Life sometimes brings us to where we never thought we'd be; for Lydia Hall, that place was Spring Arbor University. An email from a track and field coach appeared in her inbox one day, convincing her to apply - and the rest is history!

Lydia, a thrower on the track and field team, has also had her share of trials balancing academics and sports. She says, “It’s better to keep up than catch up,” as her maxim for getting past hurdles and moving forward. By the time her senior year arrived, her fortitude had truly shone through. Academically, one of Lydia's most influential educators was Professor Pardee, whose genuine interest in people made a strong impression on her. Her favorite course was Trauma and Resilience which continued to ignite her passion to help others.

Her strongest experience of community at SAU was in the dorms in her first two years of college at Lowell Hall. It was there that she had made true friends who continued to support her and keep her grounded throughout. This was in addition to her faith, which has been an important part of Lydia's growth. She mentions especially appreciating how interactive chapel has been, inviting her to continue to build her faith. One of the highlights of her faith journey was getting to play drums in the Gospel Choir, “praising and worshiping God through music.”

Lydia expressed her passion for working with kids along with her enthusiasm for going out into the real world, equipped with the knowledge she has gained through her psychology degree. With an internship lined up for this summer, she is excited to see where life takes her!

Lydia’s words of encouragement for returning and new students are: "It's okay to not be okay." We sometimes feel like we need to act like everything's fine when, inside, we're hurting. You don't have to do it by yourself. Reach out, lean on your community, and let those who love you help carry you through. (Spoken like a true psychology major, if you ask me :) )

We are more than proud of Lydia and can't wait to see the impact she'll have on the world around her in the years ahead!