Top 10 VU Moments & Memories

Vanguard University changed my life forever, here is the top 10 moments & memories I have from being a student there.

#10 Res Rally Fall 2017

Res Rally was a dance competition between all the floors in Huntington Hall (freshmen and sophomore guys dorm) at the end of the first week of school. It forced us to get to know each other and learn a dance routine in a matter of days. I don’t like to dance but this was the biggest dance routine I had ever done up to that point and it was so fun. Stepping out of my comfort zone was a challenge but it helped with adapting to the Vanguard community.

#9 Zion Spring 2019 & OSE Winter Retreats

Zion Spring 2019 I am not much of an outdoorsy person so going on a camping trip to Zion made me step out of my comfort and into the learning zone. The beautiful views from ground level (I didn’t hike as much as I should have lol) and experiencing snow for the first time since I could remember will be a memory I will never forget.

OSE Winter Retreats I have always struggled with rest and slowing down. At the beginning of each spring since my freshmen year (except Spring 2021) student leaders would retreat at this Oceanside home. It was an oasis to rest and get prepared for the semester ahead. So many great memories with so many great people took place on these retreats.

#8 Attending Live Recordings

Welcome your host, Steve Harvey! The next artist is entering the stage…! Here we go, places! These are just some of the phrases that you would hear when attending these live recordings. Throughout my time at Vanguard I was able to go to so many of these recordings and oftentimes with other Vanguard students. My favorite AGT auditions without a doubt are Zurcaroh (13th Season Runner-ups) and Kodi Lee (14th Season Winner).

#7 VU Disney Birthday Celebration

It was my first birthday at Vanguard and I got a few people to go together to Disneyland to celebrate. Just happened to have more Vanguard students there as well and it turned out to be a really fun time with a great group of people in the happiest place on earth. It will forever be one of my favorite moments while at Vanguard.

By the way, almost everyone on Guardians except for the four people in the front on the left side was Vanguard students.

#6 SGA Hangouts and Dinners

Having the ability to sit down and enjoy a meal or be maskless with the members of my organization is something I miss dearly. I have had so many great memories hanging out with these people.

Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures from this year’s team but in a normal year, we would have tons of pictures together having dinners with administration, and hanging out beyond our meetings.

#5 SGA Chapel September 2019

I had never preached in front of so many people. I felt unqualified knowing my struggles. God put on my heart a message about actively waiting for Him to move in our current situations. It is a message that still speaks to my soul today.

Worship through the pain

Anticipate the breakthrough

Invite God into your situation

Transparent (keep it real with God)

In the most painful moments of your life, who are you sending word to? Hopefully, the answer is Jesus.

#4 Winning Freshmen Senator Elections

This single event completely changed my Vanguard experience. As many of you know Vanguard was not my first choice and part of me didn’t want to go there but I knew that I had to get involved to have the best experience ever. I heard about SGA from @paisleyjoy the summer before going to college. Having been in leadership in high school I thought it would be a good fit. I remember going into the office of the staff-appointed advisor for SGA to ask if I could be a part of SGA for all four years because if I run, I am in it for the long haul. After the closest contested freshmen elections ever, I won! And now as I look into the horizon of commencement I have been able to accomplish the goal of being in SGA all 4 years and served two of those as president. Wow, it has been such a blessing.

#3 Removing the E Old Caf

Our eating space on campus is called a cafe but culturally students call it the caf. I found this out within the first week of school and I had posted on my Snapchat that we needed to change it and remove the E. While they were preparing to demolish the old caf I requested to take the E down for its final two weeks and it happened. Now the E will forever lie in the new time capsule and the other in an undisclosed location. It was a small and short victory but a victory nonetheless.

#2 On the Go with GEO

During my time at Vanguard, I was blessed to go on three different mission trips through the Global Education and Outreach department. I have been to the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Washington D.C. I learned so much during these life-changing trips and it was so hard to pick one over the others so they all take the #2 slot.

#1 VU 100 Celebration & Grand Opening of the Waugh Student Center

It was a magical evening starting with my parents surprising me by driving down for the ceremony. I had the opportunity to receive a “key” on behalf of the student body as a representation of the next 100 years continuing to be committed to students and dedicating the Waugh Student Center to the student body but when I walked on the stage the Key was nowhere to be found so I back peddled grabbed the key from the table on the side of the stage, handed it to President Beals, and back-peddled approaching him again as if nothing happened. This memory will forever be engraved in my heart. It was such an amazing moment. Finally, I was able to address all those in attendance with a speech showing gratitude on behalf of the student body and presented the University with its first-time capsule. Don’t forget my Executive VP and I had the opportunity to cut the ribbon. A moment that will be cemented in Vanguard’s history forever.

All because I had the opportunity to lead the student body as President. Thank you students for choosing me. Thank you for trusting me with your concerns. Thank you for this opportunity to lead. I hope that you will remember me as the student body president who advocated for you with all he had. Thank you for joining me on this journey.

Also, I do not know who let me get on the stage with my hair looking like that. Talk about rough.