The Conquistador

Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: Opinion

Celia Prince, Managing Editor

I've come into a new chapter in my life, a time of letting go. I've been here at Dodge City Community College for two years, the expected time, but not with the same results as what many would expect. Most at this time will be graduating and using the summer break to prepare for the school they will transfer to. I will be using this time to prepare to deploy to Afghanistan in December.
When many will be taking the time to say goodbye to their parents, closest friends, and roommates, I will be saying goodbye to just about everyone that I've met over the past two years. Although this is bittersweet, it also comes with peace. A closing of one chapter to the opening of another is a pretty cool thing to witness once recognized.
I've been thinking a lot about what to expect and how to prepare, and I've come to learn that the best way to prepare is just to relax. Of course, there is the unknown to be scared about, but I'm told that if I wasn't scared, than I wouldn't be human. So, the going and doing part doesn't have me worried. In fact, I don't think I'm worried anymore.
No, I think I'm just sad. I've made a lot of good friends and gained so much that I wouldn't trade any of the experiences, not even the bad ones. This last semester has especially been one for the memory books. Growing close so quickly with so many new people and caring for them and, even with the heartache along the way, has made me a better person.
One of the things that sticks with me the most is an article I read my first year here. I was looking through the archives of the school's paper when I found a goodbye column that mentioned what an impact DC3 had on her. She talked about how much she would miss Lake Charles and how green the campus gets. She went on to say that her time here at this juco took her awhile to complete, but it was worth it.
At the time, I thought, "How could a place out in the middle of southwestern nowhere leave you with such a wonderful feeling?" What's strange about this little city of Dodge City is the impression it has left on me. A town that to be honest, I never heard of before, (sorry, I didn't grow up with television to know about Gunsmoke and the gunslinging Wyatt Earp) has given me a sense of belonging; maybe, even the ability to call it home. I moved around a lot when I was younger, so this is quite an endeavor to feel "at home" in a new place.

Continued...

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