Loretto Justice Fellow End of Year Reflection

Loretto Justice Fellow Edward Smith completed his fellowship with the Opportunity Center and reflects on his experience: 

It has been six months since I finished my last reflection paper, and I cannot not believe how much has changed with not just myself but also with the people that I was connected to while in this fellowship. I know, having learned so many new things, that this will continue to be a life-changing and eventful year. I had not expected to have learned new skills while in this program such as leadership, tactics on remaining composed, and learning new ways to remain calm during stressful situations and staying grounded. I also did not expect to get back into my old hobby of drawing; it was a good way to de-stress whenever I felt like I was overwhelmed. 

This time was filled with unique and unforgettable experiences created while my other fellows and I were together. It left me loving the program and showing so much more a side of myself that I had nearly forgotten. The very comfortable environment provided not just me but my other fellows with new experiences and memories. The spark that we had gotten when we first were part of this fellowship turned into a blazing fire that we all will carry from now on. We will share not just the experience that we learned in the program but will also maintain connections with everyone that we have met and continue to grow closer together. 

I am sure that as we grow and develop our skills we will also continue to grow and flourish with each passing day as we all reach new heights, thanks to both the guidance and inspiration that we have gained while in this program. These experiences I will make sure to also teach to my clients in the far future and will continue to carry for myself