Choosing a school literally across the country became simple when I knew this is exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Deanna Thomas

I have lived Alexandria, Va., 15 minutes from the District of Columbia, for the past year. I’m the second-born twin by eight minutes; therefore we both are the oldest of six children.  I’ve been home-schooled since the age of 10, after attending public school until fifth grade.

My father, David, was self-employed, which caused him to travel extensively. Because of his job, I’ve lived in six different states: Texas, Georgia, South and North Carolina, Maryland and New Jersey. Last year my parents separated after 20 years of marriage. So my mother, Diana, and my five siblings, DeLisa, David, Deion, Ruthie, Dana and I moved to Virginia.

This past year has been the most transforming for me, emotionally and spiritually; it is as if I grew wings. I was looking for Christian colleges on the Internet on my cell phone, when I discovered Corban. It took me two weeks to find the website after I lost the webpage and didn’t remember the name. All I remembered was that it was a Christian college located in Oregon.

Once I found the school, I applied and was accepted. Why did I choose to attend a school across the country? It is because I was assigned to an amazing admission counselor, Casey Hultberg. She allowed me to experience the school from afar by sending me pictures of the entire campus and answering every question with such sincerity and honesty that it was extraordinary. She was there for me even though she didn’t even know me.

When I talked to my advisor, Jonathan Meyers, for the first time, he was so dedicated to making my transition into Corban as easy as possible. Even when I called him by his first name by accident, he was kind and gracious!

I wanted to attend a school where as a student you’re important by name, talent and strengths, and if you’re struggling, they will reach out to help in any way they can because they want you to succeed. I felt and still feel Corban can do that.

Two weeks before freshman orientation, I actually knew I was going to be able to attend. Not only were there three kids in our family trying to attend college this fall, but we’re a large family with few resources. It was through much prayer and an amazing church family, Alexandria Presbyterian Church, that God answered one more of our many answered prayers. My brother, David, is attending Penn State University, and my twin sister, DeLisa, is attending George Fox.

My favorite moment was when (senior) Jessica Robinson picked me up at the airport.

But before that, I had had my molars and a wisdom tooth extracted on my left side two days before I flew. I boarded my very first plane ever in all my 19 years of life at 5 a.m. (2 a.m. PT). I caught my connecting flight in Chicago, and I arrived in Oregon at 10:45 a.m. My plane was late because it had gotten lost at its own airport back in Chicago!

As I looked for my luggage, I noticed a girl holding a purple and yellow sign with my name on it. It took her a second to realize I was that girl, but Jessica immediately hugged me when she discovered who I was. Within that hour, I admired her. She was so wonderfully kind and ready to give her all. She introduced me to the best treat ever since being in Oregon: a coffee shop called Dutch Brothers. Even though I couldn’t thoroughly enjoy it, because of the dental work, it still was awesome.

Jessica stayed with me through the sign-in by holding my bags and assisting with everything. We ate lunch together in the cafeteria, and she took me on tour of the entire campus. She was there with me when I met my roommate for the first time, and she helped me move in. I could never have imagined such a beautiful welcome the way she embraced me.

I’m not sure what God has planned for me, but I intend to spend the rest of my life learning what that could be, and to me Corban is just the beginning.