Hats off to you!

It doesn’t seem like that long ago it was my final week of high school, same classrooms you were in, preparing my cap and gown, and beginning to think what life was going to look like outside of Murdo. I couldn’t wait. I was ready to “be an adult” and not have to worry anymore about what time I got home. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have the opportunity to experience all of thrills and excitement that was headed my way, but I think that’s the best part… You can’t predict what adventure your life will take you on.

My freshmen year, I found myself coming home frequently and heading back to school after a weekend wasn’t easy. If I were to guess, 90% of my trips back to SDSU were filled with tears… but I did it. Three months into school, I knew Murdo was where I wanted to live. I was constantly bragging about our location- “We’re in the middle of I-90 and we have so many people that travel through Murdo in the summertime!” My goal was to come back and serve the locals but think about how we can attract tourists. So, I chose to major in Hospitality and Hotel Management. I was ready to dive deep into my major when a curve ball got thrown my way. My college roommate asked if I wanted to go to Hawaii next semester to school. It felt like a no-brainer.

My sophomore year, I lived on Oahu. Best experience of my whole entire life. I learned how to navigate the island, find a job, see the world from a completely different lens. The laid-back island lifestyle was great. So great that I brought back 12 credits, 10 of them which were general credit hours. In a year. I wouldn’t change that year for anything. That was the pivotal year that I learned my voice and how to stand up for myself when my family was all the way back in this little town of 500 people. When I was living in Oahu, I thought I would never move back home…until I came home for summer break and my heart just told me this was where I am supposed to be.

My junior and senior years I played catch up from my 12 credits I brought back from Hawaii. I graduated from SDSU with my degree in Hospitality and Hotel Management and minors in Business and Spanish. I got married a month after graduation and I went to work at the school, then I worked as a receptionist at the medical clinic, then made my way to the 4-H office as an assistant, until January 2022 when I became the Murdo Area Economic Development Director.

I didn’t want to share this article to just tell you my life story, but to share with you that you never really know where life is going to take you and it’s okay to enjoy the ride for a little bit. When you enjoy the ride, that’s where you gain life experiences. No one will ever be able to teach you how to respond when you’re faced with negative influences. You’re not taught how to react when cancer is introduced to your family. The beauty of your life begins now. You get to decide who you want to become, how you want to live, and what kind of impact you’d like to make. (No pressure...)

Photo credit: Barb Hockenbary Photography

To wrap this all up, please know that it’s okay if your plans after high school are to stay back and ranch or work in the community. It’s okay if you’re serving our country, attending school in a different state, living in a different state, or plan to return home. Murdo, Draper, and Okaton will always welcome you back when it’s time for you to come back and live or visit. Just remember, we want you to be here.