Wow! Paige is a true rockstar!
Paige has been interning with us for an entire academic year. She always gives 110% to every project she is working on. We can count on her to consistently go above and beyond in every situation. She possesses a unique passion for supporting students with disabilities and always has our clients' needs in mind in every decision she makes. One of Paige's greatest strengths is her willingness to speak up and bring new ideas to the table. She is not afraid of asking questions, and she yearns to make the organization stronger. She can uniquely see growth opportunities and desires to put her energy into new ideas. Her communication, facilitating, grant writing, and teamworking skills are all top-notch! Paige is, without a doubt, an incredible intern at every level. Can we clone her for next year?! We cannot wait to see where she lands, and we know she will be amazing at whatever she decides to do in her future. Way to go, Paige!
Q: First of all, how does it feel to have reached this huge accomplishment?
It doesn’t feel real! I’ve been feeling more emotional lately because I’m sad to leave so many friends. However, I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by so many incredible people.
Q: What advice would you give other students who are either thinking about college or in the process of completing a degree?
Take charge of your college experience because college is what you make of it! Join clubs, sports, and attend as many exciting events as possible. Put yourself out there because when you don’t risk anything, you actually risk more! Just fake it till you make it.
Q: What did you wish you would have known as you navigated higher education?
I wish I knew that at certain times, self-care can look like giving the minimum effort rather than the maximum- especially when you need a mental health break. You don’t have to get to every single reading or attend every single class. Don’t strive for perfectionism, strive for balance.
Q: How did completing your Financial Aid application help you reach your goals?
One benefit of completing my financial aid application is that it helps me to assist others in completing theirs. I’d like to work in the education field later on, so volunteering at financial aid events at various different schools has been a transformative experience for both me and the student.
Q: What will you miss the most about college?
I will miss my friends the most. I learned that “home” isn’t a place, but a feeling that emerges from good friends and positive experiences. I will leave college feeling enormously grateful to have such wonderful friends who make life so worth living.
Q: What is a favorite memory you have from your time at FuturesNW?
My favorite memory from this experience has been the silly icebreakers we’ve done at team meetings. One of my favorites was an activity by Ashby: To draw Shrek from pure recollection (no pictures), and then share our new art pieces with each other.
Q: What’s your next chapter looking like?
In late June, I will leave on WWU’s Guanajuato’s faculty-led global learning program with a one-way ticket to Guanajuato, México. My plan is to stay there and teach English temporarily, because I will have graduated with my Human Services major and Spanish minor after finishing my study abroad this Summer. Wish me luck!