Interview by Sophie Marcum

As one of Bluffton High School’s most recent graduates, Adel has been immersed in her freshman year. She is at Grace College and Seminary, Winona Lake, Ind., and is majoring in Elementary Education. We had the opportunity to ask her about life since graduating. Here’s what we learned…

What drew you to your field of study?
Throughout my middle school and high school education, I have had a deep passion for kids. I wanted to impact them and help them see the strength that they have inside of them. I also wanted to simply love these children.

A teacher has such an incredible opportunity. They not only teach the children things needed to gain knowledge but also have the ability to encourage, support, and love a child. A teacher can leave an incredible impact on a child and I wanted to do the same thing. I also spent time at summer camps working as a counselor and worked in classrooms at the elementary school and really enjoyed being around children and helping them in any way I could.

What is one interesting thing you’ve learned since coming to campus, either inside or outside the classroom? 
How important community is.

Have you joined any organizations on campus? If not, what do you like to do in your free time?
I haven’t joined any on campus organizations, but have found a  babysitting job off campus where I have the ability to spend two hours with children from infants to fifth graders and teach them about God and the Bible (depending on age). Other than that, I spend my free time hanging out with my friends in our dorm rooms, walking Winona (our local town), or just hanging out anywhere else around campus. 

You recently returned to Bluffton to crown the 2015 Homecoming Queen, what was it like returning to a high school setting?
It was so refreshing coming back to such a welcoming community and being able to pick up right where I left off with many of my high school friendships.

Rumor has it your campus is near a lake, do you utilize this often?
The lake is right off campus. My friends and I typically walk out to the lake to watch the sunset, have conversation, or just to go on a walk. I have spent many afternoons and evening just sitting on the dock reading.  Truly a blessing.

Grace has a Freshman Foundations course designed to help students learn and integrate the value of a Christian liberal education. What, in your opinion, is unique about this type of education and how has your experience with it been thus far?
I have really enjoyed the freshman foundations class. The class really allowed me to see what Grace and what a liberal arts college or education is all about. The class helped me she how my education would help me not only in my choice career but also in day to day life.

I feel like this class is unique in the way that it allowed me to see how my time at Grace will play into my life with God and how I can make my life with God the main reason for being at Grace. We were taught eight “foundation stones” that are important to life at Grace. The class allowed me to see and understand my God-given strengths and talents and see how I can use them in my life.

What are your goals for the remainder of your first year of college?
My goal for the rest of the school year is to simply enjoy it and stay focused.

Was anything about college unexpected or surprising to you when you began?
Nothing really surprised me about college. Although it did feel like I was at a camp for the first few weeks!

If you had to describe yourself using one word, what would it be?
Passionate.