The past eight years of my life I spent in Lakeland, Florida. I attended a small Christian school called Geneva Classical Academy 9th through 12th grade, and I think my years there were some of the most formative of my life until now. College, I think, will teach me even more.
Anyways, my graduating class at Geneva had only seven. The size of our school allowed us to be incredibly close to both our peers and our teachers, which is something I am incredibly grateful for.
My three closest friends were Ellisha, Elleri, and Emma. (Random side note: Many of my friends actually have names that start with E: Ellisha, Elleri, Emma, Ellie, Emily, Elise, Elika, Eleni, etc.). Anyways, Ellisha and Emma both had plans to leave Lakeland- Ellisha to UCF and Emma to UF. Elleri, on the other hand, decided she would stay at home and commute to SEU (a small Christian school 15 minutes from her house). I, on the other hand, decided that I would travel all the way to Grove City, Pennsylvania to attend “the Grove.” After so many years in a classical, Christian school, another classical Christian school for college seemed like the natural choice. After all, these are formative years, and while yes, I’m going from bubble to bubble, I know I’ll have plenty of time outside of it, that I don’t mind it for a little longer.
I’ve gotten side-tracked, yet again. Elleri spent a year at SEU and after a series of events no doubt brought about by God- including many conversations with me and two visits to Grove City, she decided to transfer.
I’d like to think I influenced (or rather, non-sales sold) her on coming to Grove City. Through our conversations I discovered she didn’t want to leave her friends and family in Florida, but slowly as she heard about the community I was building, she began to picture herself here with new friends and new experiences. Additionally, she realized that she didn’t feel as though she was being challenged academically at SEU. Grove City, no doubt, would provide her with a more rigorous course-load.
It is currently Elleri’s second semester here and she’s been loving it. She just got into OB and I think she’s wonderful for the role. I’m so thankful she is here with me at college and can’t wait to see what God has in store for her in the upcoming semesters!
lodicosg23
I also attended a very small high school (graduating in a class of 16) and I am sure had an experience similar to you in a small school! It is awesome that you sold your friend on coming to college here without even knowing you were selling. It really is true that sales come in all shapes and sizes.
Aw that’s very nice of you to have pitched grove city to her since you saw she would have thrived here. happy to hear she’s been having a great time here and has endorsed herself into the activities we have on campus.