Saying goodbye to a place that changed my life
Iesha Landis will graduate May 21 from NCSSM-Morganton.
Iesha Landis will graduate May 21 from NCSSM-Morganton.
Iesha Landis will graduate May 21 from NCSSM-Morganton.
It’s the scent of freshly mowed grass, the recently power-washed sidewalks gleaming bright, and the waving blue flags saying “Congrats” that give away this big day. The time has come … It’s graduation!
iesha Landis
Students at NCSSM-Morganton have only a few more days until the senior class crosses the stage. It’s a bittersweet moment for many. For me, I’m ecstatic to move on to the next stage, to continue learning, and take steps toward my goals.
NCSSM has been a pivotal time in my life. From the people I’ve met to the opportunities I’ve had the privilege of taking part in, I can say I’ve 100% been positively affected by NCSSM. The school has been a catalyst in my growth. I’ve learned how to take on challenges, keep going when it gets hard, and apply that growth to the next challenge, elevating with each obstacle.
I can attribute many of my enjoyable experiences at NCSSM and my success to the people that have supported me on and off campus. I’m grateful for the connections I’ve been able to make with NCSSM employees. From kitchen staff to teachers like Dr. Browning, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Collins, and Dr. McDowell, they have been an integral part of my NCSSM Experience. I am extremely grateful to our residential life employees. Maya Harden, my own “hall mother,” in what we call community coordinates (CCs), has been one of the most impactful influences during my time in Morganton. The support and love I’ve received has kept me afloat throughout my NCSSM journey. Overall, I will definitely miss the kind souls and supportive connections I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing while at NCSSM. A special thank you goes out to all The Paper staff, especially Ms. Copeland, and Ms. Emily who have truly made this opportunity possible, trusting me and allowing me to grow in this position.
My time at NCSSM is quickly coming to an end, which means my time writing for The Paper is coming to an end as well. This is yet another bittersweet moment, representing an exciting journey forward but also a sad one, leaving behind something that has been so meaningful and positive in my life. I have truly enjoyed my time writing for The Paper. It has been a highlight of my time at NCSSM and has allowed me to grow most in my writing skills and confidence. Writing for The Paper is one of my favorite and proudest accomplishments. I have always been a social person, but this opportunity has given me a newfound love for being social and connecting with people in ways and at levels I haven’t before. From writing about on-campus research to my own endeavors in January, I have had so much fun while on this growth journey with The Paper.
My next steps are very near, and I’ll leave NCSSM with a few more accolades and experiences under my belt, including an EMT certification and newspaper publications. Next, I plan to bring the skills and knowledge I’ve learned over the past two years to my new institution, where I will major in biomedical engineering, focusing on prosthetic design to make culturally inclusive and financially accessible prosthetics that are integrated with BCI (brain-computer-interface) to make them integrate seamlessly with the body and give back to patients their independence and autonomy.
With this goal on the horizon, excitement fills my body, my feet already ready to cross the stage. So, unfortunately, this is my farewell to The Paper and the readers who have supported me, my dreams, and my growth over the last year. I am sincerely grateful and will honestly miss writing for the paper. I won’t leave you hanging, though, and I’m excited to pass on the torch to next year’s student writer, Hannah, who I’m sure will keep you just as entertained and informed.
Iesha Landis is a senior at North Carolina School for Science and Mathematics-Morganton.
