I’m working on this blog as I’ve already attended my meeting for the week. At the time though, I wasn’t sure whether or not to make this my speech or invocation.
August 26 is a special day for me. On this day 25 years ago, my family and I were on our way to Johnstown. The purpose was to move me into my dorm room at the Hiram G. Andrews Center. My aunt and sister drove to Ames just down the road at the Westwood Plaza to pick up hangers for my closet. After getting me moved in, we ate dinner at Ryan’s next to the Johnstown Galleria. Ryan’s is long gone and the Galleria has really changed as malls have been on the way out. I’m really dating myself, but Richland Mall was still around in 2000. The mall itself was closed but the K-Mart and Ames remained open.
That weekend was a changing of the guard as I would be away from home for the first time in my life. I’d still come home on weekends for the first couple of months. Eventually, I’d gain enough courage to stay on Saturdays and Sundays. During the week I’d live in one of the dorm rooms and take my classes at the school. It was hard for both my mother and me as we parted ways that Sunday. We were both dealing with a new season in our lives. I would be home for the Labor Day holiday weekend that Friday.
It didn’t have to happen, and I was more than qualified to attend the local community college. I couldn’t leave this out of the speech but my mom thought it was better for me to attend and live at HGA so I could learn to be independent. It was a decision that has shaped me into who I am today. I like to joke that while Slippery Rock was a great experience, HGA has the upper hand.
When I came up with the title for this speech, “Climbing the Mountain”, it related to the drive up there. We took US 30 to Ligonier and after going through town, eventually hit PA 271 which went up the mountain to a beautiful suburb called Westmont. It also related to the hilltop the school is on, and fittingly enough the school district there is named Westmont Hilltop. Third, college itself is its own mountain. We climb that mountain with a goal of reaching the top (which can be defined as achieving our diploma or degree).
Some of my most fond memories being at the Hiram G. Andrews Center include:
Taking part in recreational activities after classes let out for the day. The school had a nice rec hall where you could do lots of things. Going to dances a couple of nights a week and taking part in bowling at Richland Lanes were two of my favorite activities.
Learning the public transportation system around Westmont, which would benefit me later on in time there. The first time I took part in riding the bus, I got a free trip to the Galleria Mall.
Having family nearby while I was attending the school. My relatives were in Somerset and Berlin and my cousin was living in Johnstown. We got together a few times while I was at school.
Just that first semester alone brought many memories of my time there. Having my cousin give me a grand tour of Johnstown early in my first semester; purchasing some nice things from the student store; going with my aunt on a Saturday morning to a craft show and then having lunch at Eat’n Park. We also went to the Galleria a few times to have lunch and go Christmas shopping.
My classes helped me ease into college life. When I started at HGA, I didn’t have a major like everyone else. I was listed as a Pre-Baccalaureate major and my plan was to transfer in the Spring. I wouldn’t be going far though. Like every place I’ve been, there was drama. Being a new student, there was a chance that I could get taken advantage of. As a matter of fact, that did happen to me a few times at the school.
I only took classes at the school for one semester, as stated in my original plans. I transferred to the local community college, which had a branch at the Hiram G. Andrews Center. I continued to live in the dorms while taking classes there.
HGAC was a stepping stone in my academic career. In a future blog, I want to discuss what it meant to climb the mountain along with what obstacles I had to face along the way. That and dealing with anxiety and nervous ticks while in college and as a young adult.
Stylish 🍒 