From the first days of August 2019, I have continued to advance my infatuation with the 2000’s hit television show, Gilmore Girls. For months, I struggled with identifying and understanding what it was about the show that drew me in unlike any other before. Until I unraveled and recognized my personal tie. The main focus of the show revolves around the lives of Rory and her single mother, Lorelai. Similar to my household at the time, I lived with my mom as the sole caregiver of the home—to provide for not only myself but my brother as well. My life had a familiar alignment with Rory in the show as I also traveled my way down the journey of navigating relationships and the college process; all for the very first time. Luckily, my educational journey was never carved out by another for me, but always on the table as an option. My dad, although a frugal man for the forty-four years of his life, always reiterated moments from his college days—instilling the exciting and important life experiences that came out of his four years. Even though there was no doubt in my mind that I hoped to one day attend a high education institution, the same was not true for my brother, and that was okay. Of course, my entire family dabbled with wondering whether he was going to “make it in the world” or become successful as his interests did not fit society’s “norm”. However, in time, we understood through a clearer lens that every individual is on their own educational path—and my father would be proud of any success of his children, whether that involved higher education or not. So, as I was led blindly into the college process as the guinea pig in my family, I kept in mind my purpose for applying. Unfortunately at first, I dreamed big. It had been a long-run dream of mine to attend an out-of-state, large institution; and nothing less of that. However, what followed that dream and did not stand out in my mind as a child was the price tag that followed. My parents, hard-working and giving, were able to provide a plentiful amount of aid to help propel my education, but not to the extent to fulfill my dream, in a smart manner that is. In hindsight, fortunately, we had made ends meet to fulfill an even greater dream than I could have ever dreamed of. Now, I attend a smaller, close-knit university on the opposite side of my home state; a total of 360 degrees from my initial dream. Although different, I am blessed to have come from a single-parent household that could both encourage and motivate my educational journey. In addition, I find a sense of pride in sharing my story with those unlike me at my university. Through conversing, I am able to express the apparent struggles, but also the avenues around those roadblocks that have allowed me to prosper to where I am today. Post-undergrad, I plan to apply to the United States Peace Corps in order to aid those, similar and different from me, in countries abroad. In doing so, I will be giving back to communities contrary to my own, while refining and sharpening skills that I will be able to utilize in the communities that surround me back at home.

"What school are you planning to attend next year, Ava?". From the crisp fall of 2021 to the budding spring of 2022, this question circulated its' way back to me anywhere I went. From close family members, peers, coaches, teachers, you name it; I was going to be faced with the daunting question of what resulted in my future plans—likely for the next four years of my life. Each time would reiterate a similar response. “Not sure yet, I have applied all around. In-state, out-of-state. I assume I will attend a BIG10 or PAC12 school, what else is there really?”, I would reply. At the time, I was blinded to the fact that there was more than the typical college experience—I was not prepared to accept that my “dream” and my expectations may not have been the best fit in the long run. By decision day, my outdrawn college list was down to a final two: smaller college, where I had the opportunity to run track or our local community college. Two polar opposites from my initial, “ideal” university of years. Either way, I would be entering a campus filled with people that I never intended on meeting. Unsettling at first, it was deeply rooted in the back of my mind that I would have to be on campus, introduce myself to others, and give it a shot before I completely ruled out the college as a whole—thus leading into my final decision, a smaller college with the benefit of track teammates. In my first semester at college, I have come to change my mindset by realizing that most first impressions are false. It is not until an individual is completely immersed in whatever it is ahead of them that they are able to have clear judgment regarding their feelings or mindset toward such an event. For me, small schools were deemed as “not the place for me”. However, after implementing myself into events on campus and meeting people that attend alongside me, I have come to have a greater appreciation for the college itself and others like it. Taking the leap of faith of moving across my home state to a new atmosphere to attend a college that I never planned on applying to at the start of my process was a cornerstone in the journey of discovering who I am. By doing so, I have come to learn the greater importance of choosing situations, locations, and friendships that are best for oneself—not what others perceive to be “the best”. In reality, I receive the steering wheel to my path, which should never be taken lightly.

In the early days of August 2019, I developed a newfound love for the hit 2000’s TV show, Gilmore Girls. Perhaps, it was because it followed the detailed life of a teenage girl similar to myself with elegant, proper grandparents—unlike me. Or maybe what drove my obsession was the small-town, family-like atmosphere that was shown through their town hall and gazebo meetings. Or, even better, it was due to the drawn-out journey of Rory’s various relationships and the college process. It was not until over a year into watching the show that a new probable reason for my enjoyment was sparked. Gilmore Girls outlined and discussed situations that I experienced first-hand. The show, notably by the name, follows the life of Lorelai, and her daughter, Rory. In the show, it is the two of them against the world. Although my mom and I have each other for a different reason than the Gilmore Girls, we Schmidt girls relate on many other levels. However, my life has not always been parallel to the show that I love most. It was not until March of 2012 that both my mom's and my worlds were turned upside down. In this season of our life, we endured the loss of a man; a husband, and a father. Ultimately leaving my mom and me to each other, with the honorable mention of my brother. From then on, my mother has shown me nothing but reasons to be inspired. Her ability to give of herself unconditionally; not only to her children but to her colleagues, students, friends, and extended family members. Her ability to cherish every moment and find the slight shed of light in any trial or tribulation—even better, if there is not one, she is able to create a light of her own. Most impressively, my mother gives herself grace in place of dwelling on her situation. Acquiring the label of “single mother” was placed upon her by society shy of eleven years ago, but mom has never worn nor viewed it as a disgrace or disability, but rather as a shield of armor. My mother has depicted what it means to place your family before yourself—especially as the primary caregiver. Oddly enough, I am content with how life has played itself out because if not, I would have never been introduced to this side of my mother. In fact, it is a possibility that I may have been blinded to how strong and capable one individual can truly be and how much resilience the human body can project.