Annie Allred

I never thought that I would be one to chase new beginnings .

My whole life I grew up in a town called Vienna in Virginia. It is located about twenty minutes outside of the beautiful city, DC. I was also surrounded by a large family with 2 loving parents, an older sibling, and two younger, and 4 grandparents within a 10 mile radius. Growing up, my life was filled with laughter, family gatherings, and memorable trips to the city. I never felt alone in my community.

As I got older, friendships evolved, and hobbies changed, I found that my sense of curiosity about the world around me grew stronger. I began to understand that in order to continue to grow, I needed to step outside of the bubble I had once been so familiar with. By the time college applications rolled around the corner I reached a point where I wanted to explore something new. I only applied to schools out of state and at least six hours away. It sounds daunting, I know. However I truly believed I needed to branch out and find myself outside of my life in Vienna.

Considering that my parents grew up in Vienna their whole lives and even went to my high school, I decided that coming to University of Georgia, even though 591 miles away seemed far, was going to be the best decision to continue my desire for independence and exploration.

Looking back, I am proud of the leap I took. UGA has already shaped me in ways I did not anticipate and I cannot wait to see how the next 4 years here challenge and inspire me.