Madelyn Lund

Throughout my journey of education and faith, my primary focus has been to ensure that I have surrounded myself with an uplifting community that would encourage me to reach my greatest potential. This year, I wanted to spend time pursuing a meaningful gap year opportunity rather than immediately attending college after graduating from high school. I decided to join City Year where I have been provided the opportunity to work directly in a third grade classroom which has affirmed aspirations to pursue a career in education. City Year’s purpose is to provide support for some of the most impoverished communities in the country, and to give the students an opportunity to reach their fullest potential. However, that is only attainable because City Year provides an uplifting community on its own for the Americorps Members. In taking this gap year, I have also dedicated more time to pursue a college with a strong program in Education where I would be able to thrive in an uplifting community. In my search for the ideal college throughout this year, I have found Franciscan University of Steubenville is exactly the type of institution that I want to continue my educational journey at in offering Education for Adolescent Young Adult Language Arts. After touring in November 2023, I discovered an extremely uplifting and motivating community that I would be grateful to be a part of. The welcoming atmosphere, fostered by a consistent commitment to Christ-centered living, was evident in every student that I encountered both during my campus tour and throughout my visit to the area. It is an environment where I believe my education would attain its greatest potential. I truly believe that for the future educators of our nation to positively influence future generations, a foundation rooted in God is essential. That foundation can only be cultivated if the future educators place themselves in an environment where just as Paul wrote to the Romans “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith” (Romans 1:11-12).