It’s that time of year when we are getting ready to say goodbye to our seniors as they graduate and continue their lives beyond undergrad. Despite their departure, it’s important to acknowledge the journeys that led our seniors to where they are today. 

Claire LeBlond, a senior liberal arts major and art minor, transferred to EMU in the spring of 2021 with no clue of what the next few semesters would turn out to be.

LeBlond, passionate about health justice and advocacy, chose to come to EMU solely for the nursing program here. Though she believes that the nursing program is wonderful, it was in that program that Claire realized she didn’t want to be a nurse. She knew she needed more time to understand herself and grow. After a semester of nursing classes, Claire switched their major.

Born and raised in Charlottesville with no Mennonite connections, Claire had initially never imagined herself graduating from a Mennonite college. LeBlond’s undergraduate journey started at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. Claire later took a break for personal reasons and then went back to their hometown of Charlottesville to attend Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC). After completing classes at PVCC, Claire joined EMU.

“I’m a highly transferred individual,” Claire joked as she referred to her undergraduate journey.

Claire credits Assistant Provost for Student Success Zach Yoder for helping her find the liberal arts major, which she jokingly calls the “do whatever I want degree”.

“It really helped me explore what really matters to me,” Claire said, referring to the liberal arts major. The flexible major allowed Claire to learn about important topics such as restorative justice and peacebuilding, which they knew little to nothing about prior to their attendance at EMU. Claire was also able to take several art classes, which they say reminded them of home, specifically their mother and grandmother who highly influenced Claire’s love for art ever since she was a child. Outside of class, Claire does a lot of fabric art such as crocheting as well as any projects her mom might be working on.

Claire is also a member of the Shenandoah Gem and Mineral Society. The Shenandoah Gem and Mineral Society, as Claire describes it is “a big group of hobbyists who come together and discuss the gem and mineral world of the local shenandoah area.” Through the group, Claire has gotten the chance to hear about and witness many members’ experiences with minerals from all over the world.

Being a member of the Shenandoah Gem and Mineral Society gives Claire access to use the organization’s lapidary shop which is a place where she gets to cut rocks and make stones to fit in jewelry, which is another interest of hers.

Claire is one of four Peer Conflict and Restorative Justice (PCRJ) facilitators on EMU’s campus and has grown to love their role as well as the topic of peacebuilding as a whole, which they had little to no idea about before taking classes at EMU.

During my sit down with Claire, I decided on a whim to ask them what they believed were their proudest accomplishments in their college journey so far. It was a delight to receive her answers. 

Claire said they were proud of their involvement in EMU’s Take Back The Night. Take Back The Night, which happened in March, was a week-long event focusing on bringing awareness to the topic of sexual violence. Claire was one of the committee members who brought the event to life.

Claire also mentioned that she was proud of herself for many reasons, one being the intentional relationship building that she practiced which led them to a community they’ve found a lot of joy in. In addition to the self-trust that she’s developed, Claire is also proud of her entire journey that led to where she is now.

When thinking about life after college, Claire shares that they are excited to apply the skills they’ve gained and to continue learning.

As we were wrapping up what ended up being an emotional yet beautiful conversation, I asked Claire to list a few things and/or people they are grateful for.

“You want to make me cry,” Claire said. She smiled, took a breath and began to list the following: Her friends and family, her chosen family, their professors, Deanna Durham, Wendy Carr, Zach Yoder, Mikayla McCray, the peacebuilding institute, the Take Back The Night committee, Sabrina Bellar, and Merry Yirga (myself). 

I’m grateful for you, too, Claire. I can not wait to see how you change the world.