“Seeking to be great but always remembering that we must be GOOD”

March 5, 2008.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
A nice, crisp and sunny day with wispy clouds lazily floating across a Carolina blue sky being gently pushed by slight breezes.

All in all, a beautiful day, except that it was also the day our campus community learned of the murder of our student body president.

Last year around this time, I was still in the Chapel Hill area, and had people to talk to about it. Our conversation drifted, eventually, to be about the ‘Carolina way’ and we questioned what it meant, if we were doing it, etc.

This year, I’m far from home, nearly on the other side of the world, with no one close by who I can easily relate with. I wish I could see how the memorial garden turned out; I wish for an understanding shoulder to lean on, a sympathetic friend to hug and talk to.

Nonetheless, I started thinking about last year’s conversation, and the year before that, and the emphasis on public service my extracurricular activities(ever since junior high and MYP IB’s somewhat mandatory community service requirements) have always placed on me. As a peace corps volunteer, one of the goals is to share with others American culture. I hope I’ll be able to impart some of the ‘Carolina way’ onto my counterparts in addition to just living it myself.

Grace. Appreciation of Diversity. Human Dignity. Social Justice. Public service. These are but a few facets, merely the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
And of course, “Seeking to be great but always remembering that we must be GOOD.” -Eve Carson

We miss you Eve.