Capstone Integration Williams 1 McKenzie Williams Prof. Whittington Capstone Integration April 17, 2022 Putting My Mission Into Action My mission is to dedicate my life to developing relationships with others and expanding my education (in efficient ways) to further guide me to a life well-lived (“QQC Week 13” by McKenzie Williams - Moreau FYE Week Thirteen). In my first year at Notre Dame, I discovered a new appreciation for expanding my relationships by meeting new people and seeking to learn new educational concepts. I have made these two objectives a priority and will endeavor over these next three years to become stronger in these areas, and in turn, become a stronger human being. For the next three years at Notre Dame and thereafter I will live a life of loyalty filled with many different friendships. As I continue my journey in college, I desire to further grow not just academically, but in my relationships. I want to put myself out there to meet and engage with as many different people as possible. With these relationships, I will grow by hearing different perspectives while also being able to provide my own. Dr. Blaschko explains the dangers of an echo chamber by discussing, “Echo chambers are more dangerous than bubbles, partly because of their ability to lock us into certain world views” (“How to Avoid an Echo Chamber” by Dr. Paul Blaschko - Moreau FYE Week Eleven). An echo chamber actively removes people from groups who disagree with them. In this way, you are blocking out everyone’s voice on the matter and are not allowing yourself to be open to disagreement and debate. People learn and grow more when they are surrounded by people with dissimilar experiences and opinions. I believe https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1JRrFibHHXtgGk_k8VlIydT4XHGP4jk7RHXC2aCwY1SI/edit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaIVxQcqnLs&t=1s Williams 2 we, as a community, should actively seek discussions with people who both agree and disagree on topics to be more exposed to information. Before attending college, I grew up in the same town pretty much my entire life with the same friends and community. Almost everyone from my hometown, Tampa, chooses to stay in-state for college. However, I knew that if I stayed in Florida I would be surrounded by the same people I have been around my entire life for an additional four years. This was a significant factor in deciding to attend a college seventeen hours away from home. Upon arriving at Notre Dame, I met people and learned how different their lives have been compared to mine based on where they come from and other factors. I do not regret my college decision. By attending this university and being surrounded by new people with different experiences, I have grown to further appreciate differing viewpoints and perspectives, and how these viewpoints can help me grow in wisdom. This year, I have joined and been involved in two clubs: Camp Kesem and the Pre-Dental Club. Everyone in these clubs are members for similar reasons and we share this connection; however, we all have different backgrounds and can learn from one another. By being involved in these organizations, I have formed new relationships that I otherwise would not have, had I chosen not to get involved. I hope to continue to be involved in these clubs for the next three years at Notre Dame. I believe that the opportunities from these clubs can further assist me in my goals of pursuing a life well-lived. Father Hesburgh emphasized the importance of differing opinions. He stated, “At a university you cannot censor ideas if they disagree with your own” (“Hesburgh” by Barca and O’Malley - Moreau FYE Week Two). Father Hesburgh knew how essential it is to listen to others even if they have differing views. He believed that if something was wrong in the country, then it is an individual's responsibility to fix it because it is also their problem. Father Hesburgh left a https://notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=10159379-7eca-4549-8581-ab9500c9ecd9 Williams 3 major legacy and impact on Notre Dame as the university’s president. What we, as students of this university, should value from his legacy is fighting for what we believe in while making sure to respect the opinions of others. This affords everyone the opportunity to present their points of view. This is something I truly appreciate about the Notre Dame community and furthermore has been practiced in the Moreau course. On campus, there are so many clubs and outlets for students to share their opinions. While I have only become involved in two clubs thus far, in the future, I hope to get involved in more clubs and/or become even further involved in my existing clubs. To strengthen my involvement in Camp Kesem, I decided to become a counselor for this summer’s camp. Additionally, in the hopes of enhancing my involvement in the Pre-Dental club, I applied for an officer position for the 2022-2023 school year. I am a person who excels when surrounded by others. However, in a setting where I don’t know anyone or I am meeting someone for the first time, I am pretty shy and will not go out of my way to get to know people. I have always struggled with shyness, and this year in particular I have been working more to challenge myself and meet new people. “Christians have found their life together enriched by the different qualities of their many members, and they have sought to increase this richness