I remember the moment when I officially chose the University of Oregon. I was the annoying girl who applied to 10 colleges. My family did college tours across the country and I took the ACT and SAT an obnoxious amount of times. But then I visited a friend at UO and that weekend sealed my fate. I was going to be a Duck. From my first cup of jungle juice – made in the recycling bins in Hamilton – I was sold.

There is something about this place that is magical. Maybe it’s the fact that this Arizona girl saw rain for the first time – and also the 999th. But, I think it has to do with how unique Eugene is – it’s the way front lawns fill with people on a sunny day. The feeling of success when you score a booth at Max’s. The first glimpse of the “O” through the trees on the walk to Autzen.

I have spent the four best years of my life at Oregon, and it won’t be easy to leave. I’m not scared of losing friends because I know that the people I’ve found here will be in my life forever. I’m terrified to leave the simplicity of being here. I can’t imagine not waking up after a night out and crawling into my roommate’s bed to laugh about our night before. I hate the fact that in the real world I might not have a karaoke machine in my living room and be able to use it four nights a week. I’ll miss how acceptable it is to drink Burnetts (or maybe it still isn’t but my friends and I do it anyway). I can’t imagine a spring that didn’t involve me and my eight roommates sipping cider on our porch and counting how many people we know who walk past.

Class of 2014, we’ve been lucky enough to go here when Oregon football reigned – we’ve been to a bowl game every year for the past four. We’ve seen our school transform – does anyone else remember the incessant 7 a.m. banging as Matthew Knight was built? Every year more and more people want to go here. Oregon has improved over the past four years, but so have we.

The person who will throw up her cap on June 16 is completely different than the one who moved into Bean four years ago. I’ve grown up here. UO has intimidated me, challenged me and brought me immense joy. There have been professors who expanded my mind and students who inspired me to dream bigger.

Picking UO was easy, but leaving it will be difficult. Every year I look at the incoming freshman and think how jealous I am that they’re just starting this journey. I don’t think that feeling will ever go away, but I also wouldn’t trade where I am now for anything. These last four years have been incredible and I want to thank every person who has been a part of them.