What it meant for me to be selected as a ReadershipWT Ambassador

Being selected as a ReadershipWT Ambassador meant so much to me.  I have never had an opportunity like this before, so it is such a privilege to represent WT and to become a leader of the university as well.  I still find it hard to believe that I’m going to Poland to retrace Elie Wiesel’s footsteps.  Maybe it will hit me weeks before the trip.  Once again, I thank the faculty members who put this whole project together.  It is a wonderful feeling to be here at WT with staff members who care so much for their students and their future.

first thoughts…

“…I am glad Janelle is interviewing with me… I hope I can answer all of the questions right… oh- Dr. Lowery-Hart is speaking…. and then we have our interview…. goodness, I am SO nervous…. we are all going to Poland…. I wonder what they are going to ask us…. my IDS teacher is here!…. oh- wait- did he REALLY say we were going to Poland?!… WOW!… I don’t know what to say…. no one is saying anything…. I am speechless…”

This is just about what was going through my mind when they told us that we were not actually in a second interview, but that we had been chosen to be WT Readership Ambassadors. 

I had never understood the concept of “its a dream come true” or the feeling of being “speechless” yet I felt them both at that exact moment.  My mind was racing.  [Am I really going to Poland? How cold is it there?  I have to get a passport?...No, I GET to get a passport! That's a long plane ride! I can't wait to call my mom! Whats the time difference?]

My only fear about all this right now is that I am a little afraid of flying over water, but I am sure that my nerves will calm down over time.

I am excited to get to see all of the places that we have heard about for so long in person. We have learned about the concentration camps in school for some time, but to actually go there and walk where Elie Wiesel had once walked is going to change how what we think about WWII and everything had gone on then. 

I am interested in seeing where this adventure will lead me.  I expect to gain knowledge, experience, and friendships.  And I feel that being here, just a few day into our time together, that I am going to make lots of friends. 

~excited about what is to come; 

ALMiller 

My reactions to being told I was one of the ones who won the essay contest

I still can hardly believe it!  At first, when they announced that we had won, I wasn’t sure whether or not I’d heard right.  I couldn’t understand why everyone was cheering and clapping and hugging.  Finally, though, it dawned on me what was going on and I leaped out of my seat and began excitedly jumping up and down and hugging everyone I ran into, even people I’d never met before!  After writing that paper, going through that interview, and worrying about it for weeks, we finally found out that we were the ones selected to go… and now we have this incredible journey ahead of us.  I’m still just overwhelmed with excitement!

This is such an amazing opportunity and I can’t wait to continue on in this journey with the others in my group.  I know that everyone is just as excited, if not more than excited, as I am.  I really look foreward to this entire experience!

~Janelle Gross~

Reaction

Well, when I first figured out I was going to Poland I was in complete shock! I was wanting to call my parents and tell them I was one of the 20 students, but they kept us for a little bit to do some housekeeping. When I actually got the chance to call my parents, they didn’t seem too happy, but they were still proud! They weren’t happy because I am going to be traveling overseas WITHOUT them! The weird thing is, I can barely travel to Dallas or Lubbock without them, I’m interested to see how this trip is going to turn out! Come to think of it, my mom was wanting to know if we were needing chaparones! haha!! (I know we don’t though!)

Scary…

So, one day I got an e-mail telling me that I was a semi-finalist in the essay contest to “follow in the footsteps” of Elie Wiesel.  I freaked out.  I called my dad and practically yelled it into the phone.  Good times.  The e-mail said that I had to sign up for an interview time.  So I did. 

Interview day comes along, and I go in with 3 other people.  At the same time.  Awkward?  Not really.  When the interview is done, and everybody is getting up to leave, I ask, “So, do we get to keep the nametags?”  Laughter followed.  That’s good. 

A week later, I get another e-mail.  This one says that they couldn’t decide on their finalists.  That we have to do another interview.  I have to admit, I was a little bit frustrated.  The day of the “interview,” I started getting ready.  And when I go to bursh my teeth, I lock myself out of my room.  I ran down, got the RA to unlock it for me, finished getting dressed and walked all the way across campus, with 10 minutes to go until the “interview.” 

I get there….and I realize that I FORGOT MY NAMETAG.  I could have kicked myself.  I kept thinking, “Oh, my gosh!  They’re not going to pick me because I forgot my nametag!”  So, I go into the room with the other “semi-finalists,” and they all have theirs.  Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart comes in and says, “The first interview we didn’t want to be scary….this one’s kind of scary.”  Well, crap. 

We pair up, go into the other room, find a seat…..and then, BAM!  The most amazing news of all time!  WE GET TO GO TO POLAND!!!!!! 

I sat there for almost 2 minutes….waiting for it to sink in.  When it did?  Yes, I’ll admit it.  I cried.  Tears of joy came out of my eyes. 

 That has got to be, if not THE happiest, then ONE of the happiest days of my life.  And I’ll never forget who my partner was, either!  ALLAN KHAN!  Ha-ha.