by welcoming others who bring additional gifts, talents and backgrounds to the community” (“The Spirit of Inclusion at Notre Dame” by du Lac - Moreau FYE Week Ten). Every single person brings value to a community, and it is very important to acknowledge this fact. We tend, without knowing, to socialize with individuals similar to ourselves because this is what we are used to and it makes us feel comfortable in situations. However, we are doing a disservice to ourselves. When we are not being inclusive, we are losing the opportunity to engage and learn from other individuals who bring value that enriches our lives. I was the only one in my circle of friends at home to go to Notre Dame. In this new environment knowing few https://dulac.nd.edu/university-mission-and-vision/spirit-of-inclusion/ Williams 4 people on campus, I have been forced to come out of my comfort zone, meet new people, and form new relationships. This single act of pushing myself to meet new people has been extremely helpful in overcoming and facing my shyness barrier. I still have a long way to go but I have made a good start and will continue over the next three years to work on this obstacle. By continuing to emphasize developing relationships as a key part of my mission, I will be more inclined to meet people and become more comfortable in new social settings. Additionally, I will be welcoming to and supportive of my peers and will hope for the same in return. I believe a strong support system is crucial for a life well-lived; it is essential to have people to go to in times of need because carrying the weight of a problem all on your own can do more harm than good. “To help us discern what our talents and gifts are, we need a circle of friends (parents, teachers, coaches, etc.). The fostering of a community of friends who can be honest with us and whom we can genuinely hear, before whom and with whom we can be open and humble” (“Three Key Questions” by Himes - Moreau FYE Week Three). Our peers are there to support us and help guide us to our full potential. We would be lost in many ways if we did not have the help of the people around us. I am an individual who excels when I have a good, strong support system. I am very lucky and blessed to have built an amazing support system here at Notre Dame. I have formed such meaningful friendships throughout this year, and these are people that I hope to have in my life for a very long time. It is crazy to think that I have only known everyone here for less than a year. Some of the friends I have made, I feel like I have known forever. I know that my friends will continue to be a strong support system for the next three years and hopefully after college. The relationships I have built and future relationships I will build at Notre Dame will help me grow in wisdom and guide me to a life well-lived. https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/40388/files/473345?module_item_id=147866 Williams 5 Pope Francis also believes that our relationships with others are very important. “The future is made of yous, it is made of encounters, because life flows through our relations with others” (“Why the Only Future Worth Building Includes Everyone” by Pope Francis - Moreau FYE Week Seven). Pope Francis discusses how our interactions with others can help shape who we are. In life, it is essential to have people around us. We are not alone in this world, and we must help each other. The friendships I have made this year at Notre Dame have been crucial, especially because this was the first time I have been away from my family and hometown friends who had been my support system up until now. It is encouraging to know that I have people at both of my homes (Tampa and Notre Dame) to whom I can go to for support and who I can provide support to as well. “As disciples of Jesus we stand side by side with all people. Like them we are burdened by the same struggles and beset by the same weaknesses; like them we are made new by the same Lord’s love; like them we hope for a world where justice and love prevail” (“Mission” by Congregation of the Holy Cross - Moreau FYE Week Twelve). The mission of the Congregation of the Holy Cross is rooted in standing together with everyone (people of all races, genders, etc.); we were all created by the same Creator to love our neighbors, and it is in our power to be there to offer support. I believe support is a fundamental quality of relationships. However, relationships should be beneficial with support being offered to both parties. While I am there to offer my friends assistance, it is important to make sure I also have people to turn to. The friends I have been blessed with at Notre Dame are always there to help me when I am down, help me when I am struggling with my schoolwork, or even just there to hang out with me when I’m lonely. I have felt comfortable offering this same support in return. I am extremely fortunate to have created such supportive friendships, and by continuing efforts to put myself out there to engage with others, I hope to create even more lasting https://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-the-only-future-worth-building-includes-everyone-pope-francis https://holycrosscongregation.org/holy-cross-resources/constitutions/2-mission/ Williams 6 relationships in the future. I have built healthy, balanced relationships here in my short tenure at Notre Dame. And for that, I am truly grateful. Balanced, healthy