Well, here we are...

It's Week 10. Officially less than two weeks until I graduate from UCI...which still freaks me out every time I think about it. And it's not like I haven't really considered it before either...about a year ago, as my Junior year was wrapping up, I finally had the "Oh shit!" (the first curse word on the counseling blog? Anything is possible!!!!!) epiphany that my life as a college student would end sooner rather than later. And ever since then, almost every school-related decision I've made has been framed around this realization.

As a matter of fact, I was very close to not applying for PASS Board last year when appointed applications were due in late-May. I actually missed the initial deadline, and had an "Ah well..." attitude towards it. But then I thought about how I wanted to spend my senior year of college...would I regret not having the experience of being on the board of a organization that had already given me good times and good friends during my two years as a general member? I knew the answer was yes, so I finally applied as Counseling Director (because the deadline was thankfully extended).

I couldn't be happier with that decision. My entire Senior year has pretty much revolved around PASS and the people within it, and I wouldn't give that up for anything. There are simply too many great memories to list, but even more than that, it's the people I will always remember. Board (past and present), counselors, interns, and general members...I will never forget them, and I sincerely hope we remain friends through the years.

I couldn't be happier that I ended up at UCI. Let's just get a simple truth out there: UCI was probably not the first choice school of a majority of students here, and I'm no exception. In fact, four years ago when I was rejected by my top choices, I was downright crushed. And when I started taking a look at the UCI campus and turned in my decision to attend, I was optimistic but still couldn't shake the feeling that I belonged somewhere else.

Well, my undergraduate experience has had it's shares of highs as well as extreme lows, but four years later, I really feel that my ending up in Irvine was the best thing that could happen to me. I have really grown personally from my experiences here, and the funny thing is, UCI has gone through just as much of a transformation during this time. And I'm not just talking about the constant construction that goes on (VDC Norte and the Student Center didn't even exist yet when I was a freshman), but UCI's rise in its national academic profile, athletic teams, and its new schools and majors. I hear UCI mentioned more often on the news, we have TWO #1 sports teams, and we have exciting majors in business and nursing, as well as a brand new law school opening up next year. The amount of growth has been astonishing in the four years I've been here, and I'm extremely proud that I will be receiving my degree from UCI.

But in the end, what makes a campus strong is the people within it, and on a final note, I'd like to thank some very important people who defined my senior year: Michelle, Sam, Steph, Mel, Jamie, Kat, Leanne, Jezzle, Ian, and Anthony. Working with a group of smart, talented, inspiring, and most important to me, funny people such as yourselves has been such an honor. Maybe it's not for us to say, but I really feel proud of what we've accomplished with PASS this year, and I feel we've done enough to really leave our mark on this young but strong organization. And I'm very optimistic that Steph, Mel, and Jezzle will be great leaders for next year's board so that PASS may grow even more.

Just as leaving UCI gives me a bittersweet feeling, leaving PASS is just as hard...I know for the next few months, my Sundays will feel strange without having to go to board meetings, or Wednesdays without general meetings. Experiencing PASS withdrawals is almost a certainty. But I've made such great friends from PASS that I know a fellow member will never be too far away, and we will always be there to support each other. Congratulations to all my fellow seniors, and good luck to all the rest.

Thank you,

Steven Katigbak
2008-09 PASSAGE Counseling Director