End of Semester Project - Joseph Birk by Joseph Birk

jbirk23_ — 2023-12-04 07:10:25 UTC

My mom has opened a store, Talents, in Avon Lake. Being able to still help her when I am home has helped be strike a balance between being away and giving back to my hometown community.

jbirk23_ — 2023-12-04 07:11:57 UTC

This picture features me with a pumpkin I carved with Lambda Chi Alpha. I am thinking of joining Lambda Chi next semester, and cannot wait to be more involved in the spring. This semester, though, I was able to get involved with the community at BW by being introduced to the group, and going laser tag with the fraternity.

jbirk23_ — 2023-12-04 07:12:12 UTC

This picture is older, and features me with Lisa Miragliotta in 2018. Mrs. M, as I call her, has been a positive role model in my life since 7th grade and has always been a support for me musically. She has encouraged me to audition for the conservatory at BW and helped me get in for next semester. She has also helped me engage with the staff at BW, as she is the director of the BW Women's Chorus. Specifically, she has been my introduction into Men's Chorus and director Frank Bianchi.

jbirk23_ — 2023-12-04 07:12:30 UTC

Pictured here is me with Natty and Izzy, two of my marching band friends that I have grown close to. In this picture, we were doing a photo shoot outside of Natty's house after coming back from getting dinner. I am incredibly grateful that I have friends on campus that I have been with outside of school, and I hope we will get to have fun next semester.

jbirk23_ — 2023-12-04 07:12:46 UTC

Being in marching band has been a step for me into having a healthier lifestyle. I am a twirler in the BW marching band, and the activity has helped me step out of my comfort zone and do something more physical.

jbirk23_ — 2023-12-04 07:13:53 UTC

Pictured here is me with my co-twirler, Alyssa, at one of the colder marching band rehearsals this season. Alyssa has showed me how to have fun while staying on top of your work. She has also become one of the people I can rely on when I need help on campus, and I cannot wait to twirl with her again next year.

jbirk23_ — 2023-12-04 07:14:15 UTC

I attended pride at BW, which was an indoor event about halfway throughout the semester. This event opened my eyes to some of the local organizations that supports diversity in the community, and was a fun way to connect to the LGBT community.

jbirk23_ — 2023-12-04 07:14:41 UTC

I went to Target with half of the members of color guard. Even though this sounds small, I am incredibly grateful that I have a group that I am close to outside of a marching context. Some of my favorite moments this year has been with color guard members, and I have overall been amazed at how many of us have become close friends.

jbirk23_ — 2023-12-04 07:15:00 UTC

Pictured here is me with my siblings at Cedar Point's Halloweekends. I am grateful that I have been able to keep a connection to my family even while at school. I might be at a different stage of my life than when I was living at home, but we are still as close as ever.

Advice for future first-years

jbirk23_ — 2023-12-04 07:49:30 UTC

Take things day by day. It might be easy to worry about how much is left to accomplish, but if you focus on being your best self in the present, you will find that you can work ahead comfortably. You can do this without procrastinating, as long as you make sure to incorporate upcoming work into your current routine.