Ah, MY senior column. The thought of writing this has been daunting, but I think writing this has helped me process the fact that I’m graduating from my dream school, since well… birth. I’ve been such a mess trying to grasp that the thing I worked for my entire life and was my biggest goal I’ve ever earned is now over. Before I get too sappy, let me take you through a heavily summarized version of why this school means so much to me.

Background:

Growing up, I practically was Mr. Penn State. I had been known as the Penn State kid growing up in school. That’s because of my parents. Each Saturday growing up, we all congregated in the living room for at least 3-4 hours and watched the Penn State game. If we weren’t at home, we either watched the game or recorded it. This not only instilled a love for Penn State as a whole and a burning passion for college football, but also sparked my interest in a career in sports. 

In between going to games growing up (including Joe Pa’s 400th win), and continuing our Saturday tradition, this only added fuel to the fire of my Penn State fandom. I was determined to become a Penn Stater like my parents. My childhood consisted of moments like tailgating with college kids and dancing in frog boots that solidified this goal for me. 

When senior year rolled around, everyone knew where I was going. While it was cool to see people identify me with my goal and dream, it was scary if I wasn’t able to get in. Luckily, I had built up such a high school resume that I was admitted into Penn State within 72 hours of applying. This made finishing up senior year almost impossible. I remember trying to take things day by day… which that advice has turned out to be evergreen as it’s kept me sane this year.

I’ll never forget the feeling of moving into Pinchot Hall in August of 2022. It felt like I was somehow moving into another place that felt like home, yet I still faced many common hardships like being homesick and establishing good and healthy routines while having so many opportunities for fun at my fingertips. There are a lot of people I met that year who were my rock and are still close with, but also taught me valuable lessons that I needed to learn. 

If I had to pick one of the toughest years of my life, I’d easily say my sophomore and junior years. These two years kicked my ass, to be quite honest, but it pushed me to be someone I’m proud of today. I made A LOT of mistakes and decisions that I regret, but I learned to ‘wear’ it and was able to find a takeaway and move on and be better. The spring of sophomore year is when I joined Onward State. When I had nothing, Onward State had my back. It was some of the first friends I had made after facing some of the hardest times of my life. These friendships I formed initially when joining are still people I lean on today (don’t worry, you’ll get your thank yous later in this).

I was also able to become involved in THON as I worked to become a Public Relations Chair, which was a position created for me. Being able to represent Phi Who in THON and form a relationship with our families made me appreciate so much of what I have, what I’ve done, and what my parents and God have given me in my life. In between helping to cover THON for Onward and working as a chair, and getting to dance this year, it pushed me and gave me so many new perspectives on the ground I stand and how I can give back. 

This year, experiencing the “last times” and the “one more times” has been truly an experience that has put everything into perspective, like thinking my year would only be good if we won a football national championship, oh, how could I be so wrong (in two ways, not just the fact we went 7-6). It was never about the wins and losses; it was about the journey and the people and lifelong friends I’ve made, not even trying to sound cheesy and cliché, but it’s true. Now, it’s time for me to turn the page, close this book, open a new one, and pick up my pen again to write a whole new chapter and journey in my life. But before I fully close my “book” I’ve been writing my entire childhood, I’d like to say some thank yous to some important people. 

New People, I’ve met this year

To Alex, Maddie (Madeline), I wish I had met y’all sooner. You guys have given me some of my favorite memories of college, and I hope you know I’ll miss you guys dearly. In between all the jokes, pre-games, bars, and other random things we’ve done together, it’s been nothing short of a blast. You’re both some of the closest people in my life for different reasons, obviously, but you guys are so great at what you do, and being yourself. Never change, {except please decide on things more :) }

OS Friends (Graduated)

Thank you guys. You were the first friend I made when I had nobody. You guys took me in and loved me for me. I’ll never forget hearing “Flen” just start to stick, and you guys all made me feel loved and appreciated. Nolan and Evan, you guys are my rock. You guys are some of my closest friends to date, and I genuinely don’t know where I’d be without you. I’ve been taking walks by myself, trying to process where in life I am right now, and I just miss y’all being there with me on our walks. Thank you, Hailey and Mikey, for taking the time to meet with me and help me learn photography and give me the confidence to now shoot senior portraits confidently, in my ability to make people smile and excited for their pictures. Thank you, Joe, for being just as energetic and stupid as me and being a ring leader in stupidity together. I miss those times more than you know, buddy. Thank you, Kyra, for all the Blog-Mob planning and other times you’ve helped me navigate tough situations, not just in photography. All of y’all’s individual efforts towards me will never be forgotten, and I hold them near and dear to my heart. Y’all always made me feel included in your plans (even to the bars as a young guy).  I love y’all so much. 

