The End of a Great Chapter
I love reading books; it’s something that I have enjoyed since I was little. There’s just something about the adventures the characters experience that intrigue me. However, it’s always bittersweet when I finish a great book or series… and that’s how I feel about this summer. The crazy, chaotic, wonderful opportunities I was given have all been one big adventure that I will never forget. The car rides that turned into concerts by the three of us, the trips to get ice cream, the bonds that I formed with the kids in the Beginner Gardeners program, the laughs with the Power of Produce kids, the amazing conversations while weeding and harvesting at donation gardens, and the unforgettable friendships I’ve been lucky enough to form with everyone at each of the Extension offices in Region 1. All these memories and more will stick with me for the rest of my life.
I would to send a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this summer as memorable as it has been. I believe I can speak for all three of us when I say you all have truly made us feel at home. We could not have done what we did this summer without each and every one of you; your help was invaluable, whether it was a shoulder to lean on when projects were chaotic, help finding last minute supplies, aiding us in design work (huge shout out to Kiley and Mackenzie), or even just a casual conversation in an office. We will forever be thankful for all of you, and we feel truly blessed to have had you in our lives.
The best summer internship imaginable is over, and the bittersweet feeling is sinking in, just like finishing a good book. The bags are packed, the supplies returned to the respective offices, the apartment is cleaned, the parking lot is empty. The countless hours of planning and executing programs, events, and projects have come to an end. The only remaining thing on the “Region 1 Rising Star To-Do” list is the presentation to the deans of all the ISU colleges tomorrow. This chapter of the 2018 Region 1 Rising Star Interns may be coming to a close, but I am excited to see how the experiences we had this summer will lead each of us as we choose our next adventure (in true Iowa State University fashion).
So here’s to an unforgettable summer internship with the most amazing people in a wonderful region!
Allie Faivre