It was 13 years ago that I found myself accepted to Youngstown State University in Youngstown State University. I had many dreams in my boyhood. Going to YSU was near the top of the list.

At the tender age of eight years, I told my art teacher, Mr. Anderson, that I wanted to go to Youngstown State when I grew up. He told me that I had plenty of time before that.

10 years later, this boyhood dream of mine was realized. YSU served as the setting for some of the most magical moments I’ve ever had and ever will have.

From the sun-drenched summer morning where I came onto the campus for the first time until the rain-swept Saturday afternoon in 2017 where I graduated, I enjoyed every minute… even if commencement went way too fast that spring day.

From all of the football games that I saw, including the overtime thriller in the third round of the FCS Playoffs my senior year, to all of the lessons I learned, to all of the friends I made and kept, I wouldn’t have traded those years away for anything else.

Wave for the Red and White! Go, YSU!