Tower Senior Says Farewell After Four Years of Service

Katrina Avila, Class of 2012
May 1, 2012
Filed under Quill

Who am I? Who do I want to be? What do I want to be remembered for? These three questions, to say the least, are the hardest three questions I can ask myself right now. Fifteen days from today, I will be a graduate of The Catholic University of America, and this is something that always seemed so far away. My life is going to change; and as I reflect over the past four years – tears stream down my face. I know I’m ready to be the person I’ve prepared myself to be because of all the people I’m so blessed to have in my life. I had to learn how to step out of my comfort zone, and embrace all of the opportunities I had in front of me. After becoming involved and surrounding myself with the amazing people of the CUA community, I chose to do as much as I could here because I wanted to feel a part of something bigger than myself. I have become such a better person because of my time here at college.

To say I was involved at CUA, is an understatement. The highlights: Sister and Past Public Relations Committee Chair of Kappa Tau Gamma. Past Design Editor, serving for four years on The Tower. Past Program Board Freshman Class of 2012 Committee Chair. Design Editor of the now extinct political magazine, The Quorum. Executive Board Member of Colleges Against Cancer, serving as Communications Committee Chair from 2010-2011. The Charter Public Relations Committee Chair for the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court CUA #2646. 2011-2012 Organizational Team CUAlternative Peer Educator. And… serving on the Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week 2011 Committee, Senior Appreciation Program Leadership Committee, Senior Week 2012 Planning Committee, and the Founders Day Ball 2012 Committee.

As neurotic as my friends like to call me, a busy schedule has always been fulfilling. I found solace from always offering a helping hand not just to the organizations and committees I was heavily involved in, but to the other organizations my friends and classmates have been part of. For example, the Student Association General Assembly (SAGA) and the Student Fee Allocation Board (SFAB) played a big part of my college experience. By being a witness to the various leadership and transition of boards of SAGA and SFAB over the years, I was able to grow as a student leader and become friends with some of the best representatives on campus.

Even though it was a struggle, it was all worth it. There will always be a place for CUA in my heart, and I will always be dedicated to this University. I never thought I would feel so loved and included, and despite the rough patches that all college students endure, student organizations were not an obligation, but a community of friends that have become my second family. Even after my walk down those Basilica steps, I know I’ll be walking away with more than just a diploma.

Thinking about everyone in my life, I would need more than 800 words to list out everyone that holds a special place in my heart. When I say “all I do is love,” I really do mean it. To those who I look up to from the classes of 2009, 2010, and 2011; thank you for being supportive and such great role models. Thank you for lending an ear and listening when I needed it the most. The support I’ve received and have continued to receive from all of you means more than words can describe. To my favorite fellow seniors, thank you. Thank you for the love and the inclusion. Thank you for the encouragement, the laughs, the tears, and the good times. College would have never been the same if I wasn’t part of the Class of 2012. To my loves, in the classes of 2013, 2014, and 2015, thank you for loving me as either Katrina Marie, “Tati”, or that crazy girl that runs around with a camera. My life is lightened up because of all of you. There can never be enough words to describe my eternal thanks and love for you all. If my constant tweeting and “instagram-ing” doesn’t tell you – I hope this gives you more of a clue.

To you all, the ones that I leave behind, I want to leave you with some parting advice… Let go, let God. Let love in. The college experience goes by so fast – so please just take it all in. Drama is inevitable, so don’t worry about the little things. Continue being involved, or start to get involved. Take a bite out of the world. Be happy. Take pictures. Tweet. Hashtag. Dream big. Stay up late. Don’t procrastinate too much. Explore. Be you. Stay humble. Work hard.

#RealTalk#NoRegrets #HonestyHour