Allie Calcote

Being an only child herself, my mom never envisioned putting me in the same position. I took only child-syndrome to another level, being painfully shy up until about third grade. While I had no problem talking to my parents or relatives, I was timid around new people. I was so comfortable with my routine at home that I found the idea of sleepovers daunting, avoiding them at all costs.

Figuring it was time to shake my overly introverted habits, my parents decided to send me to sleep-away summer camp when I was eight. This caused months of sobbing and pleading, as I desperately tried to change their minds. Ultimately, I was unsuccessful and was sent away to camp for three weeks. Although my home in Austin is only an hour away from camp, it felt like a whole world away. I sent dramatic letters home to my parents explaining how homesick I was every day. When I arrived home, my mom and I made a deal. If I went to camp for one more summer and hated it, I would not have to go back for a third. I was pleased, thinking there was no way I would want to go back for a third summer. However, I felt much more comfortable the next summer and even made friends and enjoyed activities. So, I went back for a third summer, a fourth, and so on until I became a ninth year camper applying to be a counselor.

When it was time to start applying to colleges, I shocked my parents by deciding to apply to only out-of-state universities. While meeting lifelong friends at camp, I also developed an ability to be away from home. Although the distance from Athens to Austin still seems daunting sometimes, I am pleased to have outgrown my shy, eight year old self.