Interview with a College Student: Lauren's Story

College is a huge undertaking for anybody and is a commitment to a lot of hard work.  Some people commit to so much more than others though.  Lauren has been working full-time at Walmart as an apparel zone manager for 9 1/2 years now.  Amazingly, as a first time college student in her first semester, Lauren has taken on a full time school schedule along with working full-time.  That is quite a commitment and a work load I couldn't even fathom.  With this being her first semester here at Cedar Crest Lauren has taken on Chemistry (which she loathes), College Writing, Pre-Nursing and Art Therapy courses.  Her major is Nursing which just so happens to be her dream career.  Having been shy most of her life Lauren had originally thought about a career in accounting.  But as time went on she has realized that she wants to help people and when questioned what job she would do if she could have any job in the world, her reply was nursing.  It's such a blessing to be involved in a career that you love.

Lauren has two brothers and a sister.  Her older brother, named Brandon, is a member of the US Air Force and was recently stationed in Europe.  I would like to take a moment to thank him for his service.  Her younger brother's name is Brett and her sister's name is Kristin who is the same age.  Growing up Brandon would sit on her until Lauren would play Risk with him.  Risk is a military strategy board game that I have no clue how to play.  Lauren played Risk so much, as a result of being sit on, to the point where she was able to place 3rd in a Risk tournament against all ages of people when she was just 13 years old!  I think that's so cool.  Lauren also was part of a bowling league up until she was 21.  Another super cool thing, which I hope to do some day, is skydiving.  Lauren has been skydiving 3 times now and has a goal to be able to do a solo jump at least once.  In skydiving, you must jump tandem (meaning you are strapped onto a more experienced jumper) until you have completed 8 tandem jumps, attend a 1 hour class and then 5 more tandem jumps.  Another goal of Lauren's is to participate in the Warrior Dash with her brother Brandon.  The Warrior Dash is a military boot-camp style obstacle course that is 3.3 miles long.  She is using this charity run for St Jude's Children's Hospital as motivation to get in shape. Good luck Lauren!

Although Lauren does not have any kids of her own she is extremely family oriented.  She has two nieces belonging to her older brother Brandon.  Their names are Kylie and Hailey.  Her Sister has two daughters names Savannah and Madilyn.  And her younger brother Brett has a little boy on the way who's due in January.  Lauren's roommate also has a daughter named Hannah who Lauren  counts as another niece.  Lauren lives in New Tripoli with her roommate Melissa and her two cats Bella and Sammy.  Lauren has moved 5 times in her life.  From growing up in Kutztown to Allentown, back to Kutztown, then over to Orefield and finally to New Tripoli where she hopes to stay while she finishes college.

                                                        

College is a great place to meet all sorts of people.  It is amazing the things that others have accomplished that you would never know about unless you ask.  So find someone and strike up a conversation, you never know who you'll meet!