I was born on May 24, 1994 in Mobile, Alabama into a room full of loving family members including my parents, Linda and Michael Pennington, my grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Three years later my family was blessed with the birth of my sister, Meagan Leigh. My family lived in Monroeville, Alabama until I was 6. We moved to Sandy Springs, Georgia in 2001 and then again in 2005 to Kennesaw, Georgia. I attended Harrison High School where I joined several clubs including Beta Club, National Honors Society, and FCA Leadership. I served as the Special Events Coordinator for Student Council two years in a row and organized school wide events for the entire student and staff population. I ran cross country and played varsity lacrosse while maintaining a 4.0+ GPA and working part time on the weekends. I was accepted early to the University of Georgia where I am double majoring in Recreational and Leisure Studies and Management.

With all the success I have encountered and with all the time I've spent in Georgia, I still don't consider it home. For as long as I can remember, in my family the phrase "going home" always meant going back to Monroeville. Although to most people, Monroeville is nothing more than a small, southern town, to me it is a source of great pride. From my maternal and paternal great grandparents all the way down to my own mother, the majority of my lineage comes from Monroeville. My family members have made great lives for themselves in Monroeville and they are some of the best people I know.

The majority of people wouldn't even know Monroeville existed if it weren't for the famous author Harper Lee. Harper Lee was born in Monroeville and is rumored to have set her novel "To Kill A Mockingbird" in the town. Whether the rumors are true or not I think Monroeville is a beautiful place to set a book and I can't help but bring it up every time a discussion arises about "To Kill A Mockingbird". To me, there is nothing prettier than a busy town square surrounding a simple, white courthouse on a cool fall day.

Just recently I was able to travel back to Monroeville over Thanksgiving Break where I was greated with warm smiles and loving embraces. There are times at college when I feel like my life is changing at the speed of light. Going back was a perfect reminder that no matter how hectic my life gets, Monroeville will always be there to welcome be home.