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Kayley Brinegar
Though close to home, I had very little exposure to Morgantown. However, I discovered upon visiting that the WVU campus is beautiful and the people are welcoming. There’s something about WV folks that you don’t find in more urban areas. I also realized how close Morgantown is to some magical places. Spots like Coopers Rock, Canaan Valley, Dolly Sods… the natural beauty here is underappreciated. Seeing areas like these helped me realize that you don’t need to make a cross-country trip to experience that sense of awe that can be found in the great outdoors. It’s already here. So when it came down to it, the homey feel combined with the sense of adventure is what convinced me to stay in the state.
What is your favorite Mountaineer memory?
Adventure WV provides awesome opportunities for incoming freshmen to experience the wild and wonderful state of West Virginia during First-Year Trips (FYTs). Though many Mountaineer memories were made on my FYT, I’m not sure much could beat the feeling of hiking to the summit of Spruce Knob for the first time and taking in the views of mountains and country roads. That’s when I knew that I was where I needed to be.
Why did you want to become a PSA?
The many experiences that I’ve been fortunate to have while here, and the many more that I eagerly await, make me fired up and excited to let others know what a great institution WVU is. But beyond that, I knew that in order to be an effective leader, one must be able to convey their ideas clearly and with confidence. And I knew that my public speaking skills needed some work. PSA seemed like an awesome way to develop and build on these skills so I can represent the university, future organizations that I may work for, and above all, myself.
What did you learn from the PSA experience?
The PSA experience has allowed me to explore and build confidence in my role as a leader. The various guest speakers, each with their own unique perspective and background, provided some great insight into what they believe it means to be a great leader. It seems that the common thread of wisdom is that leadership starts with yourself, which has been empowering to hear because it underscores the fact that we each have the responsibility and duty to care for ourselves so we can lead with integrity and grace. The speeches have afforded me the opportunity to develop and hone my public speaking skills while also acquiring both humility and confidence. Overall, this class has been incredibly rewarding and the wisdom I’ve gained is timeless.