Henry Family Blog

As many of you know, I’ve been working on my Bachelor’s Degree for quite some time.  I am now taking a class at college #5.  I’ve learned a lot in the process and I can not wait to walk across that stage and receive my degree.

Here’s a little background just in-case you need to fill in the gaps.  In 1995, I attended SUNY Oneonta in New York.  I was eighteen years old and unsure about my future.  Oneonta is in the Catskill Mountains and is absolutely gorgeous.  It was very cold most of the time I was there but I didn’t seem to mind.  I made some great friends who I still keep in touch with and I had a great time.  I only attended Oneonta for one year.

Next, I joined the Army Reserves.  This was now 1996.  This is a long story so I’ll save the Army for another day.

In 1998, I was living in North Carolina and signed up at Cape Fear Community College.  It was just what I needed.  At the time, I was not one for long time commitments so I knew a community college was right for me.  Plus, I was living on my own and it was a lot cheaper than a university.  After a mild interruption from the Army where I had to miss a semester (yes, I will tell the story another day) I graduated with an Associate’s Degree in 2000.  I was very excited because I worked very hard and earned excellent grades.  I applied to some universities and was happy that this time around I actually had some choices.  I applied to UNC Wilmington, NC State, UNC Chapel Hill and University of Virginia. 

I started my enrollment at UNC Wilmington when I received a late acceptance from UNC Chapel Hill.  They were my first choice and I knew that was where I wanted to be.  It was a difficult decision due to the fact I had a long-time boyfriend who lived in Wilmington.  I knew I had to do what was right for me and I enrolled and moved to Chapel Hill. 

Carolina, as most call it, was everything I could ever have wanted in a college.   

I initially enrolled as a Math major.  After my first semester I knew that even though I enjoyed math, I belonged somewhere else.  I changed my major to Exercise and Sport Science.  This was a very good decision.  After a long year of academics and competitive rowing I was ready to enter my senior (and final) year as a college student.  I couldn’t believe the end was near.  I had so many plans.

I started my senior year in August of 2001.  At this time, I was still in the Army Reserves.  I was actually in year five of my six year enlistment.  Then, September 11th happened.  I was devastated.  I had a really hard time accepting what had happened.  I had many family and friends in the New York and D.C. area.  Thankfully everyone I knew was ok.  In less than two weeks, I was called to active duty and ordered to report to Fort Bragg on September 28, 2001.  My unit was one of the first 10,000 troops called to active duty for Operation Noble Eagle/Enduring Freedom.  I had to withdraw for college and put my education on hold.      

 To be continued…

Tags: Education //