"I wanted to be a doctor ever since seventh grade. I was a pre-med major and spent two summers working in a hospital. But it was during that time that I realized that I wasn't seeing the specific type of connection I knew I needed in my future career. I was also working at the local high school during those same summers, and watching the growth and progress of the kids was so, so rewarding. So in the middle of my sophomore year--after getting through orgo, too--I changed to an English major and started looking into ACE, the Alliance for Catholic Education.

"I interned for ACE during my junior and senior year. To be an intern, you commit to ACE a year ahead of everyone else, and you become somewhat of a spokesperson. You go to dorms, clubs, and events to talk about ACE with people who might be interested. Being an intern helped me mentally prepare and become even more excited about my future. And seeing the enthusiasm of other interns, as well as people who showed interest, was inspiring to me.

"Over spring break, I was spending time with ten other friends when I got the call about where I'd be assigned post-college for ACE. My heart skipped a beat when I saw 'Colorado, USA' on the caller ID. So I'll be going to Denver, Colorado after graduation to teach middle school language arts! I also hope to coach sports when I'm there, too. That's another thing that I've found: there are valuable connections to be made when you both teach and coach. Sometimes kids aren't as interested in homework or their schoolwork, but you see a shining side of them when they play a sport. As a teacher, you can foster that kind of growth. You can say to them in the classroom, 'I've seen your potential. I know what you're capable of.' 

         "Is there anything you're nervous about?"

"Of course I'm a little nervous, but I think everyone is. I'm excited about the good days, when I come home and know I've made a difference in someone's life, when I know they feel more capable. But I'm also excited about the bad days, because it means I still have so much to learn and so much further to go. I'll be living with four other ACE members, so when I come home, I'll be able to share stories and bounce ideas off them."