So, my journey in achieving the BU experience has been phenomenal for the past four months. But now it's time to explain one question, "Why on earth would you go to Bradley?" Here's my story:
Two-and-a-half years ago, I was an artistic figure skating champion who competed for eleven years and won nationally eight times. And the last national championships happened to be at the Peoria Civic Center, which was when I first noticed the banners of Bradley. After winning bronze in my events, I decided to retire from roller skating to pursue my passion for Theatre and Game Design.
If you want to take a look at skating abilities, type the link http://garydpeck.com/.
Anyways, from mid 2009 to the end of 2010, I narrowed a college list from 189 to eighteen, was accepted into twelve, got scholarships in six, and chose three. Ironically, Bradley was first because George Brown, the chair of Theatre and Interactive Media, e-mailed me saying that he'd love to see me audition– all I had to do was prepare a scene and sing a song. So my dad and I flew from California to Bradley during Spring Break, I auditioned, and just like that I got a $4,000 scholarship per year and was guaranteed a part of their next musical – "Ragtime". And when I told George I wanted to major in Theatre and Game Design, he asked me if I wanted to be a part of their first tech run of "America Live!", a game show combining Theatre and Game Design elements – I accepted and left the experience fascinated. While I performed - without even stopping - I made very quick decisions, avoided getting hit by Ping Pong balls or green goo, and the production team had nine different endings that I could choose from. From that point on, I fell in love with Bradley. Aside from all the craziness in theatre, I met my current roommate, Dan, and we chose Heitz to live in. Overall, the other two colleges that I had to attend did not even come close to the experience that I had at Bradley.
After graduating from high school, moving to a new apartment, and getting my permit and license, my dad and I packed everything in my car for Bradley. Also, I was e-mailed by Steve Snyder, the director of "Ragtime", that I would portray Harry Houdini and temporarily live in Wendle Hall on August 6th because rehearsals started two days later and Heitz wouldn't be ready until August 18th. After my last show of "Footloose" in California, my dad and I drove to Bradley in two days. From July 27th to 29th, I met new people, did a lot of activities, and was comfortable living in Williams. Choosing classes for my first semester was hard, but I had an enjoyable experience. With a week to kill, my dad and I left everything we would not need for Wisconsin. When August 6th came, I had to endure one of the most painful events of my life: I had to let my dad go. My dad and I were best buddies - but he had to fly back to Sacramento – and, at the time, I was angry and sad. But like all students, they had to move on, take responsibility for themselves, and pursue their journey towards the future. I was able to control myself and moved my stuff to Wendle.
And my first semester picks up from there.
Aside from Ragtime, my dorm room in Heitz, and Interactive Media, I've been involved in a plethora of clubs, main events, and classes. One class that I'm in is Bradley Chorale, an advanced choir group - so far we sang 20+ songs in the last four months. I'm currently involved in clubs such as BBQ Kitten (an improv comedy troupe), the Chess Club, Alpha Phi Omega (the co-ed theatre fraternity), and the Video Game Design Club. Event-wise, my friends and I went to Late Night BU (a exciting night of fun things to play & do), as well as playing sports together.
One major trip that I came across was moving to St. Louis. My entire floor in Heitz 2A and 2B and I went to St. Louis for a campus outreach for three days. We didn't know that game seven of the World Series was going to occur as well. So, my friends and I saw the Championships, went to the City Museum Park, and won the award for most team-orientated outfit at a Halloween party! Take a look (below):
My BU experience continues next semester. I know the classes I'm taking, I'm going to be involved in clubs like BBQ Kitten and Game Design, and even become a coach/trainer for roller skaters of all ages and sizes. I'm also rehearsing for a play called the "Tempest", which is the last play Shakespeare wrote before he died. As part of my BU experience during the last two weeks of my winter break, the cast and faculty of the "Tempest" will be rehearsing and exploring in the streets and theatres of London! My BU experience has opened to an endless variety of things to do, but it is as important to just be you.
Thank you everyone for looking at my website!
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