now as a senior, I finally realized how important those relationships were for me in my Gonzaga journey. After building those relationships in my early years at Gonzaga, I was able to be that role model for younger students now that I am a senior in that position. Whether it be through classes, carpools, or sports, the connections and brotherhood at Gonzaga have been one of the most influential parts of my time here.
As I look back on my four years in the city at Gonzaga, surely I have fond memories of my friends, my teammates, my teachers, and my education. But as much as anything, the perspective, community, and brotherhood I’ve gained have been the most impactful thing.