Self Discovery

            So today I went to my high school, Harpeth Hall, to visit and to gain some insight on a teacher’s perspective on single-sex education. Harpeth Hall is an all girls’ preparatory school, and now at Belmont University, I am giving a persuasive speech on the benefits of an all girls’ academic environment. I am very excited to give this speech because I am very passionate about the topic because of my experience at Harpeth Hall. It was great to be back on that beautiful campus, and it made me miss Harpeth Hall even more. Harpeth Hall is where I found a group of girls bonded in our love, joy, and desire to grow, and I graduated with them on May 28, 2013. Harpeth Hall is where I found teachers that are my life-long friends and blessed me with the knowledge I have today. Most importantly Harpeth Hall is where I discovered myself- my faith, my self confidence, and what I wanted my name to mean to the world. I was truly blessed to go to such an incredible school with a environment geared towards nurturing young women to think critically, lead confidently, and live honorably. 
          I am who I am today because of my 7 years at Harpeth Hall. Those years gave me the opportunity to discover my passions, become a leader, and let my wild, crazy, fun personality thrive. Harpeth Hall blessed me with more than an education. I was given so much more. I discovered who I was in Christ and how to be a light of Christ. I discovered my gifts, talents, and purpose for the Kingdom of God. Romans 1:11-12 says, “For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you– or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine” (Romans NIV). Paul is challenging us to find our spiritual gifts and find a community that thrives on their love for Christ Jesus. At Harpeth Hall, though an independent school, we could still find a group who were Christians that could become a life long accountability group. Each held different gifts and different views and was bonded in faith. I was so blessed to find a group that I can always count on to keep me accountable and share my stories with. I will forever be grateful for Harpeth Hall allowing me to be me and to find what KATIE means to others.