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My best friend since preschool. This picture was taken at our senior sunset in 2021. 

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I was raised in Trophy Club, Texas and stayed in the same school district from kindergarten to 12th grade. Growing up, I had always wanted to be a teacher. My mom was a teacher and I always loved my teachers in school. In high school, I started thinking that becoming a children's therapist would be a good fit for me. This led me to major in psychology.

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Me, my boyfriend, and his mom at a UARK football game in 2023.

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I arrived at college wanting to become a therapist. However, teaching has always been at the back of my mind. Knowing this, I took classes like Innovation and Creativity that involve aspects of teaching but also classes like The Helping Relationship which involves counseling. I loved both of these classes so much. Later in my years at the U of A, I started taking criminology classes. I have always been interested in criminal justice and started thinking that this could be the right path for me.

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I walked at the beginning of this month and am finishing up some last few credits this summer. My plan when I move back to Texas is to continue to explore my options. I have a substitute teaching job lined up and another internship working at a courthouse every other week. These positions will allow me to get a glimpse into both worlds so that I can make my decision for my future. My plan is to reassess the situation after a few months and decide if I want to go to grad school or continue other certifications.