Christal Carnelli '10
"The World Awaits Us!"
Saint Joseph College celebrated Investiture on October 19th, an annual ceremony wherein the members of the junior class are recognized as scholars by the campus community. Christal C. Carnelli '10, Child Study major, delivered the following remarks to the members of the Class of 2010:
"Are you going to Convocation?" my roommate, freshman year, asked me. "Ugh. What is Convocation anyway?" I asked her. "It's probably just going to be one of those silly things that they drag all of the freshmen to," I told her. As a freshman I would have much rather sat in my room with the door shut than participate in campus activities. But somehow or another, I was coerced into attending Convocation by my orientation leaders. I have to admit that I was not excited to attend. But what I saw when I stepped outside when it was time for the ceremony, was anything but what I had expected. The entire student body was lined up by class, carrying carnations, ready to march in a procession to The Chapel. Even the faculty were there, dressed in their academic robes. It seemed like the whole campus had come to a screeching halt, just for this one tiny ceremony. It was then that I realized Convocation is more than just a tradition, and Saint Joseph College is more than just a college. I was only beginning to understand that this environment is truly a community, a community rich in tradition, devoted to academics, and fostering personal growth.
After surviving a freshman year of locked doors and voluntary seclusion, I, for some strange reason, applied and was selected, to be a peer mentor for the new incoming freshman class. I would be responsible for leading orientation groups over the summer, as well as assisting a whole class of first years throughout their first semester at school. And, I would even be obligated to keep my door open. At first, I regretted my decision. What in the world was I thinking? But what happened to me in the process of becoming a peer mentor and orientation leader was a process that exemplifies what Saint Joseph College is all about. I gained confidence in myself, made connections with others on campus, and began to enjoy campus activities. But my personal transformation story is not one that is unique to me. Saint Joseph College is a place where women can become who they want to be, and reach their full potential. I've seen this happen in myself, as well as in the other members of my class.
At the Convocation Ceremony of 2006, 133 members of the 2010 class sat in The Conner Chapel of Our Lady. It was our first experience with a true college tradition, one of the many we would be exposed to during our time here at Saint Joseph College ... We weren't quite sure of who we wanted to become, or what it was exactly that we wanted to get out of our college careers. We asked ourselves, "What will I major in?" "What career do I want to have?" And, "how can I make a difference in someone's life?" We knew we wanted to better ourselves, the community, and the world, but we didn't quite know how we were going to do it. We were a class with big ambitions.
To me, participating in Investiture is not simply participating in just another college tradition. Investiture is about being a part of this great institution,and reflecting back on how it has helped us to become the dramatically different women we are today. I am no longer the shy, secluded freshman student I once was. I am now a student leader, working with incoming freshmen at orientations, assisting them with the move-in process, and guiding them through both their personal and academic struggles. Investiture is a time for us to look back and admire the distance we've traveled down our academic and personal paths ... We've come so far from where we started in 2006. We are no longer the group of confused freshmen who sat in this Chapel two years ago. We have grown into strong, confident women with a direction in life.
Members of our class are studying abroad, leading clubs, organizing fundraisers, volunteering in soup kitchens, practicing in hospitals, mentoring students from Hartford, and so much more. Some members of our class are even mothers, opting to start a new phase of their lives by furthering their education. We are a diverse class all working toward the same goal, and Saint Joseph College is guiding us toward our ambitions. This institution has already afforded us a wealth of knowledge and experience that have prepared us to face nursing clinicals, student teaching, and internships.
I know that as we continue along the final segment of our journey, we will support one another with the blessing of the faculty, our friends, families, and God. I know we will continue to grow as women, leaders, professionals, and scholars. Saint Joseph College will open many doors for us. The world awaits.