relationships and support systems, I believe, are key to pursuing a life well-lived. I have deepened my desire to provide support to others by becoming a Camp Kesem counselor this summer. “Solidarity is about our relationship with the other, and through the practice of accompaniment we make it real and move it forward” (“Teaching Accompaniment: A Learning Journey Together” by Prof. Reifenberg - Moreau FYE Week Nine). As a society, every individual can offer something to someone else (even when unexpected). Even when we are there to be of service to others, we should act in accompaniment where both sides have a voice. We are there to help give people a voice - not to be that voice. This is something I am going to put into practice by being a counselor this summer. Camp Kesem is a nationally recognized club offered on campus that provides support and free summer camp for children whose parents have died from or are going through the effects of cancer. I am excited to spend part of my summer with these special children and to help them have this amazing outlet that camp offers. By being a counselor, I am not going to take away their voice. Instead, I will be there for them and do whatever I can to ensure they have the best time at camp. In doing so, I will help give these children not only an outlet but a heightened voice. With the rest of my undergraduate studies and hopefully my postgraduate studies in dental school, I will seek to learn and further my education for my career aspiration of being an orthodontist. By putting myself in a position to learn more, I am able to grow in wisdom, and growth is key to a life well-lived. “Planning your career is much like planning for a trip. There are many details and decisions to make and it requires a lot of exploration and research” (“Navigating Your Career Journey” by Undergraduate Career Services - Moreau FYE Week https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/40388/modules/items/148014 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/40388/modules/items/148014 https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ Williams 7 Four). Deciding on a career is a very important decision and one I have not taken lightly. The best way to figure out a career path is through experience. Through experience, I will attain the important skills necessary to grow. I will determine what I truly value, the type of personality I have, what I find interesting, and what I am good at. Toward the end of high school, I obtained an interest in becoming an orthodontist and thus in attending dental school. When matriculating to Notre Dame, I decided to join the Pre-Dental club to actively engage with the club’s members and to seek more information about my desired career path. Because of the information obtained thus far from being affiliated with the Pre-Dental club combined with what I have learned from the Moreau course concerning the importance of picking the right career, I have decided to shadow my orthodontist this summer to ensure orthodontia is the best fit for me. This is an amazing opportunity to get direct experience and be exposed to my potential occupation. I am extremely excited and grateful that my orthodontist is permitting me to shadow. She said that shadowing was an important factor in her decision-making process, and I am hopeful that by shadowing I will obtain the same validation of a career path in orthodontia. In these next three years of college, if I decide to stay on the orthodontia track, I will continue to gain more experience and knowledge through community volunteering, more shadowing of professionals in the field, and my Pre-Dental club membership. By focusing on my future education and career, I am allowing myself to grow in wisdom and be better guided towards a life well-lived. To ensure maximum success, it is my responsibility to work hard and give everything my full effort. An individual learns best when giving their all. Everything we do can be an opportunity to show growth and it is essential to understand and capitalize on these opportunities to help in seeking a life well-lived. “A main theme throughout the conversation was my work ethic and determination to accomplish goals” (“QQC 5” by McKenzie Williams - Moreau FYE https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TMjO473KMGNjPuz3Wj4Mps7pKOdw2fYRXGbH77DTHuI/edit Williams 8 Week Five). In the first half of Moreau this semester, each of us had a conversation with someone where we could gain insight about ourselves from another person’s perspective. I chose to talk to my mom because out of everyone in this world she knows me best. While talking to her, she continued to emphasize my hard work and determination, which are traits I believe are critical for a life well-lived. Although these traits first developed in competitive all-star cheerleading, they have carried into my academics and other activities. Because of the academic rigor and caliber at this university, I have had to work harder than ever when it comes to my education. With this academic rigor has also come exposure to many different subjects. This fall semester was the first time in my educational career that I didn’t take a history course. Although I love learning in my science courses at Notre Dame, I realized I miss other subjects that interest me. Throughout high school, I was very well-rounded with my course selections. I miss the opportunities these varied subjects provided in my educational