By LEAH DARNELL, Guest Columnist
Life is what you make it. You can pour everything into the time you have on Earth or not care about what you pour into life and just go through the motions. I apologize in advance to go deep so quickly into this editorial, but it is what needs to be said.
In my life, I was always taught that what you put into each day matters. I have been thinking about this a lot recently.
For those who do not know me, I am Leah Darnell. I graduated with a mass communication degree in May from Northwestern after transferring from Cowley County Community College in 2019. I just wanted to say that finding a job after graduating in the area of mass communication was immensely difficult for me. I started looking, applying and interviewing all while I was working for Upward Bound during the summer. Many of the jobs I applied for and the companies I had interviews with told me “No.”
I had a few callbacks for interviews, but at the end, I would get the phone call saying: “Your interview was great, but you aren’t qualified for this position.”
I felt truly defeated, but I knew that God would put me where He knew I would excel and where I could be a light. As I went on and worked with high schoolers this past summer, it definitely had its challenges, but also held rewarding moments at the same time.
A majority of the girls started calling me “Mom” because I cared so much about them and asked how they were doing every day I saw them. Then, one day, the roles reversed; I needed love and support. I did not come back on a Monday evening (it was the Fourth of July, so we came back a night later than usual). I had numerous girls text me to see if I was doing OK the Friday before my Grandpa Darnell passed away, and I had to get home to be with family. I came back that Tuesday night after being around family all day and laying Papa Darnell to rest. The numerous hugs and words of encouragement from the high schoolers that night were remarkable.
As days went past, I continued my search for a job as I continued writing cover letters, resumes and reference sheets while hoping for job interviews. The summer job ended, and I lived back at home with Mom and Dad before moving to Arkansas City, Kansas.
To my surprise, God was working behind the scenes as I was looking for jobs after the summer was over. I met a boy on the Christian dating app known as Upward. We matched on July 18. We started talking and getting to know each other. Our talks were short at first because he was visiting family back east while I was figuring out my next steps. Then our talks started getting longer, and we eventually started FaceTiming each other for 30 minutes, which eventually turned into an hour to two hours.
God’s timing is always perfect. He knows exactly when we need something or our special someone that can change our whole life. Michael Rue, you came into my life at the time where I needed you the most, and I am so thankful for the wonderful relationship we now have with one another. Life quickly sped up from there, and I was hanging on for dear life.
Time was running out before I was set to move. I still remember my dad asking me, “Are you sure you want to still move to Ark City?” I answered, “Yes.” I knew deep down that there was a job out there for me in Ark City, the very place where I started my college career and where I still had a strong community of Christians I can lean on for encouragement and love. I still remember these days like it was only yesterday.
My Mom told me to look at the Arkansas City Public Schools district page for job listings. I found the job description for an SAT position. I still did not quite understand what it meant, so I called the district office to get more information. Consequently, I found out it was a student assistance team member position, which essentially involves helping in an elementary classroom. I was strongly encouraged to apply because job interviews were happening soon. So, I started applying the day before I moved to Ark City.
That night on the way to see my sister and brother-in-law, I got asked if I could do an interview the next day at 10 a.m. I immediately replied, “Yes.” I interviewed with all of the elementary school principals the day I moved, and by noon that same day, I got a call back from one of the principals offering me a full-time job as an SAT. Without hesitation, I answered, “Yes.”
So within three to four days, I applied, completed an interview and was subsequently offered a job that I was eager to accept. I was finally able to move back to the place I called home for two years while I was at college.
Like I said at the beginning, life is what you make of it. I never thought I would be working full-time at a school. At times, this position is admittedly difficult, yet I know that, at the end of the day, I am serving as a firm supporter to fifth graders whether they know it or not. I work with such an amazing staff that constantly asks how I am doing and how my day is going, which I am forever grateful for.
I know that I have my degree in mass communication, but I know that God put me at the right elementary school for the right purpose in mind. I had the opportunity to use my talents to make a Veterans Day video for the music teacher and put together a video for the two principals. This video was then presented in front of the Arkansas City Board of Education, addressing the reading curriculum. Keep in mind, this is all happening while I am changing the lives of the students I come in contact with every single day.
Life is what you make it. Live each day as if it is your last one.
Northwestern alumnae Leah Darnell is a former Northwestern News photo editor.