When I started applying to colleges, I put in an application to Penn State strictly because it was a state school with a big football program.

But when that acceptance letter came in, I decided to give it a try and visit. That February, my family and I made our way to State College, and there was no denying it was where I was meant to be.

Like Carrie Bradshaw from the show “Sex and the City,” I always wanted to write. While we may have different subjects for our writing, that creative passion has been the base of my time at Penn State. Onward State became my New York Star magazine, and I joined the blog in August 2021.

I did not have any real writing experience, and it took me a long time to feel like I deserved to be in the spot I was in. But I did find home in Rec Hall. That 95-year-old building on the west side of campus was my holy grail. Between wrestling and women’s volleyball, I attended dozens of games and duals. I learned so much about the sports I was reporting on and writing, and I got to work alongside some great people along the way.

When I wasn’t writing, I spent plenty of time learning. I have always loved school, and the ability to take any class I wanted always left me excited for the next semester. Sort of how Carrie Bradshaw went on dates to get material, I spent time reading the news, looking through social media, and meeting plenty of folks around campus to always see something new.

One of my favorite parts about this university is seeing how much more it is than a football school. There are amazing clubs, museums, productions, classes, and people everywhere you go. While the “We Are” chant may not be used all the time, the meaning stands true with every person who attends this school.

I wouldn’t be honest if I said that every day here was perfect because some days of college were extremely hard. There are so many ups and downs and periods of loneliness that it can feel like you are drowning. But to see all the efforts of my hard work come together as I write this column, I could not be more proud of myself for getting to this point.

There were times when I did not know if I wanted to stay in Happy Valley, but I sure am glad that I did. For others who also get that feeling, just because something is hard does not mean it isn’t right. I have only grown from every experience I went through here, good and bad, and in the end, it made me a better person.

Carrie Bradshaw eventually left the New York Star for Vogue, and I like to think that I am moving on to bigger and better, too. Just like Bradshaw owes the Star for her start, I will forever owe the blog for fueling my passion and supporting my college journey.

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Now, onto some thank yous:

To my family, thank you for being there every step of the way and always having my back. I am so thankful for always having a loving support system to go home to and for just being a phone call away anytime I needed it.

To my wonderful friends, Meghan and Sarah, thank you for acting as my bright light even on dreary State College days. Your friendship and kindness, alongside many laughs, are some of my best memories. In the words of Ms. Bradshaw, “They say nothing lasts forever; dreams change, trends come and go, but friendships never go out of style.”

To my boyfriend, Brandon, you have been my rock every day. I am glad to say that the long-distance car rides are over, and there is no one else I want to start this next phase of life with.

To the marvelous individuals of this blog, thank you for sharing your talents, humor, and dedication with me. Every Sunday in Carnegie brought something new and something to look forward to. Specifically, I want to thank some of my first college friends Keeley Lamm and Mikey DeAngelis for sticking by me and the blog all this time.

To my lovely partners on the Penn State wrestling beat, Cooper and Brendan, thank you for your dedication to the beat and for letting me mentor you. I am so glad to pass the reins to you two and see your accomplishments. I also want to thank Will Pegler and Erin Sullivan for introducing me to this sport that has helped shape my college career.

It wouldn’t be my ode to Penn State without saying thank you to some of the other things that made my college experience. Thank you to Cael Sanderson, Angry Orchard, Champs Downtown, Pickle’s Country Night, El Jefe’s, Rec Hall, Cafe 210, the fourth floor of the Paterno Library, and 814 Cider Works.

And lastly, thank you to 18-year-old me who took a leap of faith in the big school with a good football team. You have led me to amazing friends, 237 published stories, three NCAA wrestling National Championships, the Olympic trials, two degrees, and another fanbase that will last with me forever.

To quote Carrie Bradshaw once again, “And just like that,” I was a college graduate.