Written by Eden Jordan

When I applied to the WKU Xsposure program I couldn’t wait to see if I got in. Then as a week passed my heart sank a little because I thought that my paper had not stood out enough. Storing this disappointment for later inspection, I went along with my daily life. Then one day…I received a phone call from Chuck Clark. I had got in! Now here I am writing about my time at the workshop. I do not have the right words to convey the tremendous thanks I owe to the staff and to my fellow workshoppers. You’ve all been so wonderful to work with and leaving you will be like leaving home all over again.

There have been so many wonderful moments that it is hard to keep track of them all. Not only the time spent with new friends but time spent being a part of history. I’ll never forget going to the Muhammad Ali center to interview the people who were there to pay their respects. Nor will I forget pulling all nighters in an ice cold lobby to play blackjack for peanut butter cookies or scaring my roommate constantly.

I feel very blessed to have been allowed to participate in this workshop. I don’t think I could ever forget this experience. I have been surrounded by wonderful people, whether it be the workshoppers or leaders, constantly. It is so nice and refreshing to find a group of people you can relate to. I cannot thank the adults in this program enough for their amazing work and insight. I can definitely say I will be leaving this workshop as a better journalist. The fact that we all came to a great campus like WKU from all around the country is an impressive feat in and of itself.

So, I suppose the time will be coming for us all to pack up and say our goodbyes. I plan to stay in touch with my new friends and mentors because these people are much too incredible to never speak to again. With this bitter-sweet moment I would just like to say, thank you.