I grew up in the greater Seattle area, where I was homeschooled with my four sisters by two loving parents. Life was always busy with school work, church involvement, music lessons and performances, and in high school, debate preparation and tournaments. For my last semester of high school, I interned at the Leadership Institute in Arlington, Virginia. Every summer, I hold several jobs: marketing for a medical office, administrative assistant work for a real estate agent, nannying, waiting tables, or playing harp. While at Hillsdale, I work at the Mossey Library, as a Resident Assistant, and as co-president of the Honors Program. I thank God for His Son, my family, my friends, and for bringing me to where I am now.

My parents have loved Hillsdale for as long as I have been alive. We got Imprimis for years. I fell in love with the College when I was twelve years old, while my cousin Hans was in his freshman year at Hillsdale. When he came home for Thanksgiving break, he showed me an Admissions video. I immediately recognized Hillsdale as the only school where the hard work and deep learning of homeschooling would be furthered.

As you drive in to the town of Hillsdale, there is a sign that says, “Hillsdale; it’s the people.” That is true of the school as well. The kinds of conversations we have in the library, in our dorm rooms, at meals, between classes, and in classes, are only possible because of the deeply thoughtful and interested student body and faculty. I pray for the College’s staff often, because, to usurp a Reagan quote: Hillsdale is only a freshman class away from extinction. It is the people that make the learning hard and wonderful; it is the people that make Hillsdale great.

I am exploring graduate school and possibly teaching. I would love to help students become passionate about the liberal arts. My real dream, however, is to raise a family.

I love the relationships we get to forge with learned professors, and the close friendships created by the small campus size and like-minded student body. I have also gained a lot from the volunteer opportunities the school has given me. I enjoy teaching elementary school music every week at a local private school.

On an Honors Program trip to Boston, I enjoyed sitting in the front seat of the 15-passenger van for 14 hours talking to Dr. Raney, one of our history professors, about everything from the American Revolution class I was taking with him that semester, to how he met his wife.

The core classes have broadened my understanding of the world immensely. Now I understand a wide array of other viewpoints, and can hold respectful conversations with people with whom I disagree.

jbuccola@hillsdale.edu