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Grady Schmeckenbecher, IMG_1533, IMG_7545, IMG_4617, 93e399…

- - - - High School While high school proved to be a much better environment then middle school with me having a good group of friends and support system, I still hated school. While I forced myself to excel In academics the actual act of going to school with people I strongly disliked left me depressed most days. It was also at this point when I began to think heavily about politics and ultimately wound up wanting to pursue a degree In Political Science.
        
        College Wanting to get out of my hometown I applied to all out of state schools and ended up getting Into my top choice at JMU. I put my deposit down the day I got my acceptance and never looked back. My time at JMU has been academically challenging and also socially the best years of my life and I have no clue where I would be without my time at this university.
        
        Covid-19 Covid-19 began my senior year of high school and completely eliminated my ability to walk at graduation and have a senior prom. While It did not seem like a big deal at the time I routinely think I struggled closing this chapter of my life because I never really got a goodbye. This also made my freshman year at college very difficult as most of campus was closed off. However, this time of my life also taught me a lot about who I chose to surround myself with and how I chose to spend my free time. I value my time alone a lot more now and no longer aspire to be doing something every second of the day.
- - - - Student Ambassadors I really found my people and my place here on campus when I got Into Student Ambassadors. Student Ambassadors gave me a community and group of people who I could really call my family here on campus. Now as a senior I am the president of the organization and have learned so much about myself, my ability as a leader, and my self-confidence.
- - - - My Current Relationship I have been with my current boyfriend, Bryce, for over 3 years now. We have grown so much in our relationship and he has taught me so much about love both in relationships and for myself. He is not just my boyfriend, but my friend and a partner that I have gotten the pleasure of sharing life with for the past 3 years.