One thing that really bothered me during the foundation days was the lack of excitement that was brought by carnival rides and rows of booths. It almost seemed that the SHS Intramurals was a much fulfilling experience for me. The last day of the foundation – falling on a Saturday – gave a different vibe and made the university ground empty. Where were the students? Where were you? Where are the rides?

Long before the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, the University of Saint Louis celebrated its 55th Founding Anniversary in a time when we were not expecting a two-week class suspension that turned into two-years of quarantine. I was dumbfounded at first. Then, it finally sunk in. We were locked for who knows how long. We didn’t know how to continue studying until we learned to adapt with the changes.

Just like any other opinion piece, I need to jump directly to the main objective of my writing before you turn your attention to the next page or sheet and lose my chance of giving you a good story.

Weeks before the preparations of the different departments and schools of our university, the SHS Intramurals commenced. It was a blast and so was the 55th Foundation week. Some Louisians went from being a STAR to a GEM. Speaking of Gems, we vied for the championship just like any other competing team. The School of Engineering, Architecture, and Information Technology Education won that bid, successfully defending the top spot.

A déjà vu moment for some Dragons who were once Peacocks. I just know there are college students that were from the newest department. End of commercial. Seriously, where were the carnival rides? A short answer to that question is: It only happens once in 5 years. When was the last? During the 55th – 2020. When is the next? On our Diamond Jubilee – 2025. The University of Saint Louis’ 60th year.

For sure, a lot have changed. Yes, if not everything, most. We were knocked with this reality after we witnessed SEAITE win back-to-back while not being able to reach the basketball finals with rival, School of Education, Arts, and Sciences (SEAS), watching our own choice not win a contest, or ourselves lose to the younger Junior High School (JHS). It was always about the experience they say.

Some probably wanted to experience the rides – foundation-style. Some were probably happy that no additional fee popped up in the student assessment. Whatever you say, I am devastated to (maybe) never experience the Ferris Wheel and Swing Carousel again in the Junior High School quadrangle. There might be next year, but I would have graduated by the time USL sets-up the metal bars and cranks the screws of the rides in their place.

Well, we do not want to tempt fate and change the course of time. However, we have a chance to shoot our shot. Maybe with this piece. Maybe it’s just the foundation hangover dragging my eyelids down while writing. It’s only a matter of time before we put down our uniforms and won’t hear the “Go! Laban! Laban, Senior High!” chant anymore. Saying goodbye isn’t a bad thing, it’s the thought that comes to our minds every night that won’t stop being a nuisance to our braincells.

Is it the fear of letting go or the context of us leaving? Or just our eagerness to win the foundation while sighting a giant wheel over the horizon? For now, all I can write for you is a simple saying. As we wait for another 365 days, let us all: Roll with the Changes.