"Weekend in the Hamptons" by Erin N.

Hampton, Virginia is one of the most historical and beautiful city in the United States. It has stunning scenic view as it sits just off the coast of the Chesapeake Bay, and multiple historical military bases as well as national landmarks.
    I had been invited to visit Hampton University on behalf of a volleyball athletic scholarship that was extended towards myself on the weekend of October 10, 2013. Along for the trip were my mother and father as we boarded the seven hour flight at LAX. Being on a plane for seven hours allowed me eventually become overwhelmed with my emotions and thoughts. Will this school be everything I imagined or will I be disappointed? Will I fit in or feel out of place?
    As the day finally came around to visit the school I was filled with scattered emotions. We pulled up to the campus and had to unfortunately wait until escorted in. Hampton University is a private university that is closed off to public. Once we were clearly identified as guest we were permitted on the campus. Once on campus I was clearly able to identify the buildings from all the research I had done.The library stood long and tall with its six levels of books and research facilities, the cafeteria was alluring as it was three stories high with a view of the water and boats on the bay, The Emancipation Oak tree stood strong with its 130 plus years of history, the Convocation Center was charismatic and filled with the competitive atmosphere which all the athletes contributed, and the student centers were amusing and full of excitement with students relaxing and playing games for fun. All I could say is that the campus was beautiful and compelling!
    It finally came down to meeting the girls who I would be spending my time with for the next four years. I was nervous yet excited at same time. I walked into the into the locker room section of the convocation center and came face to face with the women’s volleyball locker door. I said, “ Here we go” and took a deep breath.I opened the door and came face to face with 14 different pairs of eyes all focused on me. Then I focused less on the eyes and more on the smiles that had arisen from all of their faces. The girls were very nice and very egger to get to know me. They had so many questions like where I was from, what position do I play, what’s my favorite food, and what hobbies I like to do. Our conversation was cut shorts because it was time for them practice and me to watch. As I was watching them I was astonished by the level of play at which these girls competed at, but hey I guess thats division one volleyball for ya! After practice we piled into some of the girl’s cars and went out to lunch. I loved the atmosphere the girls created for me. It was fun, humorous, and laid back. I seemed to bond more with the other California girls but I learned a lot from the international girls on the team. The international girls were from Czech Republic, Puerto Rico,Serbia, and Brazil. They taught me some of their language and international cheers. We then went to a football game and I really enjoyed the competitive atmosphere between the two teams. It was really cool how the school banded together to rally the team to win the game. Later that night we went and got dolled up for the Miguel and Big Sean concert that the school had put together. It was so much fun with all the dancing and laughing! I spent the night with two of the freshmen on the team in their dorms, and couldn’t sleep because of our intense Pretty Little Liars conversation. The next day was game day for the girls. I watched them warm up and smash the other team to get the victory and become one step closer to competing in the NCAA tournament.
    It was finally time to say goodbye to the girls and I honestly did not want to leave because I enjoyed my time so much. On the trip back home I reflected to myself at how I never thought I would ever even so come near Virginia, but I know its were i’m meant to be. While there I saw business majors fully dressed in suits and dresses, athletes working hard to win championship rings, cheerleaders spreading school spirit, journalist collaborating to make the next school magazine, school ambassadors working to make the school even better, navy rotc aligned perfectly in their marching lines, and lastly the student body coming together to make one big family. Visiting the school made me realize that the real world is coming quicker than I know it. In less than six month i'll be graduating and in seven ill be packing up and saying goodbye to loved ones to start preseason training. I learned that you must live life to fullest yet you must work hard to attain successfulness. At Hampton you must work hard if you want to succeed there are no exceptions.Hampton is nationally recognized university and although to some it may seem like nothing compared to bigger universities, to me its everything a place to get a higher education and do what I love to do free of charge, I can’t pass up the opportunity to attend.