OS Friends now

Cooper and Jack (The JUICE is LOOSE), I’m going to miss y’all so much. You’ve been there for me for so much over the last 5 semesters, and I consider you guys to be some of my closest friends in general, not just at Penn State. I’m so proud of y’all and can’t wait to see where you guys go and achieve. I hope to stay connected and hang out as much as possible when we are close (geographically speaking). To everyone else not named, I still thank you for all the jokes and fun times between Blog-Mobs, beating The Daily Collegian 3 times (plug my football highlights that day here), formals, and even meetings. I’ve looked forward to Sundays in the Carnegie building for a while now, and I will certainly miss them. Keep making the blog great! Keep pouring into each other and being each other’s rock, like y’all were for me.

Phi Who

There are so many people to thank for my 6 amazing semesters in this fraternity. I’m so thankful I was able to represent the frat as a THON chair and as a THON dancer. Some of the proudest things I’ve done in college have come because of y’all, and I am going to miss what the house was able to do for me during my time at Penn State. It truly taught me to give and expect nothing thereof. 

Nick

How do I even start this? If I had to sum up almost four years of memories, ups and downs, highs and lows, I think the only appropriate phrase would be ‘Thank you.’ When I was broke, you helped me, when I was at my literal lowest, you drove me to the hospital. Your good heart and character shone through every day. Who knew us being so similar yet different would lead to me feeling like I had a brother? I’ll never run out of good things to say about you, buddy. To the best roommate, wingman, drinking buddy, anything else random buddy, and lastly, brother, I love you, dude. Thank you. 

Matt (Game-ender, smoot, goosebumps, etc.), Mia, Aurora

My day ones. Seeing y’all come up here to Penn State and make home away from home feel that much more comfortable for weekends at a time was truly a blessing. Having the privilege to grow up next to you guys and still be friends today is something I hold close to me. It’s been an honor to watch you guys achieve greatness both on and off the Wyndemere basketball court, and I’ll always be your number 1 fan. I hope we all get to be together soon before we each depart on our individual journeys. I love y’all

-” Little” brother

Steven

A very similar situation as above, I’m so thankful for maintaining our friendship and keeping in touch despite the distance, and having you come up a few times and experience what my dream growing up felt like meant so much to me. We’ve had some overly great times here, and I also look forward to being your biggest fan, no matter what’s thrown at us. I love you like a brother. 

Teachers over the years

From Harrison Road Elementary to Spotsylvania High, I’ve had some amazing teachers who continued to push me to be the best version of myself, not what others thought I was, because they knew my parents through the county. Thank you for letting me grow and find myself while also pushing me to keep reaching for the stars. Between Mrs. Hurley, Mrs. Chonko, Mrs. Cerrillo, and Mrs. Walsh, you guys all helped me establish who exactly Noah Flenard is. I’m so thankful for you guys all helping to guide me and nurture my love for learning, which continues today, because of you all. You all helped me learn what leadership looks like in my own way. I could go on and on, but I can’t thank you and the others along the way.

Colson

Dude, what a time it’s been. From growing up together with Brady, to then getting Penn State ready for me, to eventually handing me the keys to State College, you’ve been everything to me. Being friends since we were 8 years old is something I give thanks for every day. You and your family have always been my second family, and I thank you for that. I could have never imagined Penn State being as good as it was without you, and I think that’s the beauty in it. This was my dream forever, as you knew, yet it just so happened that my best friend got to live his dream while I lived mine at the same school. It was such a blessing and a highlight of my life to have you here at Penn State. I’ll never shut up about my experiences with you between bars, porch beers, football games, and tailgates, or my first dining hall lunch being with you in North Halls. Watching you leave Penn State without me was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and I now know how you felt. I love you, dude, thank you for making my dream school what it was, because it wouldn’t have been the same without you.

Family

To my family, I give so much thanks for supporting me as I navigated the new transition from being home to college. You guys all read my articles, watched my on-air appearances, and always supported me throughout my childhood. I can’t thank you guys enough. Shoutout, Grandma, for the notes that you’d send in the mail (and the $20), which I’ve kept over the years. It’s the little things you all have done for me that have helped me have great experiences here. Can’t wait to see you guys at graduation, and I love y’all, Brittons & Flenards!

Mom and Dad

Lastly, Mom and Dad. I can’t even begin to process this, yet y’all have been there every step of the way. Thank you for creating such a loving home for me to find myself in. Thank you for letting me be myself and creating such a unique relationship where I could come to you with anything. Thank you for giving me the love and passion you had for Penn State as students. Thank you for being my biggest advocates, yet letting me figure it out. Mom, you’re the strongest leader and hardest worker I know. You taught me everything I know about working for what I want and earning it. Dad, you’re easily the most compassionate and caring person on this Earth. It is truly an honor to be mistaken as “Drew,” to have your name as my middle name, and to be compared to you, constantly growing up. The combination of y’all as a team has made me who I am today. Thank you.

After my long, long, long blurbs of thank yous, I leave Penn State, Onward State, and Phi Who better than when I came. I was always meant to be a Nittany Lion, and I will forever be the proudest alumnus.

We Are…