Participation in the UO High School forensics tournament introduced me to the campus as a lovely place, walking from building to building both to get to places to compete, but also to just kill time. While at the University to compete we encountered flyers advertising speakers and upcoming events that made the University of Oregon appear to be an exciting and intellectual vibrant community I would like to join. Stumbling across the odd campus event or even protest only reinforced that sense.

While competing in forensics in high school I also attended a debate camp at the University of Oregon, which reinforced many of the above mentioned experiences. It also introduced me to many University of Oregon debaters, some of whom would become my friends, who made the University seem to be both a great place to continue competing in forensics, but also to attend school. As I encountered these people over the ensuing years they made a regular and persuasive pitch for me to attend the University. These relationships played a pivotal role in me becoming a Duck.