growth. In high school; however, history was never my favorite subject. I realized this wasn’t because of the material being taught but instead how the classes were approached. In deciding my schedule for this semester, I started to look at the history courses offered to fulfill the university’s Core 6 requirement. I was surprised at how interested I was in some of the course descriptions. Currently, I am enrolled in a class called FDR to Obama, and the topics covered in this course have helped in my decision to declare a minor in history. The Notre Dame courses offered are varied and focused on specific subject matter, as opposed to the general courses offered at my high school. If I didn’t decide to try something new and expand my wisdom by taking a history course, I would have never decided to minor in history. By emphasizing hard work, I have been granted the opportunity to further expand my studies. My education thus far at Notre Dame has pushed me to think deeper and formed a desire to seek more information. In these next three years, I hope to gain more Williams 9 knowledge in all of my courses with a Preprofessional Studies major in the College of Science and a history minor. Although I have always placed a huge emphasis on hard work and determination, sometimes it is necessary to take a moment to reflect and get back on track before returning to something. It is my responsibility to make sure the activities I am doing are not hindering my progress, but instead are beneficial to my success. By continuing on an efficient track and not letting something hinder my progress, I will better pursue a life well-lived. “That’s the reason American football players prefer to go into a huddle rather than just race toward the line of scrimmage, the reason a certain kind of writer will include a lot of blank space on a page, so his sentences have room to breather (and his readers, too)” (“Why We Need to Slow Down Our Lives” by Iyler - Moreau FYE Week One). When people are constantly doing things throughout their day and never taking the time to relax and breathe, they can lose focus on their goals and on themselves. It is essential to take some time during the day to just reflect on yourself and make sure you are on the right track. Oftentimes we lose ourselves without even knowing it, and it isn’t until we step back and look at our life from an outside perspective that we can get back to what’s familiar. I have realized that this is something I have done with my school work this year while being at Notre Dame. I tend to get frustrated very easily if I cannot understand a topic or can’t get a problem correct. I have realized that the best thing to do is take a break and do other work or anything in general to get my mind off of the frustration. Then, I can come back to the problem refreshed and hopefully in a better position to tackle it. This has been an extremely helpful outlet. Just taking the time to relax and a moment to readjust has helped a lot in getting me back on track and refocused. https://ideas.ted.com/why-we-need-a-secular-sabbath/ https://ideas.ted.com/why-we-need-a-secular-sabbath/ Williams 10 Additionally, I believe self-reflection is essential in better understanding one’s self, and in turn, setting one up for a life well-lived. While in college, I have placed a greater emphasis on taking some time for self-reflection. “A good rule of thumb, then, is that why questions are generally better to help us understand events in our environment and what questions are generally better to help us understand ourselves” (“The Right Way to Be Introspective” By Eurich - Moreau FYE Week Six). These “what” questions can better help people identify their emotions which can be the best place to start when trying to understand what you need at that moment. These reflection questions have been a key part of my college experience. Oftentimes I do not know how to better a situation or where to go next, so taking the time to make sure I am on the right track and not doing something that can hinder my progress has been very beneficial. Although, at times this reflection has been hard. “Sometimes you don’t want to hear things that are necessary, but knowing these things can help you become a better version of yourself” (“McKenzie Williams - A Life of Many Values ” by McKenzie Williams - Moreau FYE Week Eight). Hearing things that I need to hear but don’t necessarily want to can be especially hard when it comes to my studies. It has been a little difficult to adjust to new study habits for college, and at times it has been hard to digest criticism. However, I have become better at listening to advice and applying it to my studies. I feel that this semester I have developed more efficient study habits, and I aspire to continue to grow in this area over the next three years. I believe developing relationships and seeking wisdom is key to growth. These are factors I have begun to place a huge emphasis on in my college career, and I hope to continue to emphasize these skills in the future. By learning more and building new relationships, I have already begun to grow so much as a person. I am definitely on my journey to pursuing a life well-lived, and I hope to continue to become stronger and grow throughout this process. https://ideas.ted.com/the-right-way-to-be-introspective-yes-theres-a-wrong-way/ https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1G-3byKVTcVAWZLefWbKtz6PSo8xVe4hdrPQ9AFjXWsQ/edit